Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Conservation on Private Lands in Southwest Georgia
GOS WINTER MEETING POSTER ABSTRACT
15-18 JANUARY 2010 TYBEE ISLAND, GA
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER CONSERVATION ON PRIVATE LANDS IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
James Cox Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312
Abstract: Tall Timbers Research Station strives to conserve and manage Redcockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) on the biologically rich private lands in southwest Georgia. With generous support from the Bill Terrell Avian Conservation Grant, Tall Timbers was able to hire part-time help in 2008-2009 to assist with woodpecker conservation. Accomplishments made possible by this funding included: (1) Completion of 5 new Safe Harbor Agreements that conserved/enhanced woodpecker habitat on 14,545 acres (regional total increased to 111,120 acres); (2) Sixty-four nestling woodpeckers banded and 8 juvenile woodpeckers translocated to help bolster nascent populations at Beechwood Plantation and Tall Timbers Research Station; (3) Sixty-three artificial cavities constructed on 7 properties that led to the establishment of 4 new territories; (4) Site visits made to 15 properties to discuss timber management and to mark and geo-reference 35 new natural cavity trees, clear fuels surrounding 76 cavity trees, and place highly visible aluminum bands around 42 cavity trees to limit chances for inadvertent damage; and (5) Promoted the ecological and economic values of the longleaf pine ecosystem through 4 presentations and 3 special events. Support provided by the Georgia Ornithological Society was critical to sustaining these efforts and is gratefully acknowledged.
