Flowertown Elementary

Over the last two days, 4th grade students from Flowertown Elementary visited Francis Beidler Forest. Using the model pictured above, students demonstrated how various human activities can adversely affect water quality. Students proposed actions that could be taken to mitigate the pollution reaching our waters.

Students also learned that it is important to protect more than just the wetlands. Turtles leave the wetlands to lay their eggs and snakes, like the Eastern Cottonmouth pictured above, leave the swamp to find suitable denning sites in the adjacent upland forest. This snake was den hunting near a known Timber Rattlesnake den just behind the nature center. How well will that work?

Boo in the Swamp!

Although the first night was washed out, the second night brought perfect weather. Visitors were spooked by rustling palmetto fronds, spider "webbing," alligator calls, bat "fly-bys," and owl hoots, while costumed characters (snake, bobcat, leech, spider, alligator, owl, and bat) helped debunk some of the swamp myths.

While setting up the Barred Owl stop, we attracted three owls with the sound effects. They wanted to know who dared to enter their swamp.

Swamped!

The 2nd Annual Boo in the Swamp got off to a soggy start. In fact, tonight's spooky tours have been cancelled by the same system that postponed Game 4 of the World Series. The weather is supposed to clear by tomorrow afternoon, just in time for tomorrow night's event. We'll post some spooky images!

The Beidler Forest education webpage is still under construction. However, many of the animal images have been posted at http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/beidler/education/species.htm . Several Eastern Cottonmouths have already moved out of the swamp to their den on the high ground by #2 on the boardwalk. There they will stay until the spring unless a stretch of warm winter days lures them out to sun themselves.

Animals in the Swamp

There has been a lot of animal activity in the swamp along the boardwalk recently according to our Sightings Board. Barred Owls, White-tailed Deer, River Otter, Cottonmouth, Brown Water Snakes, Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, and Possum have all been seen in the past few days.

Wood Storks have been seen in the area also, though not from the boardwalk .

Our least favorite animal, feral hogs, have been seen along our driveway - rooting up eveyrthing in their path!

Success By Six

Yesterday Mike and Ann taped two episodes for "Success by Six," a Trident United Way sponsored show that airs on Comcast Cable Channel 2. They will air next week. Ann's show is about winter bird feeding and identification and Mike's is about taking children on a stroll through Beidler Forest and about "Boo in the Swamp"

This community show is specifically for parents and child care providers. It explores topics to insure happy, healthy and productive development in the first six years of children's lives.

We will use this blog to keep interested people up-to-date on what is happening in the swamp!

We are all busy planning our annual Boo in the Swamp - a spooky walk on the boardwalk on October 27 and 28. It will not be a blood and guts spooky walk - but will be scary and perhaps a bit educational! Reservations are necessary so please give us a call at 843-462-2150. There will be a weenie roast and s'mores and other fun stuff!