Effects of military activity on reproductive success of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers

Although significant numbers of the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodp ecker (Picoides borealis) occur at military installations, little research has been initiated to determine what effects military activities have on th e birds. From 1994-1996 we collected data at Ft. Banning Military Installat ion, Georgia, to assess the effects of selected military activities on repr oductive success of the birds. Noise and vibration levels were recorded at or directly adjacent to active woodpecker clusters that received significan t use by the military on a regular basis (i.e., firing of small arms and ar tillery). Identical data were collected at active clusters that were not no rmally used by military personnel and that we perceived to be relatively fr ee of such disturbances. Surprisingly, we found no significant differences in noise or vibration levels between treatments and controls. There also we re no significant differences between treatment and control sites with rega rd to the numbers of eggs, nestlings, adults, return rates of adults feedin g young, or masses of nestlings and adults. Habitat assessments revealed no differences in basal area or midstory density; however, understory was sig nificantly more pronounced at treatment sites.