Dead Trees in the Forest: Cavity Dwelling Birds

Class was cancelled for lack of required registrations.  Look for it to be rescheduled in the fall.

Dead trees serve critically important roles in ecosystem processes. Snags are standing dead trees and provide nest sites and homes for woodpeckers and other species of birds, small mammals, bats, and insects.  Woodpeckers are the primary group which creates cavities in snags, which are in turn used by species which cannot create the cavities themselves.  Due to the extraordinary diversity of eastern Cascade forests, an amazing 13 species of woodpeckers nest nearby, which is among the highest count anywhere in North America.  Chickadees, nuthatches, and bluebirds are among other birds that use these cavities. 

As a snag decomposes, it falls to the ground, but its importance in the ecosystem has not diminished.  As a fallen tree, the dead wood returns nutrients to the soil, provides soil stability, and aids in maintaining fish habitat, among other benefits.

Instructor Jeff Kozma is a nationally recognized expert on cavity dwelling birds and is a wildlife biologist with the Yakama Nation.  He has undertaken extensive research on creatures that depend on dead wood in our nearby Cascade forests.  A gifted teacher, Jeff will bring to life the critical role snags and fallen dead wood perform in keeping eastern Cascade forests healthy.

After the indoor session, Jeff will lead you on an optional walk through the Arboretum's natural area where riparian forest display snags and fallen dead wood and hosts lots of wildlife including Western Screech-Owls, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and Black-capped Chickadees.

Photo Credit Above: (Left) White-headed Woodpecker, Teresa Lorenz. (Center and Right) Pygmy Nuthatch feeding young, Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Jeff Kozma.