(Please see picture gallery below – if you have any pix please send to sheilaelliot@yahoo.com!) September Bird of the Month is the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, the rarest of our local species. Picoides borealis is a scarce bird because of their habitat requirements. Like our Scrub Jay, the RCW depends on fire to maintain its home, but in this case, it’s the pine woods, not the scrub, and specifically the longleaf (or, here in south Florida, slash) pine where they hang their hats (or they would, if they wore them). Also like the Scrub Jay, they nest colonially, in family groups, and cooperate to raise their young. The USFWS has been reintroducing them at Corbett WMA and DuPuis. The scientific name means “northern woodpecker”. Come to our September meeting to hear more about this fascinating Palm Beach County bird,  from our expert, Clive Pinnock… (Photographer’s please note that next month’s October 2013 Bird will be the Red-headed Woodpecker)