ecological characterization atlas of coastal alabama - Data Center

The ivory-billed woodpecker, Cam pe hilus principalis, is probably
extinct, as there have been no con irme sig tings since the 1930's . It
apparently occupied virgin lowland hardwood forests across the Southeast
(Tanner 1942) .
The red-cockaded woodpecker, Picoides (Dendrocopos) borealis, is known
from Baldwin County and surrounding areas, as we as rom moutheastern
States . The nesting cavities this bird requires are found only in pine trees
older than 60 years, usually with red heart disease . Decreasing habitat is
probably responsible for this species' decline .
The osprey, Pandion haliaetus, is found nearly worldwide in tropical and
temperate areas near wateṙ -T was formerly a breeding inhabitant along the
Gulf Coast, as well as a migrant throughout Alabama . Its numbers dropped
drastically as a result of pesticides in the 1960s, until they were considered
rare . A single nest was found near the Gulf coast in 1974 and an
active nest was reported on Fort Morgan in 1982 (0'Neil and Mettee 1982) .
Ospreys are also reported to nest along Bon Secour Bay (Dwight Cooley, U .S .
Fish and Wildlife Service 1984 ; pers . comm .) .
The snowy plover, Charadrius alexandrinus, was previously known from
Mobi le and Bal dwin Counties as a permanent breedi ng resi dent on the beach and
sandy areas, particularly away from human encroachment . As human activities
are increasing in these areas, this species is becoming rare .
The mottled duck, Anas fulvigula, is an uncommon, but permanent, resident
on outer islands, peni s-u-las an -shelt.ered bays, and often overwinters in
the upper reaches of Mobile Bay (Imhof 1976) .
The reddish egret, Egretta rufescens, is sometimes fairly common in
Alabama . Although not known to bree in the study area, it is a permanent
year round resident . It is most common in the shallow bays, mud flats, and
sand beaches on the inshore side of barrier islands (Imhof 1976) .
Reptiles
The American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, ranges from North
Carolina to Texas . Alligators are ordinari y oun in streams and lakes,
especially in swampy areas such as those that constitute the Mobile Bay
delta, as well as in brackish water along the coast . There are widely scattered
small populations within their original distribution, which extends
inland nearly to the fall line (Mount 1975) . As a result of protective
measures their numbers have recently increased ; they have been reduced in
status on Alabama's recommended endangered list but are still considered
threatened (0'Neil and Mettee 1982) .
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Le idochelys ke ~ii), the green sea turtle
(Chelonia mydas), and the Atlantic awcsbi turt~e (Eretmochel s imbricat a)
are only occasional visitors to Alabama c:oastal waters an are no numerous .
The leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, is worldwide in
distribution in tropical waters, aZ tiougTiit ranges nto fairly cool water
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