Black-backed woodpeckers, Oscoda County

[Jeff J Chynoweth]

On Tuesday, Dec. 19, Doug Munson and I located two male black-backed
woodpeckers and on Thursday, Dec. 21, I located a pair (male and female) of
black-backed woodpeckers in Oscoda County.  All four individuals were in
the same general area, and were seen utilizing conifers that had been
fire-killed by the Hughes Lake wildfire of May, 2006.  Exact directions to
the birds is not possible other than to say they were out in the woods;
however, all four individuals were associated with and along the eastern
edge of West Branch Big Creek, north of Valley Road and west of Jenkins
Road (T25N, R1E, sections 15, 22 and 23).  Valley Road is approximately 7
miles south of Mio, on the west side of M-33. Jenkins, a north-south road,
is approximately 7.5 - 8.0 miles from the intersection of Valley Road (an
east-west road) and M-33. There is a two-track (Forest Road 4091) off of
Jenkins that leads westward into the burn; however, this road is sandy
(okay for two-wheel drive most of the way), and the dead trees are likely
to scrape a vehicle.  Past Jenkins on the north side of Valley Road, but
before reaching WB Big Creek is another two-track that eventually parallels
WB Big Creek.  This track is not driveable due to deadfall, but can be
walked for a couple miles. The pair of birds were seen along this
two-track.  If anyone finds one or more black-backed woodpeckers in this or
any other area within the burn, please report the birds' location(s) to the
Forest Service by visiting the office off of McKinley Road (F-32), emailing
me, or by phone (989-826-3252 ext 3334).  Thank you.