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Daily Bucket, Open Thread - Red-cockaded Woodpecker part 1. [1]

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Date: 2023-02-13  

One can see the classic “Ladder back” design of the bird’s wing pattern (photo above). The white head markings are also a strong indicator for identification. More on the habitat of this endangered flier after the group information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE DAILY BUCKET FEATURE, CHECK OUT THIS DIARY: DAILY BUCKET PHENOLOGY: 11 YEARS OF RECORDING EARTH'S VITAL SIGNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

WE INVITE YOU TO NOTE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AROUND YOU IN YOUR OWN PART OF THE WORLD, AND TO SHARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

I need to share a few details about this endangered species. Here is a copy of Audubon’s range map. I couldn’t find accurate numbers on the species population.

These are non-migratory birds.

I also want to include this new information from Cornell’s web page. This shows the possible impact of climate change to this woodpecker species.

The “good and bad” news about this map is the (in blue) gained areas of habitat. The loss (in red) is populated areas as is much of the blue shaded areas.

Mississippi and Alabama will see the most benefit to increasing the bird population if there is no major human influx and the forest lands remain “old growth”. All reports state that these birds prefer Long Leaf pine trees for nesting sites. That is because Long Leafs live 15 to 20 years longer than the next best available species, the Loblolly Pine. Both trees are suitable for the birds. Other conifers don’t produce enough sap (when damaged by woodpecker activity) to protect the entrance of the nest opening.

Let me show you the site I have been directed to. Here is the official Noxubee Wildlife Refuge map.

This lovely place is 1.5 hours from my house.

Now a look at the area in satellite mode. The yellow square is my focus site.

I am looking for pine stands below the lakes.

Within the yellow box are trails for open season travel. Here is a closer view.

If I park at the intersection (bottom of photo) I can walk 1000 feet north to the first stand of trees.

The last map is of the smaller yellow box in the photo above.

This site is about a mile from where I could park (area closed to traffic Oct to May).

This is my plan and the specifics to hunting for my prize. I will take any luck that is available and even if I don’t get to photograph Woodpeckers, I will see something I have not encountered before. I hope you all find a quest and have adventures that bring you prizes of your own.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/13/2152403/-Daily-Bucket-Open-Thread-Red-cockaded-Woodpecker-part-1

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