Red-cockaded imports to SC?

[Joshua Stuart Rose <jsr6@duke.edu>]

Hi Carolinabirders,

Haven't been outside since last weekend, or even been around my house to 
confirm whether my little Rufous friend is still around. But I have been 
near lots of computers, and found the following news story of some local 
interest:
http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-08-06.html
The gist of it is, Southern Pine Beetles have allegedly destroyed most of 
the remaining Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat around the last remaining 
population in Kentucky. As a result, state and local officials are going 
to catch all remaining birds and transport them to more viable habitat. 
Two breeding groups, consisting of six total birds, are going to be 
released in Carolina Sandhills NWR; the rest (four groups, nine birds 
total) are headed for Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas.

Our original plans to wander around the SC "Low Country" for spring break 
have been scuttled as my girlfriend postponed her prelims. So I guess I'm 
still here in Durham for the next week, with no classes to take or teach, 
most of my fellow grad students off visiting family or doing field work 
or relaxing, and me with nothing to do but sit around here and get work 
done... Anybody want to go birding? ;--)

Josh


Joshua S. Rose
Duke University
Department of Biology (Zoology, R.I.P.)

jsr6@acpub.duke.edu
http://www.duke.edu/~jsr6/