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western NC drought



Dear Carolina birders:

I must add a few comments to Joshua Stuart Rose's email on the drought. I
think this developing situation is more than tangentially bird-related, and
I am glad that it is finally getting some coverage.

On my own farm in western Alleghany County, I have had a cumulative
rainfall deficit of approximately 37 inches since the summer of 1997.
Conditions in Wilkes may be worse, and eastern Ashe, and in Virginia,
Grayson and Wythe have about the same situation. The New River and upper
Yadkin are at the lowest levels of flow in memory or on record.

On my farm, there are eight small springs feeding five creeks. Only 3 of
the springs are now flowing. I would estimate that there is only ten to
twenty percent of the surface water available on this farm as was available
in 1996.

Further, the continuing drought has caused, apparently, a serious mortality
in the shallow-rooted understory trees in the oak-hickory woodland,
especially on south-facing slopes. In some areas all dogwood and mountain
laurel have died in the last year, and I am seeing increasing mortality in
the red oaks. It is only on the north-facing slopes that the understory is
apparently unstressed by drought. I see this as severely impacting all bird
species that nest and feed in the understory, though the woodpeckers will
have several very good years.

James Coman
Stoney Knob Farm
Piney Creek, N.C. 28663