CAROLINA SANDHILLS NATIONAL Wildli.JL REFUGE Mcbee, South

CAROLINA SANDHILLS NATIONAL WILDLi .JL REFUGE McBee, South Carolina

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1986

U . S . Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

REVIEW AND APPROVALS

CAROLINA SANDHILLS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

McBee, South Carolina

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1986

" o'- g"~' '3-Q- 0-FI 'DAA.., k, A1~ 'W" e V? -.0 jDate- Refuge Manager Date Refuge Supervisor Review

Regional office Approval Date

TABLE OF CON'

Pa e

INTRODUCTION i

A. HIGHLIG1iTS l

B . C'I',TMl'\'J'TC (I)NDITTONS I

C . LAND ACQUISITION .

1 . Fee Title 2 2 . Easements Nothing to Report 3 . Other Nothing to Report

D . PLANNING

1 . Master Plan Nothing to Report 2 . Management Plan 3 3 . Public Participation Nothing to Report 4 . Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates NTR 5 . Research and Investigations 3 6. Other Nothing to Report

E . ADMINISTRATION

1 . Personnel 4 2 . Youth Programs 5 3 . Other Manpower Programs Nothing to Report 4. Volunter Program Nothing to Report 5 . Funding 6 6 . Safety 7 7 . Technical Assistance 7 8 . Other Nothing to Report

F . HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1 . General 7 2 . Wetlands , 7 3 . Forests 8 4 . Croplands ...... 10 5 . Grasslands Nothing to Report 6 . Other Habitats • . . .Nothing to Report 7 . Grazing Nothing to Report 8 . Haying Nothing to Report 9 . Fire Management ...... 12 14 10 . Pest Control : 11 . Water Rights Nothing to Report 12 . Wilderness and Special Areas o Z4 Nothing to Report 13 . WPA Easement Monitoring

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G . WILDLIFE

1 . Wildlife Diversity 1.5 2 . Endangered and/or Threatened Species 16 3 . Waterfowl 17 4 . Marsh and Water Birds , 19 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species o 19 6 . Raptors 19 7 . Other Migratory Birds 19 8 . Game Mammals 19 9 . Marine Mammals Nothing to Report 10 . Other Resident Wildlife 22 11 . Fisheries Resources 22 12 . Wildlife Propagation and Stocking Nothing to Report 13 . Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to Report 14 . Scientific Collections- • .23 • 15 . Animal Control 23 16 . Marking and Banding 24 17 . Disease Prevention and Control 24

H, PUBLIC USE

1 . General 24 2 . Outdoor Classroom - Students ...... 26 3 . Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers 27 4 . Interpretive Foot Trails Nothing to Report 5 . Interpretive Tour Routes Nothing to Report 6 . Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations 27 7 . Other Interpretive P .rogram 28 8 . Hunting 28 9 . Fishing Nothing to Report 10 . Trapping Nothing to Report 11 . Wildlife Observation Nothing to Report 12 . Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation 29 13 . Camping Nothing to Report 14 . Picnicking 29 .Report 15. Off Road Vehicling : • • • • • . .Nothing t~o 16 . r Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to Report 17 .- Law Enforcement 29 Nothing to Report 18 . Cooperating Associations • . Nothing to Report 1 9 . Concessions

I . EIQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

New Construction • . . • • . . . .Nothing to Report Rehabilitation 31 34 Major Maintenance Equipment Utilization and Replacement 34 Communications Systems • . .Nothing to Report Computer Systems Nothing to Report Energy Conservation ...... 36 Nothing to Report Other J . OTHER ITEMS

1 . Cooperative Programs 36 2 . Other Economic Uses Nothing to Report 3 . Items of Interest 37 4 . Credits 39

K . DID{P BAcK Nothing to Report

L . INFORMATIONPACKET - - - (inside back cover)

INTRODUCTION

In prehistoric times an ocean covered what- .i.:; now known as the Coastal . Plain of South Carolina . h.ivc'i'.; I.ic ncl I rcin Lho nearby notmLain ., and deposited silt along the coastline . Gradually a broad band of sand dunes developed into what we now know as the Sandhills region .

Humans probably have lived in the Sandhills for over 1.0,000 years . Prior to • arrival of Europeans, the area was populated by scattered tribes of Indians, including the Wateree, Santee, Cheraw, Congaree, Waxhaw, and Pee Dee . later these people joined together to form the Catawba Nation .

There is little information available concerning early European activity in the Sandhills . During the sixteenth century a number of explorers passed through the area . During the next 150 years traders and trappers made trips to the area for deer hides and furs on a regular basis . It was not until the mid-1700's that Europeans began to establish permanent residences in inland South Carolina .

During the late 1800's the vast longleaf pine forests supported a naval stores industry: In addition to the lumber industry, turpentine was made from the pine sap extracted from the old "fat lighter pines" . The last of the virgin pine forest was removed in the early 1900's . After the timber was removed • land was sold for farms . Deep, infertile, sandy soils and poor farming practices caused most agricultural attempts to fail .

When the Federal government purchased the land it was badly eroded and almost no wildlife were present . Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge was established by Executive Order Number 8067 dated March 17, 1939 during the Resettlement Administration under authority of the 1933 National Industrial Recovery Act and the Emergency Relief Appropriation of 1935 . The entire area acquired contains approximately 92,000 acres ; of that 45,601 .9 acres are administered as Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge . The remaining acreage is titled Carolina Sandhills Wildlife Management Area and is leased to the State of South Carolina . Through a lease and cooperative agreement • South Carolina Commission of Forestry manages the Wildlife Management Area primarily for timber and wood products as well as public recreation such as hunting .

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sandhilis region in South Carolina that is the transition zone between the Coastal Plain and Piedmont Plateau . Uniquely, much of the flora and fauna found on the east side of the refuge is similar to those species found in the Coastal Plain, and much of the flora and fauna on the west side of the refuge is similar to those species found in the Piedmont Plateau . The refuge is characterized by gently rolling hills with elevations ranging from 200 to 500 feet above sea level . Deep, sandy soils predominate with scattered outcroppings of clay. Woodlands cover approximately 92 percent of the refuge . The major forest type is longleaf pine with a scattered understory of turkey oak . Where clay outcropping occurs, longleaf may be replaced by loblolly pine, and blackjack oak may be more common in the understory . There are numerous small creeks • tributaries that transect the refuge . Narrow bands of hardwood stands • pocosin ecotone$ border the streams and produce sane of the best wildlife

-i- habitat found on the refuge . There are thirty man-made ponds on the refuge, created by placing dams along the streams . Api.)roximately 1,100 acres of open fields scattered throughout the refuge add edge and diversity .

A. HIGHLIGHTS

Nineteen hundred eighty-six was the driest year which this region of the southeast has experienced since records have been kept . (Sec . B) .

The land exchange with the S . C . Wildlife and Marine Resources Department was finally approved in 1986 . (Sec . C .1) .

With the expiration of the timber management moratorium, timber harvesting operations are preparing to get underway again . (Sec . F .3) .

The Service expressed concern over inadequate wildfire detection by the State during the "non-fire" season . (sec . J .1.) .

B . CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The refuge experienced near normal temperatures throughout most of the year . While there were periods when the temperature deviated from normal these swings were not dramatic nor were they long lasting .

Table 1 shows the average monthly high and low temperatures for the year as recorded by the Sand Hills State Forest . Also shown are the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded by month . It is not known how far these figures deviate from normal since normals for this area are not known . We do know that a frost did occur in April and, according to one local peach farmer, this was the latest recorded frost ever to have occurred in this area .

Table 1 . 1986 Temperature Data By Month

Average High Low Maximum Minimum

January* 57 34 68 15 February 63 42 76 21 March 69 43 86 25 April 80 51 92 34 May 88 62 94 42 June 94 69 100 60 July 98 73 106 62 August 88 69 97 58 September 83 66 96 56 October 77 56 84 38 November 67 51 82 25 December 57 37 76 22

Average - 88 38

*Data for month of January incomplete .

This region of the country underwent its worst drought since the turn of the century (when record keeping began) in 1986 . Only 10 .59 inches or rain fell during. the first seven months of the year ; normal for this period is 27 .88 inches . In fact, the only bright spot for the entire year was the month of Page 2

August when we received 12 .26 inches (+6 .91. inches) . Total accumulated rainfall for the year was a scant 36 .21 inches which is 10 .22 inches below normal . Needless to say all agricultural pursuits in this region (including those of the refuge) suffered because of this shortia .H .

Table 2 . Monthly Distribution of Precipitation In Inches (1986)

Month 1986 Normal Deviation

January 1 .24 3 .36 2 .12 February 1 .42 3 .47 2 .05 March 2 .47 4 .1.4 1 .67 April 1 .06 3 .84 2 .78 May 1 .84 3 .36 1 .52 June 1 .09 4 .09 3 .00 July 1 .47 5 .62 4 .15 August 12 .26 5 .35 + 6 .91 September 1 .59 4 .26 2 .67 October 5 .94 2 .68 + 3 .26 November 3 .56 2 .80 + .76 December 2 .27 3 .46 1 .19

Totals 36 .21 46 .43 - 10 .22

Table 3 . Five Year Distribution Of Rainfall In Inches (1982-1986)

Year Recorded. Deviation

1982 46 .70 + 0 .27 1983 58 .40 + 11 .97 1984 48 .32 + 1 .89 1985 51 .18 + 4 .75 1986 36 .21 - 10 .22

Five Year Average - 48 .16 Inches Five Year Average Deviation - + 1 .73 Inches

C . LAND ACQUISITION

1 . Fee Title

Since around 1983 (perhaps earlier) we have reported that negotiations between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department have been underway in an effort to effect a land exchange between the two agencies . Of major concern to the state was that it replace their land with a parcel of approximate equal acreage . An agreement was finally made and the exchange was consumated on August 15, 1986 . The government gave up 410 .20 acres having an appraised value of $433,251 in exchange for 420 .72 acres of state land having an appraised value of $291,080 . The Fish and Wildlife Service retained approximately 948,000 board feet of sawtimber having an appraised value of $142,171 in order to arrive at an equal value exchange . Page 3

Several other land exchanges ware proposed by private individuals during the course of the year but these all fell by the wayside by year's end .

Carolina Engineering Associates of Cheraw, S . C . completed a retracement survey of 41,227 .45 linear feet (7 .8 miles) of our exterior boundary in . March . This purvey was begun in November, 1985 and was done at a cost of 21 cents/linear foot . Total cost to the government was $8,657 .76 paid from ARM funds .

Refuge Manager Snider, Forester Robinson, and Supervisory Land Surveyor Bill Goodale met with Boise Cascade representative Gary Turner (Sales and Tax Supervisor) and their attorney Harry Easterling in September to resolve a long standing dispute over 27 acres of Land . It was agreed that the disputed land should be split evenly between the two parties involved . This proposal was submitted to the regional office for approval .

D . PLANNING

2 . Management Plan

This station has no management plan . Plans pertaining to applicable programs have been written and are carried out . In 1986 the water management plan was rewritten ; the first rewrite of this plan since the 'S0's . Most impoundments currently found on the refuge did not exist then . The first timber harvesting prescriptions to be written in many years were written and approved during the year. The 1986-87 prescribed burning plan and other annual, forest management prescriptions were also completed during the year .

5 . Research and Investigations

A special use permit was granted to Peter Stengel of the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in Ai_ken, S . C . (Robert Nestor, Director) to collect blood anti feather pull.) samples from 25 red-cockaded. woodpeckers throughout the refuge . These samples were to be analyzed to . determine the relati.onshij) between population size and genetic variability Page 4

E . ADMINIS'II ATION

1 . Personnel

LEFT 70 RIGHT : Robinson, Tate, Sweerrey, Oliver, McC'utchoon, Hof fm=, Snider, and Eller.

1 . Ronald C . Snider, Refuge Manager, GS-485-11, PT'T 2 . John S . Hoffmann, Assistant Refuge Manager, GS-485-9, PET 3 . David H . Robinson, Forester, GS-460-11, PET 4 . Andrew C . Eller, Jr ., Forestry Technician, GS-462-4, 'lrl 5 . Kay W. McCutcheon, Secretary, GS-318-5, PET 6 . T . Jack Oliver, Engineering Equipment Operator, WG-5716-11, PF'I 7 . Louis Tate, Maintenance Mechanic, WG-4749-9, PFT 8 . Ellice L . Sweeney, Tractor Operator, WG-5705-3, PFT

Page 5

Personnel actions during the year were few . The assistant manager's position description was revised to more fully reflect the actual responsibilities of this position .

In anticipation of our being able to resume timber harvesting operations on the refuge, we were granted permission to hire a temporary forestry technician to assist with the added duties this activity would create . This position was filled by Mr . Andrew C . Eller, a forestry graduate from Clemson University on May 12, 1986 . His position terminated on January 3, 1987 . While timber harvesting operations did not actually begin during Mr . Eller's tenure with this station, he was kept busy taking care of miscellaneous chores .

Forester Robinson spent 3 .5 days at Saiih'e Refuge in March assisting the . staff of that station with the marking of timber for a pulpwood sale which that station was planning . He also spent several additional days in April for similar purposes at both Santee and Pee Dee Refuges .

Table 4 . Five Year Comparison of Staffing Patterns

Permanent Full Time Part Time Temporary

FY 86 7 0 1 FY 85 8** 0 1 FY 84 8* 1* 1 FY 83 6 0 4 FY 82 6 0 2

*This position was converted to YFl in March, 1984 . **One position was abolished with the transfer of a refuge manager trainee 12/85 .

2 . Youth Programs

This station hosted its first YCC program in 1976 and has hosted a camp every year since except one . That mans that our 1986 camp was our 9th camp . Five students from area schools were selected for the 1986 camp and an orientation meeting was held on the evening of May 12 at refuge headquarters .

The program began on June 9 . All assignments were accauplished on schedule and in an acceptable manner . These included :

1 . Assisted Forestry Technician Eller with restoring and/or replacing wood duck boxes . They also assisted Mr . Eller in determining percent box use and nesting success .

2 . Redecked and otherwise restored the observation platform at Martins Lake .

3 . CarYpletely rebuilt and replaced the platform atop the water control structure at Lake 12 . They also made many minor safety related repairs to all of the docks and platforms on the remaining lakes and ponds of the refuge . Page 6

4 . Patched and repaired cracks and potholes in the paved wildlife drive (an annual affair) . 9 5 . Performed red-cockaded woodpecker habitat improvement operations in Compartments 4 and 5 . This included locating and marking new cavity trees and remarking old ones . 6 . Two hundred eight man hours were expended picking up garbage from State and County rights-of-way which pass through the refuge . Approximately ten cubic yards was collected .

7 . Trees and brush were removed from the Hamburg Lake dam . 8 . Constructed a now dog pen at Quarters One f_orr the project leader's doq .

9 . Cleared and .remarked nearly 1.7 .5 miles of exterior boundary . 5 . Funding Our final FY 1986 budget figure was $356,462 . This was an increase of $74,100 over our FY 1985 budget . Eighty thousand was designated for the purchase of a new motor grader of which $69,000 was actually used ; the balance 0 was used for radio and equipment repairs . Other designated monies included $15,000 in ARMM funds for shop rehabilitation ; $7,950 in 8610 funds for quarters upkeep and maintenance ; $6,500 in 1520 funds for YCC support ; and $2,000 in 1260 funds for the Atlantic Flyway Goose Study . We also received $9,012 in special fire monies (1510) to cover expenses incurred during a wildfire in June and July (which included repairs to a crawler tractor damaged by the fire) . We also received the benefit of $54,227 for fire protection and aerial ignition (prescribed burning) which was paid directly to the State from the regional office for these services .

FY 1987 promises to be a bleak year, however . Our base funding figure is $242,917 plus $3,000 for a special wood duck box program giving us a total projected budget of only $245,917 which is less than the level, at which we were funded in FY 1984 . When salaries ($204,000) and designated funds ($8,917 in 8 610 funds) are extracted from this it can be seen that this station will be hurting for 0 & M monies during the year . As was mentioned last year, the one bright sxt is our 8610 funding . Even with expenditures of over $4,000 we ended the year with $3,261 ; our projected FY 1987 budget is $8,917 (FY 1986 carryover plus expected collections of $5,656 and after deduction of nineteen percent for regional and national administration), This fund is allowing us to make same really decent and badly needed improvements to our quarters .

Table 5 . Refuge 0 & M Funding (FY 1983-87) FY 1260 8610 6860 1480 2850 1520 1510 Total 1983 173,500 3,500 30,000 207,000 1984 181,000 4,000 73,000 15,000 273,000 1985 208,000 5,600 30,000 5,000 18,500 6,250 273,350 1986 306,800 7,950 35,000 6,500 9,012* 356,462 1987 202,000 8,917 35,000' 245,917 *An additional $34,960 for fire protection and $19,267 for aerial ignition was paid directly to the S . C . Forestry Commission by the regional office . Page 7

6 . Safety

There were no lost time accidents sustained by any member of the refuge staff during the year . Assistant Manager Hoffmann developed a case of tendonitis in his right leg while working with the YCC which required medical treatment but no time off . No one else on the staff required any job related medical attention during the year .

There were two incidents involving a me mixer of the YCC in 1.986 . One of the male enrollees sprained his right w.ri:4: while loading and unloading hay . This same enrollee later stepped on a nail while cleaning up a junk heap . Both of these injuries required medical attention but neither resulted in any reportable lost time.

Safety meetings at this station are held monthly at which films relating our work environment are shown and discussed . Frequently safety related reports and/or bulletins are distributed to employees and discussed as are known safety hazards .

7 . Technical Assistance

Under the terms of the cooperative agreement with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the refuge is responsible forr providing technical assistance on wildlife matters to the staff on the Sand Hills State Forest. Details of the cooperative program between the two agencies can be found in Section J .1 .

F . HABITAT MANAGEME T

1 . General

At the time of its purchase in 1939 by the federal government, the Carolina Sandhills Refuge was a biological desert . The Fish and Wildlife Service, through wise land use management and protection, has restored much of the life and productivity to the area .

Of the 45,601 acres which make up the refuge, 92 percent is dominated by pine i forests . The dominant forest type is a longleaf pine-turkey oak community . Loblolly pine and bluejack oak are prevalent in those areas having soils with a high clay content. Early managers attempted to establish slash pine on many areas of the refuge . These did not do well and are being replaced with longleaf and loblolly both of which are better suited to the soils found on the refuge . Pond pine is found in wet areas and drains . Pocosin habitat is made up chiefly of gallberry, fetterbush, and sweetbay . The refuge also has 1,200 acres in open fields and clearings and 350 acres in man-made lakes and ponds .

2 . Wetlands

Artificial impound ents have been created by constructing dams across some of the numerous small creeks and streams that transect the refuge . Most streams are spring fed and normally supply adequate . water flow to maintain scheduled water levels even during periods of drought . However, . during the drought of 1986 it was discovered in early August that Lake 16 had dropped nearly three (3) Page 8

feet to approximately one-third its normal level . Reasons for the decline were not clear but it was felt that the drought was contributory as several dry spring boils were located around the periphery of the lake . Also the riser board structure was found to be leaking badly (this was repaired) . Rains which occurred throughout the remainder of August brought the lake back up to normal level ; it has remained there since .

The dam of Hamburg Lake was cleared of trees and other woody vegetation by the YCC . This lake had somehow been overlooked during the 1985 dam clearing operations .

Pools D, G, H, K, and L, as well as Martins Lake, Honker Lake, and Holdover_ Pond were lowered in the spring and early summer in order to partially expose their bottoms and slopes . All produced good crops, especially Holdover Pond which developed an excellent stand of smartweed . Spike rushes, panic grasses, and smartweeds were the most commonly produced species . Gradual reflooding began in October . Unfortunately, waterfowl populations were at an all time low; most ponds received no use .

In compliance with the recently revised water management plan, Upper Triple Lake, and Pools F and G ware drained completely late in the year . These will remain drained until early spring when they will be reflooded . This was done in an effort to reduce accumulations of muck on their bottoms and to control aquatic vegetation . If this procedure achieves the desired results other impoundments will be treated likewise .

As mentioned previously, waterfowl use of refuge impoundments and other wetlands reached an all' time low with the onset of the 1986-87 migratory waterfowl season . Wood duck use occurred in most pools with nesting taking place throughout the refuge . Canada geese were concentrated chiefly at Martins Lake with occasional use of the ponds in the Oxpen Farm Unit . Most other waterfowl restricted themselves to Martins Lake and Pool D . Peak populations this year occurred in January and February with 1,236 ducks and 250 geese respectively .

3 . Forests

Under the temms of a cooperative agreement that has existed since the estab- lishment of the refuge in 1939 between the Service and the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the Commission has been responsible for conducting timber sales, for planting trees, and for providing technical assistance on the refuge .

In 1984, a two year moratorium was enacted which restricted the Forestry Com- mission from any managed timber sales activities until the pending matter of handling refuge receipts could be resolved . The Commission continued to dis- agree with the position that receipts generated on the refuge must go to the refuge and this matter was not resolved.

in his memorandum of July 23, 1986, Regional Director Pulliam advised State Forester Leonard Killian that the moratorium would not be extended and all receipts generated on the refuge would go into the National Wildlife Refuge Fund . The refuge manager was authorized to undertake all forest management operations on the refuge . A forest technician position was created to assist the refuge forester in handling timber management activities on the refuge . i This position will be filled the first part of 1987 . f'aage 9

During the year, a refuge salvage sale was advertised and sold to E . J . Dixon of D . J . Creed, Inc . for $9 .00 per cord (mill tally) . This currently active sale consists of trees which have died due to fire and insect clannige and other natural causes (lightninq, wind, etc .) . A total of 227 .67 cords were removed and a revenue of $2,049 .03 was received this year . The majority of this salvage wood cam, from a wildfire area where mortality was high .

Woodland habitat management prescriptions for timber compartments 4 and 5 were prepared and submitted to the regional office for approval during the year .

Approximately fifteen (1S) .acres in the nxp n Area (Compartment 3) was planted to longleaf pine by the S . C . Forestry C'omnission . The seedlings had been left over ftcan a reforestation project which the Commission had been performing on the Sand Hills State Forest . There was no cost to the government for this service .

A crawler tractor and roller chopper were used to chop strips through approximately 250 acres of pine-scruboak stands in Compartments 3, 4, and 9 . These stands contain scattered .longleaf pines with dense turkey oak under- stories . The purpose of this project was to open up the dense turkey oak stands in order to promote crown development and better mast production . Sprouts from the downed turkey oaks provide favorable browse for deer . The roller chopper was also used in red-cockaded colony areas to knock down turkey oaks growing up around existing and potential red-cockaded w :)odpeecker cavity trees .

Pine scruboak stand before roller chopping . . Page 1 0

. . the same area after roller chopping . Approximately 40 acres of cut-over land in Ccxnpartnxvnts 3 and 6 were roller chopped for the purpose of seed bed preparation . This land had previously been salvage cut to remove tornado damaged tindx-r following the tornadoes of March, 1984 . It was felt that the areas contained enough seed trees to naturally reseed themselves . Approximately 16 acres of upland hardwood stands in Compartment 1, 2, 3, and 5 were treated for wildlife habitat improvement . Low quality hardwoods com- peting with the more desirable mast producing species were deadened using tree injectors and 2,4-D . All trees killed were left standing to provide possible dens and feeding areas for wildlife species dependent upon dead trees .

Prescribed burning is a beneficial forest wildlife management tool used on Carolina Sandhills Refuge for the purpose of maintaining and improving wildlife habitat in upland pine stands . During the 1986 burning season, approximately 5,575 acres of woodlands and 164 acres of fields were prescribe burned in eight compartments . This was a very successful burning season considering the limit- ed number of burning days available . 4 . Croplands There are approximately 1,112 acres of cultivated fields and forest openings on the refuge . These provide for a wildlife diversity that would not otherwise be present, Most cultivated acreage has been planted to soil building perennials such as sericea, bicolor, and japonica lespedeza (approximately 900 acres) while nearly 180 acres were planted to corn, wheat, and rye . There were two cooperative farming agreements in effect during 1986 . Mr . A. C . McLeod was responsible for maintaining 264 .3 acres of established sericea lespedeza and for planting of 102 acres of rye and 53 acres of bicolor lespedeza . In exchange for the rye, Mr .'McLeod planted twelve acres of wheat and ten acres of corn . He was also required to furnish the government with 150 bales of rye straw. The goveiiinient's share of the sericea crop is five percent, same of which is exchanged for a designated acreage to be planted to corn (in 1986 this

Page 1 1

amounted to about 16 acres) . Our share of tluo hi.color seed is 25 pxercent . All seed was cleaned, dried, scarified, bagged, and delivered to the refuge by March 10 .

Mr . George R . Catoe was responsible for maintaining 18 .4 acres of japonica lespedeza and 20 .3 acres of bicolor lespedeza . The government's share of his crop is thirty percent which was harvested, cleaned, dried, bagged, and delivered by March 10 . Mr . Catoe carried out no other agricultural pursuits on the refuge during the year .

Table 6 . ( :oolx'rative Farming - 1986

Ccx>j rafnr' : ; (oovernm'nt Crop Acres "hare Share r . A. C . McLeod Sericea Lespedeza 264 .3 95% 5%** Rye 102 .0 100% 0% Wheat 12 .0 0% 100% Corn 26 .0* 0% 100% Bicolor Lespedeza 53 .0 7596 25% *Includes almost 16 acres planted in exchange for sericea seed . **Cleaned, dried, scarified, and I)aggced . Mr . George R . Catoe Japonica Lespedeza 18 .4 70%% 30% Bicolor Lespedeza 20 .3 70% 30%

The refuge staff force account planted approximately thirty acres . Most of this was wheat and vetch to provide waterfowl at Martins and the Oxpen Area with green browse ; several fields along the wildlife drive were similarly planted in order to attract wildlife into the open for visitors to see .

Wild turkeys were but one of many species to utilize fields planted to green browse along the wildlife drive . Page 1 2

A number of fire breaks which had been plowed to contain a wildfire which occurred in June and July were planted to a combination of ryegrass and sand lovegrass . This was done to control erosion and to add sane variety to the habitat .

This station was the recipient during the yearr of several varieties of drought resistant, soil stabi .lizinq wild plant :;c'ed Iran the Soil Conservation Service . Received were Panicun amart.m, Les1x,(k .za L.hunheri.i, Lespedeza cuneata, and Ls- pedeza virgata var . ambro. These were force account planted in several poor quality and eroded sites scattered around the refuge . Unfortunately our drought was so severe that few of these plantings germinated ; of those that did very few survived .

Approximately 95 acres of open fields were burned in January in order to set back succession and to stimulate new growth . An additional 69 acres in Compart- ments 4, 6, 7, and 9 were similarly burned in February . Several fields were mowed in March in order to set back woody vegetation (primarily young pines) which cannot be effectively controlled. by burning . Several fields along the wildlife - drive were plowed and strip planted with japonica lespedeza (these 0 failed) . 9 . Fire Management

In accordance with an approved fire management plan and annual prescribed burning plan, an active fire management program was carried out on the refuge in 1986 . As prescribed in the annual burning plan, prescribed fire is used to accomplish the following forest management objectives : 1) to provide the necessary habitat for maintaining a diversity and abundance of natural fauna with emphasis on endangered and threatened species ; 2) to reduce the potential for wildfires by reducing the amount of fuel accumulation on the forest floor ; and 3) to demonstrate how fire management can effectively be used in wildlife management .

During the 1986 burning season, approximately 5,575 acres of woodlands and 164 acres of fields in Compartments 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were prescribe burned. A total of 5,505 acres in Compartments 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 were prescribe burned using aerial ignition . This aerial ignition burning was accomplished under contract with the South Carolina Commission of Forestry at a cost of $3:.50 per acre . This was the fourth year that aerial ignition was used on the refuge . We. continue to use this technique for burning on Carolina Sandhills Refuge because : larger blocks which are surrounded by refuge roads can be burned faster than conventional burning ; plowed firebreaks can be eliminated ; areas which normally could not be burned due to poor accessibility can be burned; and fire intensities can be better regulated by the distance between strips and flight lines . Under this system, a helicopter equipped with a helitorch usingdgel led gasoline was used to set the fires in a uniform pattern over each tract . This helicopter was recently purchased by the Commission to be, used for prescribed burning .

Under the terms of a contract agreement the Commission is responsible for suppressing wildfires on the . refuge . When needed, refuge personnel serve as a back-up force with a John Deere 450-0 tractor unit with a Mathis plow . 1',Icle 1 3

A S . C . Forestry Commission hel ic.x)ptcr equippod with a helitorch was used to aerially ignite over 5,000 acres of woodlands on the refuge .

During the year, five wildfires occurred on the refuge . The first fire was set by an unknown person along the edge of Wire Road . The fire which was extinguished by rain shortly after being set burned one acre . The second fire which burned 0 .2 acres started from a burning car which belonged to a family fishing on the refuge . The fire apparently started when the catalytic con- verter ignited pine straw under the car . The third fire started on private land and spread onto refuge land burning 2 .5 acres . The fire started when a local peach farmer was burning tires in his peach groves due to cold temperatures . The fire spread from his land onto refuge land . The fourth fire started from a lightning strike on private land and spread onto the refuge burning five acres on refuge land and six acres on adjacent private land . The fifth fire started from a lightning strike on a Sunday afternoon, but was not detected until Tuesday due to inadequate detection (unmanned fire tower) . The S . C . Forestry Ccxrmission was notified and responded by sending a tractor plow unit to the fire . By the time the unit arrive, the fire had already burned 50 acres and had spread into a pocosin bottom where it was impossible to plow . Several attempts were made to plow into the branch head but were unsuccessful due to wet boggy conditions . The fire was partially contained inside the branch head for six days . On the following Monday, the decision was made to completely plow around the branch head and to back fire around the perimeter . This procedure would hopefully cause the fire to eventually burn out . The fire was finally contained on the following Monday . Total refuge acreage burned was 403 acres plus three acres on private land . Tree mortality from this fire was high . High incidences of ips and black turpentine beetle were encountered . A salvage pulpwood sale was conducted in this wildfire area . No damages were sustained in the previous four wildfires . The S . C . Forestry Commission suppressed four of the five wildfires . Page 14

A family fishing trip had an unhappy ending when their car caught fire and burned .

All firebreaks which were cut to suppress wildfires and to aid prescribed burning operations were replowed with a recovery plow, fertilized, and seeded to rye and lovegrasses in an effort to control soil erosion. The prescribed burning plan for the 1986-87 burning season was submitted to the regional office and approved . Physical fitness standards for prescribed burning (Category 3) were met by three refuge employees prior to the burning season . 10 . Pest Control For the fourth consecutive year in conjunction with the U . S . Forest Service, gypsy moth traps were placed on the refuge . The traps which were located at refuge headquarters and Lake Bee Recreation Area were checked periodically for the presence of male gypsy moths . No gypsy moths were detected . Scattered incidences of black turpentine, ips, and ambrosia beetle attacks were found on the refuge during the year . Heavier concentrations were found in the wildfire area in Cccnpartment 6 . Beetle infestations were mainly confined to trees severely scorched and damaged by fire and to dying trees struck by lightning . These beetle infested trees were marked and cut as salvage timber . No pesticides were used for control . 12 . Wilderness and Special Areas A research natural area comprising 554 acres of longleaf pine-scruboak habitat is located on the refuge . No management activities other than protection were considered or carried out on this area . There are numerous areas to be found on the refuge which are unique for sandhills habitat. These include archaeological sites, Atlantic white cedar bogs, rock Page 1 5

outcroppings, temporary pools for amphibians and rare plant carruinities, etc . These areas have been plotted on compartment maps so that they may receive special management consideration and protection . G. WILDLIFE 1 . Wildlife Diversity

The Sandhills region of South Carolina stretches from the North Carolina border in Chesterfield County above Cheraw to the Georgia border along the Savannah River in North Augusta and makes up part of the Fall Line separating the Atlantic Coastal Plain from the Piedrront Plateau . The Carolina Sandhills Refuge is super- imposed over this ridge of sand . The Lynches River forms the western boundary of the refuge and is typical of piedmont streams while Black Creek is a typical coastal plain stream and forms our eastern boundary . The refuge has a good blend of habitat types and species of plants and animals from both of these geographic zones . There are also many intergrades which are unique to the fall line region . Management practices carried out by the refuge staff are designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of plants and animals and thus enhance this habitat . Num- erous open fields, wetlands, and forest communities support an expanding wildlife population .

There are approximately 1.90 species of birds, 42 specis of reptiles, and 25 species of amphibians which utilize the refuge . Several of the many varieties are unique . These include carnivorous plants such as sundews and pitcher plants, as well as Well's pixie moss and white wicky (both of the latter two species have been under review for inclusion on the Federal Endangered Plant List) .

The unusual Well's pixie moss is found on dry, sandy ridges scattered throughout the refuge . Page 16

2 . Endanqered Species

A review of our endangered species program was conducted on the refuge by Biologist Gary Henry of the Asheville SE Office, Refuge Supervisor Travis McDaniel, and Migratory Bird Field Coordinator Florschutz in February . Also present at this meeting were Refuge Manager Snider and station Forester Robinson . This was primarily a study of our current red-cockaded woodpecker management techniques . No problems were found with these . A report was filed by Mr . Florschutz . a . Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Carolina Sandhills Refuge supports approximately one hundred and twenty-two (122) red-cockaded woodpecker colonies . This is the largest number of colonies found on any refuge throughout the United States and is based upon the 1984 colony survey conducted on the refuge . One of the specific objectives of Carolina Sandhills Refuge is to provide habitat and protection for this endangered species . All red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees are located and mapped . This is done in a systematic manner by using the conpartment management schedule . Red-cockaded woodpecker habitat maps showing cavity tree locations and essential support habitat are maintained . All cavity trees are marked with a white band for easy identification and are tagged with a pre-numbete-~d aluminum tag .

Red-cockaded woodpecker habitat improvement is conducted in all refuge compartments by removing brush around each cavity tree thereby providing open access to the cavity by the woodpecker . Prescribed burning is also used in colony areas to maintain the open forest condition required by the woodpecker . A roller chopper is used in colony areas to remove scruboak encroachment which often cannot be controlled by fire .

As part of this continuing refuge survey and habitat improvement for the red-cockaded woodpecker, all pine trees containing red-cockaded woodpecker cavities and cavity starts in Compartments 4 and 5 were located and mapped . A total of 184 trees containing cavities and ten trees containing new cavity starts were located. All cavity trees were tagged with a pre numbered aluminum tag and marked with a band of white paint . All scruboaks and brush were cut and removed around the cavity trees to prevent blockage of the cavity which often causes desertion by the woodpecker .

Compartments 4 and 5 were previously surveyed for cavity trees in 1976 and 1981 . Table 7 presents a comparison between the three surveys .

Table 7 . 1986 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Cavity Tree Survey Data # Cavity # Cavity Trees # Cavity Trees # Cavity Trees % Change Starts 1986 _Canp't # Available 1976 Available 1981 Available 1986 1981-86

+ 2 .0 7 4 88 98 100 - 3 .4 3 5 68 87 84 10 Totals 156 185 184 - 1 .4

Five (5) trees died in Ccmp6rtm6nt .4 and seven (7) trees died in Carpartment 5 as a result of 1984 tornado damage . Page 17

b . Eastern Cougar

0 Previously we have reported in this section on attempts to detect the presence of these elusive cats through various censusing techniques . Funding for this work was withdrawn in FY 1986 and these efforts ceased . No positive results were ever obtained . This does not moan that the eastern cougar is not present on the refuge, as there is certainly ample habitat for them. Because of the presence of feral dogs and deer hounds on the station most censusing techniques are unreliable .

c . Pine Barrens Treefrog

The pine barrens trecfroq has been Ii .sted by he State of South Carolina as an endangered species with Chesterfield and Marlboro counties possessing over ninety percent of all known colonies . The refuge, located in Chesterfield County, has the second largest number of colonies in the State with ten . Only on this refuge is any known management for this species taking place . Plant succession is the biggest enemy of this species, thus fire is the best management tool . Areas set aside for treefrogs are burned on a two year rotation . 0 No burning for this species was accomplished in 1986 . d. Plants

White wicky (Kalmia cuneata) and Well's pixie moss (xidanthera barbulata var . brevifolia) are both wound on the refuge and have been under review for addition to the federal endangered species list . Sweet pitcher plant is also found on the refuge and is considered to be a threatened species by the State of South Carolina . All respond favorably to fire and loss of habitat through natural succession or human disturbance is their greatest threat .

e . Other Endangered/Threatened Species

Bald and golden eagles are infrequent visitors to the refuge, particularly during their migrations . Both were seen on the refuge during the report period . An immature bald eagle was observed over the lower end of Martins Lake on the morning of January 28 by Assistant Manager Hoffmann . This bird 0 was observed several days later in the Oxpen area by Project Leader Snider . An adult bald eagle was observed along the Highway 145 right-of-way in Compart- ment 4 on the morning of October 13 . Forestry Technician Andy Eller reported seeing a golden eagle (age unknown) over Martins Lake on December 12 . No eagles were seen during the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey of January 10, 1986 .

3 . Waterfowl

Total waterfowl use for the refuge reached its peak during the winter of 1976-77 . Since that time there has been a steady decline in waterfowl use of the refuge . The 1985-86 Canada goose population was down by about thirty-six percent from the previous year ; from 350 birds to 225 . Use days, however, increased from 16,289 to 19,378 . Duck use of the refuc,- also declined in 1985-86 (from 164,451 to 145,601) ;,only wood duck use increased . Tables 8 and 9 tell the story . Page 1 8

Wood ducks regularly nest on the refuge . A nestinq box program is carried out in order to enhance their success . The 1986 survey revealed that nine boxes had fallen or were in such a bad state of repair as to render than useless . These were replaced with new fiberglass (Tom Tubbs) boxes ; the first such units to be utilized on this refuge . Additionally, 25 such units were used to restore some of the attrition which this station has experienced in previous years . Fifty- seven percent of all available boxes (86) were utilized in 1986 ; the same as in 1985 . The number of available natural cavities on the refuge is not known but it is assumed to be high . T.-able 10 provides a sum ary of nest box use for the year . Mallards, widgeon, and Canada geese co prise the bulk of ourr wintering populations and these concentrate primarily on honker lake, Mart-ins Lake, and Pool D . Wocxl ducks, present throughout tlu' year, are pretty evenly distributed over nK>st refuge wetlands .

I~ Y

The beautiful wood duck may be found in almost any of the refuge's 30+ inqooundments . In April our resident Canada geese produced two broods of goslings of two and five birds each at Martins Lake . Two goslings were also seen on Pool D . It is not believed that any of these young birds reached maturity . No geese were banded or collared in 1986 . Table 8 . Peak Populations : Common Wintering Waterfowl Species 1976-77 81-82 82-83 83-84 84-85 85-86 Canada Geese 2,000 700 455 500 350 225 Mallard 5,500 525 400 350 275 200 Black Duck 600 150 75 75 70 75 G . W. Teal 500" 53 40 35 30 25 A. Widgeon 2,500 170 150 150 100 1.00 Wood Duck 3,500 500 600 550 600 650 Hooded Merganser 150 50 12 10 12 5 Page 1 .9

Table 9 . Five Year Sunnary : Wintering Waterfowl Use Days Septemlx,,r_ through March

Season Canada Geese Other Geese Ducks Coots Total

1982-82 44,480 92 155,052 1,570 201,194 1982-83 29,416 0 1.81.,104 61 210,520 1983-84 29,655 682 163,539 490 1.98,876 1984-85 16,289 40 1.64,451 . 367 181,147 1985-86 19,378 0 145,601. 0 164,979

4 . Marsh and Water Birds

Great blue herons can generally be observed feeding in refuge impoundments throughout the year . Pied billed grebes are present except in the summer months . Green-backed herons, cattle egrets, and little blue herons can often be found on the refuge during the late summer and fall months espec- 0 ially when the ponds are drawn down . Three anhingas were observed feeding in Pool K in July and a double crested cormorant was seen roosting at Mays Lake in November .

5 . Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species

Snipe, yellowlegs, sandpipers, woodcock, and killdeer are the only species found on the refuge . Habitat for this species is practically non-existent . No sightings were reported in 1986 .

6. Raptors

Red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, American kestrels, turkey vultures, barn owls, screech owls, great horned owls, and barred owls all nest on the refuge . Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks may also nest on the refuge but this has not been proven . The refuge serves as a wintering area for northern harriers which are eotmronly seen feeding and hunting in the fields scattered throughout the refuge . A peregrine falcon was seen by Forestry Technician Eller on adjacent property in August .

7 . Other Migratory Birds

The eighth annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count was conducted on the refuge on December 28 . As in past years, the count coordinator was Mr . Bill Hilton of Rock Hill, S . C . Mr . Hilton had not compiled and submitted his data in time for it to be included in this report . He did, however, provide us with a complete summary of - all of his data for the previous seven years .

8 . Game Mammals

Restocking of white-tailed deer on the refuge began with the release of six pair in 1940 . The refuge population had increased sufficiently to warrant having a hunt by 1963 . In response to a determination that the deer herd

Page 20

Table 10 . ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT FORM WOOD DUCK BOX PROGRAM INFORMATION

REFUGE : Carolina Sandhills

NESTING YEAR : 198E

NUMBER PERCENT

Total Usable Boxes 86

Estimated Boxes Used By Wood Ducks 49 57

Estimated Boxes Used By Other Ducks 0 0

Estimated Boxes Used By Other Wildlife 7 8

Estimated Wood Duck Broods Produced 49

Estimated Total Wood Ducks Hatched 197

Estimated Wood Ducks Surviving To Flight Stage* 98 50

Plans for next year (indicate number) :

X more boxes (See Remarks)

fewer boxes

no change

Remarks : At least 13 additional new Tan Tubbs boxes will be erected to

hel catch u with revious attrition

*If survival rate is other than 50%, please explain rationale in remarks section .

Page 21

was reaching the limits of the carrying capacity of the refuge and that it was top-heavy with overmature deer, either sex hunting with modern weapons was first permitted in 1976 . The history of the hunting program for the past five years is presented in Tables 11 through 13 .

Table 11 . Five Year History : Modern Gun Either-Sex Deer Hunting 1982-1986

Hunter Harvest HD/ HH/ 111/ Days/ Year ys Hours Bucks Does Total Deer Deer pa Hunt 1982 2,200 17,600 82 130 212 .10 .4 83 8 .0 3 1983 2,400 19,200 57 111 168 14 .3 114 8 .0 3 1984 3,000 24,000 44 51 95 31 .6 253 8 .0 3 1985 2,200 17,600 37 45 82 26 .9 215 8 .0 3 1986 3,009 24,072 65 63 128 23 .5 188 8 .0 3

Totals 12,809 102,472 285 400 685 18 .7 150

Averages 2,562 20,494 57 80 135 8 .0 3

Table 12 . Five Year History : Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunting 1982-1986 Hunter Harvest 11D/ HH/ HH/ Days/ Year Days Hours Bucks Does Total Deer Deer R~X Hunt 1982 350 2,800 5 5 10 35 280 8 .0 6 1983 575 4,600 5 5 10 58 460 8 .0 6 1984 542 4,336 9 7 16 34 271 8 .0 6 1985 490 3,920 3 1 4 123 980 8 .0 6 1986 629 5,031 3 4 7 89 .8 718 .8 8 .0 6

Totals 2,586 20,688 25 22 47 55 .0 440 .2

Averages 517 .2 4,137 .6 5 4 .4 9 .4 8 .0 6

Table 13 . Five Year History : Primitive Weapons Either-Sex Deer Hunting 1982-1986

Hunter Harvest HD/ HH/ HH/ Days/ Year PA)Ls Hours Bucks Does Total Deer Deer R~y Hunt 1982 1,000 8,000 24 33 57 17 .5 140 8 .0 5 1983 1,200 9,600 3 40 43 28 .0 223 8 .0 5 1984 . 1,028 8,224 11 7 18 57 .0 457 8 .0 5 1985 983 7,864 10 13 23 43 .0 342 8 .0 5 1986 944 7,552 9 14 23 41 .0 328 8 .0 5

Totals 5,155 41,240 57 107 . 164 31 .4 251 .5

Averages 1,031 8,248 11 .4 21 .4 32 .8 8.0 5

Bear, bobcat, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel (as well as deer) are all considered to be game species by the Page, 2 2

State of South Carolina . With the possible exception of muskrat, all are found on the refuge . While, fox squirrels are considered to lx` more abundant than gray squirrels, the latter appeared to have increased significantly in 1986 . All color phases of the fox squirrel are to be found on the refuge (gray, brown, and black) .

10 . Other Res ideri1 W i I (I I i I e

No black bear or bear tracks were seen in 1980 ; none have been seen since 1983 . These animals, if present on the refuge, are confining themselves to the Black Creek and Lynches River drainage.-,.

The turkey population a1j_x ,0re I to Lx , stAdo iii 1986 . BBoth the birds and their signs were seen throughout the refuge . W1ii 1cc reproduction may have been good, survival of poults is believed t o h, m , lix'en .ix-)or Only one large group of poults was ever observed (11 birds on 9/11/86) . All other sightings for the year were in groups of one to three birds wit} several of these being repeat sightings . Analysis of the data sheets reveals that only sixteen poults we're ever observed .

Despite what appeared to be a poor year for poult survival, our turkey population remains stable .

11 . Fisheries Resources

While host of the impoundments on this station were created for waterfowl management purposes, a few are best suited for their fisheries resources . Pop- 2.3

However, because of nranlx)wer constraints and funding 1 imitations, very Little fish culture is practiced at this station . Pool L, which was restocked in December, 1985 with 22,000 bluegil1 fin( erl ings, was further stocked with an additional 2,200 black bass fingerlings in May, 1986 . Both of these stockings were accomplished by the Cheraw State Fish Hatchery at no cost to the refuge .

Cheraw State Fish Hatchery provided the refuge with 2,200 bass fingerlings for stocking in Pool L .

Rick Eager, a fisheries biologist faun Charleston, S . C . was to have assisted us in preparing a fisheries management plan for several of our impounded areas during the year . However, because of death and illness in his family, Mr . Eager had to rearrange his priorities and was unable to fit us into his calendar . Perhaps in 1987 .

14 . Scientific Collections

Biologists Ilium Carolina Power & Light Company attempted to collect a small sample of fish from Lake Bee on November 12 . The conductivity of this lake is so poor that electroshocking equipment does not function properly thus making fish sampling nearly impossible . Fish from this lake are used as con- trols for radiological studies of fish which were taken from nearby Lake Robinson on which Carolina Power and Light Company operates a nuclear power plant .

15 . Animal Control

Several beaver had to be removed from Lake 12 and Beaver Pond during the year . These animals had became so proficient at keeping the water control Page 24

structures for these impoundments plugged up that it had become a full time job keeping them clear . A combination of trapping and shooting was used to accomplish this task .

As was the case in 1985, very little was seen of our feral dog population in 1986. Even when they are seen they di.saplxear. quickly making firing at them an impossibility . During the skate biq game season, hunting dogs continued to be a problem . These dogs will remain a problem until dog hunting is prohibited in this state .

16 . Marking and Banding

Our post season banding quotas were once again set at 100 Canada geese and 200 mallards . Much time: and effort was spent attempting to achieve this goal . Our final results were 49 mallards, 14 blacks, and 7 wood ducks . At the time of banding, our waterfowl. population not including geese, was estimated to be 861 birds, 600 of which were wood ducks . No Canada geese were banded or collared.

Pre-season wood duck banding efforts met with better success however . Our quota of 100 was exceeded by seven birds due to the diligent efforts of Forestry Technician Andy Eller .

17 . Disease Prevention and Control

The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study conducted a deer herd health survey of the refuge deer herd on July 23 and 24 . This involved . collecting and necropsying five adult deer at random . The results of the deer examined showed that our deer herd was in good condition relative to habitat carrying capacity . The APC count was low and all external and in- ternal parasites were present in subclinical number . The large stomach worm (Haemonchos contortus) and the large lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus), while present, were not present in pathogenic numbers . However, their presence serves warning that we need to keep the herd within the habitat carrying capacity . Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) antibodies were found in four of the five deer but this is not considered alarming . Many normal deer throughout the southeast have antibodies . In short, no problems were detected .

H . PUBLIC USE

1 . General

The refuge experienced 73,746 hours of public use by 26,521 visitors in . 1986 ; this was an increase of 24 .95 and 24 .35 percent over 1985 respectively . Prime attractions were big game . hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation Table 14 summarizes our public use for 1986 . Paw, 25

This nine and one-quarter pound bass caught in Lake 12 helped boost fishing participation for several weks .

I Table 14 . Sumr ry of 1986 Public Use

Percentage Activity Hours of Total

Conducted Tours 254 0 .34 Interpretive Exhibits 270 0 .37 Outdoor Classrooms 200 0 .27 Deer Hunting 30,863 41 .85 Other Hunting 2,200 2 .98 Fishing 23,932 32 .45 Camping 0 0 .00 Picnicking 5,845 7 .93 WL/WL Observation 9,930 13 .47 Photography 252 0 .34 Totals 73,746 100 .00 1Padc' 2.6

Six new signs readi nq "Rn I uyc' Road - Day Us( , Only" wc'fl c're'c •tecl at the entrance points to Old Wire Road, 1Z'1'-l, and the Navigation `lkjwer Road (RT-6) . Most of these had not been vandalized by year's end . One, however, received c'x 1 cans iv( , dl-imago.

Sign vandalism - a costly, but riot unusual, occurrc'n 'o .

2 . Outdoor Classrooms-Students

In 1984 this refuge experienced 615 activity hours of use by students for field trips . This dropped to 60 activity hours in 1985 but increased again in 1986 to 200 activity hours . Much of the increase in 1986 was attributed to use of the area by out of state (North Carolina) schools .

Two groups of students of ten and thirty-five each from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte respectively visited the refuge in May . The Davidson group was a herpetology class while the UNCC group was a botany class .

Twenty seven students and five adults frcm the Charlotte-M cklenberg (North Carolina) school system visited the refuge on June 17 . These students ware participants in Project Excel, a program for gifted and talented students which was hosted by Davidson College . I'ac le 27

Two additional groups of gifted arid talented students from the Chesterfield County, S . C . school district visited the refuge during June and July . Both groups were provided with an interpretive tour by Secretary Kay McCutcheon . Mrs . McCutcheon also conducted tours for thirty-five kindergarten students (eighteen from Mclk .'e anti seventeen f r(ri Jefferson) on April 23 and April 29 .

. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers

Ms . Tracy Welborne, an instructor in elementary education at Coker College in Hartsville, S . C . met with Manager Snider on September 24 to discuss ways and means of utilizing the refuge to train her students in environmental education teaching techniques . Ms . Wellx me returned to the refuge in December with six of her students . Mr . Snider provided them with a brief talk about the refuge and Ms . Welborne led a tourr of the area .

6 . Interpretive ExhibitsLEk-y nnstrations

A visitors contact point with interpretive panels is located on t be wildlife drive near S . C . Highway 145 . It received substantial use by visitors to the refuge particularly on weekends and holidays when the office is closed and the staff is off duty . Interpretive panels are also present in the office reception area .

A new kiosk/leaflet dispenser was erected at the main entrance to the refuge in the headquarters area during the year. This new structure is much more accessible and has far lx'tt.er eye appeal than the structure it replaced . It was well received by the public and received continuous use almost f rc- rri IN , day construction was corrp r l eted, particularly during the. hunting season .

Out with the old Page 28

0 and in with the ncwa . A new table was constructed forr use in the front office for the proper display of our animal mounts, photo-alluam of unique plants, and the quest roister . 11 table-top pedestal for the quest register was also made and installed in the office reception area .

7 . Other Interpretive Programs Forester Robinson assisted Dr . George Sawyer of the Coker College biology department in conducting a wildflower walk on the refuge on April 6 . This tour was part of a series of events which are held each spring throughout the state and are sponsored by the S . C . Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourisin . Ten people participated in the tour . Ms . Joanna Angles of the Governor's Old English District Commission and Mr . Larry Hall of the Rock Hill, S . C . educational television station visited the refuge on May 30 to shoot sane footage of the refuge pitcher plant colonies . This tape was to be used in a program for the promotion of tourism within the state's Old English District .

8 . Hunting Public hunting of white-tailed deer, quail, mourning dove, raccoon, opossum, and rabbit is permitted on all portions of the refuge other than those areas marked or otherwise designated as being closed to entry or to hunting . Ap- proximately 43,000 acres were open to some form of hunting in 1986 . White-tailed deer continued to be the most sought after species . As has been the case for several years, the refuge was open for the taking of this species for fourteen days in 1986 divided into three seasons as follows : archery (six days), primitive weapons (five days), and modern firearms (three days) . Hunters were permitted to take only one (1) antlerless deer per hunt but an unlimited number of bucks could be taken . The archery and primitive weapons hunts were held in October . No efforts were made to keep track of the total kill as only antlerless deer were required to be checked and tagged . However, a 187 pound, eight point buck was bagged during the primitive weapons hunt . Page 29

The last of the big game hunts (for modern weapons enthusiasts) was held on November 19, 20, and 21 . A total of 128 deer_ were checked through the check station, an increase of 46 over the 1985 bag . An estimated four to five thousand hunters participated in this year's hunt, a significant increase over 1984 and 1985 numbers . Much of this increase is attributed to excellent hunting weather in 1986 compared to three days of heavy rains in 1985 .

The refuge opened for quail hunting on Thanksgiving Day and remained open through the end of the year . During this period, mourning doves, woodcock, and rabbits were also permitted to be taken as incidental species when the State season for these species coincided with the refuge quail season . While no effort was made on the part of the refuge staff to keep track of the number of hunters participating in this sport or in theirr success, it did appear as if there was greater participation in 1986 than in past years . Rumor had it that traditional quail hunting areas such as those around Hoffman and Pinehurst, N. C . suffered from poor reproduction this year . This could account for some of the increase in pressure experienced by the refuge . Also, our quail population was good throughout the year . Raccoon and opossum hunting was` permitted during the first ten days of March . A permit was required but there was no quota . Participation was poor with an average of only five hunters per night ; the total reported bag was six 'coons and one 'possum .

12 . Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation Wildlife photography is typically associated with other recreational activities . There are, however, a few serious photographers who visit the refuge each year. We assist the individuals to the fullest extent possible so that they may obtain the best photographs possible . In return for our assistance and cooperation we frequently are provided with top quality pictures of our flora and fauna . One such individual is C, W . Grant, an employee of Carolina Power & Light Company at the' LB . Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville, SC . C. W. has provided us with several photographs of our waterfowl and turkey populations .

14 . Picnickinq Picnicking at the Lake Bee Recreational Area was popular throughout the year . Most of this was done in association with such wildlife oriented activities as hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation . The recreation area was also used by -church.groups and for family reunions .

170 Law Enforcement Our chief law enforcement problem continues to be that of dogs . associated with the deer hunting that takes place on lands adjacent to the refuge. Owners . of impounded dogs were charged a $10 .00 impoundment fee : before they could retrieve their dog. When an owner had three such violations he was issued a citation for animal . trespass . A total . of fifty-five dogs were impounded but no citations were issued The November issue of the South Carolina edition of "Fins and Feathers" featured an article which stated, in part, that the refuge was open for a three day modern weapons deer hunt -during the week of Thanksgiving . Most people who read the article called to confirm this information and were told that the article Pagee 30

was in error ; that the hunt was the w&-(,k before Thanksgivinq . However., one hunter frcxn Columbia, S . C . failed to check with us and was cited for hunting during a closed season . During our archery hunt we received numerous reports of individuals removing antlerless deer from the refuge without first being tagged and of areas being baited . While the reports of the untagged doer could not be confirmed, several baited areas were located and one case was made for hunting over bait .

As in the past., wee roc, i veil excel lentt cx of x -ra t i On rind assistance from the S . C . Wildlife and Marine Rc score :; ('ti Iorc(n rit- I K'r :;c>1in ' I during our managed hunts . Table 15 . Violations - C.Y l)8() I)i.!;lx) ;;.i t- Ion

One - $175 .00 fine Hunting Out of Season 2 One - Pending Possession of Firearm/After Hours Trespass 2 $100 .00 fine each Hunting Ficxn Stand w/Metal . Spikes in Tree 1 $50 .00 fine Over Limit of Antlerless Deer I Pending Hunting Over Bait 1 $50 .00 fine After Hours Trespass 1 $50 .00 fine One of our cooperative farmers reported that he had found what he believed to be "suspicious" looking signs of unauthorized cultivation taking place in his bicolor field . An investigation by law enforcement officer Robinson showed the presence of marijuana . The area was placed under surveillance at first but the marijuana was eventually removed (118 plants) and turned over to Chesterfield County Deputy Sheriff Howard 131 ackwce 11 .

llaqe .31

I . IXx I 1 PMJ NI' AND i'/\('TT,['1'Tf' .;

2 . Rehabilitation

A dam safety inspection at this station several years ago revealed that the earth-filled dam forminq Like 16 was possibly seeping allowing water to leak through . In order to determine whether orr not this was indeed happening a group from Geological Associates, Inc . visited the refuge in March and made several core samples of the dam and installed permanent capillary tubes . The information gained from these was to be used to formulate recommendations on what repairs should e made to this structure (if any) .

Core samples of the Lake 16 dam were taken in March .

In canpliance with the directives of the "New" Maintenance Management System, all of the buildings and structures on the station were inspected for maintenance defects and recommendations were made for correcting these . Estimated costs for performing these maintenance actions were also made . The number of defects found was rather lengthy . It remains to be seen if the system bears fruit .

An old, dilapidated barn in the headquarters area was extensively rehabilitated during the year . All of the exterior wall paneling had to be remmved and replaced, as were many of the studs . All of the interior partitions were removed and several of the exterior doors and all of the windows closed in . Ibis was done so that one large storage room could be created . A concrete floor was also poured (the structure previously had a dirt floor) . All of this renovation was done so that we could consolidate most of our equipment and material storage .

Page 3 2

This freed up several out Ixii Idin(i:; whi( •h wc` have IX(Ii instructed by th(~ regionaI office to (Ii : ;lx) : ;(` (,I . I t •I I : ;( 1(((xlu( .(,(1 j I inx , :,avings wlx'n I(x )I•; - inq For nec'ck'(I su171(l

Renovation of our shop m a i n tenanc-c ` f acs i I i l y was a I so ixequn during the year . Storm windows were added to the maintenance ail>ac'e (the old office spaces a l ready had these instal I ed) and roll -up t yl x ` ( -loom; were installed over the three vehicle entrance:; . Currently 1-he old oft ice spaces are lxeinq converted into maintenance !;pieces by rennv i n(t their partitions. When ccxnp 1 et( ` these renovations will vastly .Improve the environment in which the m ai.nten- ance crew must w~rk and iml)mve maintenance capability .

The entrance road end lkarkiiq area for tlxe refuge office was complutoly resurfaced with asphalt in November . This plus the delivery of 800 tons of crusher run gravel was the result of a mi i igatinq agre(rnent between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the S . C . Departim ,nt of lii(iiways and Public Transportation concernin(1 wildlife losses associated with the pending widen- ing of S . C. Highway 151 ,.id jacent to the refuge boundary . Scxixe of the gravel received was used to resurface the employee's entrance road to the office ; the rest was placed on erosion prone roads throughout the refuge .

Entrance road to the refuge office before , . Rage 33

and after paving . This greatly enhanced the aesthetics of the l leacklud rters area .

A year end purchase of 425 tons of crusherr run gravel was made in Auqu ;;t at a cost of $2,880 . This was spread on either end of RP-1 in an effort to reduce erosion in these areas (these are two of the worst erosion areas on the refuge) .

Major repairs in the nanv of public safety, were made to the Martins Lake observation tower by the YCC . These included redeckinq the structure and refurbishing and shoring up of the guard rails . Several of the steps lead- ing to the top of the tower also had to be replaced .

The YOC also completely reconstructed the fishing platform over the water control structure at Lake 12 and made many minor repairs to most of the other platforms and docks on the other refuge impoundments .

The exterior trim of the office, shop, and Quarters One was repainted during the year . This work included replacing rotten wood and repairing gutters as needed. The repair work was done by force account while the painting was accomplished by a local paint contractor . Page 3 4

3 . Major Maintennncc ,

The station low-boy trailer was sandblasted and repainted by a local contractor at a cost of $995 in March . A now oak dock was then installed by force account .

Our Phelan low-boy trailer sporting its new oak deck and newly painted surface . 0 Our John Deere 750 crawler tractor was being used for fire control work on a wildfire which occurred on the station in June . While doing this an accumulation of leaves, pine straw, slash, saw dust, etc . in the engine compartment ignited and burned all of the wiring, fuel lines, and hydraulic lines . Immediate and swift action by the operator and maintenance man pre- vented the machine from becoming a complete loss . Repairs in the amount of $2,331 were made through the use of fire funds . These repairs included the installation of a pressurized water tank for suppressing any future fires on this piece of equipment .

4 . Equipment Utilization and Replacement

A much delayed and badly needed replacement road grader finally arrived in November . This new Caterpillar unit replaced an old Galion unit that was removed from service several years ago because it did not meet BOPS standards . Pacle 35

The new unit was placed into service alnn: ;t inmmiediatc'ly and has seen consid- erable duty already . With over 100 miles of sand and gravel roads to maintain, it will be a heavily utilized item . Purchased with fire equipment monies, it cost the government $69,000 .

Our long anticipated, and much needed new Caterpillar motor qra er .

Other major purchases made during the year included the following :

1 . A new portable AC/DC welder-generator complete with a trailer at a cost of $2,095 .20 .

2 . A new vehicle (pickup truck) was ordered at an estimated cost of $7,500 . This item has not yet been received .

3 . Several new radios have been purchased . Two new mobile units having S . C . Wildlife and Marine Resources Department frequency capability were purchased at a combined cost of $1,100 . One of these units was installed in the vehicle assigned to the project leader . The other will be installed in the new vehicle when it arrives . Also, a General Electric base radio repeater system has been ordered at a cost of $18,127 .92 . This system will be used to upgrade our current radio system and will, hopefully improve radio communications at this station .

4 . A Hewlett-Packard HP-71B fire management computer was purchased for use by the station forester at a cost of $445 .72 . Page 36

This station owes a debt of gratitude to Pee Doe and Santee Refuges . `lb Santee for the extended loan of their road grader (nearly three years) while we awaited our new unit and for the use of a dump truck while ours was being used on Bulls Island . Pee Dee Refuge also allowed us to use their dump truck for two or three weeks . Both of these borrowed trucks were used to haul asphalt used to make repairs to the wildlife drive by the YCC .

7 . Energy Conservation

The roll-up doors and the storm windows installed on the shop maintenance facility (Sec . 1 .2) did improve the energy efficiency of that structure . However, since that facility is heated with wood there was no change in our energy utilization as reported in our energy utilization report .

Station energy use is monitored monthly so that adjustments can be made before quarterly allocations are exceeded . However, an expanding management program at this station can not help but increase our energy utilization in the long haul . This in spite of the fact that we do everything possible to operate as efficiently as possible .

J . OTHER ITF24S

1 . Cooperative Programs

A cooperative and lease agreement between the U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Carolina Forestry Commission was executed in 1939 . The cooperative agreement allowed the State to carry out certain forest management practices such as planting and timber harvesting on the refuge . In addition, approximately 46,000 acres of Interior-owned land adjacent to the refuge was leased to the South Carolina Forestry Commission under the lease agreement .

Under the lease and cooperative agreement, the State Forestry Commission has been allowed to utilize all timber receipts in carrying out their management activities on the refuge and adjoining state forest . As reported in the 1983 and 1984 narrative reports, the Service made the determination that the funds generated on the refuge should be deposited in the National Wildlife Refuge Fund. A moratorium was established which restricted the Forestry Commission from conducting any timber sales on the refuge until the matter of receipts could be resolved . This matter was not resolved and the moratorium was allowed to expire . A memorandum of agreement was used to facilitate the reimburse- ment of expenses incurred by the State for fire protection (46,000 acres) and prescribed burning (by aerial ignition) on the refuge . The period of performance .of this agreement covered fiscal year 1986 . The total itemized invoice from the State for these activities was as follows :

a. Fire Protection (46,000 acres @ $0 .76 per acre) $34,960 .00

b. Prescribed Burning (aerial ignition) (5,505 acres @ 3 .50 per acre) $19,267 .50

Total $54,227 .50 Page 37

Under the lease agreement the State Forestry Commission was a l .lowod to continue conducting timber sales on the state forest . The refuge forester continued to monitor management activities on the state forest such as reviewing proposed annual work plans to insure compliance with the lease agreement, assisting with the preparation of compartment prescriptions, and providing information and management assistance for the management of the red-cockaded woodpecker .

During this year's annual joint meeting between the Service and the S . C . Forestry Commission, the Service expressed its concern over past and present management practices on the state forest . Over the past few years, the State has shown a tendency toward marking timber stands heavier than was called for in its plan . The Service was very concerned because of the long tern negative impact it would have on the red-cockaded woodpecker . There has also been a slow, but general deterioration of red-cockaded woodpecker habitat on the, state forest caused mainly by overharvest of older age class trees and an increase in understory vegetation due to less prescribed burning and zoller chopping .

0 The Service reccmiended to the Commission that greater effort be devoted to prescribed burning and roller chopping in red-cockaded woodpecker colony areas . In response to this r_ecunetendation, State Forest personnel began roller chopping in red-cockaded woodpecker colony areas . The Commission agreed that more emphasis should be placed on prescribed burning on the state forest . Hopefully, this will be accomplished by aerial ignition burning on the state forest .

The Service also expressed its concern over the inadequate wildfire detection which the refuge received during 1986 . During the fire season, there arc three fire towers which detect and locate wildfires on the refuge . However, during the sixteen week summer season, two of these towers were de-activated leaving only one tower active . This tower, located eight miles from the refuge, cannot properly detect a fire on the refuge . Two major wildfires on the refuge during the summer months with one fire resulting in extensive damage caused major concern . The Commission expressed its concern and promised to look into the matter .

For the third consecutive year this station cooperated with the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department in their state-wide survey of ter- restrial furbearers . Two, 1 .8 mile lines having ten scent stations located 0 .2 miles apart were established along unimproved dirt roads and were checked for the presence of furbearer tracks after an overnight period . Gray fox, raccoon, and bobcat tracks were observed .

3 . Items of Interest

Station Secretary Kay McCutcheon received a Special Achievement Award in the amount of $500 in January . This award was for superior performance during FY 1985 as supported by her performance appraisal .

Page 38

Secretary Kay M('(' tTThc •on recc ivr : : ,i S1x •ci.a l Acliievcinent Award frrxn Ih , l tiq( M,ur,Igr , r It~~n<~1(1 ni~ler .

Mr . Ed Organ of the Engineering Office made a one-half day visit to the refuge in March to review our plans for rehabilitating our shop maintenanceO facilities . He provided us with a copy of his on-site inspection log as wall as his recc m-ndations for insta 1 1 .inq a vehicle I if t i ri the shop .

Andrew C . (Andy) Eller was brought on board on May 12 under a temporary appointment as a forestry technician . This appointment was made to provide assistance to the station forester with forestry operations . Andy's appointment ended as of 1/3/87 .

Assistant Manager lloffmann, Forester Robinson, and Maintenance Mechanic Oliver attended a 40 hour in-Service law enforcement training class held at : the Florida Criminal Justice Training Academy in Quincy, Florida in May .

Assistant Manager Hoffmann conducted the mourning dove call count surveys in Chesterfield and Marlboro counties for the Migratory Bird Management Office in Laurel, Maryland in the latter part of May .

Project Leader Ronald Snider attended a one week project leaders'/law enforcement seminar at Wheeler Refuge in June .

Keith Salvo of the Soil Conservation Service met with Manager Snider on Septem- ber 26, 1986 to discuss and review success of plantings of drought tolerant seed furnished us by his agency . Despite severe drought conditions some of the coastal panic grass appears to have survived .

Station Manager Ronald Snider and Secretary Kay McCutcheon participated in the McBee High School Homecoming Parade on October 24 . Page 39

Assistant Manager Hoffmann traveled to Columbia, S . C . on November 25, 1986 to appear in Magistrate's Court on a case he had previously made on the 0 refuge . The case was not heard due to the failure of the defendant to appear . The case was continued to a later date .

The Rock Hill Chapter of the National Audubon Society conducted its eighth annual Christmas Bird Count on and adjacent to the refuge on Sunday, December 28, 1986 .

Refuge Forester David Robinson attended a training school for the HP-71B fire management computer in Atlanta, Ga . on November 4 and 5 .

Refuge Supervisor Travis McDaniel performed his annual inspection of the refuge in February .

The Civil Air Patrol conducted a field exercise on the refuge on Saturday, September 27, 1986. The purpose of this exercise was to train patrol members in the techniques used to locate a downed aircraft using radio telemetry .

4 . Credits

Sections F .3 (Forests), F .9 (Fire Management), G .2a (Endangered Species - Red-cockaded Woodpecker) and J .1 (Cooperative Programs) were written by David Robinson .

The remainder of this narrative was written by John S . Hoffmann .

Editing and guidance was provided by Ronald C . Snider . Kay McCutcheon furnished the final scrutiny of the text and was responsible for typing and assembly of this report .

S F 1t uropea: :• , r; ri, C c urrrard Urnoh C __ Northern Oriole** r r _*White-eyed Vireo c c c Rusty Blackbird U u _*Yellow-throated Vireo o o o Common Grackle c c u c _ Solitary Vireo 0 Brown-headed Cowbird . C c U u _*Red-eyed Vireo u c o Scarlet Tanager c c Black-and-white Warbler r *Summer Tanager c c c *Prothonotary Warbler o o o Swainson's Warbler o o o _ *Northern Cardinal** C c c c Blue-winged Warbler r r Evening Grosbeak r Golden-winged Warbler r r *Blue Grosbeak u u u Tennessee Warbler r r *Indigo Bunting c c c Orange-crowned Warbler r r Purple Finch r r *Northern Parula** c c c Pine Siskin r Yellow Warbler o o o American Goldfinch c r c c Magnolia Warbler r r _*Rufous-sided Towhee c c c c Cape May Warbler o o _ Savannah Sparrow c c c Black-throated Blue Warbler o o _ Vesper Sparrow c c c Yellow-rumped Warbler** a a a *Bachman's Sparrow u u u Black-throated Green Warbler 0 0 Dark-eyed Junco** u c c Blackburnian Warbler r r *Chipping Sparrow c c c c _*Yellow-throated Warbler c c c *Field Sparrow c c c c _ Blackpoll Warbler r r White-throated Sparrow c c c _ *Pine Warbler c c c o Fox Sparrow c -*Prairie Warbler c c c Swamp Sparrow u u Palm Warbler c c u Song Sparrow c c c Ovenbird u o o White-crowned Sparrow 1, Northern Waterthrush 0 0 Louisiana Waterthrush 0 0 0 Kentucky Warbler o o 0 These additional 18 species of birds have been seen on -*Common Yellowthroat** c c c the refuge only once or twice and are listed as accidental _*Yellow-breasted Chat c c c visitors . -*Hooded Warbler c c c Whistling Swan Merlin** - Canada Warbler r r Barnacle Goose Sora American Redstart o o 0 Oldsquaw Common Gallinule Common Merganser American Golden Plover *House Sparrow e c c c Red-breasted Merganser Semipalmated Sandpiper Louisiana Heron Black Tern Bobolink 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk Bonaparte's Gull -*Eastern Meadowlark c c c c Peregrine Falcon Horned Lark *Red-winged Blackbird e c c c Short-billed Dowitcher Rose-breasted Grosbeak r 1 'BIRDS_ of the

NOTES Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife GRefuge Date No. Species UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Observer(s) U .S. Fish and Wildlife Servic( RF-42520-2 - September 1994 TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA Weather KEEP YOUR REFUGE CLEAN Time Afield

S S F W S S F W S ti F W The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, estab- __ Common Loon r _ Virginia Rail . r _ *Pileated Woodpecker u u u o lished in 1939, is administered by the Fish and Wildlife American Coot ...... o u u ___.._- *Red-bellied Woodpecker c c c c Service of the United States Department of the Interior . Horned Grebe o o *Redcockaded Woodpecker c c c c c r r r The 46.000 acres within its boundaries are hart of a wide T Pied-billed Grebe . . c c 'Killdeer Red-headed Woodpecker c c c c *American 1loodcock band of sandhills along the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont Double-crested Cormorant ...... o o o o *Yellow-bellied Sapsucker u c c Plateau. In prehistoric times these sandhills were part of Common Snipe o r u u _ *Hairy Woodpecker c c c c American Anhmga r r r r the shores of an ancient ocean that covered the present r Upland Sandpiper** r r _*Downy Woodpecker C C c c Spotted Sandpiper Coastal Plain . Great Blue Heron c c c c u u o o Solitary Sandpiper Today, longleaf pine-scrub oak uplands, creek bottom *Green Heron c c u o o r -*Eastern Kingbird c c Greater Yellowlegs hardwoods, freshwater ponds and lakes, croplands, and Little Blue Heron o o o o o o r - *Great Crested Flycatcher c c Lesser Yellowlegs . . . small food plots scattered throughout the refuge all com- Great Egret** r o o r ...... o r Eastern Phoebe c c c c Pectoral Sandpiper bine to support a varied and abundant wildlife commu- Snowy Egret r r r r r r _ "Acadian Flycatcher c c c Least Sandpiper ...... r r nity . Cattle Egret o u r r r _ *Eastern Wood Pewee c c c Black-crowned Night Heron o Migrating ducks and geese begin to arrive in late Septem- Herring Gull r r r _ Tree Swallow c c c ber and remain through early April . Wood ducks and a Least Bittern r American Bittern u Ring-billed Gull r r r *Rough-winged Swallow c c c small flock of Canada geese are resident on the refuge _ *Barn Swallow o u o White Ibis o and nest here in spring and summer . Many species of _ *Mourning Dove a a a a _ *Purple Martin c c c water birds, predacious and song birds are found on the - * Common Ground Dove r r r r refuge throughout the year . Carolina Sandhills has one *Canada Goose c u c c Snow Goose** _ *Blue Jay c c c c of the largest remaining colonies of red-cockaded wood- r r *Yellow-billed Cuckoo c c White-fronted Goose _'American Crow"': c c c c peckers, an endangered species which builds its nesting r r Black-billed Cuckoo o o Mallard _''Fish Crow c c c c cavity in a living pine tree suffering from red heart u o c c American Black Duck • - o .,.n disease. c c _ ~ common earn Owi u u u u _ *Carolina Chickadee c c c c Gadwall o o _ *Eastern Screech Owl** c c_ c c ___ *Tufted Ti tmouse c c c c This folder lists 190 species that have been recorded by Northern Pintail** u u __ *Great Horned Owl u u u u _ *White-breasted Nuthatch o o o o refuge personnel and visiting ornithologists since the re- Green-winged Teal o u u _ *Barred Owl u u u u _ Red-breasted Nuthatch o r o fuge was established . Another 18 species of accidental Blue-winged Teal u u o Long-eared Owl r *Brown-headed Nuthatch a a a a or extremely rare occurrence have been added at the end . American Wigeon** u c c Short-eared Owl ...... r Northern Shoveler** It is requested that unusual sightings be reported to the r r Brown Creeper c _*Wood Duck Refuge Manager, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife c c c c _ *Whip-poor will u r o o Redhead - House Wren o o Refuge, Route 2, Box 330, McBee, South Carolina r r r *Chuck-will's widow ...... c c u Ring-necked Duck _ Winter Wren o o 29101 . o u u _ ``Common Nighthawk C c c Canvasback r r *Carolina Wren c c c c Lesser Scaup o o *Chimney S wift c c c Marsh Wren** r r Common Goldeneye Sedge Wren** r iymbols of seasonal abundance of each species are defined r _ :' Rubv-throated Hummingbird c c c Bufflehead r r is follows: _ Northern Mockingbird Ruddy Duck r r a a a a *Belted Kingfisher c c c c * Gray Catbird** Spring March - May Hooded Merganser o o u u c c c *Brown Thrasher c c c c -Summer June - August _ *Northern Flicker* c-c -c -c _*Turkey Vulture c c c c *American Robin* * - Fall September - November _ *Black Vulture c c c c - c u c c

V - Winter December - February _*Wood Thrush c c c _ Hermit Thrush Sharp-shinned Hawk u c c u c c Swainson's Thrush i - abundant - a common species which is very numerous . _ Cooper's Hawk u u u u r r gray-cheeked Thrush _*Red-tailed Hawk c c c c r r - common - certain to be seen in suitable habitat . eerc "'Red-shouldered Hawk u u u u r r _*l:asternBluebird r - uncommon - present, but not certain to be seen . Broad-winged Hawk o c c c c _ Golden Eagle - occasional - seen only a few times during a season . r r _Blue-gray Gnatcatcher c c u _ Bald .Eagle r r r r rare - seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years . _ Golden-crowned Kinglet o Marsh Hawk u u u _ Ruby-crowned Kinglet c c c - Osprey o r r Horizontal lines separate family groupings of birds . Birds _ Water Pipit o _*America. Kestrel',t' c c c c nesting on the refuge are preceded by an * . New names approved for the 1982 edition of the A .O.U. Check- list *Common Bobwhite** a a a a - Cedar Waxwing o o u of Birds are indicated by two ** after the name . Wild Turkey u u u u -*Loggerhead Shrike c c c c King Rail r r r r 29101

Wildlife interpretive displays at headquarters and Lake Bee will help the visitor to better understand the refuge LLGFFD and its objectives . i (1F FICI VISITOR CONTACT S1 AIIO\ Fishing and hunting are permitted under state and A6 T(1 TOt-R ROC II federal regulations . Consult refuge headquarters for VISITOR CoATA(1 POINT current reculations . (J It" \I \((I SS ILL A ILDLI I 1 ITNIT (RAIL For further intornnation please contact : 'All D1111 OBSPRI'ATIOv BLIND

Refuge Manager J NIL DI III OBSFRPA11111(INFR Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge Route 2 . Box 330 PSV ( D ROAD M cBee . SC --- \ '(PRO'. (1) ((0.5(1 ((.I III It 1111 % R)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Carolina Sandhills U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife R1 -42520-1 -Januar' 1985 Refuge INTRODUCTION HISTORICAL BACKGROUND observe the red-cockaded woodpecker adjacent to nesting sites . Nesting cavities constructed by these The U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service manages more than The Carolina Sandhills Refuge depicts a long history birds are found in overmature (100 years+) pine trees . 400 refuges across the nation . These refuges preserve of events before man - - and with man . The white roll- Nearby timber stands are utilized for foraging year- a wide variety of habitats to ensure the continuing ing sandhills represent a time, 55 million years ago, round . The woodpecker cavity trees are easily seen survival of America's wildlife . The Carolina Sandhills when the Atlantic Ocean washed on the shores of throughout the refuge . The cavity trees are distinctly National Wildlife Refuge is a key element in the refuge this region creating these dunes . It also represents marked by a white band which encircles the tree so system . man struggling against nature to make a successful that they may be easily identified and given special living . Now the refuge stands as an example of man management consideration . Carolina Sandhills Refuge contains approximately working with nature to create a much needed home 46,000 acres of land in northeastern South Carolina for wildlife . along the Fall Line between the Piedmont Plateau .40 and the Coastal Plain . The majority of the refuge is During the early history of this country our ancestors MANAGEMENT covered with a longleaf pine forest interspersed with indiscriminately cut the timber and overfarmed this stands of scrub oaks on rolling beds of sand . This habi- area . Soils were depleted to the extent they would no In order to increase habitat diversity and provide habi tat is enhanced by approximately 1,200 acres of open longer produce the crops needed to support their tat to support a wide array of wildlife species, the fields and clearings, and 30 manmade lakes and ponds . farming families. Eventually farms were abandoned, refuge carries out a variety of habitat management Elevations range from 250 feet to 500 feet above sea the wildlife vanished - - the land and the people needed practices . Application of techniques such as prescribed level . There are numerous small creeks and tributaries help . In 1939 the Federal Government purchased the (controlled) burning and timber harvest in the pine that transect the refuge and feed into either Black unproductive land under the Resettlement Administra- lands improve habitat composition for wildlife such Creek on the east side of the refuge or Lynches River tion to retire the soil from submarginal agriculture . as deer, quail and turkey while making wise use of on the west side. Vegetation along the streams consists the refuge's natural resources . largely of swamp forest or dense stands of evergreen shrubs . Impoundment water levels are manipulated to favo Early morning and late afternoon visitors are likely the growth of desirable natural plant species and larg( Providing wildlife with its natural habitat is the goal to observe white-tailed deer, quail or wild turkey in numbers of invertebrates . which are beneficial to migra of Carolina Sandhills . The specific goals of this refuge the open fields along the visitor's drive . tory birds and fish populations . are as follows : to provide habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species, including the red- Beavers are abundant . Their workings are conspicuous Numerous fields and clearings are scattered among the cockaded woodpecker, the southern bald eagle and at most of the thirty manmade lakes and impound- woodlands . These areas are managed in various ways the eastern cougar : to provide habitat for migratory ments . Otter, yellow-bellied turtles and wood ducks to provide food and cover for wildlife . Some are birds and consistent with the overall objectives of the are also a common sight in these ponds . Flocks of planted to _food -crops fun T or legumes for Atlantic flyway ; to provide opportunities for environ- ducks and geese use the refuge during the winter soil stabilization . Others are just mowed or burned The immediate goal of the refuge was_io restore the mental education, interpretation, and wildlife-oriented months. periodically to provide open areas of diverse habitat recreation : and to demonstrate sound land manage- damaged barren land to a healthly, rich environment in the standing timber . for the plants and animals that had once lived here . ment practices that will enhance the conservation of The refuge supports a thriving population of the rare wildlife . With the use of sound soil and wildlife and forestry INVITATION T O CAROLINA SANDHILLS conservation tech niqties, that purposeis being achieved . pine-barrens treefrog, found only in small pockets heic and in North Carolina, Georgia and New Jersey . Refuge headquarters is located on U They are usually found in wet seepage areas along with .S . Highway 1 . WILDLIFE four miles northeast of McBee clumps of carnivorous pitcher plants . . The refuge is open during daylight hours only and office hours are from The refuge supports a wide diversity of plants and 8 :00 AM to 4 :30 PM, Monday through Friday . Camp- The eastern fox squirrel can occasionally be seen . It animals . There are approximately 190 species of birds, ing is not permitted on the refuge, but facilities are 42 species of mammals, 41 species of reptiles and 25 is a large handsome squirrel, about twice the size of available at Cheraw State Park on U .S . Highway 1 . species of amphibians which utilize the refuge the eastern gray squirrel . It is often coal black with a . twenty-five miles north of refuge headquarters . white face mask, but color varies from gray to red . A bird that receives a lot of attention on the refuge is The refuge offers numerous experiences which enable the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker . Carolina Other common mammals found on the refuge . but not visitors to become acquainted with wildlife . An auto Sandhills supports the largest population of these typically seen by the visitor, are bobcats, red and gray tour route, hiking trails, observation towers and a birds found on any refuge in the United States . In foxes, cottontails, opossum . raccoons, striped skunks photography blind provide opportunities for environ- the early spring and summer, visitors can usually and gray squirrels . mental education, bird watching and photography . VISITOR INFORMATION When Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge was Calendar of established in 1939, the land had been stripped of its forest and worn out by farming . Through careful management and protection most of the land abuses of Wildlife Events the past have been corrected . Today the refuge, which contains over 45,000 acres, supports a diversity of habitat types which provide homes for a wide variety of wildlife .

The refuge is open to the public daily during daylight hours . Wildlife related activities such as wildlife observation, nature study, and photography are encouraged . Miles of roads and trails are available for hiking and sightseeing . Hunting and fishing are permitted in accordance with special regulations which are published 14 annually. Visitor facilities include restrooms, observation towers, photography blind and displays . Lists are fA 11 available of most of the plants and animals to be found in the area .

Refuge headquarters is located on U .S . Highway 1, approximately four miles north of McBee, South Carolina. Restaurants and overnight accommodations are located in Hartsville and Cheraw, South Carolina, which are located 18 and 25 miles from headquarters, respectively . Eating facilities are also available in McBee . Campgrounds are available at Cheraw State Park, which is located approximately 20 miles from the refuge .

additional information about the refuge write to diva Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, 130, McBee, SC 29101, or call (803) 335-8401 . IN

NOTES li TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA KEEP YOUR REFUGE CLEAN Carolina Sandhills DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Wildlife Refuge U. S . Fish and Wildlife Service [I It 19 SEASONAL WILDLIFE EVENTS FALL

SPRING Fall migration begins with the arrival of several species of shore birds which utilize the mud flats exposed The first warm days of spring find hundreds of yellow- around the dewatered ponds and lakes . The next bellied turtles sunning on log in refuge ponds . Many migrants to arrive are blue-winged teal which pause ponds feature wood ducks bu~ily courting and setting briefly before movingon southward . These are followed up housekeeping in the numerous nest boxes which by flocks of other ducks and Canada geese which are have been provided for them . The frog chorus is in full attracted by the natural food available as the wetlands swing during evening hours and on .cloudy days as are gradually reflooded and by the agricultural crops males of many species call in hopes of attracting mates . which have been grown for them . The refuge wood- Spring migration brings numerous species of colorful lands put on a brief but spectacular display as firm t the warblers through the refugee on their northward jour- maples and poplars and finally the scrub oaks erupt ney. The gobble of a wild turkey may occasionally be into their fall colors . Beavers can frequently be observed heard, and the cheery calls of bobwhites ring through- during evening hours swimming in many of the ponds out the area. Endangered red-Gockaded woodpeckers or cutting down small trees near the water's edge . are actively-nesting, and the patient birds can be easily Refuge hunts for white-tailed deer are held during observed bringing food to the r hungry young . The October and November, and small game hunts usually fishing season opens in March and fishing for large- start on Thanksgiving Day . mouth bass is good . The South arolina Parks Depart- ment usually sponsors a spring wildflower tour of the refuge during April to observe the many kinds of wild- flnwers in hlnnm

SUMMER

Female wood ducks with br©od~ of young in tow can be observed on many refuge ponds. Red-cockaded woodpeckers have completed their nesting, and both adults and young are busily w rking, creating new nesting and roosting cavities . La ge numbers of night hawks can usually be seen during the evening hours . Darkness brings out the chuck-will's-widow chorus which is frequently punctuated by the quivering calls of screech owls . The lowering of Water levels in many ponds and lakes attracts wading' birds such as little WINTER blue herons, cattle egrets, white i is, and great egrets, all of which are rare visitors to he sandhills . Fawns Waterfowl populations reach their peak numbers and born earlier in the year are now m re bold and may oc- afford excellent opportunities for viewing and photo casionally be observed feeding wit their mothers . Fish- graphing . Raptors such as red-tailed hawks, marsh ing for bluegill and catfish is good i i many of the ponds hawks, and American kestrels are numerous and easily rnd families of otters can occasionally be observed . observed . Barred owls and great horned owls are nest . ing, and their calls can frequently be heard at night . A large variety of sparrows such as Savannah, vesper . chipping, field, and song are abundant around the agri. cultural fields . Flocks of brown-headed nuthatches . Carolina chickadees, tufted titmice, pine warblers, yellow-rumped warblers, and red-cockaded wood . peckers can often be observed feeding together . A Christmas bird count is held annually, and visitors arc invited to participate . This is one of the best times to observe deer feeding in the fields adjacent to the wild life drive . Small game hunting for designated species i ; permitted throughout most of the period . CAROLINA SANDHILLS Distributing bait and hunting near baited areas are prohibited. NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE CAROLINA Route 1, Box 130 Hunting is allowed Monday through Saturday . McBee, S.C. 29101 During the deer gun hunts, all hunters must wear a visible . Still hunting HUNTING REGULATIONS hat, coat or vest of international orange color SANDHILLS only is allowed for deer hunts - no "mandrives" . GENERAL PROVISIONS All antlerless deer must be tagged prior to removal from National The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is one of the refuge. During hours when the check station is not in over 400 National Wildlife Refuges. The primary objec- operation, hunters may have antlerless deer tagged at the tive of a National Wildlife Refuge is to provide habitat for refuge headquarters . All deer killed during the modern gun Wildlife Refuge the conservation and protection of all species of wildlife . hunt must be checked at the check station before removal The harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to manage from the refuge. wildlife populations . Carefully managed hunts maintain DEER HUNTS wildlife populations at a level compatible with the envi- Bag limit for all hunts is State limit plus one antlerless ronment, provide wholesome recreational opportunities, deer. and permit the use of a valuable renewable resource . Archery : Six days commencing on the third Monday in The regulations listed below supplement the general regu- October and continuing through the following Saturday . lations which govern hunting on wildlife refuge areas as Bows and arrows only . set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations . Hunt- ing will be in accordance with applicable State regulations . Primitive Weapons : Five days commencing on the last Monday in October and continuing through the following GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS Friday . Bows and arrows and muzzleloading shotguns and rifles . Public hunting of white-tailed deer, quail, mourning dove, raccoon, opossum and rabbit is permitted on all portions Modern Guns : Three days commencing on the Wednesday of the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge other of the week before Thanksgiving Day . Modern rifles and than those areas marked or otherwise designated as being shotguns . . closed to entry or to hunting (see reverse map) SMALL GAME HUNTS No special refuge permit is required except for night Quail : Season begins with State season and ends Dec . 31. hunting of raccoon and opossum . Camping, overnight Mourning doves, woodcock and rabbits may be taken as parking, open fires, and littering are prohibited . incidental species when State seasons coincide with the Scouting will be permitted for a twelve day period com- refuge quail season . State bag limits apply . mencing on the fourth Monday in September and on the day before each deer hunt . Weapons and dogs ar, not Raccoon and Opossum : March 1-10 . Night hunting only . allowed . A special refuge permit is required and is available at the Dogs are prohibited except for bird hunting and for hunt- address above. Special State regulations on night hunting ing raccoon and opossum at night . apply. Hunting All vehicles must remain on established refuge roads . No hunting is permitted from road rights-of-way or within 500 feet of the paved visitor drive . Regulations It is unlawful to drive a nail, screw, spike, or other metal DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service object into a tree or to hunt from a tree into which such TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA an object has been driven. R F-42520-6 -June 1986 KEEP YOUR REFUGE CLEAN CAROLINA SANDHILLS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE CHESTERFIELD CO . Carolina Sandhi//s Nation a/ Wildlife Refuge FISHING CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S . C .

The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is fishing . Fish baskets, nets, set hooks and trotlines are RECUCA,riaHs one of over 400 National Wildlife Refuges . The pri- prohibited . mary objective of a National Wildlife Refuge is to provide' habitat for the conservation of all species PERMITS : No special refuge permit is required . Sundhi//s of wildlife . Sport fishing on refuges is permitted at a Carolina level compatible with the environment . Fishing not GENERAL : Fishermen must keep away from wood only provides wholesome recreational opportunities, duck and goose nests and not disturb or harm other National Wildlife Refuge but also permits the use of a valuable renewable wildlife . resource . VEHICLES : Use only roads and trails that are desig- Sport fishing on the Carolina Sandhills National Wild- nated as being open for public travel . Maximum speed life Refuge is permitted on approximately 310 acres is 25 mph unless otherwise posted . of water as designated on the map in this brochure . Fishing shall be in accordance with all applicable State Park vehicles off roads, dams and trails so that they regulations subject to the following special conditions : don't impede traffic or cause a safety hazard .

OPEN SEASON : Year-round at Lake Bee, Lynches This is your refuge . Please help keep it clean . River and the Black Creek bridge areas on State Road 33, State Road 145, U .S . Highway 1 and Wire Road .

March 1 through September 30 - All other lakes and THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SPECIAL REGULA- pools shown on the reverse map, unless designated by TION SUPPLEMENT THE GENERAL REGULA- signs as being closed . TIONS WHICH GOVERN FISHING ON WILDLIFE REFUGE AREAS AND WHICH ARE SET FORTH HOURS : One-half hour before sunrise to one-half IN TITLE 50, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, hour after sunset . PART 33.

SPECIES, LIMITS AND EQUIPMENT : Same as State regulations with the following exceptions :

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Boats are permitted only in Martins Lake, Lake Bee, U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service Lakes 16 and 17, and May's Lake . Only electric motors R F-42520-7 - May 1984 are allowed . Other fishing areas are open only for bank

TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA KEEP YOUR REFUGE CLEAN