The ivory-billed woodpecker, Campephilus principalis , is probably 

 extinct, as there have been no confirmed sightings since the 1930's. It 

 apparently occupied virgin lowland hardwood forests across the Southeast 

 (Tanner 1942). 



The red-cockaded woodpecker, Picoides (Dendrocopos) boreal is , is known 

 from Baldwin County and surrounding areas, as weTT as from most Southeastern 

 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 water"! It 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 con- 

 sidered 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 

 Mobile and Baldwin Counties as a permanent breeding resident 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, peninsulas^ ana" sheltered 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 breed 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, Al li gator mississippiensis , ranges from North 

 Carolina to Texas. Alligators are ordinarily found Tn 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 scat- 

 tered 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 (O'Neil and Mettee 1982). 



The Kemp's ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ), the green sea turtle 

 ( Chelonia mydas ) , and the Atlantic hawksbil 1 turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) 

 are only occasional visitors to Alabama coastal waters and are not numerous." 



The leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea , is worldwide in 

 distribution in tropical waters, although it ranges into fairly cool water 



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