Title
Status and distribution of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and their habitat in southeastern Virginia
Code
CCBTR-99-01
Publication Date
1999
Abstract
Intro and Objectives: For the first time in Virginia's history, a Red-cockaded Woodpecker site has been purchased for long term management and protection. In addition, the site has been made ready to accommodate increasing population growth, through either productivity and recruitment, or outright translocation of birds from another source. Talks have also been underway to assess variable strategies for engaging private landowners in the business of Red-cockaded Woodpecker conservation. Therefore, a great priority has been placed on the need to assess the current status of the birds and their habitat as a first step toward moving the conservation of this species into the new millennium. It was with these issues in mind that this project evolved to undertake the challenge of reassessing the status of Red-cockaded woodpeckers and their habitat for the first time in 20 years. The project was designed to revisit the 1977/78 survey effort with slightly expanded coverage and decisively better survey tools. The current effort makes use of complete aerial photo and USGS topo coverage to comprehensively evaluate and survey ,where appropriate, relevant portions of the counties of Greensville, Southampton, Sussex, Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight, plus the cities of Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. Only with a complete and current knowledge of the status and distribution of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers can any meaningful conservation effort begin to move forward. Objectives: 1. Identify and evaluate all accessible pine habitats capable of supporting Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCW) within the study area. 2. Map all currently suitable RCW habitats identified above, including a general description of stand size, speciation, condition, and age class. 3. Survey all sites identified above for evidence of past or present RCW occupancy. 4. Document numbers and status of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and cavity trees at all sites where evidence of activity is found. 5. Document evidence observed of southern pine beetle or other infestations. 6. Through review of historic records and the activities described above, map and record all evidence of past and present RCW activity within the study area. 7. In addition, map and describe as above all habitats which appear likely to provide suitable trees for RCW cavity excavation within the next 20 years.
Species
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Source
Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.
Pages
33
Recommended Citation
Bradshaw, D.S. 1999. Status and distribution of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and their habitat in southeastern Virginia. CCBTR-99-01. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 33 pp.
