OK, let's talk about the Red Cockaded Woodpecker or RCW. This park has a large stand of old growth Longleaf Pines. The RCW is our only woodpecker that makes its home on old growth living trees. Only 1% of that habitat remains, you know, because we cut down all the friggin trees. The RCW is very rare. It was declared "endangered" in 1970. The trees that support RCW nests here in the park are marked with paint and are given special protection during the periodic prescribed burns. Other than being rare the RCW isn't particularly noteworthy. It's a little bigger than a bluebird. The red-cockade (on the male only) is a small red streak above the cheek. The nest in these live trees can sometimes take years to make. The male incubates the egg helped by "helper birds" from the previous nesting season. You will be tested later. We did a long hike around the park this morning and I took these pics.
We're you and Jenny able to do some kayaking on this body of water. Interesting about the bird
ReplyDeleteThe kayak has not left the roof of the car. Cold and wind are de-motivators.
ReplyDeleteToo bad but yes don't think I would venture out either in those circumstances
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