Bedminster Lane Parcel Finds
On a recent visit to a Conservancy parcel on Bedminster Lane, Andy Wood found a southern dusky salamander with her eggs. Picture below, with cardinal flower growing in another area of the parcel.
Southern dusky salamanders appear to be declining in North Carolina, for yet unknown reasons beyond simple habitat alteration and loss. Brush-hogging to remove understory forest vegetation, as commonly seen around our region, is extremely harmful to this species because the practice drastically alters the forest floor ecosystem.
Finding an adult dusky is significant enough, but one with eggs is very cool. Dusky salamanders are semi-aquatic. Unlike many amphibians this species provides considerable parental care to its eggs. After mating, the fertilized female finds a log or other forest floor debris to crawl under and place her 10-25 eggs, which she stays with while they incubate (which can take up to 80 days), leaving them only at night to go forage for food and returning before morning.
The eggs are thin-shelled spheres that she helps keep moist by wrapping her body around them as the embryos develop inside. The hatchling salamanders push through their eggs shell as half-inch long versions of the adult, and quickly migrate to water, typically a small swampy stream. They are equipped with delicate external gills to breathe oxygen from water, while otherwise feeding in tiny aquatic invertebrates. The larvae complete their metamorphosis during winter and spring, and then take on a life as a terrestrial adult, with a lifespan of 5 to 10 years or more.
This female and her eggs were located about three feet from the swamp creek that meanders through the property, and no doubt that is where she got her start on life, considering this species has a home range of only a few square meters. All this to say, the Conservancy property is the buffer protecting the creek that is home to this and other dusky salamanders. I plan to revisit the site this week to check on the eggs’ and female.
We also found an adult box turtle, which is again significant considering that species’ range-wide decline. In addition, there are more than a few tulip poplar trees in one swampy area that each have a trunk diameter of more than 3.5 feet. We’ll collect tree ring data to age them. They aren’t terribly old but they are majestic.
Two-lined Salamander in Landfall Preserve
The Two-lined Salamander is a widespread species, but jeopardized by silty water and forest alteration. Landfall’s protected wooded wetlands are this animal’s oases, where they hide and forage among leaves and logs in and around streams and seepages. Tiny insects, mites, and worms are preferred prey. In turn, these amphibians are food for birds, small mammals (and bears), and some snakes. Though small in size, as predator and prey, salamanders move lots of energy through the ecosystem.
Two-lined salamander, Eurycea cirrigera
This is an adult male, about three and a half inches long. It was found 24 October 2016, in the Bedminster Conservation Area. The little nubbins under its nostrils are called cirri; their function is not fully understood, but likely play a role in courtship.
Conservation Area Photos
As we make our way through yet another cold and windy winter day, we are all longing for summer days and time spent on the water. Our conservation area in northeastern New Hanover County offers so many beautiful spots, so we wanted to share a few pictures of the marsh, beach and waterway from last year. The pictures are all great reminders to preserve and protect the great natural resources that we enjoy!
Osprey Platforms
Four osprey platforms, originally built more than a decade ago, were replaced this year in the North Marsh Conservation Area. The platforms, located behind the north end of Figure Eight Island, were in disrepair and no longer suitable for Osprey nesting. This replacement project, implemented by ANDY WOOD & ASSOCIATES, LLC, with construction logistics provided by GULFSTREAM BUILDERS, INC., required and received approval from State and Federal wildlife agencies before work began in early March 2014.
Ospreys are migratory fish-eating birds that overwinter in southern regions of North America, and Central and South America. Ospreys migrate northward in early spring to reach breeding grounds throughout much of North America. Pictured above is restored Platform 2, with a defensive parent in attendance. The platform was selected by a male Osprey in late April. Soon after, he and his mate completed a stick nest that fledged at least one young bird this summer. Summer surveys revealed platform 3 had two sticks, but platforms 1 and 4 remained clean. Maybe 2015 will see higher occupancy, but in the meantime, all the platforms are popular with many fish-eating birds, including colorful Belted Kingfishers that use the high perches to spy fishy prey in the surrounding marsh.
Land Donation
The Conservancy owned .151 acres around the Landfall administration and maintenance office. The maintenance department is in need of more space so we negotiated a land trade. This trade takes the small piece we own around the building and gives it to Landfall. In trade, a 39.91 acre tract is given to us!
This piece (blue highlight) connects with another NENHC easement area and this addition will create a compelling greenway for hiking and nature viewing. The easement area is currently owned by Landfall and it includes a network of nature trails that are in need of some maintenance, mostly involving debris removal following last winter’s ice storms.
The property contains a variety of distinct habitats including patches of mixed pine and hardwood forest blended with an intact patch of swamp dominated by water tupelo. In spite of abundant rain in 2014, the ponds and swamp area are not flooded at this time. The site’s sinkhole-like pocket ponds are a rare feature in this region, and while most are dry during much of the year, they are likely important habitats for frogs, spotted turtles and songbirds.
Though most of the forest trees are in the 80-120 year age-range, many examples of older-growth trees provide evidence of this site’s past history as a rich and diverse wetland environment.
Conservation Education
Building awareness about the Conservancy’s easement areas is an objective to meet our goal of protecting the areas we steward. Last spring the Conservancy and Landfall jointly sponsored a guided trek around the Landfall Lake Conservation Area.
More than two dozen Landfall residents and guests joined the tour, led by Andy Wood, with birding help from wildlife biologists Carson Wood and James Abbott. Steve Hughes, Landfall Operations Manager, also joined the hike and provided valuable background information about Landfall Lake, including its function-driven design to become a naturalized waterbody. Wading birds, several ducks, and numerous pond turtles provided fun highlights during the visit, which was intended to develop greater understanding about the lake’s habitats and the diverse plants and wildlife they support; while also providing stormwater filtration before discharging into the Intracoastal Waterway. More programs like this are being planned for 2015, including guided treks into other fascinating Conservancy properties.