Tweeters,

DNR has improved the road going into the Wenas Campout campground area and there is currently no water to drive through. Access is now really easy.

In regards to the WHWO, one adult was completely in the cavity throwing out chips, indicating still excavating. They have made good progress in the last 6 days and will probably be into laying in a few days. I have not marked the area with flagging as I agree, it will probably draw undue attention to the area as suggested.

White-headed Woodpeckers obviously can fend for themselves and often are quite tolerant of humans. I have followed many White-headed Woodpeckers (WHWO) over the years as they forage throughout timber stands in hopes of having them lead me to their cavity for monitoring. They are quite tolerant of observers and let me follow them along with no complaints and act as if I am not there. However, this behavior quickly changes around their nest sites. After monitoring 45 WHWO nests, I can safely say they don't appreciated humans near their nest cavities. When human observers approach nest sites, the birds become highly agitated, often giving warning calls before an observer even can see the cavity. This behavior is particularly noticable as the chicks get older and closer to fledging. These alarm calls are loud and incessant and can attract potential predators that home in on the birds calls in hopes of finding a cavity with eggs or chicks to consume. In the absence of disturbance, the birds are so quiet around the nest cavities, you wouldn't even know the birds or their cavity were there.

I have accidently stumbled upon WHWO when they were excavating and startled the birds. In some instances, they have abandoned the cavity and moved to another part of their territory. Of course this doesn't always happen, but I have documented it. I have yet to approach this pairs cavity because they are excavating and have only observed them from my truck with binoculars from a distance of >500 feet.

Therefore, my recommendation for people is that if they feel the need to observe the cavity, stay far away so that the birds activities around the cavity are not disturbed and observe them with binocs or a spotting scope. As already mentioned, the birds will probably be disturbed plenty from the ATV riders going through the area.

The WHWO is a terrific species and I know everyone's desire to see this great bird. Observers should just keep in mind the potential impact they may have on the birds during this critical time. Even if they were incubating now where chances of abadoning the cavity are virtually nill, too many disturbances around the nest could interrupt incubation and result in fewer chicks hatching.

The birds thank you for your cooperation and hopefully I can report next week on how many eggs are in the cavity.

Good birding and have a good weekend!

Jeff Kozma
TFW Wildlife Biologist