Hiking and Excursions Participants Enjoyed Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Banding Field Trip
Written by Lynn Artz Thursday, 17 May 2007 16:03
Participants Enjoyed Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Banding Expedition in Wakulla
On Saturday, May 12, a group of Wakulla residents joined Chuck Hess
on a free expedition to band red-cockaded woodpecker nestlings. Hess,
a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Forest Service, has banded more
red-cockaded woodpeckers – and probably knows as much about them – as
anyone else in the world.
The group traveled deep into the Apalachicola National Forest to one of the 150 woodpecker colonies that Hess has been monitoring for nearly 2 decades. While there he climbed 10-60 feet of portable ladder to retrieve the rare nestlings from their nest cavity.
There is only a 3-day window at each nest to band the nestlings. Chicks younger than 7 days are too small and delicate for leg bands. Chicks older than 10 days have their eyes open and won’t let him near. Only chicks 7-10 days old can be taken from their nests and given a unique combination of plastic leg bands.
Hess spends long hours banding nestlings, returning to
record the sex of banded juveniles, then returning again to capture
selected adults as part of a translocation program. Each year,
suitable pairs are moved to other populations in the eastern part of
the National Forest in Wakulla County – or to protected forests in
Mississippi and other states.
Enroute to the colony, participants were able to see the Florida that greeted settlers – vast expanses of stately pines in a park-like setting, wet savannahs abloom with pitcher plants and orchids, and majestic cypress swaps. Here's what several attendees had to say:
"It was just a tremendous day – lots of really great people – and Chuck is an awesome teacher, and so patient with our inane questions! I learned so much about Florida today, I can’t believe it! If there are ever any more similar walks or get-togethers in Wakulla, I would love to hear about them!" - Joanne Harrington.
"Chuck Hess knows everything about how to catch, band and keep track of these birds, also all of the plants you see in the photos. Very educational; can't wait to go again." - Joe Bonislawsky.
Click here to enjoy a wonderful photo gallery taken by local photographer Joe Bonislawsky!
The field trip was offered as a public service by the Concerned Citizens of Wakulla (CCOW).
- Article photos courtesy of Joe Bonislawsky.
This article originally published on May 17, 2007.
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