GREAT DISMAL SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Suffolk, Virginia
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1980 UUN j ©S3 GREAT DISMAL SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Suffolk, Virginia NANSEMOND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1980
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Personnel
*1. Ralph Keel Refuge Manager GS-12 PET *2. Howard Rybolt Realty Appraiser GS-12 PET Reg. Office *3. Michael Tansy Assistant Manager GS-9 PET EOD 8/10/80 *4. Mary Keith Garrett Biologist GS-9 PET *5. Allen Carter Forester GS-9 PET EOD 5/4/80 *6. Kathy Zearner Outdoor Rec. Planner GS-9 PET EOD 6/15/80 *7. Dorothy Harbin Clerk (Typing) GS-5 PPT *8. Sally Leary Clerk-Typist GS-3 PPT EOD 1/13/80 *9. Bailey White Eng. Equipment Operator WG-10 PET *10. Michael Bryant Maintenance Worker WG-5 TFT 11. Joyce Williams Maintenance Worker WG-4 . TFT 12. Karen Terwilliger Biologist GS-5 TPT 13. Douglas Parr Assistant Manager GS-7 PET LDOD 2/10/80 14. Carolyn Burns Biological Aid GS-4 TPT LDOD 12/18/80 15. William Lurvey Maintenance Worker WG-4 TFT LDOD 10/3/80 16. Charles Pelizza Student Trainee GS-3 TFT EOD 1/13/80 NPS 4-7-80 17. Brian Hostetter Math Aid GS-3 TPT LDOD 5-31-80
^Pictured Review and Approvals
Regional Office Date
ii U.S. Geological Survey Personnel
1. Patricia Gainmon, Botanist GS—11 PPT 2. Tom Gwynn, Hydrologic Field Asst. GS-A TI 3. Cheryl A. Unroe, Hydrologic Field Asst. GS-3 TI
Not pictured - Linda Scott GS-2 TI
V-
iii Youth Conservation Corps Summer 1980
Kneeling, Left to Right
1. Karen Terwilliger 2. Connie Morris 3. Mike Bryant
Standing, Left to Right
1. Janice Flagler 2. Roger March 3. Allison Smith 4. Jimmy Jones 5. Vernice Taylor 6. Sophia Jones 7. James Parker 8. Kenneth Benton 9. Wilbum Wilson
iv Young Adult Conservation Cprps
Left to Right
1. Charles Schallafer 2. Daryl Davis 3. Cheryl Unroe A. Quinton Moore 5. Sheila Laliberte 6. John Thomas 7. Jerry Laliberte 8. Tony Murphy 9. Tyrone Riddick 10. Keefe Watkins 11. Roderick Reed 12. James Hicks
v GREAT DISMAL SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL Page A. Introduction 1 B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 1-3 C. Land Acquisition 3 D. System Status A-5
II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
A. Construction 5 B. Maintenance 8 C. Wildfire 8-12
III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
A. Croplands 12 B. Grasslands 12 C. Wetlands 13 D. Forestlands 13 E. Other Habitat ' • 13 F. Wilderness and Special Areas 13 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management 13
IV. WILDLIFE
A. Endangered and Threatened Species 14 B. Migratory Birds 14 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others 15-16
V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION
A. Information and Interpretation 16-22 B. Recreation . ; 22-25 C. Enforcement . . .25
VI. OTHER ITEMS
A. Field Investigations 26-28 B. Cooperative Programs 29 C. Items of Interest 29-30 D. Safety 30
vi NANSEMOND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL Page A. Introduction 31-32 B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 32 C. Land Acquisition 32 D. System Status 32
II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
A. Construction 33 B. Maintenance 33 C. Wildfire 33
III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
A. Croplands 33 B. Grasslands 33 C. Wetlands 33 D. Forestlands 33 E. Other Habitat .... 33 F. Wilderness and Special Areas 33 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management 33
IV. WILDLIFE
A. Endangered and Threatened Species 33 B. Migratory Birds 33 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others
V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION
A. Information and Interpretation 34 B. Recreation . . • 34 C. Enforcement '... 34
VI. OTHER ITEMS
A. Field Investigations 34•' B. Cooperative Programs 35 C. Items of Interest 35 D. Safety 35
vii I. GENERAL
Introduction
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in February, 1973, with the donation of 49,100 acres by the Union Camp Corporation to the Service through The Nature Conservancy.
The refuge, presently at 101,374 acres, offers important ecological, educational, historical, and recreational values and is a peaceful contrast to the nearby heavily populated urban areas.
The Dismal Swamp, which is actually a forested peat bog, has been greatly altered by miles of drainage ditches and repeated lumber ing operations. A drier habitat has resulted, and red maple now dominates much of the forest which was once covered with great stands of cypress, Atlantic white cedar and tupelo gum.
In the swamp exists a complexity of plant communities and an inter mingling of northern and southern plant and animal species.- Many species are seldom seen together elsewhere.
Adding to the mystery and fascination of the Dismal Swamp are numer ous legends and folktales. George Washington is linked with the history of the swamp, where he failed at farming and succeeded with a lumber company.
Climatic and Habitat Conditions
The Great Dismal Swamp is situated 40 miles west of southeastern Virginia's coastline. As a result of this proximity to the Gulf Stream, our weather is moderate. Summers are long and humid, win ters cool and mild. Annual snowfall seldom reaches above 10-12 inches, and lasts for only a few days.
Average annual rainfall at Lake Drummond is 50.69 inches. This is usually distributed fairly evenly over the year, with slightly higher rainfall in spring and summer. However, surface water level fluctuates greatly due to extremely high evapotranspiration rates in spring and summer. It is not uncommon for many of the ditches to dry up completely, nor to see over 20 meters of additional shore line on Lake Drummond in late summer and early fall. Though these fluctuations of water level are natural, severe water drawdown creates extreme fire hazards in the peat soils.
Although 1980 was a normal year for temperature, it was extremely short on rainfall. The year began with unusually heavy snows for this area. Over 9 inches of snow were recorded in January, 18 inches in February, and 13 inches in March. Every month was short of rain fall except October. By years end almost all areas that are normally inudated in winter vrere dry. Ground water levels were also severely depressed.
75-79 Average 1980 January 5.21 5.02
February 3.94 2.09
March 4.61 3.92
April 3.50 2.43
May 6.49 2.71
June 4.30 .49
July 5.24 3.09
August 2.68 2.58
September 3.82 1.06
October 3.75 5.63
November 3.64 1.82
December 3.51 3.21 50.69 34.05
Land Acquisition
Acreage of the Dismal Swamp Refuge increased by 25% in 1980, from 80,981 acres to 101,374. Acreage in Virginia increased from 67,604 acres to 76,995 acres with the addition of the second half of the Atlantic Farms property (tract #13 - 4,136 acres) and a 2/3 undivi ded interest in the Hitch property (tract #14 - 4,465). In addition, two small landholdings of about 100 acres each were pur chased along the western boundary, and the Mitchell tract (#15 670 acres) was also acquired.
North Carolina acreage went from 13,377 acres to 24,379 acres with acquisition of the Weyerhauser tract via The Nature Conservancy.
Of the 19 cabins that are inholdings, all but the Howell and Perry cabins are now in public ownership. Three were purchased in 1980, with an agreement to pruchase on the fourth. D. ' System Status
1. Objectives
This station has not yet gone through the formal objective setting process. Master planning is scheduled for FY-82 but this time frame was set before the federal budget cutting for FY 82 started. Until we develop definitive objectives, the refuge will be managed for the "primary purpose of protecting and preserving a unique and outstanding ecosystem, as well as protecting and perpetuating the diversity of animal and plant life therein..; secondary management will be to promote a public-use program when not in conflict with primary objectives of the refuge."
2. Funding
A five-year funding pattern is shown in Table 1 below. The $289,000 reflects $10,000 less (1220 - $3,000; 1240 - $7,000) than the FY 81 Annual Work Plan advice figure with which we were given to work. Pay raises for General Schedule and Wage Grade employees totalled approximately another $10,000 which we are not expecting Pay Act funds to cover. Inflation, coupled with the O&M budget cut and pay increases, left even less discretionary funds than the previous fiscal year after fixed expenses were considered. Yet the refuge equipment base and acreage increased. This situation is nothing new to refuge management but getting it down in writing is good therapy for the manager, if nothing else. However, the Bicentennial Land Heritage Program has been a morale booster with funding for repairing or replacing existing water control structures and roads. The $800,000 figure for BLHP - FY 81 remains intact for the present.
Table 1: 5-Year Funding
N&NMB I&R Total Job Orders/(BLHP) FY'77 $123,000 $68,500 $191,500 $248,900
FY'78 $134,000 $81,300 $215,300 $371,018
FY'79 $154,000 $86,000 $240,000 $163,000
FY'80 $200,000 $84,000 $284,000 $442,000
FY'81 $212,000 $77,000 $289,000 $800,000 5
The staffing pattern for the past five years is shown on the following page. The end of 1980 found this station with no vacancies in our permanent staff but we had lost 1.33 staff-years due to three vacant permanent full-time positions in 1980. With only one permanent wage grade employee for maintenance of roads, equipment and water control structures, we had begun to fill two additional position ceilings for WG employees in FY-81 but the effort got caught by the hiring freeze. The youth programs (YCC and YACC) have made significant contributions to refuge development and maintenance activity. The manpower contribution of the Youth programs is shown graphically on Table 2. since the inception of the first YCC camp at Dismal Swamp in 1976. Should these programs be eliminated due to budget cuts, their assistance will be sorely missed at Dismal Swamp in spite of low skill levels and initial camp start-up problems. We have been fortunate in starting with good work leaders.
II. CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE
A. Construction
Five contracts for construction related activities were awarded in 1980, with four being completed.
T.H. Wiggins Company delivered and spread 1150 cubic yards of sand on Jericho Road. Shallow fill covered the underlying peat on the mid-portion of Jericho and the addition fill permits access to the area above Lake Drummond.
T.H. Wiggins completed a 1000 foot dredging of West Ditch. Most ditches in the swamp have filled with peat muck and now hold little water. The dredging was done as a test to determine if we could increase refuge water holding capabilities.
Ohio Valley Testing Labortory took soil borings at 12 sites in Virginia to obtain soil data for the design of water control structures. R&D Drilling Inc. took soil borings at- 17 sites in North Carolina for the same reason.
Crowder Construction Inc. was awarded the construction contract for five water control structures. Four structures are to be built in North Carolina and one in Virginia. Due to delays in obtaining all the necessary permits, approvals and certifications the contract was not awarded until October. Due to the weather conditions at that time actual construction was delayed until spring 1981.
Other construction completed includes 2640 feet of boardwalk, installation of 8 staff gauges and footbridge construction. GREAT DISMAL SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
5 YEAR STAFFING PATTERN
76 77 78 79 80
CALENDAR YEAR includes full and part-time employees Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Youth Programs Employment Pattern
YCC -
1—j . m 76 77 78
CALENDAR YEAR
* Includes both enrollee and staff time 8
B. 'Maintenance
Within the refuge boundary there are approximately 140 miles of roadways. During 1980 98 miles of road were mowed, 16 miles of brush and trees were cleared from off-ditch roadsides by the D-6, 4.5 miles of fire breaks were established, and 34 miles of roads were graded. Spot filling of the worst holes on Lynn, Jericho, West, Corapeake and Sherill Roads was completed. Woody debris was cleared from 2 water control structures.
The water control structure at East Ditch - Lake Drummond and the V-notch weir on Cross Canal were shored up with concrete.
YACC maintenance activities for the year include road rehabilitation and maintenance, equipment and vehicle maintenance, deer hunt signing, water control structures, footbridge upkeep and repair of entrance gates.
C. Wildfires
The severe drought which affected most parts of the country in 1980 was very much in evidence at Dismal Swamp. Seven wildfires occurred from July to September, the busiest fire season since the Swamp became a Refuge in 1973. Six of the fires were apparently caused by lightning striking tall snag trees and igniting the very dry organic soil surrounding the trees; the remaining fire was attributed to wind-blown sparks from adjacent off-Refuge land clearing operation.
Three fires occurred in the Virginia portion of the Refuge, in mixed maple-gum-cypress swamp west of Lake Drummond. All fires were less than one acre in area and were quickly suppressed by Refuge personnel. After being spotted during routine fire detection flights, fires were controlled using the D6 tractor with KG blade which cleared all woody material around the burns. The ground fires were then extinguished using portable pumps and hoses. Complete water saturation is the only way to extinguish ground fires in organic soils.
The four North Carolina fires were similar to the ones in Virginia, except for one three acre burn in a cutover cedar area. This fire required nearly two weeks to extinguish, and was particularly troublesome because of water scarcity in the ditches. At one point, four Crisafulli pumps were utilized to move water along 6 miles of ditches to the fire. An irrigation system was placed around the perimeter to soak the fire line, and the fire was finally put out using 1%" fire hose from the irrigation system. The North Carolina Forest Service, with whom we have a cooperative agreement, was most helpful in providing equipment and manpower assistance. Of particular value was their sprinkler irrigation system and the portable bridges which enabled heavy equipment to cross ditches. We are currently in the process of acquiring a portable bridge, which will greatly increase refuge capabilities for both fire suppression and forest management operations. We plan to develop a small sprinkler system which will reduce time and manpower requirements on peat fires.
This Hale trailer mounted pump with a Caterpillar V-8 diesel engine can develop 210 horsepower and pump 750 gallons perminute. Three 2^" high pressure hoses can be hooked up simultaneously. This pump saw a lot of service in 1980 when it was necessary to move water to the fire areas. This 10,000 gallon per minute Crisafulli pump can be used to quickly move water from one ditch to another, or temporarily coffer dams in a ditch. The pump is hooked up to a deutz 6-cylinder diesel which produc 135 horsepower.
A three acre peat burn in North Carolina required a portable bridge to move equipment over the ditch and an irrigation system to soak the fire line around the burn. Both were provided by North Carolina Forest Service. Adapters enabled us to attach our standard IV' fire hose to the irrigation system. Gated wye valves.can be hooked up to the hose so that any ground fire within a burned area can be thoroughly soaked.
This North Carolina peat fire covered three acres in a recently cutover Atlantic white cedar forest. The burn was started by lightning striking a cypress snag such as the ones in the lower right corner of the photo. This smoldering peat fire burned for two weeks and consumed over a foot of organic soil. The more destructive ground fires take many years to revegetate. This area was formerly an Atlantic white cedar forest and was clear cut by a forest products company prior to federal acquisition.
III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
A. Croplands
Nothing to report
B. Grasslands
Nothing to report 13
C. Wetlands
No specific management activity was pursued in our wetland areas of the Refuge. We did, however, begin drafting the water management plan and were able to let contracts for five of the fifty-three water control structures under BLHP funding.
The weather over the past 20 months has played havoc with all hydrology data collection - 1979 broke the 100 year record for rainfall and 1980 equalled the 100 year drought. Our surface water and groundwater monitoring contracts by USGS provided excellent information for the extreme conditions but we still have to extrapolate the norms for the swamp's water budget. Some contract monitoring will continue into 1981 and the refuge staff will begin measurements in those areas proposed for water control structures.
D. Forestlands
No active forest management program is underway at this time, pending the completion of a refuge forest management plan and a revision of the fire management plan.
Dismal Swamp was without a forester on the staff until May, 1980, When not involved in wildfire detection, suppression and pre paredness Allen has been familiarizing himself with Refuge forest- lands and developing the forest management plan. Hopefully the plan will be completed and approved so that active habitat management can begin no later than FY 1983.
The Refuge forester visited St. Marks and Noxubee Refuges in Region A to observe their forest management operations and discuss aspects of the management plans with refuge staff.
E. Other Habitats
None.
F. Wilderness, Special Areas
None.
G. Easements for Waterfowl Management
None. 1A
IV. WILDLIFE
A. Endangered and Threatened Species
Our elusive cougar is still roaming some 250,000 acres in Virginia and North Carolina, including the 100,000 acre refuge. No con firmation has been made.
Sightings have been reported by nearly 25 non-refuge people this past year between Deep Creek, Virginia and Gates, North Carolina.
B. Migratory Birds
1. Waterfowl
Waterfowl use is relatively low and sporatic, depending on regional conditions which may push the birds inland. Water was still high in the ditches and surrounding swamp in early spring which enhanced the wood duck survival and increased our population of fledge birds.
2. Marsh and Water Birds
The avocets and yellow-crowned night herons were added to the Refuge species list this year. Seventeen avocets were observed on the drought exposed shore of Lake Drummond in September of this year, and the heron was seen for several days along Railroad Ditch early this spring.
3. Shorebirds, Gulls
Nothing to report.
A. Raptors
A swallow-tailed kite, the first reported for the refuge and the sixth sighting in Virginia in fifty years, kept regional birders busy for nearly two weeks in May. The kite was seen in the Refuge several days and was observed regularly along the western portion.
Use days and production of all other raptors stayed about the same.
5. Other Migratory Birds
The fourth Annual Spring Bird Count was held on the first weekend in May. A record 110 species were observed, twelve more than in the previous year. Observations of interest include the first sighting of the lazuli bunting, the Gray Catbird's A7% decrease from 1979 and the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo's 51% decrease. The area covered increased A0% from 1979 and a 9.2% increase in the number of species recorded was observed. 15
C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others
1. White-tailed Deer
Information on the refuge white-tailed deer herd was obtained from the hunt check station data. The 1980 deer hunt provided a larger sample for determining deer herd condition than the 1979 hunt. The herd appears to be at or slightly above the carrying capacity of the habitat. Problems could develop due to the high ratio of does to bucks that increases the reproductive potential of the herd and the resulting accelerated population growth could cause the herd to exceed the carrying capacity in a few years. Plans have been made to increase the ratio of does harvested in the future.
2. Bobcat
Evidence of reproduction in our secretive bobcat population was established by eighteen excited YCC Enrollees along the most traveled road in the swamp. An adult and two kittens were observed crossing Washington Ditch Road - the kittens treed beside the road and posed for numerous pictures.
3. Otter
The otter were seen much less frequently this summer and fall and their normal haunts and slides were not used. It is thought that the severe drought must have reduced their food supplies, (primarily crawfish and supplimented by fish and other vertebrates) and forces them to move to the more productive areas of the Pasquotank and Northwest River headwaters.
4. Bear
No change was noted in the population of black bears.
5. Bog Lemming
No federal endangered species are present on the refuge but the southern lemming vole, Synaptomys cooperi helaletes is being reviewed by the Endangered Species Office for inclusion as endangered or threatened. This species was recorded from the swamp in 1895 and not observed again until this year. Robert K. Rose, Ph.D., Mammalogist, Old Dominion University has initiated an intensive study of this species in the Vepco power line right-of-way and in the remnant marsh within the refuge. Dr. Rose has found three stable populations and expects there are more in other openings in and around the swamp. 16
*6. Fish Sample - Sherrill Ditch
Determination of species composition, relative abundance and reproductive potential of the fish population in Sherrill Ditch was completed August 8, 1980. Sherrill Ditch is the site for 2 water control structures proposed for construction in 1981. Additional mark and recapture studies on the fishes of this ditch are also planned for 1981. The manipulation of water and the opening of the gates will consider the immigration and emigration of the fish through the water control structure sites.
The August study showed 8 species of fish with a standing crop of 21 lbs./acre. The average weight/fish was only 0.92 oz. Yearling fry were observed for 3 of the species. The flier was the most abundant species but the yellow bullhead catfish comprised the greatest biomass.
f V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION
The potential for public use on this refuge is extensive due to the area's ecological and historical significance and the close proximity of six major cities in or near the Tidewater area. At the present time however, we are no where near realizing that potential due to a lack of visitor facilities, poor road conditions, limited staffing, and, of course, limited funding. Although our Public Use Development Plan was completed last fall, (1979) much depends upon BLHP funding and budget allocations during upcoming years.
At the present time refuge access is limited to foot, boat and bicycle traffic. Visitors are met by locked gates at all entrances to the refuge and are obviously limited in the amount of area that they can cover by foot or bicycle on a refuge the size of this one.
Additional funding is sorely needed to develop the facilities outlined in the P.U.D.P, , Without these additions, use will probably continue at the current level with the refuge unable to meet the increasing demand.
Progress in areas of planning and development were somewhat hindered during part of this CY with the absence of an Outdoor Recreation Planner. The ORP position, vacant since the transfer of Kristi Steinhauer in early December '79, was not filled until Kathy Zeamer EOD'd in mid June, 1980.
A. Information and Interpretation
1. On-refuge
Refuge visits during CY 80 totaled 7,465 and represented a slight decrease of 685 visits over CY 79. The prime birding months of April, May, and June were periods of highest use with 1,367 visits in April, 1,803 visits in May, and 1,145 visits in June. The winter months of January and February continued to be periods of lowest use. Visitation levels have ranged from approximately 2,000 visits in 1974 and '75 to a high of 9,300 visits in 1978. Eighty one hundred and fifty visits were recorded in CY 79.
Public use was concentrated most heavily under the category of wildlife interpretation where 3,254 visits were produced by individuals participating in guided tours. Other categories accounting for use were outdoor classrooms, 1,233 visits; consumptive wildlife recreation, 2,013 visits; non-consumptive wildlife recreation, 2,023 visits; and non-wildlife recreation (mainly picnicking), 2,949 visits. Efforts are currently being made to reduce the number of non-wildlife oriented recreation visits.
The refuge presented on-site interpretive programs and tours to fourty four groups, totaling 792 individuals. These groups consisted of schools, civic and professional organizations, and public tours. Public tours are announced periodically through news releases and accomodate fifteen to twenty people who are scheduled on a first come first served basis. All groups meet at the refuge on Washington Ditch Road and are transported into the swamp via a small twenty passenger refuge bus. No fees are being collected at this time for transportation.
Noteworthy groups during the CY included forestry/ecology classes from The College Of The Albemarle and Allegheny College, the Peninsula Nature and Science Center, teachers from the Schiele Museum of Natural History, and thirty three members of The Nature Conservancy.
Outdoor classroom activities are primarily handled by Old Dominion University's Dismal Swamp Programs. Their current work on the refuge is carried out under a special education permit. A Cooperative Agreement is presently being developed which outlines efforts to be undertaken by O.D.U. and the refuge to achieve mutual objectives in the areas of research, environmental education, and interpretation of the natural resources of the swamp. A draft copy of the agreement has been completed and reviewed by the refuge and O.D.U. The final document should be forthcoming in the very near -future and when implemented will result in closer association and coordination between O.D.U. and the refuge. O.D.U. conducted outdoor classroom activities on the refuge for 1,125 individuals during the CY. This accounted for approximately 91% of all environmental education being conducted on the refuge.
During the year three training sessions for Dismal Swamp Programs' new tour guides were conducted by the refuge staff. Manager Keel conducted one such session in March while ORP Zeamer conducted two in September. A total of 19 guides were trained. O.D.U. tour guide working with group.
Eight teachers, elementary through college, were issued educational permits this year while fourteen public relation permits were issued to various individuals for serious birding and photography.
Interpretive boat tours are currently being offered by Dismal Swamp Boat Tours, Inc., a privately owned and operated business located on Rt. 17 near the Feeder Ditch/Dismal Swamp Canal intersection. The tour service has court permission to operate without a permit until the refuge establishes a concessionaire agreement for boat tours. When the agreement is eventually developed it will involve not only the coordination of the refuge and the concessionaire but also the involvement of the Army Corps of Engineers, and The Office of Dismal Swamp Programs, at O.D.U.
Manager Keel and ORP Zeamer met with R.L. Coates, Resident Engineer of the State Highway Department on November 24 to discuss refuge sign needs and plans for routing public traffic to appropriate entrances. The state was quite helpful and plans to work with us in establishing an appropriate route for visitors traveling from the headquarters to the refuge itself. However, the refuge will have to pay for all signing and posts. Special visitors for the year included Regional Director Larsen and Area Manager Green who toured the refuge with Manager Keel on July 9. Also, Barry Jacobs, a free lance writer hired by the North Carolina Department of Natural History and Archives was conducted on a tour of the refuge by Biological Technician Burns on November 21. Mr. Jacobs was interested in gathering information about the refuge and the Dismal Swamp Canal, in preparation for the nomination of the North Carolina Section of the Canal to the National Register of Historic Places.
Several signs were installed this year including a new headquarters sign, two directional signs on Route 13 and a sign identifying our Washington Ditch Road entrance. Visitors have remarked that the refuge office is easier to locate and that the new signs are attractive.
New Headquarters sign. Plexiglass has since been removed due to collection of condensation. 20
Construction of the Dismal Town Boardwalk Trail continues, with an estimated one mile of the planned three mile structure completed. Work is sporatic, depending upon weather conditions and available work crews. At this point most of the work has been carried out by the YACC and by the YCC during the summer. Work will continue to be accomplished in this manner as long as these programs are maintained. If work continues at the current rate the project should be nearing completion in 1984.
YACC employees working on boardwalk trail -
2. Off-refuge
Eleven news releases pertaining to tours, wildlife, and special events were prepared during the year. A number of seasonal stories were also reported by area newspapers. 21
Off-site programs were presented to several groups totaling 256 individuals during the CY. They included three refuge slide shows for sixty eighth grade students at Booker T. Washington Junior High School in Suffolk, a slide program on birds of the Dismal Swamp for twenty members of the Suffolk DAR, a refuge slide talk for twelve O.D.U. students enrolled in a military science survival class, a refuge slide program and film for forty-five members of the Cape Henry Audubon Society, a wildlife program for twenty-seven third grade students at Elephants Fork Elementary School, a program on Alaska for thirty members of the Cedar Point Garden Club, two wildlife programs for seventy-five children involved with the Suffolk City Parks summer recreation program, and a slide program on the swamp for five members of the Garden Gate Garden Club.
On September 25 the refuge participated in Career Day at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. Zeamer and Burns prepared a table top display on careers with the Fish and Wildlife Service and were on hand to answer questions and distribute career information at the college.
The refuge cooperated with Back Bay NWR in preparing a display for National Hunting and Fishing Day, held at the City Park in Portsmouth on September 27 and 28. The display, which consisted of several components, took the award for Best Conservation Exhibit. A total of 10,000 people are believed to have participated in the two day event.
The refuge also participated in the Suffolk Harvest Festival which was held October 23-26. Our display outlined fishing and hunting opportunities in the refuge and was viewed by approximately 200 people. Attendance was low due to rain and the poor exibit location which was approximately three blocks from the main festival activities.
Harvest Festival Display Several T.V. news segments were produced about Great Dismal Swamp during the year. In July, Channel 13 News filmed a short segment on water conditions in the swamp and in October, PM Magazine worked with O.D.U.'s Dismal Swamp Programs to prepare a ten minute film segment on Dismal. Several old timers were interviewed along with Dr. Gerald Levy, coordinator of Dismal Swamp Programs. Also in October, a national news team from CBS visited the refuge to film and tape a short closing for the 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning news. Scenic shots of the refuge were accompanied by a sound track of birds, crickets, and other swamp sounds.
Manager Keel met with Pasquotank County Manager David Harris and a consulting firm on November 21 in regard to revising their land use plan under the Coastal Area Management Act.
Recreation
Wildlife Oriented
Wildlife-wildlands observation and photography accounted for 2,023 visits during the CY. Most of this use was associated with boating, biking, and foot traffic through the refuge. Although the roads are quite open and are often long and wide, they actually provide the best areas for observation since many forms of wildlife utilize the ditches and are often seen crossing the roads. Many of the roads are difficult for bicycling due to their sandy composition. However, when roads are good, biking is an excellent way to see more of the swamp on a single trip.
Boat access into the refuge is permitted by way of the Feeder Ditch, which connects Lake Drummond with the Dismal Swamp Canal and U.S. Highway 17. A public boat ramp is located on Highway 17 just north of the Feeder Ditch/Dismal Swamp Canal intersection. To enter Lake Drummond boats must be transported across the Corps of Engineers spillway on the Feeder Ditch by way of a small motorized tram. There is a 1,000 pound weight limit on all crafts using the tram.
Consumptive wildlife oriented recreation is limited to fishing and a special white tailed deer hunt, A total of 1,485 fishing visits were recorded during the year. Fishing is permitted year round on Lake Drummond from sunrise to sunset to anyone holding a Virginia state fishing license. Success is highest during the spring season with speckles, fliers, bluegills, and catfish being the primary species caught. • The refuge's third deer hunt was held in November and December involving a total of eight days and 29,500 acres. Hunting for white tailed deer of either sex was permitted in selected Virginia Sections of the refuge November 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 and in selected North Carolina Sections on December 10, 11, and 12. A total of 300 hunters accounted for 528 visits with the largest turnout occurring on the first day of the Virginia hunt when 147 hunters checked in.
Seventy five deer were taken in all - sixty two in the Virginia Section and thirteen in the North Carolina Section - all but nineteen were bucks. Inclement weather and limited access due to poor road conditions resulted in very low hunting pressure in the North Carolina area. Had the conditions been better, more d would have most likely been taken. The largest deer of the hunt was an eight point buck weighing 155 pounds, field dressed.
North Carolina Hunters Table 1 Deer Age Ratios by Sex Dismal Swamp NWR 1980
Sex lh 2h 3^5 A^ 5^ Totals
Bucks A 13 11 13 10 5 56
Does 3 2 A A 2 A 19
1980 Totals 7 15 15 17 12 9 75
1979 Totals A 5 8 5 3 1 26
Table 2 Average Live Weights per Age and Sex and Points per Age Classes Dismal Swamp NWR 1979-1980
Bucks Does No. of Points Age 1979 1980 1979 1980 1979 1980
h 52 60 NA 55 -- lh 72 97 75 77 1.0 1.8
2h 116 12A 78 93 3.8 A.9
3h 1A2* 1A0 81 88 6.0* 5.8
^h 152 1A0 97* . 85 7.0 6.0
5h+ NS 160 78* 99 NS 7.8
Coraparative Averages 107 112 82 88 A.5 A.6
* - single samples only -All hunters were required to pass a weapons qualification test before being issued a hunt permit. The Izaak Walton League in Suffolk and Virginia Beach Rifle and Pistol Club greatly assisted the refuge in qualifying hunters. Qualification tests were held by the refuge on September 27 and October A. The possibility of using a form that can be signed by the range officer upon qualification is being looked at for next year. This would eliminate the daily arrival of bulky packages bearing targets of all shapes, sizes and materials.
We also hope to develop a more efficient process for handling appli cations and issuing permits. A great deal of administrative time was spent in this area since hunters were able to return for several hunts and were issued separate permits for each day. A standard application form will also be used next year to avoid the myriad of paper sizes and formats used by hunters to supply us with the requested information.
Scouting dates for the hunt were held on October 17 and 18 and on December 6. Approximately 70 hunters took advantage of this early opportunity to visit the swamp and locate a prime hunt site.
Twenty-seven special use permits to retrieve hunting dogs were issued to adjacent hunt clubs and landowners this CY.
Enforcement
The refuge office is located approximately seven miles from the refuge itself which reduces our effectiveness in preventing enforcement problems. Although we are aware that problems such as boundary encroachment; vandalism of gates, signs, and equipment; and unauthorized entry (especially with motorcycles) occur, it is difficult to eliminate due to the size of the refuge, its inaccessibility, and the limited number of PFT employees available to handle enforcement problems. We are fortunate however, to have outstanding cooperation from the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries and from the Richmond SRA Office, Division of Law Enforcement.
A summary of violation and dispositions handled by the refuge staff is as follows:
Offense Disposition
5 - Possession of a loaded $50.00 each firearm on road
1 - Failure to wear blaze orange $25.00 during deer hunt
3 - Tresspass with firearm $50.00, not guilty, $100.00
Another offense involving a hunter who did not comply with the special regulations outlined for the refuge hunt is still pending. This particular individual shot at a deer from the road, hitting one hunter with shot as he stood approximately 70 yards further down the road. VI. OTHER ITEMS
Field Investigation
1. Wildlife Studies
a. Birds
(1) Karen Terwilliger, a graduate student at ODU, conducted three breeding bird censuses in the swamp this year. Two of these censuses were part of the ongoing research and management of a valuable timber resource on the refuge, the Atlantic White Cedar community. These two cedar stands represent different successional stages representative of refuge stands. The Camp Ditch study site in Virginia, a century old, eleven acre coniferous island surrounded by evergreen shrub, supported eighty- eight territorial birds of twenty-three different species. The second eleven acre study site. Forest Line, is located in the interior of a dense, seventy year old cedar stand on North Carolina State Park property. This site supported ninety-five individual territories of seventeen different species. The higher species richness and eveness gave the older.stand a higher bird species diversity (2.46) than the Forest Line stand (2.35).
The third study, censused for the third consecutive year, was conducted in maple/gum, the predominant swamp community type. Sixty-two territorial birds of nineteen species were reported. The high bird species diversity of this stand (2.58) probably corresponds to the complexity of stand structure. In all three stands, the warbler family was by far the best represented of all bird families.
(2) Brooke Meanley, retired, FWS Research Biologist, Patuxent, is in his third year of a breeding bird census along 18 . miles of roads in the northern end of the swamp. This study reviews the edge of all communities but the Pocosin and the marsh communities. The preliminary data indicates that nearly 90% of all breeding birds are being observed in this study and will provide a comparative data base for all other habitat preference studies.
b. Mammals
(1) Jim Williamson, graduate student VPI, completed a black bear habitat assessment in the Great Dismal Swamp with Dr. Jim Whalen, using Landsat imagery and USGS vegetation maps. This study provided information that will be useful in refuge management plans. (2) Robert K. Rose, Ph.D., ODU, began a small mammal study in selected habitats within the Great Dismal Swamp. Dr. Rose has found three populations of the southern lemming vole. This species has not been observed in the swamp for over eighty years. In addition to species composition. Dr. Rose is working on population ecology of several species with mark and recapture methods. c. Invertebrates
(1) James F. Matta, Ph.D., ODU, is continuing his study began in 1975 on aquatic coleopterae (beetles). Dr. Matta was responsible for the first evidence of calcarian (alkaline) groundwater discharge within the acid swamp on the basis of habitat requirements for one of the beetles he collected. In addition, the ecological niches these beetles occupy gives us indirect information of the food chains found in the swamp's ditches and lake.
(2) William Hartgroves, USGS, has been working since 197A on the species composition and relative abundance of the butterflies in the Dismal Swamp. Many of these insects have very specific larvae food requirements and when current populations and species composition is compared to historical data, no indirect comparison can be made on changes in vegetative community structure. Extensive work was reported by Clark and Clark in the 1930's and is the basis for comparison of the current work.
Physical Environment a. Frank P. Day, Jr. has been funded by National Science Foundation since 1975 for work in vegetative productivity and mineral cycling in the Great Dismal Swamp. Dr. Day presented five papers at professional meetings and published the Journal Reports in 1980. This work is significant in that few studies have been conducted in southern muck soils. The availability of nutrients is severely depressed in the swamp because instead of the normal oxidation decomposition of organics, the available nutrients remain tied up in the organic based soils. This condition affects the vitality of some plant species and as other variables are considered will be important in the habitat management programs. b. Robert Harriss, Ph.D., NASA, Langley has begun a funded study on methane production in the swamp. This study is closely related to Dr. Days work in nutrient cycling. Methane is a product of anaerobic decomposition with a number of other metabolic by-products which are not as efficiently used by living vegetation as those by products produced in the presence of oxygen. This decomposition process changes the soil structure which in turn alters the water holding capacity and permeabilities. Fine particle organic soils support a different vegetative community than the coarse particle soils.
Roy L, Ingram, Ph.D., University of North Carolina completed a survey of peat resources in North Carolina and south eastern Virginia, for the U.S. Department of Energy. DOE wanted the information for energy purposes - the refuge got important management information including mapped peat depths, a better understanding of the historic surface water channels and hard data on type and quality of peat.
Conclusion: It is poor fuel quality but supports important wetland vegetation.
Virginia Carter and Patricia T. Gammon with the USGS, are in their 6th year of hydrology studies in the Great Dismal Swamp. Two major studies currently are being conducted in the swamp. The hydrology of sites with various vegetation communities within the swamp is being investigated to determine if relationships exist between the type of vegetation and the groundwater and surface water levels of those areas. This study will assist the refuge in determining water management practices necessary to preserve and/or increase acreages of the different vegetation communities within the swamp. The second study, in cooperation with FWS involves a thorough evaluation of the transition zone on the western boundary of the swamp, including vegetation analysis, ground water, surface water and soil and ground water oxygen levels. By examining these parameters and relating them to ground surface elevations, a biological acquisition boundary can be determined and a better understanding of the survival parameters for the swamp vegetation will be established.
Pat with YACC enrollee 29
B. * Cooperative Programs
1. YCC
The 1980 YCC camp was non-residential, consisting of 12 enrollees and three staff. A total of 17 projects were worked on during the summer. Footbridge construction and the boardwalk trail were the major projects of the summer. Other activities included a fish population survey, tour guiding, pier rehabilitation, vegetation studies, sign erection, and a wildlife survey in an Atlantic White Cedar stand.
2. YACC
The year was a rollercoaster ride in YACC enrollee numbers. Employment during the year began with 12 enrollees, rose to A2 in the first four months and dropped to 9 by the end of the year. Several enrollees lasted only a few days before quitting and many had to be fired. The one recurring problem faced during the year was absenteeism. Almost daily, individuals failed to show up and did not call in. Individuals were released after the third case of absenteeism without calling in.. Even with the problems encountered, the YACC program accomplished a great deal in 1980. Most of the YACC work efforts were directed toward on-going or seasonal projects such as .road rehab and maintenance, equipment maintenance, the boardwalk trail, assisting in routine refuge operations, hydrological data collection and fire fighting operations. They also assisted the refuge and USGS in various research projects.
C. Items of Interest
Personnel changes included:
- Sally Leary, Clerk-Typist, reported for -duty in January. - Charles Pelizza, Student Trainee, EODM 1-13-80 and was placed in non-pay status effective 4-7-80. - Douglas Parr, Assistant Manager, transferred to Back Bay NWR in February. - Allen Carter, Forester, from James M. Vardaman forestry consulting firm, reported for duty in May. - Brian Hostetter, temporary Math Aid, terminated 5-31-80. - Kathy Zeamer, Outdoor Recreation Planner, reported for duty in June. Kathy had been at Blackwater NWR for four years. - Michael G. Tansy, Assistant Manager, reported for duty in August. Michael came from the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge. - William Lurvey, temporary Maintenance Worker, terminated in October. - Carolyn Burns, temporary Bio Aid, terminated December 18, 1980. Training Workshops Attended:
Allen Carter -Management of Time - OPM Course -Firefighting Pumps Operation with Virginia Division of Forestry
Kathy Zeamer -Effective English Usage - OPM Course -Association of Interpretive Naturalist Conference - Orleans, Massachusetts
Ralph Keel -Cooperators Fire School - North Carolina Forest Service, Plymouth, N.C. -Black Bear Workshop - Wrightsville Beach, N.C. -Performance Standards - Beltsvllle, MD -Firefighting Pumps Operation - Virginia Division of Forestry -Firearm Qualifications - Chesapeake, VA -Effective Listening and Memory Development - OPM, Norfolk, VA
Dorothy Harbin -Office Management - OPM, Norfolk, VA
Sally Leary -Telephone Techniques - OPM, Norfolk, VA
Bailey White -Advanced Tractor Operators School (Firefighting) - North Carolina Forest Service, Kinston, N.C. -Cooperators Fire School - North Carolina Forest Service, Plymouth, N.C.
Michael Tansy -Management of Time, OPM, Norfolk, VA
Murray Parker -YACC Supervision Training
Safety
Topics for safety meetings in 1980 included prevention and treatment of heat stress, a presentation on fire extinguisher use by an officer of the Suffolk Fire Department, films and discussions on defensive driving by the Virginia State Police, and a discussion of office emer gency evacuation procedures. We have tried to involve all employees, including YACC, in these safety programs.
Two vehicles were damaged by refuge employees in 1980, and the YACC reported one accident. None of the accidents involved personal injury, the public, or tort claims.
Only one job-related injury or sickness occurred to refuge employees. This was a lower back injury caused by improperly lifting a tree branch from a road. The YACC reported 15 accidents in 1980, all of which were minor except for one case diagnosed as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. NANSEMOND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
I. GENERAL
Introduction
Nansemond Refuge was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on December 12, 1973, from the Department of Defense. The following is a complete description.
1. Location
This refuge is 207.51 acres of brackish, tidal marsh in four parcels declared surplus by the General Services Administration. Two of the parcels are contiguous and the other two are separated by only a few hundred feet by Navy access properties. The parcels are about five miles northwest of Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and 30 miles west of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The study areas are found on the U.S.G.S. Quadrangle 1:24,000 map for Chuckatuck, Virginia. See attached map.
2. General Description
The Nansemond Refuge is nearly 100 percent tidal marsh. The marshes are salt to brackish of excellent quality. Parcels A, C, and D have over a mile of frontage and some bottom along the Nansemond River and Oyster House Creek. Parcel B is bounded on three sides by Star Creek, feeding into Oyster House Creek and then into the Nansemond River. Adjacent property is owned by the U.S. Navy. There are no developments encroaching upon these marshes. The vegetation is dominant Spartina patens with Spartina alterniflora in the lower areas. There are numerous tidal guts, pans, and potholes providing excellent interspersion of types. Edge vegetation grades from salt marsh grasses to tide bush and low value trees. Parcel B has a wide hedge and about two acres of open field on its south line. The area receives considerable use by waterfowl. Food and cover are provided for a variety of fish and wildlife, including herons, egrets, ospreys, bald eagles, squirrels, rabbits and a myriad of forest, edge, and marsh dwelling passerine birds.
3. Geology
The area comprises a portion of the eastern shoreline of the Nansemond River estuary. The base formation under the area is the Yorktown formation of marl of the Miocene Period near the contact line of the coastal and estuarine sand and gravel formation prevalent along the Eastern seaboard from New Jersey to Texas. The soil in the study area is a rich peat at the surface with contiguous upland areas of estuarine sands and 32
gravels with loamy sand at the surface. Average rise and fall of the tide is about four feet.
4. Topography
The area is flat tidal marsh with limited edge areas of low, rolling upland. Elevations vary from msl to 20' msl.
5. Climate
The climate is oceanic, subject to fogs and storms, but is tempered by the moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean. Temperature extremes range from 8 -95 , The average summer temperature is 80 , and average winter temperature is 50 . Average annual rainfall is 48 inches with 3 inches in one 24-hour period the average maximum rate. Average annual snowfall is 8 inches, with 210 frost-free days. The last frost averages April 1 and first frost October 15.
6. Biological Characteristics
a. Water and Marsh Areas
The area is about 95% unditched high quality salt marsh, 4% open water and 1% upland. , The marsh is tidal of high quality. Dominant vegetation is Spartina patens and Spartina alterniflora in the lower marsh locations. Some upland edge areas have patches of phragmites and salt tide bush; the latter is also growing along natural levees of Oyster House Creek. The soil is peat over marl of unknown depth.
b. Upland Area
About two acres (1%) of the study area is upland. It is a portion of a cropped field with a natural hedge of timber on its west, north, and east sides. The field is level and the soil is sandy loam, sand, and gravel with small cobbles.
B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions
The effect of the 1980 drought on water levels and vegetation is not known at this time,
C. Land Qcquisition
None
D. Systems Status
This station is not funded; our only activity is to monitor the environment and the wildlife use. 33
II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
A. Construction - none
B. Maintenance - none
C. Wildfire - none
III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
A. Croplands - none
B. Grasslands - none
C. Wetlands - none
D. Forestlands - none
E. Other Habitat - none
F. Wilderness and Special Areas - none . ( .
G. Easements for Waterfowl Management - none
IV. WILDLIFE
A. Endangered and Threatened Species
The area offers important acres of excellent potential nesting habitat for osprey and bald eagle. The entire study area is excellent food hunting habitat for osprey and bald eagle.
B. Migratory Birds
1. Waterfowl
Oyster House Creek and the Nansemond River are wintering areas for black ducks and some divers. Limited census records indicate the area appears to be excellent wintering and migration habitat for Canada geese, canvasbacks, black ducks, and other waterfowl species.
2. Other Migratory Birds
Common gallinule, clapper rail, Virginia rail, and sora rail were observed and/or heard on the area. Also seen were green heron, common egret, and great blue heron. Several black- crowned night herons were in the timbered edge areas. 34
C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds
1. Mammals
a. Upland Big Game
Whitetail deer tracks were noted along the field edge.
b. Fur Animals
Mink, striped skunk, muskrat, river otter, raccoon, red fox, and weasel frequent the area.
c. Upland Game Animals
Cottontail rabbit and eastern gray squirrel.
d. Other Small Mammals
Meadow vole, white-footed mouse, opossum, moles, and shrews were observed in the study area.
2. Upland Game Birds
Bobwhite quail and mourning doves were abundant along the edges of the marsh and in the small upland field.
V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION
A. Information and Interpretation - none
B. Recreation
Because the Refuge is located on a high security naval installation, no public recreational opportunities exist.
C. Enforcement
Shortage of funds and personnel, and lack of boundary posting, severely limit our enforcement activities at this time.
VI. OTHER ITEMS
A. Field Investigations - none Cooperative Programs - none
Items of Interest - none
Safety - not applicable