BIRMINGHAM -- Thanks to dedicated efforts by Alabama Power and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 56 endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers have been identified at Lake Mitchell, more than double the population of
24 recorded in 2003.

Eric Spadgenske, private lands biologist, USFWS - Birmingham, estimates there now are 17 family groups around the reservoir.  Alabama Power Environmental Affairs Supervisor Jim Lochamy said the company works to provide habitat for the species on 1,600 acres as part of Mitchell Dam’s operating license.

“Alabama Power lands contain the largest population of red-cockaded woodpeckers on private property in the state,” Lochamy said. In Alabama, the vast majority of the species is found in national forests; only two such bird populations are on private land. Alabama’s Forever Wild program conducts similar conservation efforts on lands adjacent to company property.

The 7-inch-tall woodpecker has a large, white cheek patch and alternating black and white bars on its back. “The small tuft of red feathers, or cockade, is only on males and isn’t visible unless the bird is in hand,” Spadgenske said. Other woodpeckers bore holes in dead trees where wood is rotten and soft; red-cockaded woodpeckers dig holes exclusively in mature, living pines, where they raise their young.

Using chainsaws, contractors carve openings for artificial nests in longleaf pines. Eighty- to 200-year-old longleaf pine trees, especially those with red heart fungus, which softens heartwood in older pines, seem to be the birds’ favorite home. Because the woodpeckers like wide open, park-like settings, the Forestry section for Alabama Power’s Corporate Real Estate conducts burning around clusters of cavity trees.

“Through its actions, Alabama Power has demonstrated its interest and appreciation of this endangered species,” Spadgenske said. In the past year, two new cavity tree clusters were formed that have already attracted breeding pairs of woodpeckers.

Company Forester Brian Seale said contractors conduct prescribed burns to prepare the birds’ nesting and foraging areas. “We use a controlled burning pattern, not more than 200 acres at a time,” said Seale, who oversees operations. He said lake residents may see smoke this winter from controlled burning.

“Years ago, fires occurred naturally and kept forests wide open,” Seale said. “If fires are suppressed, the forest becomes a thicket of vines and other undesirable plants, and these birds don’t like that environment.” Seale also hires contractors to inject hardwoods and smaller pines with herbicide to take down trees. “There’s a lot less site impact, and it doesn’t disturb the birds.”

Open areas promote wildlife diversity by providing higher quality habitat for quail, deer and other wildlife, Seale said. “It makes the area a lot more productive.”
 

Media contact: Pat Wylie 205-257-4155 or pjwylie@southernco.com

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