Winter woodpecker census reaches modern high -
http://www.ccbbirds.org/2014/01/07/winter-woodpecker-census-reaches-modern-high/
Center for Conservation Biology biologists finished 2013 with more good news
for the Piney Grove Red-cockaded Woodpeckers as the annual winter survey of the
population yielded another record high of 58 birds. The survey sets a new high
watermark in the recovery of the species in Virginia. The population reached a
record low in the Commonwealth in the year 2000 when only 2 breeding groups
remained following decades of decline from habitat loss. It was at that time
that The Nature Conservancy purchased the tract of land known as the Piney
Grove Preserve with the primary objective of restoring the federally endangered
woodpecker in Virginia to pre-decline levels. Over the past several years we
have witnessed a sudden increase in the number of breeding groups and
individuals within the preserve.
The 58 birds detected this winter were composed of 43 adult birds and 15
young-of-the-year distributed into 12 groups. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are
cooperative breeders so the term group describes a potentially breeding adult
male and female that are joined by additional helper birds. The group remains
together throughout the year and throughout daily activities such as foraging.
The population still retains 15 of 21 birds fledged this past summer. This
retention rate is about average compared to previous years.
The most surprising finding this winter was the formation of two new groups.
In general, group formation is less stable in winter than in summer so it is
possible the 2 new groups could dissolve before the breeding season begins.
However, one of the groups represents the first ever pioneering event at Piney
Grove. Since 2000, the growth of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker population has
been facilitated by the installation of artificial nesting trees and
translocation of birds from South Carolina to Virginia. Over time, the
Virginia birds began to move into unoccupied clusters of artificial cavities
and then eventually augment those sites with their own naturally excavated
cavities. However, the newly pioneered site is the result of a Virginia bird
excavating its own roosting cavity without artificial facilitation and in an
entirely new location on the preserve that is away from other woodpecker
groups. Another new group has formed within a set of artificial cavity trees
that has undergone a short-term colonization by birds a few years ago then
vanished as a group site.
We will continue annual monitoring of the Virginia Red-cockaded Woodpecker
population with another census in spring followed by breeding season
observations to document productivity. The winter survey is made possible with
funding from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and other
year-round monitoring from funds provided by The Nature Conservancy and The
Center for Conservation Biology.
Michael Wilson
Center for Conservation Biology
College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
phone: 757-221-1649
fax: 757-221-1650
email: mdwils@xxxxxx
web: www.ccbbirds.org
