Dry Swamp

The old-growth swamp at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest is dry except for water trapped in the various holes like Goodson Lake.  No significant rain has fallen in the last two months and any water that did not drain into the Edisto River has evaporated or been drawn into the thirsty vegetation.  Muddy remnants of the numerous creek channels have cracked open as moisture continues to escape.

Aquatic organisms in ever-diminishing pools of water become easy prey or they become stranded on the mud.  As the summer campers made their way to Goodson Lake, we saw an Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus) scavenging pieces of a large fish left behind by another predator.

Although the American Alligator in Goodson Lake is not in danger of losing its watery habitat, the lower levels have altered its basking sites.  Though normally not seen close to the observation tower, the summer campers caught the alligator basking directly across from the tower on a partially-submerged log.

Elsewhere in the swamp, wildlife are doing what they can to survive the dry, hot (100+F) conditions.

 Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)

Southern Black Racer

 White-tailed Deer

Eventually, the rains will return and Four Holes Swamp will look more like a swamp.

Images by Mark Musselman

Swamp Youngsters

The first week of summer camp at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest has come to an end.  The second week of camp begins on Monday and the final week of camp will begin on July 25th.  Although the theme guiding campers through the week was PLANTS, we saw plenty of wildlife, including a variety of newborns.

Summer Tanagers (Piranga rubra) built a nest over the driveway and hatched chicks, but they disappeared before it seemed that they were ready to fledge.  A large Greenish Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta x quadrivittata) was seen in the area.  The male is red and the female is yellowish-orange.

Turtles cannot lay their eggs in the the low, wet areas of the swamp and must seek high areas, like the root end of toppled trees, or the high, dry land beyond the swamp's edge.  Several nests, like the Common Snapping Turtle's (Chelydra serpentina) high on the root end of a fallen Eastern Red Cedar, have been laid in the parking area of the nature center and many have succumb to nighttime raids by Raccoons (Procyon lotor).  Raccoons keen sense of smell allows them to detect the recently dug nests and the loose soil offers no resistance to their efforts to expose the tasty eggs.  The egg shells looking like crumpled paper can be seen at the edge of the excavated nest and no crime scene investigator is required to link the Raccoon to the the berry-filled scat left behind.

Fortunately, not all of the turtle eggs are eaten by Raccoons or fire ants.  By laying a great number of eggs, some like the Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum) hatchling, avoid detection and make their way back to the nearby swamp.

There are several spots along the boardwalk where White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns and their attentive mothers can be seen.  Earlier in the week, campers saw a fawn partially hidden in a cypress knee near #10.  Yesterday, teachers with the South Carolina Geographic Alliance summer workshop spotted a doe and fawn near the Meeting Tree (#4), and today, campers saw another fawn near #14.

Youngsters in the swamp to learn about...it's appropriate that the young wildlife make an appearance.

Images by Mark Musselman

Whiskers in the Swamp

Though they were not true whiskers on the animals, that's what they looked like to the summer campers at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest.  While exploring the forest and swamp near the nature center, we discovered a mere puddle of water in a depression at the base of a hollow tree.  This was all that was left of the water pooled behind the beaver dam and will likely disappear by the end of the day tomorrow.  Elsewhere, water cannot be seen from the boardwalk until the approach to Goodson Lake at the end of the boardwalk.  Naturally, the hole that is Goodson Lake continues to hold ample water to support the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus), Bowfin (Amia calva), Yellow-bellied Sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) and other aquatic or semi-aquatic organisms.

In the puddle of water behind the beaver dam, we found numerous small fish and a meatier 3-inch long fish.  All were too muddy from their struggles in the shallow puddle to be identified, but we grabbed a few to show the campers waiting a the swamp's drier edge.  While showing the campers the larger fish, we discovered, via a fin jab in the hand, it was a species of catfish.  As the catfish would likely be dead by morning from either the disappearing water or the return of the herons, ibis and raccoon whose tracks were still in the mud from the night before, we put the catfish in a jar of water and hauled it out to Goodson Lake to give it a fighting chance.

As we moved along the treeline at the edge of the power line corridor, campers were able to spot a variety of native insects feasting on an abundance of native plants.  There were pollinators like butterflies, bees, beetles as well as an assortment of other flying insects, including several species of insect-hunting dragonflies.  Native fauna and native flora have evolved together and therefore maintain a system of checks and balances within the ecosystem.  The introduction of non-native flora or fauna can throw the system out of balance as predators may not exist for the non-native fauna or the native fauna may not be able or willing to eat non-native flora, which in turn may crowd or eliminate native flora.  One of the native species the campers found was a Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar in search of pipevine on which to dine.  It is apparently unpalatable and therefore has little fear of becoming a meal itself.  The whisker-like, fleshly projections give the caterpillar a fearsome look and might give a predator a scare.

Images by Mark Musselman

Fire Ants and Black Bears

We have long known that non-native fire ants can be detrimental to bird nests, especially ground-nesting birds.  Today, however, we read that Arthur Ravenel has observed wild turkeys eating fire ants from nests baited with corn.  Has anyone else observed this behavior or might the turkeys simply have been eating the corn?

A question we frequently are asked at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest is, "Are there bears in the swamp?"  We have never seen a bear or signs of a bear on our property, but there is a healthy population in the nearby Francis Marion Forest.  As today's Post and Courier article notes, a black bear was hit and killed on I-26 near Jedburg in 2008, which is south of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie and just east of the Four Holes Swamp watershed boundary.  The article in the newspaper describes how drought is causing black bears and other animals to change their normal routines and range farther in search of food resources.

As noted in previous blogs, animal behavior has changed in the swamp due to the diminishing water.  Yesterday, we did not detect any water from the boardwalk until we reached stop #8, which is just short of Goodson Lake.  Wading birds, ducks, water snakes, turtles, fish, etc. are concentrating their activities where there is water, which for now is located in the deep holes and behind the beaver dam.  The dry swamp conditions can be seen in the video below of a White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) doe browsing near #3 on the boardwalk.  Visitors later reported seeing a fawn nursing in the same area.



No bears yet, but we'll keep our eyes open!

Video by Mark Musselman

Wood Ducks Still on the Menu

There has not been a significant rain at the Audubon Center at the Francis Beidler Forest in quite some time.  A trip around the 1.75-mile boardwalk provides few opportunities to see water beyond the deep hole called Goodson Lake and the adjacent main creek channel.  However, behind the beaver dam there is still water, so that's where all the action is happening.  On Monday, we heard what sounded like trees rubbing against each other as a warm breeze blew over the swamp, but the sound at times appeared to originate from a wading bird of some sort or possibly an animal in distress.  We decided to investigate.

As it turned out, the sound was a combination of wind-generated tree rubbing and birds going about their business.  Once under the rubbing trees, the sound was distinctly tree-on-tree.  As the wind shifted directions, the sound generated by the trees changed pitch and volume, which caused some of the confusion at our listening post higher up at the nature center.  However, the water impounded under the power line by the beaver dam had attracted a host of bird species and their unique calls.

Several generations of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) were moving in and out of the tall grasses growing in the shin-deep water.  Adults seemed content to snooze, while juveniles and ducklings paddled about.  What sounded like children idly dropping stones into the water turned out to be ducklings returning to the water after launching themselves at drooping  grass seed heads.  In a classic mistake oft noted in the movies, we brought a knife to a gunfight.  Our mission was simply to scout sites for activities to be conducted during the upcoming summer camp sessions.   A camera was brought along to document the sites and anything of interest regarding camp.  The 21st-century camera with the lens capable of reaching out a greater distance would have been perfect for the 10-meter distance we were able to close on the Wood Ducks.

The Wood Ducks were not alone in taking advantage of the diminishing water resource.  Wading birds including Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Great Egrets (Ardea albus), and a half dozen or more White Ibis Eudocimus albus) squawked and honked as they stalked prey and foraged in the shallow water.  Also calling along the treeline were Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus), Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus), Acadian Flycatchers (Empidonax virescens), Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus), and several species of frogs.
 
As we watched and listened, a mass dropped from a nearby tree into the tall grasses that create a mini-marsh in the "pond" produced by the beavers.  At first we thought a squirrel had missed a step and fallen from the tree canopy as we have observed these accidents in the past.  However, the thrashing in the tall grass was caused by something considerably larger than a squirrel.  As the flapping increased, we determined the animal was a bird and by the size it had to be a raptor.  Based on our surrounding habitat, the prime suspect was a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), which was confirmed as it cleared the tall grasses and headed to the treeline on the north side of the power line.  In its talons was a Wood Duck duckling destined to be the meal of one of the Red-shouldered Hawks recently fledged from the parking area nest.

It's a swamp out there!  For those of you keeping track on you food web diagrams, draw another line from Wood Ducks as they are now documented to be on the Red-shouldered Hawk's menu.

Images by Mark Musselman

Summer Camp 2011

The Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest offers a choice of three week-long summer day-camps during June and July. Francis Beidler Forest contains the largest remaining stand of virgin, cypress-tupelo swamp in the world. This is the perfect setting for stimulating a child’s love for nature!

With plants as the theme, campers will become amateur naturalists themselves by engaging in science, hands-on activities and crafts. See the tentative schedule here.

The programs for the summer camp are geared for grades 1 through 6. The camp day will last from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. The cost is $85 per camper.  Please call Beidler Forest at 843-462-2150 to secure a place for your child in the week of your choice or send an email to Mark Musselman.

The dates for the 2011 summer camp are:

Session I: June 13-17

Session II: June 20 – June 24

Session III: July 25-29

There are still spots for all camp sessions, but there is a limited capacity of 30 campers.

An enrollment form can be downloaded here.

New!
Advanced Swamp Camp

Starting this year, the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest is offering a day-camp for teenagers (ages 13-16) from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm from July 18th through July 22nd. The cost is $100 per camper.

Campers will spend the days outside exploring the various habitats throughout the sanctuary with in-depth looks at conservations projects, including the Project PROTHO bird banding research, spotted turtle research, amphibian/seep habitat research, and longleaf pine restoration.

Limit: 15 campers. Call Beidler Forest at 843-462-2150 or send an e-mail to Mark Musselman.

Images by Mark Musselman

The King of Snakes

Yesterday, as we were finishing our Project PROHTO survey around the boardwalk at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, we caught site of an Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) near the edge of the swamp.  The Eastern Kingsnake, which includes the subspecies L. g. getula, L. g. nigra, and L. g. holbrooki, has one of the largest geographic ranges of any North American snake.  They are at home in a wide variety of habitats and though strongly terrestrial, they can often be found near aquatic habitats.

The Eastern Kingsnake is quite secretive even though it is active during the day.  Although this snake's overall population is sufficient to not warrant protection, isolated populations have been diminishing or have disappeared.  As with many flora and fauna species, habitat loss is likely a factor.  Introduced species such as fire ants or disease may also be taking a toll on the Eastern Kingsnake population.

Although Eastern Kingsnakes will eat lizards, rodents, and turtle eggs, they also eat other species of snakes.  Kingsnakes are immune to the venom of pit vipers, so they have no issues with eating copperheads, cottonmouths, or rattlesnakes.  If you are not a fan of snakes in general, you should be a fan of the snake-eating Eastern Kingsnake!



Video by Mark Musselman

Citizen-science: Counting Lightning Bugs

If you come to the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest for a nightwalk, you may see fireflies or lightning bugs in the thicker vegetation in the higher areas along the swamp's edge or near high spots deeper in the swamp.  You may also see these insects in your yard, if your yard is something other than simply grass slathered in fertilizer and pesticides.

You may have noticed that fireflies appear less abundant than in your childhood memories.  Tonight, you have the opportunity to help scientist develop a picture of firefly populations across the Lowcountry.  From the Clemson University webpage:

Firefly Survey Information

Firefly as Ecosystem Indicators – Environmental indicator is used to communicate information about ecosystems and the impacts of human activity to groups such as the public or government policy makers.  The indicator can reflect a variety of aspects of ecosystems, including biological, chemical, and physical characteristics.  The researchers at Clemson University are studying firefly as environmental indicator for the coastal South Carolina. The unique bioluminescence property of fireflies provide visual clues of environmental quality and are easy to measure and quantify by the general public.

Fireflies are charismatic and reliable indicators of environmental health because their population density is correlated to the availability of healthy habitats (Kazama et al., 2009). A good firefly habitat is one that is moist, contains large amounts of natural organic matter (Wu and Perng, 2007). The habitat of fireflies is significantly impacted by urban development. For example, converting forested areas into open lawns, residential gardens, and agricultural field can change the structure of suitable habitats (Kazama et al., 2009; Juson et al., 2010). Indiscriminate use of insecticides in lawns and urban areas can kill many non-target insects, including fireflies. Pollution from commonly used chemicals (e.g., pesticides and fertilizer) and biological pollutants (e.g., pet waste) could also alter the quality of the habitat (Lee et al., 2008; Leong et al., 2007). Light can also be a source of pollution (Viviani et al., 2010). Strong, bright light can outshine firefly flashing and interfere with its mating behavior. All these factors work in concert to reduce the quantity and quality of habitat, thus reducing the density of fireflies. Therefore, the occurrence of firefly provides a visual clue on the quality of the natural environments. 

References:
Kazama et al. 2007. Ecological Modeling 209: 392-400.
Wu and Perng 2007. Formosan Entomologist 27: 31-45.
Jusoh et al. 2010. Wetlands Ecology and Management 18: 367-373.
Viviani et al. 2010. Biota Neotropica 10” 103-116.

Procedure for the Survey

• You will enter your information into the online survey form page at this link
• Survey information should be from counts done on May 27th ONLY, from 8:15pm – 10:15pm
• Turn out all lights for at least one minute before counting (i.e. houselights, flashlights, headlights, etc.)
• Count the number of fireflies you see within 1 minute
• Please enter your observation by June 1. Results will be published on this web site on June 5.
• It is important to report your results even if no fireflies are observed.  Your input is very useful to determine the land use on the occurrence and population of firefly.
• Below is the information you will record and enter into the online survey form

1. Street Name
2. City
3. Zip Code
4. Where did you see the fireflies?

Home lawn and gardens
Wood bordering lawn and garden
Farm
Forest
Others (please specify)

5.  How many fireflies did you count within one minute?
6.  Other Comments

Dendroica Departing

As reported in the blog by Kenn Kaufman, the genus Dendroica will cease to exist based on the decision of the Committee on Classification and Nomenclature of the American Ornithologists’ Union.  Basically, genetics dictated the regrouping.

At the Francis Beidler Forest, we have several residents that will be undergoing a name change, including the Black-throated Blue Warbler we saw out the office window in October 2009.  The species names will remain the same, but the genus name will be changed as shown in the [name].

Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) [Setophaga magnolia]
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) - images [Setophaga caerulescens]
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) - images [Setophaga coronata]
Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) [Setophaga virens]
Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica) - images [Setophaga dominica]
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus) - images [Setophaga pinus]
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) [Setophaga discolor]
Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) [Setophaga striata]

A brief summary of the changes can be found in Kenn Kaufman's blog.

On a completely different note, one class from today's Charleston County School of the Arts group located all five species of snakes along the boardwalk!

Images by Mark Musselman

New Resident at Goodson Lake

Yesterday, while guiding part of the film crew for Expeditions with Patrick McMillan (show will air in October), we discovered a new resident at Goodson Lake at the end of the 1.75-mile boardwalk at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest.  A 3-foot American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) slid off the bank across from the observation tower and loitered on the water's surface closer to the tower.

At various times, though not ever pictured together, two alligators reside in Goodson Lake.  There are many more than that in the swamp, but alligators prefer deeper water in which to escape or from which to spring an ambush attack and they desire sunshine.  Along the boardwalk, sunshine is difficult to obtain due to the tree canopy 100 or so feet above.  Therefore, alligators are almost always found in the holes where water is consistently deep and present thereby preventing tree growth that would block the sunshine.  The two alligators normally seen in Goodson Lake are much larger than the new arrival.  One alligator is bulky and in the 8-10 foot range, while the other alligator is slimmer and in the 7-8 foot range.  It is possible that the new 3-foot alligator is staying on the observation tower end of Goodson Lake to avoid the two larger alligators.

Tracks in the mud, feet and the dragging tail, show that the smaller alligator arrived via the main creek channel that runs just northwest of Goodson Lake.  It is possible that the lower water level in the swamp has caused alligators to congregate in holes where water remains and the smaller alligator may have struck out to locate less-crowded and/or safer accommodations.  If its presence is not tolerated at Goodson Lake, the smaller alligator may continue upstream along the relatively-deep main creek channel.  In the process of moving upstream, the smaller alligator could find itself in the pooled water behind the beaver dam.  Although not a natural hole in the swamp, the area behind the beaver dam and under the power line right-of-way mimics the characteristics of a hole...sunshine and consistently deep water.  Beavers beware!

There is never a dull moment in the swamp!

Images by Mark Musselman

Canoe Review

For those of you who have yet to take a canoe trip through the old-growth, cypress-tupelo swamp in the Francis Beidler Forest, here's an unbiased review from a paying customer:

http://discoversouthcarolina.com/Insider/Outdoor/Blog/4573

Image by Mark Musselman

Swallow-tailed Kites

In the past two weeks, we have seen a pair of Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus) soaring over the parking area and the power line corridor adjacent to the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest.  As the population of this species of bird is poorly understood, you should report any sightings on the Centers for Birds of Prey webpage.

The Francis Beidler Forest protects over 17,000 acres of Four Holes Swamp, including 1800 acres of old-growth, cypress-tupelo swamp.  However, we have long understood that protecting the swamp itself is not sufficient to protect the ecosystem.  Snakes move out of the swamp to den in the higher, drier land that along the edges of the swamp.  Turtles must lay their eggs on dry land.  Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) bring their fledglings out of the swamp to the denser vegetation along the swamp's edge before they migrate south for the winter.  Studies of Swallow-tailed Kites show that they too require habitat beyond the bottomland forests.  A major food source for kites are beetles and other insects that are found flying over fields adjacent to the swamp.  Management of the fields can affect the number of insects available for the kites and development could eliminate the foraging habitat.

There is an article on the subject in yesterday's Post and Courier.

Image by Don Wuori

Parking Lot Birding

Parking lot birding?  If you are talking about acres of paved parking, you can expect Laughing Gulls and House Sparrows, but we're referring to the parking area at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest.  During lunch breaks at one of several picnic tables under the trees in the parking area, we are always pleased with the abundance and variety of birds.

Using the map as a reference, we have listed some of what we typically see or hear at points within the parking area.

Near the nature center, Summer Tanagers (Piranga rubra) can be seen and heard, including at their nest just beyond the entrance ramp.  In the past, Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) have nested in the cigarette disposal container right by the front door!  This morning a Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) was calling over the building.  Previously, we have reported the many species of birds seen out our office window.

Yesterday, while eating lunch near #3 on the image, we observed the Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo lineatus) and discovered the nest with at least one chick.  Today, while observing the nest, we saw two Swallow-tailed Kites soar over and saw or heard the following birds: Wood Ducks, Tufted Titmouse, Red-eyed Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Red-shouldered Hawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Acadian Flycatcher, Great-crested Flycatcher, American Crow, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Yellow-throated Vireo, Downy Woodpecker, and Pileated Woodpecker.

At the edge of the power line corridor, we have previously reported a Muscovy Duck, Wood Ducks, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Indigo Bunting, and Blue Grosbeak.

At the other side of the parking area near #2, the wet areas Great Egrets, but mainly Northern Parula, Red-eyed Vireo, Prothonotary Warbler, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black-and-white Warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Summer Tanager, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Blue-headed Vireo, Hooded Warbler, Northern Cardinal, American Redstart, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Wild Turkey.

This is not a complete list, but you should get the idea.  You don't need to get far from your car to have a wonderful birding experience!

Red-shouldered Hawk Nest

http://sc.audubon.org/Centers_FBF_Educators_Species-Birds.html#TanagerWhile eating lunch at one of the picnic tables under the trees in the parking area at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, we noticed a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) fly through the trees along the edge of the swamp.  In less than five minutes, we saw a Red-shouldered Hawk fly in the other direction with what appeared to be a lizard in its beak.  We have learned that birds flying with food in their bills are almost always heading toward a nest.  Therefore, we watched.

Our watching paid off when we finally spied the nest in a crook high in a Loblolly Pine.

If you are having difficulty seeing the chick on the nest, follow the arrow! This view is from the parking slot in the bus loop where the ROC is stored.

There appeared to be only one chick in the nest.

An adult returned approximately every five minutes, though we could never see what was being brought as a meal.

Just beyond the entrance ramp at the center, is a Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) nest in a Horse Sugar leaning over the driveway.  The female has only been sitting on eggs for a few days.

Near #121 on the boardwalk, we spotted A250 foraging.  A250 was the male with the nest in the cypress knee in the channel near the Meeting Tree at #120.  The chicks were gone from the nest sometime this weekend, but we could not confirm that they had successfully fledged.  However, following close behind A250 was a fledgling , so at least one of the chicks is still in the game!

Beidler Forest is always full of life, but spring accentuates that fact!

Images by Mark Musselman