I SSUE F ORTY S EVEN BIRDING SKILLS WORKSHOP FOR VOLUNTEERS—A FUN & EDUCATIONAL DAY M ARCH 2 0 1 5 Story by Kathy Woodward, Friends Board Member & Volunteer; Photos by Jane Bell, Volunteer H i g h l i g h t s ery soon, many of our volun- Great Swamp Strike Team 4 teers at Great Swamp NWR will It’s More Than Just a Duck have a new Birds bar on their 6 V Stamp volunteer vest. The bars hanging from Red Knot Gains Protection 7 their Swamp Nature Guide pin are earned by participating in training on a Meet—Jim Mulvey 9 specific subject.

Red-eared Sliders 10 On Saturday, January 31, 2015, 32 vol- unteers learned about birds and birding Board of Directors so they can interact with Refuge visitors with new knowledge and skills. Mike Elaine Seckler President Anderson, Director at NJ Audubon’s Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Susan Garretson Friedman Volunteer George Helmke covers the history of optics Vice-President taught how to identify many New Jersey

Kathy Woodward birds. In the afternoon, Friends volunteer veterans to watch birds at the VA Hospital in Secretary George Helmke presented information about Lyons. Others will lead bird walks and build Laurel Gould the history and use of optics. Mini-sessions, awareness of the habitats at the Refuge. Treasurer led by volunteers, covered the practice of

John Berry observation skills, eBird Trail Tracker, and a Mary Beth Hansbury said she really enjoyed discussion of field guides and bird apps. learning interesting tidbits to share with visi- Rich Dufort tors. “An interesting takeaway was how the feather fad in the millinery Randi Emmer industry decimated some bird spe- Karen English cies. This was responsible for early conservation efforts which eventu- Jim Mulvey ally led to the creation of the U.S.

Larry West and Wildlife Service.” Tom Ostrand remarked: “George's op- Walter Willwerth tics talk was fascinating. I had no

idea that the forerunners of mod- ern binoculars were designed Laurel Gould nearly 200 years ago. It was also Editor quite an experience to hold the Role playing typical visitor interactions: Judy DiMaio (left) and German submarine binoculars—an 241 Pleasant Plains Road Kathy Woodward instrument clearly not very appropri- Basking Ridge, N.J. 07920 ate for birding! The presentation 973.425.9510 In to earn this Swamp Nature Guide about the birding apps was all new and very www.friendsofgreatswamp.org Birds bar, each participant must volunteer at welcome to me; I didn't know there were so least five hours on an approved activity that many options available, and that they made connects people with birds. Several people so much information instantly accessible.” will help at the Great Backyard Bird Count, “It was a great team effort and lots of fun

Printed on recycled February 13-15, 2015. Carl Woodward de- with nice folks”, noted Jane Bell, a committee paper scribed a potential project working with member and presenter. ISSUE 47—MARCH 2015 PAGE 2

GREETINGS FROM THE NEW FRIENDS PRESIDENT

shop with participation by nance of native plant gar- 2015 promises to bring more Refuges from four states; dens, and donations of me- excitement and will provide our 15th annual Fall Festi- morial benches. A very suc- increased opportunities and val; the retirement of our cessful and busy year! I am need for volunteers, and for long time Refuge Manager, awed at the participation and funding resources. Some ex- Bill Koch; the huge cele- enthusiasm of our Friends amples: a new trail at the bration of the 50th Anni- volunteers and the support of Visitor Center, enhancements versary of the Wilderness our Friends members who at the Wildlife Observation Act including a visit from make all of this possible. Center, new ADA compliant U.S. Secretary of Interior, picnic tables and benches, Sally Jewell; the approval On a personal note, 2014 new scopes near the pavilion of the Comprehensive Con- was an educational and ful- and much more. servation Plan (CCP); the filling year for me as a volun- announcement of Great teer, board member and re- Although I have participated Swamp becoming part of a cently elected President. I with Friends for several years, Refuge complex and the continued my role as Vice there are many of you that I hat a remarkable appointment of our new Pro- President, volunteered in the have not met. When you see year 2014 was for ject Leader, Mike Horne. Visitor Center, and participat- me, please introduce your- Friends of Great ed in various Refuge projects. self. I hope to get to know W AND—so many other important In August I had the privilege many more of you in 2015. Swamp. As you recall it was the year of “50-50-15”, (50 projects in 2014 from our of attending Friends Acade- extraordinary volunteers! The my, a week-long training for Look for more updates from years a Wilderness and a me throughout the year… NWR and 15 years a Friends Strike team, invasive Friends leaders which en- days, staffing at the Visitor hanced and broadened my Group); another successful and fun Volunteer Recogni- Center and Wildlife Observa- understanding and interest in tion event; hosting the first tion Center, building a new the National Wildlife Refuge Friends Peer-to-Peer Work- trail and observation plat- System. form, planting and mainte-

FRIENDS ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING HELD DECEMBER 6, 2014

he Annual Member Meeting of Friends of Great The Friends presented Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was held at the Hel- a framed commemora- en C. Fenske Visitor Center on Saturday, December 6, tive 50th anniversary T2014 with 64 members in attendance. Wilderness poster to the Refuge which was Following an always interesting and enjoyable pot luck din- accepted by Deputy ner, President Susan Garretson Friedman welcomed at- Refuge Manager Steve tendees and called the meeting to order. Laurel Gould pre- Henry. sented the Treasurer’s Report and Susan reviewed the signif- icant projects and accomplishments for 2014. At the regular Decem- ber Board Meeting, the The following Directors were re-elected for two year terms: following officers were Wilderness poster by Monte Dolak Rich Dufort, Randi Emmer, and Elaine Seckler. New to the elected by the Board: Board, Jim Mulvey was elected for a two year term (Jim’s bio President Elaine Seckler; Vice President, Susan Garretson appears on page 9). Susan thanked retiring Board member Friedman; Secretary, Kathy Woodward; Treasurer, Laurel Jen Dawson and recognized Laura Nally, who is also leaving Gould. the board, for her ten years of service as a Board member.

FRIENDS BOARD VOTES TO FUND FISH AND INVERTEBRATE STUDY he Board has approved 2014. These projects will aid staff in waterways. The study will be conducted $20,000 to fund a study of fish management decisions associated with by Frostburg State University, Frost- T and invertebrates in the Ref- Refuge impoundments by providing burg, Maryland. The Friends will be uge’s impoundments and streams. This current assessment of impoundment scheduling a Second Sunday presenta- new study complements the two-year habitat and the various types of wildlife tion when research results become waterfowl study that was completed in that utilize these wetlands and other available.

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REFUGE UPDATE WITH DEPUTY REFUGE MANAGER STEVE HENRY

PLANNING mechanical and chemical methods. GPS reconnaissance was The Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) was also conducted to detect possible new invasions. The 2015 finalized on October 1, 2014 marking the end of a four year season will kick off in April and anyone with interest in inva- planning process that involved substantial public input. The sive plant control is welcome to join. CCP is a key document that will guide Refuge management  Annual brushland management will start in early February for the next 15 years. The document is available online and with 15 acres targeted for treatment in 2015. Feathered can be accessed from the Refuge’s homepage. Many thanks edge and mosaic techniques will continue to be used to to all those who participated in this important process. further improve habitat quality.  Spectra Energy, which owns several gas pipelines that BUDGET cross through the Refuge, has agreed to fund habitat res- In mid-December, the President signed omnibus legislation toration work at a historic bog site. The work, which that funds most federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish & focuses primarily on invasive plant control, will begin this Wildlife Service, through the end of the fiscal year (FY). The spring and continue for three years. Refuge has not yet received its budget allocation but indica- tions are to expect flat funding in FY15. POPULATION MANAGEMENT  The first portion of a two-year research project to develop INFRASTRUCTURE improved deer monitoring techniques and management  Repairs to the Visitor Center exterior are nearing comple- models was recently completed. South Dakota State Uni- tion. Peeling paint was scraped, primed, and reapplied. versity graduate student Elise Berheim placed 20 baited Shutters were removed and are being repainted. Some trail cameras across the Management Area and monitored shutters were badly deteriorated and will be replaced. The deer use for two weeks. Elise will return in the spring to main door at the top of the ramp was replaced with a conduct visual surveys and will complete a second round heavy-duty steel door. Shingles blown off by Hurricane of camera monitoring next winter. Sandy were patched as a temporary fix until the roof is  The Refuge also began a second round of deer browse replaced. Still pending is the replacement of windows and monitoring through work with Dr. Michael Van Clef. Forty rotten wood behind the Helen Fenske panel. browse plots were randomly established throughout the  Realignment of the curve at Marsden's Corner has been Refuge. The plots will be examined for evidence of deer put on hold until replacement of Great Brook Bridge is browse this summer. A similar survey was conducted in ready to move forward. Resurfacing of Pleasant Plains 2007-08. It will be interesting to compare the results given Road from the bridge to the cul-de-sac has tentatively that the Refuge's deer population has been reduced as the been rescheduled for the summer of 2015. result of two recent disease outbreaks. It will also be inter-  Repairs to the roofs of Refuge quarters damaged by Hurri- esting to compare the results of this study with Elise’s re- cane Sandy have been delayed until spring due to safety search. concerns over winter weather.  Construction of a new trail across the street from the Visi- tor Center will begin shortly. This approximately 1 mile loop will provide additional outdoor opportunities in close prox- imity to the Visitor Center.  Many Refuge directional signs will be replaced in the near future. The new signs will specifically mention the "Visitor Center" and replace out-of-date references.

PUBLIC USE / SPECIAL EVENTS The annual whitetail deer hunt was held on November 1 (youth) and November 5-8 (general). A total of 103 hunters harvested 23 deer, the second lowest harvest in the 41 year history of the Refuge’s hunt. This low harvest was due mainly to a late-summer outbreak of bluetongue which caused sig- nificant mortality in the Refuge’s deer herd.

HABITAT MANAGEMENT  During 2014, more than 20 volunteers donated 210 hours of time to the Refuge’s Invasive Species Strike Team (see "Editor's note: This will be Steve Henry's last column. After nine related article on page 4). Twelve priority invasive plants in- years at Great Swamp NWR, Steve has accepted a position at cluding new species such as chocolate vine, Japanese angeli- Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. We all wish Steve, ca tree, and trifoliate orange were targeted for eradication. his wife Mayra and sons Justin and Jordan the very best." Approximately 48 acres were treated with a combination of Left to right: Justin, Steve, and Jordan Henry; Photo by Mayra Henry

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THE STRIKE TEAM NEEDS YOU! By John Berry, Volunteer o you want to make a differ- team’s efforts go toward habitat protec- ence for Great Swamp species tion, which can be difficult to appreci- such as American woodcock, ate. Take the case of glossy buckthorn, Dlittle brown bat, and wood frog? Then a highly invasive bush from Europe that please consider volunteering for the has already become widespread in Early Detection and Rapid Response many northeastern parks. In recent Strike Team. The mission of the Strike years, glossy buckthorn has appeared Team is to find and eradicate emerging on the Refuge, most notably along a invasive plant species before they have service road in the Management Area forest scene later that evening, then the a chance to establish themselves (heading toward impoundments 3A and importance of the work becomes clear. across the Great Swamp. Stopping the 3B). This follows the pattern for invasive By restoring this edge habitat, we’re spread of these invasives is a critical plants. They typically advance along protecting the forest beyond. part of the Refuge’s effort to preserve roads, trails, ditches, and other features the habitats of and plants that of the developed landscape. But they The Strike Team’s guiding principle can make our visits to the Great Swamp so don’t stay within these corridors. At be summed up with the adage, “A stitch special. some point they begin to spread, invad- in time saves nine.” When caught early, ing more pristine habitat. As we would an infestation of invasive plants can be Since the Age of Discovery, plants, ani- expect, then, the worst part of the buck- controlled and, eventually, eradicated. mals, fungi, and microbes have been thorn infestation is along the edges of Wait too long, and the plant will multiply shuffled around the globe. Most of the the service road, and, more ominously, and spread until its eradication be- introduced species don’t survive in their the plant has begun encroaching the comes impractical, if not impossible. new locales. Others survive and repro- forest understory. Thankfully, the buckthorn infestation duce, but with limited success. A few, was found in time. Much work remains however, thrive in their new environ- To some, the Strike Team’s labor may to be done, but the plant’s advance has ments, out-competing native species be hard to understand. Over the last been stopped and its numbers greatly and damaging or destroying local eco- three years, volunteers, interns, and reduced. systems. These are the invasives. Left staff have dedicated many days to this unchecked, invasive species can over- buckthorn infestation, pulling thousands run landscapes, pushing native flora of seedlings by hand and applying herbi- VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! and fauna to the margins—or even com- cide to the stems of thousands of adult pletely out of the neighborhood. plants. But we rarely find ourselves The Great Swamp Strike Team The Strike Team works to halt this pro- more than 60 feet from the road. Is this welcomes new volunteers.

cess, thereby protecting or restoring narrow strip of edge habitat so im- The team works from 9 A.M. to noon on Great Swamp habitat. Most of the portant for Great Swamp animals? No, the first and third Fridays of each probably not. Although plenty of insects, month, from April through October. birds, and amphibians make a living along the road, this woodland edge If you’re interested, please plan on doesn’t really stand out in the roster of attending the “opening day” training notable Great Swamp habitats. Why session at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center on spend so much time and effort on such a nondescript area? Because of what FRIDAY, APRIL 3 lies behind the service road—a mature 9 A.M. TO NOON

forest of oaks, maples, and ash with a Jeremy Caggiano, a forester from the healthy understory of witchhazel, spice- New Jersey Audubon Society, will pro- bush, and highbush blueberry. That for- vide an overview of invasive plants in est is indeed crucial habitat to many New Jersey and then help participants iconic Great Swamp species, from Amer- learn to identify the Refuge’s “priority ican woodcock and Eastern screech owl invasive plants,” about 15 species that to wood frog and northern tree frog. have recently appeared on or near the Clearing glossy buckthorn from the edge Refuge. of a service road can seem, well, less than glamorous. But when you take a Join us and make a difference! Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) break and look around, listen to the Zelimir Borzan, University of Zagreb Bugwood.org life overhead, and imagine the

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CONTROL TEAM TARGETS “PERVASIVE INVASIVES” By John Berry, Volunteer, Photos by Laurel Gould, Volunteer regrowth. And spraying with Take a moment to enjoy the “triangle” herbicide is expensive, diffi- at the Overlook parking lot. A few years cult, and only partially suc- ago, this piece of land was populated cessful. with various invasive plants, including multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, and Yet here, on a warm day last autumn olive. No longer. The Control August, were a dozen mem- Team has largely succeeded in pushing bers of the Invasives Control the invasives out. Now visitors will find Team hiking into one of the an exuberant array of native plant spe- Great Swamp’s wetlands to cies, from dogwood to goldenrod. And battle an infestation of when you go, don’t forget your binocu- phrag. For phrag can be lars and camera, because insects and beat—if you get the timing birds are the first to appreciate the right, and if you have enough team’s labor. labor. The time to hit a phrag Volunteer John Berry tackling “phrag” infestation is early, before the plant has a chance to take nyone taking a train into New over a large area. The reason is simple— York City has witnessed some of the most effective eradication method the environmental destruction requires a lot of manual labor. Thou- A sands of reed stems must be “snipped caused by Phragmites australis, or com- mon reed. This Eurasian plant has dis- and dripped;” that is, clipped as low to placed practically all native flora in what the ground as possible and then careful- remains of the Meadowlands, once one ly dripped with an herbicide solution. It’s of the greatest tidal wetlands on the painstaking work, but the reward is im- eastern seaboard. Today, a curious measurable. The invasive plants are commuter sees only a vast, bleak pano- killed, while the surrounding native rama of “phrag,” a landscape stripped plant community is left unharmed. A of native plants and inhospitable to wetland is preserved. And this particular most of the region’s wildlife. What wetland is of special significance to the makes the vista even more depressing Great Swamp, for it used to be habitat is phrag’s near invincibility. Once it has for bog , a federally-listed threat- overrun a sizable wetland like the Mead- ened species and a New Jersey endan- gered species. Purple milkweed at Overlook owlands, phrag is practically impossible to eradicate. Pulling the plant by hand The dedicated volunteers of the Inva- VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! or machine is unfeasible. Mowing or sives Control Team focus on plant spe- burning the plants just spurs vigorous cies that are already widespread in the The Invasives Control Team welcomes refuge. Completely eradi- new volunteers.

cating such “pervasive The team works from 9 A.M. to Noon on invasives” isn’t possible, the second and fourth Thursdays of but they can be eliminat- each month ed from important habi- from May through September. tats. One of the team’s If you’re interested, please contact the main goals is to restore team’s leaders, Kathy Woodward and natural habitat in those Anne Hebenstreit parts of the refuge that ([email protected]) or just get the most visitors. So show up at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor you will often find team Center for the first workday on members working on trails near the Visitor THURSDAY, MAY 14 Center and in fields 9 A.M. TO NOON along Pleasant Plains Road. Join us and make a difference! Invasives Control Team volunteers restoring wetland

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IT’S MORE THAN JUST A DUCK STAMP. IT’S A CHAMPION FOR CONSERVATION By Dan Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

t’s sometimes easy to lose hope A valid Duck Stamp can also be used these days, given the challenges for free admission to scores of national our nation faces and the seemingly wildlife refuges that charge admission Iintractable political polarization of our fees. society. But President Obama’s approv- al in December of bipartisan legislation Wetlands and associated uplands are raising the price of the federal Duck as important for people as they are for Stamp is a reminder that we’re still ca- wildlife. They provide natural protection pable of great things as a nation. against flooding and storm surges; filter pollutants from water used for drinking, The federal Duck Stamp program is one cooking and sanitation; and support of the most successful conservation thousands of jobs and local businesses initiatives in linked to outdoor ed members of Congress to urge pas- history. Since recreation and sage. That’s why this successful pro- the program’s The federal tourism. gram continues to enjoy strong biparti- creation in Duck Stamp program san support in Congress and the Execu- 1934, funding Perhaps most im- portantly, the tive Branch. from Duck is one of the most successful Stamp sales conservation initiatives Duck Stamp price We face enormous conservation chal- has been used increase repre- lenges in the coming decades and we to acquire and in history. sents an emphatic must confront them as one nation, indi- permanently expression of opti- visible. The federal Duck Stamp shows protect more than 6 million acres of mism for the future. After all, the stamp us the way forward. Together, we can vital National Wildlife Refuge System itself was born out of far more desper- ensure that future generations of Amer- ate circumstances. habitat. Much of this wetland and icans have access to clean air, clean grassland acreage—which supports More than 80 years ago, at the height water and the wonder of our native hundreds of native species of migratory of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depres- wildlife and wild places. birds, animals and plants—would other- sion, our nation’s waterfowl and migra- wise have been plowed under or paved tory birds faced devastation. Yet in the over. midst of ecological collapse, wide-

Rising land prices have steadily eroded spread poverty and unemployment, our ability to protect other vulnerable many Americans refused to give up. Led habitat through acquisitions and the by hunters, they played an instrumental purchase of conservation easements part in the passage of the Duck Stamp Act of 1934. on private land. Raising the price of the Duck Stamp from $15 to $25 will re- That success inspired passage of the store most of the purchasing power that Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, which has been lost since the price was last created an excise tax on firearms and increased in 1991. With the additional ammunition (later expanded to fishing funds generated by the increase, we rods, reels and equipment) that has ennifer Miller, from Olean, N.Y., is anticipate being able to protect an esti- raised more than $14 billion to support J the winner of the 2014 Federal mated 17,000 additional acres of habi- conservation at the state level. These Duck Stamp Art Contest with this tat every year. historic conservation achievements laid pair of ruddy ducks.

This will also benefit Americans of all the foundation for the return of healthy Her artwork will appear on the ages and backgrounds. All hunters 16 wildlife populations and habitat across 2015/16 Federal Duck Stamp which the nation. will go on sale in late June 2015. and older are required to possess a valid stamp, but anyone who cares Hunting groups led efforts to raise the Federal Duck Stamps are available about conservation can buy one. And price of the stamp. Organizations such from the Friends Nature Shop and what’s more, lands acquired and pro- as Ducks Unlimited, the Theodore Roo- from Refuge Headquarters. tected with Duck Stamp dollars are ac- sevelt Conservation Partnership and cessible to everyone—not just for hunt- the National Wildlife Refuge Association Be a “Champion for Conservation”. ing, but for wildlife watching, photog- mobilized their members in support, raphy and other outdoor recreation. and hunters across the nation contact- Buy Your Duck Stamp Today!

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NEWS FROM THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

BUY TIGER STAMPS AT YOUR POST OFFICE & HELP CONSERVE VANISHING SPECIES mericans once again can The stamp was created in 2011, but sale was congressional- buy the Save Vanishing Spe- ly mandated for only two years. At the end of 2013, the Post A cies stamp at post offices Office pulled the stamp. Congress passed legislation that and online. Funds help conserve now guarantees four more years of stamp availability. some of the world’s most iconic and threatened species. The Tiger Stamp has generated more than $2.5 million for international conservation from the sale of 25.5 million The stamp—known as the Tiger stamps. Stamp for its image of an Amur tiger cub—works just like a regular postal The Save Vanishing Species Stamp is now available in U.S. stamp but sells at a slightly higher post offices and at USPS.com. The Friends use this stamp on price. The additional money goes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife all of our correspondence in order to support these vanishing Service’s Multinational Species Conservation Funds, helping species. To learn more, visit < www.tigerstamp.com>. conservation of elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, great apes and marine turtles.

RED KNOT PROTECTED AS THREATENED SPECIES UNDER ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

ed knots are a robin-sized shore- The red knot is a species familiar to bird who love to gorge on horse- bird watchers in New Jersey. The Dela- shoe crab eggs. They are a long ware Bay is a critical stopover for these Rdistance migrating bird, traveling more birds as they journey from the southern than 9,000 miles twice a year. Their tip of South America. They arrive in numbers are in steep decline and their May, thin and exhausted from their future is uncertain. But late last year, long journey, just as the horseshoe the red knot got a helping hand from the crabs are spawning. The red knots U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when it feast on the eggs to gain strength and was designated a threatened species energy for the remainder of the journey Photo: Gregory Breese/USFWS under the Endangered Species Act. north. Learn more about the red knot. Join the “The red knot is a remarkable and resili- The overharvesting of horseshoe crabs Friends for two informative programs: ent bird known to migrate thousands of is a major reason for the decline of this  Thursday, April 2, 12:30 to 1:30: miles a year from the Canadian Arctic to species. This threat is now being ad- Crash: A Tale of Two Species—a film the southern tip of South America,” said dressed by extensive private, state and which examines the relationship of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director federal management actions, but other red knot and the horseshoe crab. Dan Ashe. “Unfortunately, this hearty threats, including sea-level rise, coastal  Second Sunday, April 12, 1:30 to shorebird is no match for the wide- development and changing climate con- 3:30: Rutgers Professor Emeritus Bob spread effects of emerging challenges ditions are affecting the shorebird’s win- Loveland will present a fascinating like climate change and coastal devel- tering, breeding, and look at the horseshoe crab and im- opment, coupled with the historic im- migratory habitats. portant conservation and climate pacts of horseshoe crab overharvesting, change issues affecting this species. which have sharply reduced its popula- tion in recent decades.”

MORE THAN 113,000 ACRES CONSERVED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR—INCLUDING A NEW REFUGE iscal Year 2014 saw some refuges and 26 wetland management areas, spanning more than 150 million growth in the National Wildlife districts, spanning 40 states. acres. Refuge System staff also manage Refuge System. an additional 418 million acres of sub- F As of September 30, 2014, the Refuge merged lands and waters in four marine The Refuge System established one System includes 562 national wildlife national monuments. new refuge—Wapato Lake National Wild- refuges, 209 waterfowl production area life Refuge in Oregon—and added counties (managed by 38 wetland man- 113,403 acres at 78 national wildlife agement districts), and 50 coordination

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BIRD BANDING DATA SUGGESTS THAT SCREECH OWLS LEAD SHORT LIVES AT GREAT SWAMP Story and photos by Leo Hollein he Great Swamp National Wild- As expected, the largest number of Management Area where wood duck life Refuge began an Eastern screech owls (14) was banded during boxes are located. screech owl banding program in the first year of the study in the winter T The Refuge, however, does have a 2009. This took advantage of the ten- of 2009-10. The number of owls band- dency of screech owls to roost in wood ed in the four subsequent winters healthy population of larger owls that duck boxes in the winter and to nest in ranged from 5 to 10 owls. The expecta- are active at night as are screech owls. some boxes in the spring. Screech owls tion was that as time passed there This could account for the seemingly are not migratory. They remain on their would be more recaptured owls and higher rate of screech owl mortality as fewer banded owls. However, this is an owl-eat-owl world. The barred this trend only lasted from year owl, shown below, and the great horned 1 to year 2. The recapture of owl are year-round residents of the Ref- banded owls never exceeded uge. Long-eared and short-eared owls owls banded until the 2013-14 are occasional winter residents. All winter when six owls were re- these owls are much larger than the captured and only five owls diminutive screech owl and are known were banded. The significant to prey on their smaller cousins. Eastern number of owls banded every screech owls are about eight inches long and weigh about six ounces. year suggests that screech owls do not survive long in the RED AND GRAY COLOR MORPHS ARE EQUAL Refuge. Eastern screech owls are unique among North American owl species in having HIGH MORTALITY RATES In captivity screech owls have two color morphs—red and gray. These A red and gray pair of nesting screech owls lived longer than 20 years. The rec- two colors are not determined by age, ord life time (Bird Banding Lab data gender or season. The owls are either territory all year as long as there are red or gray, just as people have either sufficient food resources. The Refuge base) for an Eastern screech owl in the wild is 14 years and 6 months. This owl blue eyes or brown eyes. The color has a robust screech owl population morph distribution for the 50 adult owls and currently has about 200 wood duck was banded as an adult and found dead due to predation. In the Refuge, a banded in the Refuge is equal as 25 red boxes in 2,500 acres of the Manage- and 25 gray owls have been banded. ment Area that are being activity main- screech owl was banded as an adult in January 2010. It has been recaptured in The ratio of red to gray phase screech tained and monitored. These boxes are owls banded is nearly constant from inspected and cleaned during Decem- the same area every winter since it was banded. The owl was last captured in year to year. This even distribution of ber, January and February. About 15 color morphs in the Refuge is not repre- owls on average are found during the November 2013 and is about five years old. Two other owls banded and recov- sentative of other areas. Van Camp and annual inspections. The owls are band- Henny found that 80% of the screech ed and returned to their roost box after ered are about four years old. The age of most adult owls in the Refuge ap- owls in Ohio were gray. A probable rea- it has been inspected and cleaned. son is that gray owls are less conspicu- pears to be three years or less. In the past five years, 50 adult screech ous and less likely to be predated in owls have been banded. Twenty four The most frequently recorded reason for areas with long and snowy winters. (48%) of these owls have been recap- the death of an adult tured at least once. This is a very high screech owl is collision percent recapture versus the 15% typi- with a motor vehicle. I cal of mallards banded in the Refuge. have witnessed an owl All recaptures have been close to where collision with a car, as well the owls were originally captured and as finding one owl as road banded. Only three of the 24 recaptured kill. Screech owls are noc- owls were not captured in consecutive turnal stealth hunters. years but skipped a year between re- They fly quietly and captures. This indicates a high annual pounce on their prey. They recovery rate (88%) of banded owls that are not swift fliers. Pleas- are known to be alive. ant Plains Road is closed to traffic at night. This The number of owls banded in the previ- should minimize any owl– ous winters ranged from seven to 14. vehicle collisions in the

F RIENDS OF GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE — WWW.FRIENDSOFGREATSWAMP.ORG ISSUE 47—MARCH 2015 PAGE 9

INTRODUCING NEW FRIENDS BOARD MEMBER … JIM MULVEY Photo by Wendi Mulvey

through the Great Swamp participating in cleaning the tos have been recognized in while on a bike ride, or hiking wood duck boxes, filling the local contests including the along Pleasant Plains Road or bird feeders, leading Sunset Friends’ annual event. the boardwalks, the Refuge walks during National Wildlife was precisely that for me—a Refuge Week and greeting When I was approached with refuge from the ordinary. It visitors at the Wildlife Obser- the prospect of becoming a was a place that I could break vation Center. member of the Board of Di- away from my routine and go rectors for Friends of Great on vacation for a few hours While participating in these Swamp, I embraced the idea. on any given day. events, I soon discovered that The Great Swamp is a unique the landscape of the Great and special place that we are I have lived in Gillette for the Swamp was punctuated with privileged to have and enjoy. past 23 years and now those many more cool things than The Friends’ continued work vacations to the Great initially met the eye. Be it a with Refuge staff ensures Swamp have come to include tree frog in a knot hole, fox that the public has many op- my wife and two daughters. kits playing under the board- portunities to become better Second Sundays at the old walk, or a barred owl glaring educated on the variety of he lure of the Great Visitor Center were an event stoically from within a grove wildlife found in the Swamp Swamp National Wild- that we looked forward to of conifers, there always as well as what conservation life Refuge took hold every month, and my young- seemed to be something to challenges lay before us. My T est daughter was one of the discover if you took the time wish as a new member to the of me at an early age. Having grown up in Chatham Bor- first to earn her Junior Refuge to look for it. These discover- Friends Board is that I can ough, the trails, and the ad- Manager status and badge. ies prompted me to take up continue with the great work ventures that they held, were As we got to know many the hobby of photography. that has already been done always just a short distance members of the Friends of The Great Swamp was natu- and become a contributing away. Whether I was passing Great Swamp, our involve- rally my go-to place in that part of the stewardship that ment increased. We began capacity and some of my pho- is Friends of Great Swamp.

WOOD TURTLE HEADSTART NEWS FROM DR. KURT BUHLMANN urt Buhlmann keeping tabs on the head- Swamp headstart turtles in reports that the starts with radios. Alyssa Fre- May at our Endangered Spe- head- diana (biology intern, summer cies Day Program. Watch for Kstarts are all growing and 2013) is maintaining the more details. doing well at the Bristol summary of all the turtle County Agricultural High movement data. The Friends approved funding School in Massachusetts. for this cutting edge research Back here at the Refuge, We are looking forward to again in 2015. Results may Emily Scully (biology intern, welcoming back Dr. encourage expanding the summer 2014) has been Buhlmann and the Great concept to other species.

NEW JERSEY JUNIOR DUCK STAMP ART CONTEST he Friends and staff at drop-off point for area artists. cate as well as ribbons and Great Swamp NWR The New Jersey contest is awards for winners. Entries are actively supporting coordinated by the Wetlands will be returned and we are Tthe annual Junior Duck Institute where the state judg- planning a reception and Stamp Art Contest this year. ing is held in April. The New awards ceremony, with a dis- The contest is sponsored by Jersey Best in Show goes on play of the artwork, on June the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- to compete with winners from 28 at the Visitor Center. Join vice. Students in grades K to all 50 states and a national us to congratulate and cele- 12 are invited to submit origi- winner is chosen. That design brate these young artists who nal artwork depicting native is used for the Junior Duck are learning about the im- 2014-2015 National First ducks, geese, or swans. Great Stamp which sells for $5.00. portance of our wetlands and Place by Si Youn Kim, 16, Swamp is serving as the local All entrants receive a certifi- our native waterfowl. Tenafly, NJ

F RIENDS OF GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE — WWW.FRIENDSOFGREATSWAMP.ORG ISSUE 47—MARCH 2015 PAGE 10

REDEARED SLIDERS ARE NON-NATIVE, INTRODUCED TURTLES Story and photos by Leo Hollein

he Great Swamp National Wild- excavating a hole or laying eggs. As life Refuge has a range of intro- its name suggests, the redbelly T duced flora and fauna. While turtle has a reddish-orange belly much effort is aimed at removing non- and is quite large for a basking native vegetation, the Refuge also has turtle. The cooter is also large but non-native birds, mammals and turtles. has yellow markings on its cara- Three introduced turtle species, not na- pace (top shell) and a yellow belly. tive to Northern New Jersey, have been found in the Refuge. These are the red- The most common introduced tur- eared slider, the eastern , tle in the refuge is the red-eared and the redbelly turtle that is also slider. It is definitely breeding in known as the red-bellied turtle or red- the Refuge as females have been bellied cooter. found on land during May and June searching for nesting sites. Fe- All three are aquatic, pond turtles that males have also been captured can be observed basking on logs or carrying eggs. The photo (top right) Red-eared slider mounds in ponds during sunny days. shows the name sake red marking They range in size from smallest to larg- on the side of the head of the red- est in the order of red-eared slider, east- eared slider. The has ern river cooter and redbelly turtle. All of a smoother top shell (carapace) these turtles are native to the United than the slider as well as a colorful States. However, the historical range of edge to the underside of its cara- these turtles is to the south and/or west pace. Red-eared sliders are larger of the Refuge. than the painted turtles.

Both the red-eared slider and eastern The underside shells or plastrons river cooter were sold in pet stores. New of the painted turtle and red-eared Painted turtle Jersey now prohibits their sale but some slider are significantly different. other states continue to permit sales of The painted turtle has a solid yellow compete for resources. However, the pet turtles. Red-eared sliders were likely plastron highlighted by the colorful un- painted turtle is not likely to be out- released into the Refuge by their own- derside edges of the carapace. The red- competed for resources by these intro- ers. The historical range of redbelly tur- eared slider plastron has a yellow and duced species. tles includes central and south New Jer- brown pattern. The goal of the Refuge is to remove red- sey. They could have arrived in the Ref- eared sliders on an opportunistic basis uge through natural range expansion or The painted turtle is the most common pond turtle in the Refuge and this spe- as they are a non-native species. Sever- they could have been pets that were al individuals were found on land and released. cies also has a widespread distribution in North America. It can be found coast removed this past spring. Both redbelly The eastern river cooter and redbelly to coast as well as in the historic ranges turtles and cooters are also targeted to turtles have rarely been observed in the of the three introduced turtles. All three be removed from the Refuge. However, Refuge. Their populations are very of the introduced turtles have life styles they are rarely found.

small. They have not been observed similar to that of the painted turtle and If you have a pet turtle, or any non- native pet, please do not release it into the Refuge as it could have negative consequences for native species.

Reference: C. H. Ernst, J. E. Lovich & R. W. Bar- bour, Turtles of the United States and Canada, Smithsonian Institution Press.

Underside (plastron) of painted turtle (left) and red-eared Slider (right)

F RIENDS OF GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE — WWW.FRIENDSOFGREATSWAMP.ORG ISSUE 47—MARCH 2015 PAGE 11

F RIENDS OF G REAT S WAMP N ATIONAL W ILDLIFE R EFUGE M EMBERSHIP A PPLICATION

The Friends of Great Swamp is an independent, non-profit organization organized in 1999. Our operations and activities are managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. As our mission statement indicates, our focus is Refuge-centric — we support the goals, projects, and mission of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

To become a member of the Friends of Great Swamp, fill out the information on this form, and mail with your check to: Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 241 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

 E ASTERN BLUEBIRD—$15-$49  PAINTED TURTLE —$50—$99  RIVER OTTER—$100—$249

 M ONARCH BUTTERFLY—$250—$499  WOOD DUCK—$500 +  New Member?

TOTAL ENCLOSED $ You may also join online at www.friendsofgreatswamp.org Name ______Address ______City ______State, Zip Code ______Phone Number ______E-Mail Address ______Gift Membership From: ______(If this is a gift, please include your full name on the line above so we may notify the recipient)

We need more Friends ... Become a Friend Today—or, Give a gift membership to a friend.

Thank you

Memberships help support the projects and programs at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Membership Benefits  The Swamp Scene Newsletter.  A 10% discount in Friends Nature Shop .  Notifications of upcoming events.  Satisfaction in knowing you are helping protect wildlife and wild places while safeguarding a national treasure for future generations.

Gift Memberships will include a coupon redeemable at the Friends Nature Shop for a free Great Swamp pin or Great Swamp patch.

F RIENDS OF GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE — WWW.FRIENDSOFGREATSWAMP.ORG Friends of Great Swamp NWR 241 Pleasant Plains Road Basking Ridge NJ 07920

The Swamp Scene March 2015

Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Is an independent, volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to

Promoting stewardship of the natural resources of the Refuge, Inspiring an appreciation of nature through education and outreach, Engaging in partnership activities that support and enhance the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System.