WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT NOTES
December 13, 2006
Weather
There are two significant variables affecting us weather-wise: a continued
drought with only sporadic rains, and two nights in a row with hard freeze
temperatures around 27 degrees. Only 3.55 inches of rainfall have been recorded
here since November 1, and the area is still 20 inches below normal for the
year. The recent freezing may make it officially winter, but temperatures
today are now back in the 70’s. The cold front indicates change: waves
of migrating birds have arrived and now we will turn our attention to burning
the Gin House Field. Our Winter Solstice Celebration is only days away and
the actual solstice will occur in a week.
Swamps and Ponds
The Farm Pond is very low but still accommodating our visiting pair of Pied-billed
Grebes. The western “flats” area is popular lately with White Ibis,
Great Egrets, Little and Great Blue Herons, and Wood Storks.
Big Bay Swamp is so low that the water tupelo roots are exposed and trees
are no longer standing individually in the water, but together on hammocks
that were formerly the swamp floor. Little pine seedlings are even coming
up between the trees - it has been that dry for so long.
An unusual phenomenon is happening now in Big Bay Swamp that is disappointing
to all of us who love woodducks. The Birdsong population of woodducks had
a predictable pattern of behavior for many years, and in December and January
they would leave the Swamp early, spend the day on the Ocklocknee River feeding
and doing what woodducks do, and then fly to the Birdsong swamp in great numbers,
splash down, and roost here overnight on the water. We have traditionally
scheduled a January program to share this marvelous event with anyone interested.
This year, with the water at a long-time low, small numbers of woodducks are
flying out of the swamp at dusk, and heading north to some other body of water
that must be deeper and offer more space and safety. We have not witnessed
this behavior in 21 years. It seems very counter-intuitive to those of us
who have been observing the dusk flight phenomenon all this time to be in
the Gin House Field and see ducks flying overhead “the wrong way”.
Clearly it is a response by our wildlife to a change in their environment.
An advantage to the dry weather and low water is that we are now able to hike
in behind the Bog Garden to the former swamp drain and search for gentians.
A group of us went back there on October 21 with Gil Nelson looking for the
“blue gentian” or what we believe is the Coastal Plain Gentian,
Gentiana catesbaei. We found lots of plants, but they were not blooming at
that time. Two weeks ago Chris and I walked in there and found over 30 plants
in full flower along the creek bed. They are a beautiful deep blue, the shape
of a Christmas tree light bulb. Come out soon if you want to see them, they
will be in bloom for a little while longer. A very rewarding treasure hunt!
Frog Pond, Spring Pond, and Big Bay Pond are completely dry. Each one has
a very different personality and each is worth a visit, even in their waterless
state. Frog Pond is great for tracks, Spring Pond’s former bottom is
covered with an abundant little sedge which has gone to seed, and Big Bay
Pond is just beautiful, lined with ethereal golden dry grasses.
Land Management
We are waiting for just the right weather to burn the Gin House Field. The
recent hard freezes have helped to dry out the grassy vegetation, or fuel,
which will now carry a nice hot fire well. It rained yesterday, so we will
give it a few days to dry out and look for a clear, sunny low-humidity day
to strike that first match of the burn season. We want a good hot fire to
burn any brushy plants that tend to shade out the valuable herbs and forbs
that provide so much diverse food and habitat for wildlife. We also want to
burn before the crimson clover germinates. Its tender shoots are vulnerable
to fire and it is an important winter crop for our turkeys, deer, and other
animals, so we cater to its needs as much as possible.
Berries
It has been an outstanding berry year. The dogwoods, cherry laurel, sparkleberry,
smilax, sumac, wax myrtle, beautyberry and hackberry have been laden with
fruit. The recent waves of migrant birds are taking full advantage, and we
get to enjoy the spectacle! Yesterday, on Big Bay Dam, a light rain was falling,
making little tapping sounds on the dry leaves, and flocks of hundreds of
American Robins and Cedar Waxwings were making joyful music deep in the woods,
consuming every remaining water tupelo, black gum, mistletoe, and dogwood
berry. Small flocks would come and take a break, perching on the leafless
tupelo branches, silhouetted against grey clouds not far above. For a human
observer, it makes everything we do on Birdsong’s behalf worthwhile,
from the hands-on burning and other land work to simply doing everything in
our power to ensure that Birdsong remains here and intact for the future.
To All Our Members
I would like to recommend that you take a walk at Birdsong. In the rain or
not. By yourself or with someone. I hope you get to feel and know that your
annual membership, your volunteer hours, your end-of –year gift, anything
you do for Birdsong is truly of value. It is the reason that this place is
here, for us and for the wildlife. Please participate in the meetings and
voting process this winter. Your input will have a significant effect on Birdsong’s
future.
-KDB
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