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Birdwatching trip report - United StatesPeriod: 2.4.2007-3.4.2007Author(s): Ernie Welch Key sites visited: Holly Shelter Game Preserve, Hampstead, Pender County, North Carolina, USA Holly Shelter Game Preserve Key species observed: Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (endangered) Location: Holly Shelter Game Preserve is 15 miles north on Rte. 17 out of Wilmington, NC. A few miles after entering Hampstead, on left just before intersection of SR-1563 (BP gas station) is the Topsail Baptist Church. Go to north end of parking lot and park on sand/grass and road into the preserve is immediately adjacent. Habitat: All habitat along road is primarily Long-leaf pine savannah. Observations: This is one of the best places to observe the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis), as well as several other typical SE US species. The trees containing nesting holes are clearly marked with two broad white rings at their base. The marked trees appear on either side of the road after a few minutes walking. I made two trips to the preserve, one in the afternoon when no woodpeckers were moving and one the next morning when I observed five feeding. They are noisy and call to each other with a strange, un-woodpecker like "squelch". Also at the site were numerous singing male Bachman´s Sparrows (Aimophila aestivalis). Their song is easy to recognize, consisting of one clear note followed by a sparrow-like trill. They sing from exposed perches 5 to 15 feet off the ground. Both these species were well and closely observed, and were new to my life list. Trip List: Great Egret; group of 5 overhead Red-cockaded Woodpecker; 5 total Red-bellied Woodpecker; several calling, one seen Northern Flicker; one pair Barn and Tree Swallow; single birds overhead Brown-headed Nuthatch; these were everywhere and too numerous to count Tufted Titmouse; 2 Carolina Chickadee; 1 Eastern Bluebird; several pairs Rufous-sided Towhee; several calling, one male seen Pine Warbler; one pair seen plus several males calling and seen  RCW nesting tree with markings  Long-leaf Pine Savannah |
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