Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis's Woodpeckers, Acorn Woodpeckers - some numbers
Date: Oct 5 21:55:43 2010
From: Brad Waggoner - wagtail at sounddsl.com


Hi All,

I thought if I put a few numbers out there it might help put this fall
"woodpecker invasion" into a bit of context - at least in terms of the
last few years.

Lewis's Woodpeckers - Thus far in fall of 2010 I have tallied roughly 20
total western Washington Lewis's Woodpecker reports. So indeed fall 2010
will set an all time high for them. As of 2007 w. Washington averaged
about 2 per fall so from a historic perspective this fall is quite
impressive. However, in fall 2009, 10 were tallied and in fall of 2008,
15 were tallied. Perhaps the trend in recent years shows that a bit more
than acorn crop failures is going on in the case of the Lewis's
Woodpeckers invasions into w. Washington. Even increased observer
efforts (county listing and such) can't be left out of the equation.

Acorn Woodpeckers - It looks like 4 have been tallied thus far in w.
Washington this fall. This is unprecedented as far as I can tell. But it
should be noted that we also had 4 reports of wandering Acorn
Woodpeckers in w. Washington this past May and June. So if an acorn
shortage is the driving force for Acorn Woodpecker dispersion then it
has been going on before this fall.

Western Scrub Jay - Perhaps this species might be the best indicator of
the shortage of acorn theory. Yes, they do tend to wander at this time
of year, but 6 at Tokeland a few weeks back, 10 at the north end of the
Kitsap Peninsula a week ago, and a report of a solid flock of 48 at St.
Cloud in Skamania County back in late Sept. are some interesting
tallies. Just a thought...........

Cheers and good birding,

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com