This photo of the stunning Red-headed Woodpecker was caputured by Arni Stinnissen. A Federal Recovery Strategy has been developed for the endangered bird and the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association is seeking Northern Bruce Peninsula residents’ help in preserving their habitat. Turn to page 18 for the full story.
Submitted by Elizabeth Thorn

Attention: Woodlot Owners, Farmers and Bird Lovers 

Every spring I look forward to our few days visit from the Red-headed woodpecker, one of my favourite birds. I was shocked to learn that the Federal Government’s Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as of 2018 has assessed this bird as ENDANGERED, up from threatened. Next stop – sniff, is bye bye.

A Federal Recovery Strategy has been developed and the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association is seeking Northern Bruce Peninsula residents’ help in preserving habitat for these beautiful birds. See the picture taken on the Bruce! Thanks Arni!

Photo Credit: Arni Stinnissen

The Red-headed woodpecker’s substantial long term decline is associated primarily with reduced quality of breeding habitat. We were saddened to learn that the tree in which a breeding pair with young were living was cut down in a cemetery further south of us. So we believe it is important to spread the word that preservation of habitat is critical.

On the positive side, through help from local farmers Wendy and John Rodgers and Don Ceaser we have located three breeding pairs. We believe the Bruce may be a breeding refuge for this endangered species as it is for the Bobolink.

Red-headed woodpeckers are a “cavity” nester and require standing dead trees of fairly large diameter. So far we see evidence that they prefer edge habitat in a cattle grazed understory of a deciduous forest or grove near fields that provide insects for feeding. 

Please contact the Biosphere Association if you have seen red heads this month, especially if it is a breeding pair. The young will fledge in a matter of days and it will then be hard to find them. We are applying to the Habitat Stewardship Program in the fall for a grant to fund a suite of protection initiatives but this grant requires a fifty percent match in other funding. This will be difficult to obtain in these challenging Covid times. If you can contribute financially it would be greatly appreciated and we can issue tax receipts. Contact Elizabeth at (519) 377-5166.