Three barrier islands closed to public March 15-Oct.
15
Bird Key Stono and Crab Bank, are closed to boat landings and the
public from March 15 to Oct. 15 to protect nesting seabirds. Deveaux Bank
is closed above the high tide line. The South Carolina Budget & Control
Board entered into agreements in 2006 with the S.C. Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), enabling the DNR to designate and establish the three
barrier islands as bird sanctuaries.
Trespassing violations on Bird Key Stono, Crab Bank, and Deveaux Bank
incur a fine of up to $465 and/or 30 days in jail.
For additional information, contact Felicia Sanders, wildlife biologist
with the SandersF@dnr.sc.gov.
Also check the DNR
Managed Lands.
The nesting areas are managed by the DNR to help protect species such as
brown pelicans, least terns, royal terns, sandwich terns, black skimmers,
and great egrets. Crab Bank is a 16-acre island at the mouth of Shem Creek
and Bird Key Stono is a 35-acre island at the Stono River Inlet. The area
on these islands below the high water line is open to the public from Oct.
16 to March 14. Deveaux Bank, a 215-acre island between Seabrook and
Edisto Islands, is closed year-round above the high water line. A portion
of Deveaux Bank above the high water line is designated for limited
recreational use. Dogs are prohibited on all of the islands year-round.
Although there are many barrier islands along the coast of South Carolina,
only six have the correct profile for seabird usage. Species nesting on
these estuarine islands typically find their location and mate in March,
and build nests and lay eggs in April and May. Many younger birds do not
leave nesting islands until October.
Seabirds often lay eggs in shallow scrapes or rough nests directly on the
ground, and can easily be crushed underfoot. If approached, adult birds
will leave the nest, and without shade, the sun quickly damages
unprotected eggs, which are also easily snatched from their nests by
gulls. Dogs are particularly damaging to colonies because of their
instinct to chase the seabirds.
In South Carolina, brown pelican nesting has been declining for the last
15 years with the exception of slight increase last year. Pelicans
completely abandoned Bird Key Stono in 2005 causing biologists to
recommend, last year, additional protection of the seabird nesting
islands. Other states are not experiencing significant population
declines, and are, alternatively, recording population increases.
Dog and human footprints have been frequently recorded on South Carolina’s
nesting areas, and these disturbances may also be causing a degradation of
roosting habitat. After the new regulations took effect, few human and dog
prints have been seen on the seabird nesting islands. Black skimmer
nesting increased last year on the Seabird Sanctuaries. DNR is hopeful
continued protection of the islands will cause other species to return and
flourish.
In addition to the continuous management that takes place on the sanctuary
islands in South Carolina, coordination of efforts between states that
maintain monitoring programs for seabirds is an important step in their
continued protection. A Southeast seabird workshop recently convened at
the Marine Resources Center in Charleston, hosted by DNR wildlife
biologists. The meeting allowed managers and researchers who work with
monitoring seabirds and waterbirds in respective areas throughout the
Southeast to collaborate, exchange ideas and coordinate efforts for the
protection and conservation of populations throughout the region.
Representatives from academic institutions, state agencies and
organizations in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and
Virginia met to present findings of nesting summaries by associated state,
as well as reflect on current research and monitoring designs in place for
assessing seabird populations. Collaborators noted accomplishments in
their research areas and made plans for establishing a long-range
monitoring program and goals throughout the Southeast region.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making
wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural
resources and its people.
