seem to be getting dirt patches on my lawn causedby red ants

the patches are usually caused because there's an ants next beneath the grass - as it gets bigger, it sticks up and when you mow, you scalp it, leaving a bald patch in the grass. Open up the nest (preferably wearing wellies or something) and pour boiling water into it.
Alternatively, Greengardener (online) does a nematode treatment which is watered onto the lawn said to get rid of ants. Never tried it, but check online for details.

we have a pair of green woodpeckers that do their best with our ants.They do however leave rather large holes still i expect it airates the lawn