Field Notes and Photos - March 2020

Four baby squirrels seen on March 31

My Field Notes and Photos observations used to publish in a newspaper, but a lack of demand for my nature photography led to diminished newsprint space. Now when I have a fresh batch of observations I share them via Lowcountry Outdoors.

Here's a look at the TWO nesting hollows

I write each year that Spring is an important time to simply be watchful for what may emerge as warming trends in nature inspires flowers to bloom, insects to thrive and for critters to reproduce. Especially in this time of social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is especially heartening for me to see so many taking time to appreciate the outdoors. I recently have been thinking back to many years ago when I witnessed baby flying squirrels coming out of a nesting tree hollow in a woodland swamp, which unfortunately was before my instinct to document such a unique encounter with photos. Then by chance this year, I stumbled across a grey squirrel nesting tree, in a public area. The tree has two hollows and not all of the young squirrels emerge at the same time from each location, so it took me several days of patiently waiting for the photo of all four heads lined up in only one nesting hollow. I am thankful for the powers of observation, keen eyesight, and veteran wildlife watching radar that revealed this batch of squirrels for me to share with you, when many other folks walk right by this hardwood tree, unaware of nature's bounty.

To view past Field Notes and Photos click on June 2019 - July 2018 - February 2018 -  December 2017 - September 2017 - January 2017- December 2016 - June 2016 - February 2016- December 2015 - October 2015 - September 2015 - August 2015 - July 2015 - June 2015 - February 2105 - October 2014 -  September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011     

2019 Wood Duck Banding Surges in S.C.

SCDNR waterfowl biologist Molly Kneece

As wet conditions persist into Spring, it creates more habitat wood ducks can utilize during their breeding season. In fact, the longer wet conditions persist the better chance they have for an extended reproduction timeline. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources increased efforts to band wood ducks in 2019 and was recognized on March 13 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their efforts. Wood duck conservation efforts are increasing across several platforms, focusing on the sustainability of this waterfowl species, and that is good news.

            

SCDNR waterfowl biologist Molly Kneece is helping to coordinate these wood duck banding efforts of 50-plus staff members in Anderson, York, Fairfield, Marian, Lexington, Charleston, Berkeley and Hampton counties. Kneece earned a forestry degree from Clemson before becoming an intern at the Nemours Wildlife Foundation, which influenced her to pursue a degree in wildlife management from Mississippi State. While in Mississippi she studied under Dr. Richard Kaminski, who now resides in S.C. and heads up the new Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands program, which is undertaking a long-term study into wood duck life history.

            

“We ramped up our banding efforts during the summer of 2019, tagging 842-wood ducks,” said Kneece. “The threshold for special recognition from the USFWS is set at 800, and I can’t stress enough that it takes a team effort to band this many wood ducks. First we received training from USFWS rep John Stanton regarding the use of rocket-propelled nets, and then we focused on determination of the age and the sex of each wood duck banded. We utilized public-managed wetlands for this banding effort, but we also partnered with S.C. game wardens to access private wetlands too, and we did not limit our range to the coastal plain.”

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries on wood duck boxes click on 2020 -  2016 - 2015 - 2014 

To view past blog entries about hunting wood ducks click 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

To view past game recipes click  Wood Duck Soup 

2020 Lowcountry Landowner Association Meeting

Senator Chip Campsen speaks with Tim Adams looking on

The Lowcountry Landowner Association held its third anniversary membership meeting in Ridgeland on Thursday, March 12. The inaugural meeting was held in 2018 in Colleton County, and the membership focus area includes Colleton, Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton countries. The ‘Timber Talk’ meeting agenda speakers comprised of forestry professionals and private landowners, followed by a Question and Answer segment. The facility at Palmetto Electric Cooperative was full of Lowcountry landowners trying to assess the path forward for tree farming for the next decade.

The first speaker was Tim Adams, the Development Division Director with the S.C. Forestry Commission, and co-author of the Wave of Wood brochure. A slideshow of data and statistics graphs helps to convey his message, with the ‘wave of wood’ representing an abundance of any particular forest product. “There is a glut of sawtimber in South Carolina now, but that will slowly shift back to pulpwood stocks, as final harvest cuts are made on the larger trees,” said Adams. 

2020 Spring Meeting Agenda

Colleton County resident Tracy Burttram has 21-years experience as the procurement manager for the Elliott Sawmilling Company in Estill. “After a long run of being locally owned by the Elliott Brothers, the mill was recently purchased by Canfor Corporation based in Vancouver, British Columbia,” said Burttram. “Canfor has bought sawmills in six Southeastern states, expanding their integrated forest products capacity. Our mill purchases 750 truckloads of logs each week, and besides cutting boards that volume also generates about 400 loads of residuals like woodchips that we can sell. We have a comfort zone of about 40-miles for timber deliveries, and longer hauling distances can negatively affect stumpage prices for landowners.”

To view the feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about landowner meetings click on 2019 Lowcountry Landowners -  2018 Lowcountry Landowner Association - 2016 Kershaw County Landowners - 2011 Tri-County Forestry Association - ACE Basin - S.C. Prescribed Fire Council - Savannah River Preserve - Herbicide - Mayfield Garden Club - 2010 S.C. Tree Farm Volunteer of the Year - 2009 Forest Landowners Association

To view past blog entries about controlled burning click on 2015 Prescribed Fire Council Meeting - 2015 Prescribed Fire - Plowing Firebreaks - 2014 Dry Weather Fire Threat - SCDNR Prescribed Fire - 2013 Prescribed Fire - 2012 Prescribed Fire - 2009 Wildfire - 2009 Prescribed Fire Council 

2020 March Outdoor Options at Edisto

Crawfish Boil at Dockside on March 14 from 5 - 9

Dinner at the Theatre!!

Coming to Edisto Beach on March 9 is the 9th annual Edisto Beach Road Race presented by the Edisto Chamber of Commerce. A $25 registration fee includes a t-shirt so call the Chamber office at 843-869-3967 for more details. The starting line will be neat the Wyndham Recreation Center on Sea Cloud Circle, and the course will wind through the resort and side streets of the Town of Edisto Beach. The 5K race begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 1 Mile Run / Walk begins at 9:30. Awards will be given out for multiple age groups, so everyone can get in on the fun.

            

The Edisto Art Guild is back with its popular dinner theatre on March 26. The Dixie Swim Club is a comedy by Jones Hope Wooten that will run at the Edisto Beach Civic Center March 26 – 29. The Edisto Players will take the stage on Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 for the dinner theatre, where advance reservations are required. The dinner price is $48 and call 843-869-3099 for more information. The Dixie Swim Club will make another splash on March 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and finish up with a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.

            

We are all in this together.

On Saturday March 28 the Great American Cleanup, sponsored by Keep Edisto Beautiful, will bring local volunteers together to combat any litter issues on Edisto Island. Meet that the Edisto Beach Civic Center at 9 a.m. to pick up supplies and to be assigned to a specific location. The cleanup is scheduled until noon, and organizers are stressing that it only takes a few hours of a concentrated effort like this one to make a big difference in the scenic beauty of this barrier island for all to enjoy.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian. 

To view past blog entries from 2019 at Edisto click on Billfish Tournament -  ACE Basin Appreciation- Dolphin Slam - Jim Bost Memorial - Sea Turtle Nesting

To view past blog entries from 2018 at Edisto click on Thirsty Whale Tours - I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Coastal Geology - Grits Cook Off

To view past blog entries from 2017 at Edisto click on Holiday Business After Hours - EIOLT Oyster Roast - Billfish Tourney - Bingo - Tomato Open- I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Shark Tourney

To view past blog entries from 2016 at Edisto click on Serpentarium - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Cobia Tourney - Spring Shorebird Synergy - Bovine Bones on Beach - Edisto River book

Flocks of Cedar Waxwings and Bird Life on the Move

Large numbers of cedar waxwings are showing up now

Each Spring in the Lowcountry there are signs that winter is nearing completion, and often times the presence of flocks of birds is the truest indicator. Recent observations of flocks of cedar waxwings, red-winged blackbirds and robins are sounding the alarm that the season cycle is changing. Local flowers currently in bloom tell a tale of mild temperatures in Colleton County, but the birds have the ability to move across the South and stay in the optimum climate. Consider taking a moment to watch the cedar waxwings gorging on red berries, because they can be here today and gone tomorrow.

            

Cedar waxwings basking in sunshine

Cedar waxwings arrive in early March and their gregarious nature makes them easy to spot. The congregate in groups or flocks, from 15 to 150 birds or more, and are often seen marauding holly trees and cedar trees. Birders might recognize their high-pitched heeee-heeee call first, since that sound is absent from the Lowcountry most of the year. Cedar waxwings are grey with a yellow-ish belly, a black eye mask, a distinguished tuft on the head and a notch of yellow at the tip of the tailfeathers. They are quite striking but they tend to stay towards the tops of trees, so binoculars or camera equipment improves viewing opportunities.

            

Flowers in bloom already include forsythia, quince and azaleas and they all are subject to overnight cold snaps that might bring a sudden freeze. In general, temperatures have not been severe enough to kill buds, while the rainfall and river flooding remains the headline news. My rain gauge in Western Colleton County collected eight inches of rain during the month of February. Birds and other wildlife don’t have to look hard to find something to drink, but the end of winter means that food supplies are dwindling. When you see flocks of red-winged blackbirds and robins moving along the ground, they are being opportunistic feeders looking to eat enough food to stay ready for the next warm spell when they will move on.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past Birding Journal Observations from March / April click 2018 - 2017 - 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

To view Field Notes and Photos click on February 2018 - December 2017 - September 2017 - January 2017- December 2016 - June 2016 - February 2016- December 2015 - October 2015 - September 2015 - August 2015 - July 2015 - June 2015 - February 2105 - October 2014 -  September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011