| Photo provided by Jim Mawk |
by Alison Goolsby
|
On Monday, March 23, Judson’s Ornithology class embarked on an eager journey in search of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW). Upon arrival, we were greeted by Jim Mawk, Wildlife Biologist for the U. S. Forest Service Oakmulgee Ranger District near Brent, Alabama. Mr. Mawk specializes in maintaining and preserving the diminishing populations of red-cockaded woodpeckers.
At one point in time, the RCW was a common bird in the southeastern Unites States, including Texas. However, due to habitat depletion and increasing numbers of predators, the RCW found it hard to survive. In 1970, the RCW was declared an endangered species and plans were implemented to help restore dwindling populations of these interesting and socially complicated birds. Mr. Mawk enjoyed telling us interesting facts about the RCW, and we were introduced to technology used in caring for the birds.
Using a fiber optic extension pole, we observed the nesting cavity of a RCW fifteen feet up the trunk of a tree. The purpose of this instrument is to assist in helping protect the nesting and roosting cavities of the woodpeckers.
The RCW faces many threats in the forest, including other woodpeckers, flying squirrels, and grey rat snakes. Mr. Mawk explained to us how reducing flying squirrel populations in the area would help restore the endangered RCW. He discussed a method of capturing flying squirrels in RCW cavities by inserting a small ether-soaked sponge into the cavity and plugging the hole with a rag. The squirrels were collected and relocated to other parts of the forest.
As a highly specialized bird, the RCW has a social system that centers around a family called a “group.” The group includes a dominant male and female breeding pair, young birds, and up to nine “helpers.” These subordinate males help feed the nestlings, protect the cavity, and incubate eggs.
Unlike other woodpeckers, the RCW selectively chooses a living longleaf pine with red heart fungus disease to create its cavity. Mr. Mawk and other foresters aid RCWs by making artificial cavities from Western cedar and by inserting them in appropriate longleaf pines. These cavities provide shelter for nesting and roosting birds.
It is easy to spot a tree being used by RCWs. There is a thick flow of resin from the area around the cavity hole. The birds also peck resin wells to stimulate additional resin flow. Resin flow creates a thick, shinny, sticky, mess for several feet down the tree truck.
We drove approximately 11 miles on State 25 South to a designated site full of towering longleaf pines. With our walking shoes on and binoculars hanging around our necks we started the journey to see this elusive bird.
We arrive at the designated area around 3:15, but were told the birds would not come to their roosting cavity trees until late afternoon, possibly 5:00. Mr. Mawk did a thorough job instructing us on this particular endangered species, but we were slowly growing impatient because we hadn’t spotted an RCW. We decided to sit and let the birds come to us. It was such a beautiful day and just sitting and pondering allowed us to envision the pizza that Dr. Wilson had promised us.
After twenty minutes, a pleasant chirping noise came out of nowhere. A small woodpecker with a zebra-back color pattern and white cheek patch flew in above our heads and we were overcome with excitement. Three more RCWs quickly emerged from the deep woods and we all had a good view of our first endangered species. After waiting patiently for two hours, we had finally seen the red-cockaded woodpecker!
We thanked Mr. Mawk for the time he spent with us and immediately headed off for the much anticipated pizza. Dr. Wilson showed his excitement in finally observing the red-cockaded woodpecker by “getting the check.”