FWC Volunteer: Installing Red Cockaded woodpecker nesting boxes

While volunteering for the (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) this past week, my assigned duty was to assist with installing three nesting boxes for the Red Cockaded Woodpeckers that live in the Withlacoochee State Forest – Croom Tract. Nesting boxes are often installed to provide roosting and nesting cavities for the federally endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker. These woodpeckers only reside in live long leaf pine trees and can take up to five years to create a new nesting cavity naturally. Once these cavities are created, they often loose the cavity to other cavity nesters such as flying squirrels, Red-bellied woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, screech owls, eastern blue birds, and great crested fly catchers. The nesting boxes are designed with a PVC opening that does not allow the larger cavity seekers to enlarge the entryway deterring larger species such as the eastern screech owl, red-bellied woodpeckers, and pileated woodpeckers from occupying the cavity.
Like any other woodcrafting project, installing the nesting box is more of an art than an exact science. Below are photos and descriptions of the steps the forestry employee took to install the box.

Step 1: The Ecologist begins by inspecting the tree surface in a range at least 20+ feet high and has a relatively flush surface with no limbs. The Red Cockaded Woodpeckers prefer the side facing south. The warmth from the sun allows the tree sap to flow more freely to surround the nesting cavity when the tree surface is pecked. The sap or pitch helps protect the nest from snakes that climb the tree looking for cavities in which to hide  after shedding their skin. The pitch from the longleaf pine tree marketed commerciall as turpentine and causes a burning sensation on the snakes skin upon contact. After choosing a location, the ecologist climbs the tree with ladders and a harness carrying up his chainsaw and other tools by rope. He carefully traces the profile of the box on face of the tree and begins his rectangular cut with the chain saw. He then dissects the rectangle into segments to allow for easier removal with a wood chisel.

 The segments are pried free and discarded one at a time leaving a rough cavity. The ecologist again uses the chainsaw to clean the sides and back for a smooth fit.

Next wood putty is applied both inside the cavity and on the outside of the box. This helps secure the box tightly inside the tree cavity.

The box is then inserted and more wood putty is applied to fill any cracks or openings around the nesting box.

For added security, shims are driven in the cracks to ensure a tight fit. More wood putty is applied to camouflage the metal webbing on the front of the box and around the edges to cover the shims and seal any cracks. Lastly paint is sprayed on the front of the box to help seal and protect it from erosion. Once the putty and paint dry, the box is ready for the woodpeckers to move in and begin nesting. Although is may take the birds several weeks or months to notice these new cavity sites.  These nesting boxes will be closely monitored for activity and hopefull will be occupied for the 2012 breeding season.

Related Posts: Volunteering for the FWC: Fire prepping the RCW Nesting trees truely makes a difference.

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