Hi, Tweeters.



Seeing the post from Eric Heisey on his bird-a-thon route covering the Wenas
area prompted me to write this e-mail. I have been studying White-headed
Woodpeckers (WHWO) in the Wenas area for the last 12 years as part of a
long-term study of the species in managed forests. Over the last 3 years I
have been color-banding WHWO in an attempt to track territorial occupancy
and perhaps adult longevity. I have been monitoring approximately 12
territories where I have been attempting to band the adult/territorial pair.
This year, for the first time, I have territories that are completely absent
of birds, both banded and unbanded. Basically, I can't find any birds on 7
territories and have only been able to locate 4 banded birds from previous
years. Eric's post that he had trouble finding WHWO on his route makes me
think it isn't just me missing birds, but that something might be going on.




I ask that if anyone is birding in the Wenas area, especially around N.
Wenas Road, Audubon Road, Mud Flats Road, Maloy Road, BBQ flats, Milk
Canyon, etc, that they please let me know of any WHWO that you see and
please check their legs for colored leg bands. Birds will have 2 colored
plastic bands on one leg and 1 colored band on the other with a metal
numbered band. If you see a banded bird, please get the colors for the
right leg and left leg and if they are upper or lower. A banded bird should
be reported to me as, for example, a bird with RYOX would be red over yellow
on the right leg (yellow closest to foot) and orange over metal band on the
left leg. Even if you only get one or two colors, that may be helpful.
Also, please report the location to me as accurately as possible where you
saw the bird. GPS would be best. Also, report any sightings to e-bird as
well. If you have a picture of the bird, that would be great too. Also
please report unbanded birds to me in this area as well.



Thank you all for your help in this endeavor. You can report all
information to me at my work e-mail which is kozj at yakamafish-nsn.gov
<mailto:kozj at yakamafish-nsn.gov> .



Jeff Kozma



TFW Wildlife Biologist, Yakama Nation