Avian carpenters get help from woodshop hobbyists!

Woodpeckers just acquired two friends among the world of humans.  Here they are!  Dave Southworth and Earl Garrison. We want to tell you how these gentlemen found a unique way to help this family of birds.  But first some background.

Without question, woodpeckers are the carpenters of the bird world, at least in North America.  They excavate holes
in decaying trees in which to raise their families.  Many other birds later occupy the woodpeckers’ abandoned cavities for the same purpose.   You see, their anatomy is just not designed for carpentry!  Woodpeckers are therefore essential to the survival of many species.  But ever since removing dead trees has become common practice, cavity nesters have needed advocates to explain to people how vital dead trees and woodpeckers are.  

Both these great gentlemen are residents of Orange County, CA and have been woodworking hobbyists for years.  Look at what they produced for the Cavity Conservation Initiative(CCI)!   These are replicas of different types of tree cavities!  For the CCI it’s Christmas!  The replicas have been on our wish list for years!

When the CCI and our umbrella organization, the Southern California Bluebird Club, loan these as teaching tools for nature displays, or use them at public events, seeing is believing!  Jaws drop and “No kidding, I didn’t know that!” becomes a refrain!  Naturally we hope the impressive lesson sticks and encourages more property owners and land mangers to save a few more dead trees (safely, of course)!

Applause to Earl and Dave who used their carpentry skills and table saws to help the most ancient carpenters in our forests.  Some of these birds, particularly the Nuttall’s and Acorn Woodpecker, are our southern California neighbors.  As you read this they are likely consuming the insects you don’t like and searching for a dead tree.  Are there any in your  neighborhood, local park and woodlands?