a
REVIEW AND APPROVALS
SANTEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Summerton, South Carolina
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ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1994
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,L1Q. ~ll3/gs Refu Manager Date District anager Date
Regional Office Approval Date Acting ARD-Refuges and Wildlife
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T. PAUL 02 .2 127
JaCk'a VIS CROSSROADS Cf..k
973 127
559 95
Cantey Bay
Nat- . Trail 2 . f Riataric Sit. 260 Scott Lake OlticelWiaitor C .nte
DINGLE'POND UNIT 010 LAKE PUBLIC USE NATURAL AREA PINE
MARION UNTO 301 I .iJ Ua 15 95 Pully l ni Nut
Sanannan Branch
Black d Bottom 1
T tte Pasture LEGEND I NTEE • Refuge Boundary Boat Ramp Pan .d Road r - • --- • Dirt Road . . Nature Trail 1 SCALE I _ 3eee
LAKE MARION
SANTEE National Wildlife Refuge DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
INTRODUCTION
TABLROFCOITIITS
A . HIGHLIGHTS 2
B . CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ...... 2
C . LAID ACQUISITION
1 . Fee Title Nothing to Report 2 . laments 3 3 . Other 4 4 . Farsers Hove Adtinistration Conservation Masevents 5
D . PLAIIIIG
1 . Master Plan Nothing to Report 2 . Managetent Plan Nothing to Report 3 . Public Participation Nothing to Report 4 . Cotpliance with Rnvironaental and Cultural Resources Mandates 7 5 . Research and Investigation 1 5 . Other Nothing to Report
1 . 'MINISTRATION
1 . Personnel 8 2 . Youth Progravs Nothing to Report 3 . Other Manpower Prograis Nothing to Report 4 . Volunteer Prograt 9 5 . funding 9 6 . Safety I@ 1 . Technical Assistance Nothing to Report 8 . Other Nothing to Report
F . HABITATMAIAGHMBIT
1 . General 2 . Wetlands I@ 3 . forests 12 4 . Croplands 12 5 . Grasslands Nothing to Report 6 . Other Habitats Nothing to Report 1 . Grazing Nothing to Report 8 . Haying lothing to Repo L 9 . Fire Managevent I4 18 . Pest Control
11 . later Rights lothing to Report 12 . Wilderness and Special Areas 15 13 . IPA Rasevent Monitoring Nothing to Report 14 . Farters Bove Advinistration Conservation lasenents . . .Nothing to Report 15 . Private Lands lothing to Report 16 . Other laments Nothing to Report
G . WILDLIFE
• 1 . Wildlife Diversity Iathin9 to RePart 2 . Endangered and/or Threatened Species 15 3 . Waterfo,l 11 4 . Marsh and later Birds 22 5 . Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 23 6 . Raptors 23 1 . Other Migratory Birds 24 8 . Game Mammals 24 9 . Marine Mammals lathing to Report 18 . Other Resident Wildlife 25 11 . fisheries Resources lathing to Report 12 . Wildlife Propagation and Stocking 25 13 . Surplus Animal Disposal lathing to Report 14 . Scientific Collections Nothing to Report 15 . Animal Control Nothing to Report • 16 . Marking and Banding 26 17 . Disease Prevention and Control lathing to Report
H . PUBLIC USE
1 . General 27 2 . Outdoor Classrooms - Students lathing to Report 3 . Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to Report 4 . Interpretive Foot Trails 27 5 . Interpretive ?our Trails lathing to Report 6 . Interpretive Ezhibits/Demonstrations 28 7 . Other interpretive Programs 28 B . Bunting 29 9 . Fishing 31 11 . Trapping lathing to Report 11 . Wildlife Observation Nothing to Report 12 . Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to Report 13 . Camping, Nothing to Report 14 . Picnicking Nothing to Report 15 . Off-Road Yehicling Nothing to Report S 16 . Other Ion-Wildlife Oriented Recreation lathing to Report 17 . Lay Enforcement 32 18 . Cooperating Associations lathing to Report 19 . Concessions lathing to Report
I . EQUIPMEIT AID FACILITIES
1 . lev Construction Nothing to Report 2 . Rehabilitation Nothing to Report 3 . Major Maintenance 34 4 . Equipment Utilization and Replacement 36 5 . Communications Systems lo thing to Report 6 . Computer Systems Nothing to Report 7 . Energy Conservation lathing to Report 8 . Other lathing to Report
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3 . OTHER ITEMS
1 . Cooperative Prograis Nothing to Report 2 . Other Econoiic Uses Nothing to Report
3 . Iteis of Interest 40 4 . Credits 42
I . FEEDBACI
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INTRODUCTION
The Santee National Wildlife Refuge is located in Clarendon County in the upper coastal plains region of South Carolina . The refuge was established on January 1, 1942, primarily to alleviate the loss of natural waterfowl habitat in the Santee delta caused by the construction of Lakes Marion and Moultrie . The lakes were part of the hydroelectric power and navigation projects on the Santee and Cooper Rivers . The original refuge consisted of 74,352 acres, including most of the open water area of Lake Marion and part of Lake Moultrie . Most of the refuge consists of lands and waters owned by the South Carolina Public Service Authority (SCPSA) . Throughout the years, most of the original acreage has been returned to SCPSA, reducing the size of the refuge to its' current 15,095 acres . Of this, 4,400 acres are owned in fee title .
A fifty-year lease agreement between the USFWS and the SCPSA became effective in 1975 . This lease altered much of the water and land boundaries from the original lease . Provisions in the lease permitted the posting of mutually agreed upon boundaries which would become official refuge boundaries after being surveyed . The survey was completed in 1985 and final boundary lines approved in 1986 .
The refuge is physically divided into four geographically separated management units . The four units are the Bluff unit, where the refuge office/visitors center and maintenance facilities are located, Dingle Pond, a Carolina bay, the Pine Island unit, where the red-cockaded woodpecker colony is located and the Cuddo unit . Habitat types consist of 9,000 acres of open water, 1,445 acres of shallow freshwater marsh, 2,350 acres of timberland, 750 acres of agricultural lands and 1,550 acres of early successional fields, The primary objective of Santee is to annually provide wintering habitat for some 8,000 Canada geese and 50,000 ducks . Additional emphasis is placed on managing specific habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and the wood duck .
Several areas of the. refuge have been designated or proposed for designation for their special values . Dingle Pond is a designated Public Use Natural Area . Being a Carolina bay, it is of local geological significance . The 163 acre Plantation Islands and Little Pine Island are proposed for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System . Historic sites on the refuge listed in the National Register of Historic Places include the Santee Indian Mound . This is also the site of the British Fort Watson of Revolutionary War fame . This site is also listed in the South Carolina register of historical sites .
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A. HIGHLIGHTS
Lease agreement between Santee NWR and South Carolina Public Service Authority mutually terminated . (C .2)
Timber harvest violation occurs on FmHA easement . (C .4)
Manager Bond to take early retirement buy out . (E .1)
Bald eagle nest found just off Pine Island boundary . (G .2)
Waterfowl use increases slightly . (G .3)
Two antlered does taken during Cuddo unit primitive weapons hunt. (H .8)
New pump installed at Timber Island field . (1 .4)
Largest boat launching facility in South Carolina constructed adjacent to the Cuddo unit . (J .4)
B . CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Normal climatic conditions for central South Carolina typically consist of hot humid summers and mild winters . Rainy seasons normally occur during late winter and late summer . Annual mean temperature and precipitation based on a 30-year average is 63 .5 degrees F . and 46 .35 inches, respectively .
This turned out to be a wet year . Every month received average or above precipitation, except for a dry period in April and May . Total precipitation for the year was 55 .57 inches, 16 .39 inches over last year and 9 .22 inches above the 30-year average . Fortunately, the dry times occurred during our planting season, permitting us to prepare fields and plant crops without any problems . Heavy rains during the deer hunts resulted in considerable road damage on the Pine Island and Cuddo units due to the traffic .
Summer temperatures were hot, as usual, but never hit the century mark . The year's high only reached 99 degrees F on several days in June and July . The low temperature for the year was 14 degrees F occurring in early January .
Lake Marion water levels can have a major affect on our management practices . Normally, lake water levels are low in the winter and high in the summer . This is usually opposite of how we want to manage water in our impoundments and greentree reservoirs (GTRs), flood in the winter and drain in the summer . The SCPSA has complete control over manipulating the lake level . This year lake levels followed the traditional pattern . No major problems resulted from SCPSA's water regime . 3
Table 1 . Climatological Data on Santee NWR - 1994
Temperatures Lake Marion water level Precipitation (Degrees F) MSL Month (Inches) Max . Min . Hi Lo
JAN 4 .89 73 14 73 .80 73 .00
FEB 2 .04 80 26 74 .85 73 .30
MAR 5 .92 86 29 76 .40 74 .90
APR 1 .16 90 42 76 .00 75 .20
MAY 0 .62 97 46 75 .60 74 .90
JUNE 7 .52 99 65 75 .60 74 .90
JULY 3 .86 99 67 76 .00 75 .20
AUG 4 .79 97 60 76 .60 75 .20
SEP 8 .46 97 54 76 .50 74 .90
OCT 8 .51 85 39 75 .70 75 .00
NOV 2 .42 84 28 75 .00 74 .40
DEC 5 .38 75 29 75 .85 73 .70
Total 55 .57
r C . LANDACQUISITION
2 . Easements
On May 21, 1984, a Park and Recreational Lease was signed between the SCPSA and USFWS . The 40 year lease stipulated that a 1 .789 acre parcel of land, known as Log Jam Landing, would be " . . .used for the operation of recreational facilities for use by the general public and to gain access to Lake Marion, said facilities to consist of a boat launching ramp and parking area ." The refuge has maintained a boat ramp and parking area on the site since the agreement was signed .
In February 1992, we were notified that a tournament sized boat launching facility was being planned on a site just north and adjacent to the leased land . The facility would be big enough to accommodate 200 vehicles with trailers . The proposed access road to the facility would be across the leased land . The planned facility was a cooperative effort between SCPSA. SC Wildlife and Marine 0 Resources Department (SCWMRD), U .S . Coast Guard and Sportfish Restoration . When the project was given the green light, it was decided to terminate the lease 4 agreement with SCPSA . The Mutual Agreement of Cancellation between the USFWS and SCPSA was signed on December 22 . 1993 . Although the agreement was cancelled late last year, it was not reported in the 1993 annual narrative report .
The 1 .789 acre parcel of land that was leased from Santee Cooper is located on the gravel road straight ahead in the photo . The refuge maintained a boat ramp here . The new John Land boat launching area is down the paved road going to the right. JF
3 . Other
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has entered into a Memorandum of Understating (HOU) with several state and federal agencies . One of the agencies is the USFWS . The MOU is to establish a mitigation bank to provide the SCDOT with a compensatory alternative for unavoidable wetland losses associated with future authorized highway construction projects occurring in bottomland hardwood wetlands within the state . A 1,709 acre site in the Black River floodplain in Clarendon County, known as the Faulkenberry Tract, has been selected as the preferred bank site . The tract had been ditched and drained to facilitate logging . Timber removal has occurred over a large portion of the site . Restoration and enhancement opportunities are available through re- establishment of the hydrological regime and supplemental plantings . Plans call for SCWMRD to have the first option on the site . If they decline, SCDOT would provide fee simple transfer of the property to the USFWS upon successful restoration of the tract . If the tract is transferred to the USFWS, the site will probably become part of the refuge . An initial visit to the site was made in December 1993 by Manager Bond, Asst . Manager Fringeli and Charleston 5
Ecological Services Supervisor Roger Banks . A second visit was made on September 7th with WHM biologists Bob Noffsinger and Wendell Metzen and Dave Rackley of NMFS . SCDOT's plans for restoration were reviewed and discussed . It will probably be several years before restoration projects are completed .
4 . Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements
A land survey was completed on a proposed conservation easement property (Bennie Spell Tract - Bamberg Co .) early in the year . With the boundary being easily identifiable, Mgr . Bond and Asst . Mgr . Fringeli blazed the boundary line with blue paint . The previous landowner has lease-back rights for five years on this property, so it may be sometime in 1997 before the property is sold and the easement is recorded and conveyed to USFWS .
In May, an old waste dump was discovered on the Elbert Hicks easement . The dump consists of empty chemical containers ranging from one gallon plastic and glass containers to five and ten gallon plastic and metal containers . Many of the metal containers had rusted through and some of the plastic ones were broken . Some labels were legible, so we know what chemicals they contained . The remaining labels were missing or too faded to read . The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) was notified and will take care of the cleanup .
On September 23rd, the Orangeburg County FmHA office supervisor notified us of a timber harvesting violation on the Washington easement . The property is owned by two brothers, C . Lee and Marion Washington . On September 26th, Manager Bond and Asst . Manager Fringeli inspected the site . Approximately 18 acres of the 21 acre easement were cut of larger pines and hardwoods . Waist-high weeds, vines and sprouts indicated that the timber had been cut several months earlier . On the same day, Bond and Fringeli visited the Orangeburg County FmHA office . Their files showed that the Washington brothers had timber harvested on another tract they had purchased from FmHA in May . This would be about the same time the timber was cut on the easement.
On October 24th, Bond, Special Agent Hines and Carolina Sandhills NWR's Forester Dave Robinson spent the entire day measuring and counting stumps to' get an estimate of the cost of timber harvested . Approximately 1,161 pine and hardwood stumps were found . The value of the cut timber was estimated at $10,962 .21 . Special Agent Hines will be in charge of prosecuting the case .
Regional Office surveyor Kathy Wade re-established several line and corner posts on the Hicks and Fleming easements in late November . Some of the survey posts had been removed or disked over before the easements were posted . 6
Timber harvest violation on the Washington Brothers FmHA easement in Orangeburg County . GB
Stumps from timber harvest just inside easement signs . GB . 7
D . PLANNING
4 . Compliance With Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates
No further actions were taken during the year on the several proposals recommended in 1991 to repair, monitor and survey the Santee Indian mound and adjacent land . The South Carolina Department of Parks . Recreation and Tourism (SCDPRT) manages the site under an agreement with the USFWS that remains in effect until May 1998 . Personnel from Santee State Park routinely mow the area and maintain the site .
5 . Researchand Investigations
a. 43525-I-i-Migration and Survival of Canada Geese Wintering in the Atlantic Flyway, with Special Emphasis on the Carolinas
This continued to be a high priority program . Santee's main objectives in this study are to read and record collar numbers and to neck collar as many Canada geese as possible . This study began in 1983 to determine the migratory and wintering patterns of Canada geese along the Atlantic seaboard and to develop new management strategies for the populations . It was originally coordinated by Dr . Richard Malecki with the New York Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University . In October 1990, the New York Unit completed the study . However, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center wanted us to continue reading collars and attempt to neck collar geese . In 1991 the study was picked up and slightly modified by the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts . The study is now being directed by Dr . Jay Hestbeck.
During the year only 24 neck collars were read . This is the third consecutive year of decline in neck collar readings . The main reason for this decline is the retirement of our Range Technician in 1992 . He was the one who usually went out in the mornings and spent several hours reading collar numbers . With the reduced staff, less time can be spent on this activity . Also, there is a noted decline r in the number of yellow collared geese that previously were present in the winter . Since efforts to trap geese had been unsuccessful the past several years, no attempts at trapping were made this year .
b . Furbearer Survey
Santee has annually participated in SCWMRD's statewide furbearer survey . The state began the surveys in 1984 as a way to index the relative abundance of gray and red fox, bobcat, raccoon, opossum and free-ranging dogs and cats . This index is used along with fur harvest statistics and age structure data to evaluate trends in furbearer populations .
The two permanent survey lines for Clarendon County are located on the refuge, one on the Bluff unit and the other on the Pine Island unit . In the past, the survey lines were set up and recorded by refuge staff . The results were sent to SCWMRD . This year we informed SCWMRD that we did not have the time to conduct
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the survey. They sent out one of their own personnel to conduct the survey, we only provided access to the sites . The results of the survey won't be sent out until next year .
c. Acid Rain Station
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has maintained an acid rain monitoring station on the Bluff unit since 1984 . The station is completely operated by NOAA without any involvement from the refuge .
E . ADMINISTRATION 1 . Personnel
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Name/Title Grade EOD Status
1 . Glen W . Bond, Jr ., Refuge Manager GS-12 08/84 PFT 2 . Gerard C . Fringeli, Asst . Refuge Manager GS-11 01/90 PFT 3 . Rufus Gaymon, Office Assistant GS-06 08/78 PFT 4 . Bobby L . Pearson, Engineering Equipment Operator WG-08 08/88 PFT
There were no personnel changes during the year . The staff that started the year was the same staff that ended the year .
This, however, will change next year . Manager Bond applied for the second early buy-out offer and was accepted . Glen's last day with the FWS will be January 3, 1995 . This will bring to an end a 29 year career with the FWS, the last ten at Santee .
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Table 2 . FiveYearStaffComparison
Permanent Total Full-Time Part-Time Temporary FTE
• 94 4 0 0 4 FY 93 4 0 0 5 • 92 5 0 0 5 FY 91 6 0 0 6 • 90 6 0 0 6
4 . VolunteerProgram
Harold "Fuzzy" Furse, a local waterfowl hunter and duck enthusiast, has volunteered his services on the refuge for several years . Fuzzy's main interest i is the wood duck nest box program and wood duck banding . Fuzzy is concerned about the waterfowl resource and this interest shows in his enthusiasm to volunteer on the refuge . His volunteer duties included checking all the nesting boxes and maintaining nesting data . He also reported any needed box repairs . During the banding season, he frequently assisted with banding ducks when his schedule permitted .
Every year the wildlife class from Central Carolina Technical College helps out at the deer check station during the Cuddo unit primitive weapons hunt . This year instructor Joey Taylor brought out ten students . The students assisted refuge personnel weigh deer, pull jaw bones, attach appropriate antlerless deer tags and record data . The students enjoy the opportunity to get some hands-on field work and we appreciate the extra help .
Local Scout Smith Boswell constructed and put up five wood duck boxes on the Cuddo unit . The project helped him earn one of his badge requirements towards Eagle Scout . r 5 . Funding Initial funding allocation for FY-94 was $262 .2K. This included $55 .OK in 1262 to replace a farm tractor and $5 .OK in 1262 to retrofit the rest rooms to make them handicap accessible . There were no changes in the initial funding base during the year .
Table 3 . Five-Year FY Funding Allocation ($1,000's)
Sub-Activity 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1120 1121 4 .0 1221 1 .5 1261 141 .4 133 .8 205 .5 180 .5 203 .3 1262 120 .8 131 .4 76 .0 104 .9 93 .4 2821 3 .7 24 .2 50 .0 9120 3 .0 3 .0 TOTAL 262 .2 269 .2 288 .2 314 .1 346 .7 10
6 . Safety
Staff safety meetings were held on a regular basis . Meetings usually consisted of a safety film followed by a discussion of the film and other relevant safety topics . A variety of topics were covered, ranging from defensive driving, fire safety, accident awareness and basic first aid .
One accident occurred during the year . Asst . Manager Fringeli fell while removing boards out of a stop-log structure . The right side of his rib cage struck the back of the flashboard riser . A series of x-rays showed that none of the ribs were cracked, only badly bruised . No lost time from the job resulted . A total of 433,083 staff hours have been worked since the last lost-time accident occurred in 1966 .
F . HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1 . General
Ongoing evaluation of habitat and land use guided activities in 1994 within the general guidelines set out in the Wetlands Management Plan and the Moist Soil, Croplands, and Non-Forested Upland Management Plan . This resulted in a variety of habitats being manipulated and maintained .
2 . Wetlands
a . Pine Island Unit
This unit consists of greentree reservoirs, moist soil habitat, and permanent open waters . Managed waters of the unit were brought to 76 .2' msl in March as specified in the water management plan . Unlike previous years, no crops were planted in any of the fields . Several areas produced good stands of foxtail . Before flooding in-the Fall, strips were mowed with the 20-ft . mower in the M heavier vegetation. Water levels were brought up to the flood stage, 77 .0' msl, in early November. At this level, which is the maximum for the dike/road system, timber and moist soil areas were flooded . The three areas of permanent water were 50% to 90% covered with emergent vegetation such as white water lily, buttonbush, lotus and giant cutgrass .
b . Dingle Pond Unit
The Dingle Pond Unit is a designated Public Use Natural Area . A single access road, which traverses the unit on its southern extremity, is maintained solely for management and maintenance access . The only other development is a low level dike and concrete water control structure used in past years to control water levels within the 290-acre pond . In recent years, the water control structure has been filled with a permanent plug allowing the pond to revert to its natural character as a Carolina bay . As in previous years, pool levels in 1994 were dictated by precipitation and evaporation . During the summer, the water level stayed below the spillway, and at year's end water was just starting to flow over the spillway . The existing spillway elevation is necessary to prevent flooding state Highway 400 . Approximately one-third of the pond's surface area was 0 11 covered by pad plants . The remainder was either open water or covered by emergent vegetation .
c . Cuddo Unit
Six wetland management areas have been identified on the Cuddo Unit . All management areas are connected to the main water source, Lake Marion, via a system of canals and water control structures . A 48-inch reversible, high capacity pump is located at Black Bottom, a part of Lake Marion . From this location, all impoundments and wetland areas can be flooded and dewatered . Dewatering can also be done by gravity flow, depending on the lake level, through a 36-inch screw-gate on the Potato Creek side . In addition, the Cuddo unit contains permanent water and greentree reservoirs .
In 1994, the entire area was managed as a single unit . A series of water control structures connecting the different units makes this possible . In January, water elevations of 76 .0' msl were maintained throughout the unit, ensuring shallow inundation in greentree reservoirs and moist soil areas . With the exception of heavy rains, this elevation was maintained throughout the winter until drawdown was initiated in mid-March . An elevation of 74 .5' msl was maintained during the summer . Starting in November, the water levels were brought back to flood stage and maintained at 76 .5' msl .
Timber Island field is managed exclusively for waterfowl . Grain crops and moist soil plants can be grown in this field . The field was dewatered starting in March, first by gravity flow and then with the pump . Approximately 50 acres of corn were planted in the field this year . Moist soil plants produced included millet, smartweed, foxtail and paspallum . As usual, deer ate a good share of the corn before it was knocked down and flooded . This field is managed separately from the remaining Cuddo unit wetland systems . Having its own in/out pumps, the field was flooded at least 12 inches deeper than the main system in late Fall . The field was heavily used by ducks, geese and some swan . 0 d. Bluff Unit This is primarily a farming unit where supplemental waterfowl foods are produced in impoundments and on unfloodable lands . In addition, there are two shallow ponds, Cantey Bay and Five-Pine Ponds, along with associated wetlands which provide habitat for wintering waterfowl . Ten acres of corn were put in Five Pine Pond and 15 acres in field #12 . Both of these areas can be flooded, Five Pine Pond by pumping and field #12 with the right combination of high lake water levels and heavy rains . Corn in both fields was mowed down in November . Five Pine Pond was then flooded and received heavy use by ducks, geese and swans . The right conditions didn't occur to flood field # 12 before the year ended .
On occasion, Lake Marion is too low to adequately pump water into Five Pine Pond . This situation did not occur this year . One problem we do have with this field is sandy soil . Once the pond is flooded, water will slowly percolate out if the lake is low . This requires additional pumping every few days . If, however, the lake is high, the pond remains flooded and extra pumping is not needed . With the lake low late in the year, pumping was required at least once a week to maintain desired water levels in the pond . 12
Over the past 7-8 years, Hydrilla verticillata has spread throughout the shallow water areas of the lake . Thick beds of hydrilla grew up in Cantey Bay and along Jacks Creek . The hydrilla had become a nuisance to fishermen, but extremely attractive to wintering waterfowl . Large numbers of wigeon and ring-necked ducks would use these beds along with lesser numbers of other ducks . Canada geese also stayed in these areas and only left to feed on available corn or wheat during the coldest weather . However, with Lake Marion being a major tourist area and fishing being the main attraction, the pressure was on the state to get rid of the hydrilla . Grass carp were introduced into the lake several years ago . Up until last year they did not have much of an effect, especially in Cantey Bay . This year, however, the hydrilla beds were noticeably smaller . The result was less waterfowl using Cantey Bay .
3 . Forests
The effects of Hurricane Hugo in September 1989 are still much in evidence . Some areas of the refuge survived Hugo better than others . Much of the Bluff unit was nearly "clearcut", as was little Pine Island on the Pine Island unit and the Plantation Islands area of the Cuddo unit . From a waterfowl standpoint the real damage came when much of the bottomland hardwoods, water and willow oaks, blew over . This removed mast which we could flood in winter for waterfowl and cavity trees for nesting wood ducks . It seems that the larger the tree the easier it fell . Contributing factors to the bottomland hardwood devastation were shallow root systems caused by a high water table, moist soil and the trees still had a full set of leaves when the hurricane hit .
With much of the canopy gone, a thick understory of vines, briars and fast growing woody plants, such as sweetgum, created a tangled mass . Adding further to the tangle were fallen trees, which will ultimately rot . It will be many years before the forest returns to "normal" . No forestry practices were done this year . Carolina Sandhills NWR's Forester Dave Robinson spent several days in March and April timber typing the larger forested tracts to determine future management needs . : This was the first evaluation of the forest since . the 0 extensive damages from Hurricane Hugo . 4 . Croplands
a . Bluff Unit
In calendar year 1994, the Bluff Unit was force account farmed to corn and wheat . In January, fields 3, 4 and 6, totalling 56 acres, were in wheat to provide green browse for wintering geese . These fields were plowed under in early March for green manure and planted to corn in April . In addition, fields 9, 12, Five Pine Pond and the Cantey Bay field were also planted in corn . Total corn acreage on this unit was 96 acres . As in the past, the corn seed planted was donated to us by Northrup King Co . in Columbia . We were a little hesitant to use it at first, because it was white corn and we were not sure how the ducks and geese would react to it . After some checking, we were told that waterfowl would eat it as readily as yellow corn . Production was good in all the fields . Although some was eaten by deer, damage was not as severe as in previous years . Maybe the deer didn't like it as well as the yellow corn . Fields 3 and 4 were mowed down in October . Five Pine Pond and part of field 6 were mowed in 13
November . After Five Pine Pond was flooded, waterfowl made good use of the available corn . The remaining corn will be knocked down early next year .
Those fields which were in corn at the beginning of the year were summer fallowed and then planted to wheat in October . These were fields 2, 5 and half of 7 . This provided 41 acres of green browse for the returning geese . Although the fields were summer fallowed, they were disked several times during the summer to germinate sicklepod seeds . This was an effort at integrated pest management to control a pest without using chemicals .
b . Pine Island Unit
Pine Island consists of 869 acres of upland interspersed with marsh and moist soil areas . No crops were planted on this unit in 1994 . Heavy damage by deer on last year's corn crop discouraged us from attempting a crop this year .
c . CuddoUnit
In the distant past, over 1,000 acres were farmed on this unit, by force account and cooperative farmers . Since the mid-80's it has been difficult to recruit and keep farmers in the program . This has resulted in less acreage being farmed on the unit .
Two cooperative farmers were signed up for the year . However, only one farmer planted any crops . Mr . Archie Stukes planted soybeans and wheat . He did not put any corn in this year . Archie prepared several of our force account fields and provided us with wheat for duck banding and to plant for green browse for geese . Table 4 shows the fields, acreage and crops . Fields that were double cropped were planted in soybeans in the spring, and then put into wheat after the beans were harvested . 0
0 14 Table 4 . Cooperative Farmer - Fields . Acreage and Crops Crop Field No . Soybeans Wheat Acres Q1-1 x x 16 .40 1-2 x x 17 .30 1-4 x x 30 .50 1-5 x x 19 .70 1-6 x x 8 .20 1-7 x x 18 .00 1-9 x x 14 .50
Q2-1 x x 40 .00 2-8 x x 6 .40 2-9 x x 7 .80 2-10 x x 2 .40 2-11 x x 24 .10 2-17 x x 8 .30 2-18 x x 8 .20 2-20 x 33 .50
Q3-7 x 16 .00 3-8 x 18 .00
Q4-1 x 7 .30 4-2 x 9 .40 4-3 x 16 .40 4-4 x x 17 .40 4-5 x 18 .00 4-6 x 45 .00 4-7 x x 35 .00 4-8 x 13 .00 Total 274 .20 450 .8 0 The refuge force account farmed 30 acres of corn in Timber Island field . As usual, the cooperative farmer's soybeans and our corn were picked over pretty good by the deer and raccoons . Several of the farmer's bean fields were severely damaged by deer . Fortunately, our corn was not hurt too bad . Some good areas of millet and panic grass also grow up in the corn . The corn was mowed down in November and flooded providing good waterfowl habitat .
9 . Fire Management
A prescription burn was done in the Pine Island red-cockaded woodpecker colony on February 4th . A break was disked around the colony except for a wet area near the back end of Savannah Branch . A thick stand of cut grass caught fire and spread across the branch towards private land . We were able to get around the back end of the branch and extinguish the fire before it got off the refuge .
A fire on the Cuddo unit was reported to the South Carolina Forestry Commission by a neighbor on the afternoon of June 2nd . The Forestry Commission dispatched two dozers to the area before the fire was reported to refuge personnel . Commission personnel cut a break around the fire and had it contained within an 0 15 hour . Approximately ten acres of forest land burned . At the time we suspected that the cause of the fire was a lightning strike from a storm the previous evening . Our suspicions were confirmed, when two lightning struck trees were located in the burned area several days later .
An on-site inspection of the refuge was conducted on June 28th to evaluate the need for prescription burns in the larger forested tracts . The evaluation group consisted of Frank Cole and Roger Boykin from the Regional Office, Savannah Coastal Refuges FMO Brian McManus, Carolina Sandhills NWR Forester Dave Robinson and Bond and Fringeli . The group determined that burns were needed in several of the tracts . Prescription burn plans were submitted and approved in November . Hopefully, the burns can be done early next year .
10 . Pest Control
Staff personnel applied minor amounts of Roundup to vegetation at the Bluff unit banding site . Our major pest control effort was mechanical, to control such species as Johnsongrass and sicklepod .
The cooperative farmer was permitted to apply approved chemicals for the control of noxious plant species on agricultural lands . These included Canopy, Dual and Weedone 638 . The refuge staff used Accent and Simazine on acreage force account farmed in corn . Kernel Guard was used on all corn seed planted by the staff . Kernel Guard worked well in preventing crows from eating the planted corn kernels .
12 . Wilderness and Special Areas
The 615-acre Dingle Pond Unit is a designated Public Use Natural Area . Dingle Pond is a Carolina bay, and as such has both local and state geological significance . Development and management of this unit is minimal, although it does have a water control structure that is permanently set to allow excess rainfall to spill into Lake Marion before backing out onto a nearby state highway .
G . WILDLIFE
2 . Endangered and/or Threatened Species
a . The American Alliqator
The American alligator was removed from the endangered species list in 1987 and reclassified as threatened due to similarity of appearance with other species . This reclassification permits more liberal management of the species by the SCWWMRD . Under state policy, alligators can be legally removed under strict guidelines which prevents or minimizes the useless slaughter of these animals considered to be nuisance or dangerous . Under the present guidelines, alligators can be removed only by a team of authorized persons who attempt to trap and relocate those "gators" which pose a problem to residential areas . If capture cannot be accomplished, the animals are dispatched . Peak populations during 1994 remained at an estimated 200, although no population 16
census was conducted during the year . Consequently, population estimates were based on casual observations . As reported in previous years, numbers seemed to decrease during the summer months when impounded waters were pulled down leaving only shallow impoundments and canals . It is during this time that alligators, particularly the larger ones, move into deeper water and shallow coves along the shoreline of Lake Marion . These animals normally return to the refuge with the fall flooding of impoundments and canals . Most of the refuge population is found on the Pine Island and Cuddo units . One nest was located in Shuler Wetlands on the Cuddo unit . The nest successfully hatched .
Alligators are found on all tour refuge units, with the highest numbers and biggest ones on the Cuddo and Pine Island Units . JF
b . American Bald Eagle
Eagle numbers on the refuge peaked during the winter months when waterfowl populations were at their highest . Eagles were frequently seen in trees overlooking large rafts of coots . Observations during the year remained about the same as with previous years . The majority of these sightings were reported on the Bluff, Pine Island and Cuddo units . Both adult and immature eagles use the area .
In March, SCWMRD reported that a bald eagle nest was found on what they believed was part of the Pine Island unit . Bond and Fringeli searched the area and found the nest in a pine tree barely 20' off of the refuge boundary . We believe this is the same pair that had a nest on the Pine Island unit prior to Hurricane Hugo . The nest was blown down by the hurricane, and the pair rebuilt a nest approximately 3/4 miles from the refuge . This nest was blown down last year .
0 The mid-winter eagle survey was done on January 6th . Two adult and three immature bald eagles were observed . 17
c . Pereqrine Falcon
No known sightings of a peregrine falcon by staff, visitors or birding groups were made at Santee during the year .
d . Red-cockaded Woodpecker
In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo devastated the only remaining active red- cockaded woodpecker colony on the refuge . This colony, designated #3, is located on the Pine Island unit . The hurricane blow over 6 of the 9 cavity trees . Every year since then, a small number of RCWs have been observed in the colony . However, only in 1990 was feeding behavior by adult birds observed at one of the cavity trees . Monitoring of the colony this year by refuge staff only turned up one adult bird . In December, participants in the annual Christmas bird count also only recorded a single bird . The status of this active breeding colony is in doubt .
3 . Waterfowl
Santee NWR was established and developed primarily to manage for wintering waterfowl . Records show that during the heyday of waterfowl activity, an estimated 100,000 ducks and 30,000 Canada geese wintered on the refuge . Population numbers have fluctuated dramatically during the past 15 years . Generally, the trend in wintering population numbers has been going down . At one time mallards were the most numerous winter species . With the accidental introduction and proliferation of hydrilla into Lake Marion several years ago, mallards have been replaced by ring-necked ducks and wigeon as the top wintering species . Besides ducks and Canada geese, Santee also winters a small number of tundra swans .
a . Ducks
At the start of the year ducks peaked at 25,985 during the second week in January. Of this total, 10,920 were ring-necked ducks, 6,550 were wigeon and 5,710 were mallards . Ring-necks and wigeon congregated mainly in the swallow bay areas on the Bluff, Pine Island and Cuddo units . These are the areas where hydrilla is most prolific . During the times of peak duck numbers, it was not unusual to find 6,000 ring-necked ducks loafing in Gator Pond on the Cuddo unit . The ducks would leave the pond in the afternoons and return the following mornings . We believe they fed in the lake throughout the night and returned to the seclusion of the pond to rest .
By the end of January, duck numbers dropped to 12,000 . Numbers gradually declined until all the migratory ducks were gone by the middle of March . Wood ducks and some resident mallards were the only ducks present during the summer . We did receive some reports of blue-winged teal sightings on Lakes Marion and Moultrie, but none were observed on the refuge until late August, the usual time when they appear on their southern migration . Woodies were abundant, with numbers estimated at 650 .
The first of the returning wintering ducks were observed in late October . By the end of October 1,250 ducks were on the refuge . The first large influx of ducks cz v
cn~~LnLn~MrnNCCVr~-r00rncW~~~~U-7-7MM0 N °r-1° r-I SO r-1 r-1 T-4 r-4 r-i r-f r-4 r-1 h r-I r-a r-I r-'4 r-i
Thousands 0 18
occurred during the second week in November, when 9,660 ducks were recorded . Of these, 7,140 were ring-necked ducks . Numbers gradually built up and peaked at 18,710 during the first week in December . Numbers dropped at mid-month and gradually build up to 14,294 just before Christmas .
Duck use-days for the year totalled 1,671,414 . This is a 9% increase over last year . There was a notable change in the areas used by the ducks . For the second consecutive year duck use was down in Cantey Bay . There was also a big drop in the number of ducks using the Pasture and Savannah Branch areas on the Pine Island unit . We believe this is the result of the vegetation control program conducted by SCPSA . The proliferation of vegetation, especially hydrilla, in certain areas of the lake has made these areas inaccessible to fishermen and recreational boaters . After several years the control program is starting to show results . Consequently, the ducks have moved to areas where food is more abundant . The main species with a preference to feed on this type of vegetation are the ring-necked ducks and wigeon . This year larger concentrations of ducks were using the Potato Creek and Nelsons Cut areas on the east end of the Cuddo unit . Table 5 shows the use-day percentages by species for the year .
Table 5 . Use-Day Percentaqes By Duck Species For 1994 . (Total duck use-days 1,671,414)
Species Use-Days Percentaqe
Ring-necked Duck 597,783 36 Wigeon 481,829 29 Mallard 285,083 17 Wood Duck 145,900 9 Green-winged Teal 63,884 4 Gadwall 30,463 2 Shoveller 21,901 1 Black Duck 18,566 '1 Pintail 8,782 <1 Canvasback 7,420 <1 Hooded Merganser 6,212 <1 Blue-winged Teal 3,010 <1 Bufflehead 420 <1 Ruddy Duck 126 <1 Redhead 35 <1
Flooded corn fields, moist soil areas and green tree reservoirs were the preferred areas for mallards, wood ducks, black ducks, green-winged teal, gadwall and pintails . Five Pine Pond and Timber Island field were both well used after the corn was mowed down and flooded . The ducks continued to use rive Pine Pond after the corn was exhausted, feeding on moist soil plants that grew up in the rows . 19
Wintering waterfowl have a choice of natural areas, such as in these cypress stands in Lake Marion where hydrilla is abundant . . .
. . . or the managed impoundments, when corn and moist soil foods are available . FILE 20
The Dingle Pond unit has never contributed significantly to the overall waterfowl management program at Santee . This is probably due to the physical character of the unit . Significant numbers of ducks do not use this area . The pond, however, does provide excellent wood duck brood habitat . Nineteen boxes are located along the south and east sides of the pond .
A ruddy shelduck was sighted with the goose flock in November . The sighting was confirmed by several members of the Columbia Audubon Society . The shelduck stayed with the geese the remainder of the year .
b . Geese
Santee winters the largest flock of Canada geese in South Carolina . A total of 61,148 use-days were recorded for the year . Canada geese peaked at 800 during the second week in February . Goose numbers gradually declined, and all the geese 0 were gone by the second week in March . For the first time in several years, no resident Canada geese were observed on the refuge during the summer . The first of the wintering geese arrived during the last week in October . Numbers peaked at 575 before the year ended .
As in previous years, a small number of snow geese, white and dark phase, showed up with the Canada geese . In January, two dark phase snows were observed the first 14 days of the month . In late November, one white phase and two dark phase snow geese were sighted with the Canada geese . In December, three more dark phase snows joined the group . The white phase, however, departed .
A lone white-fronted goose showed up in mid-November and remained through the end of the year .
The Bluff unit historically winters the majority of geese on Santee . Cantey Bay provides the geese with an isolated shallow water area that is used for loafing and feeding . Adjacent fields offer both winter wheat and mowed corn as supplemental foods . : The first arriving geese enjoyed feeding on the winter wheat . As the season progressed and the temperatures got colder, the geese switched their eating preference to the mowed corn . The geese could usually be found in the fields early in the morning . After eating they'd remain in the fields to preen and sleep . This offered a good opportunity to read neck collars .
z 0 - H
a
8 -
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~ 0 o0 ~t N O M M Cl M MO N N N N N ~~-1 ~~-1 r-d
Thousands 2 1
Canada geese feeding on wheat planted on the Bluff Unit . FILE
Normally, the Pine Island and Cuddo units receive less use by the geese . On Pine Island the birds prefer the open waters and mud-flats of "The Pasture" . For the first three weeks in November, the majority of the geese were found on this unit . At this time they peaked at 180 in the Pasture . By the last week in November, most of the geese were using the Bluff unit .
Goose use on the Cuddo unit peaked at 200 during December . No geese were observed feeding on the abundant fields of winter wheat . The geese preferred the Black Bottom and Nelson's Cut areas . Some geese were observed on the refuge in Taw Caw Creek . However, we believe these were resident Canada geese . At no time during the year were the birds noted on the open waters of Lake Marion . c . Swans
Only a small number of tundra swans make their way down to this part of South Carolina. Swans have wintered on the refuge for 12 consecutive years . The swans are usually found on the Bluff and Pine Island units . They were of special interest to birdwatchers . A peak of 46 birds occurred in February . Returning swans showed up the third week in November . Twenty-three were present at the end of the year . Use-day totals for the year were 3,043 . 22 d . Coots
Coots peaked at 7,650 in late December . This is a large increase over last year's peak . Large flocks used the Pasture area on Pine Island and coves along Potato Creek and Nelson's Cut on Cuddo . Lesser numbers could be found on the Bluff unit . Total use-days were 414,970 .
4 . Marsh and Water Birds
Habitat management for this category of birds is incidental to the overall management objectives and programs at Santee . Unless significant environmental changes occur, populations of marsh and water birds will fluctuate only moderately from year to year . As a general rule, these species occur on all units of the refuge . However, abundance and frequency of observation is determined primarily by availability of wetland habitat which is a factor controlled largely by lake levels and impounded waters .
Of the herons, egrets and bitterns that used the refuge, the great blue heron and great egret were the most common . Several small rookeries of great blue herons were again observed this year . The largest, containing about 14 nests, was located at the head of Black Bottom impoundment on the Cuddo unit . A smaller number of nests were found in Cattle Guard wetlands, also on Cuddo, and on the east side of the impounded waters on Pine Island . Green-backed herons were frequently sighted during the spring and summer . Cattle egrets were common visitors in freshly disked fields, following the tractors . Also observed, but in smaller numbers, were little blue herons, snowy egrets, tricolored herons and least and American bitterns . No sightings of black-crowned or yellow-crowned night herons were recorded . Flocks of white ibis were occasionally seen flying over Cantey Bay in the early mornings in May and June . However, none were seen feeding in refuge impoundments .
Anhingas were common and nested in small numbers on the Cuddo and Pine Island units .
Anhingas nesting in a cypress tree on the Pine Island Unit . JF 23
Double-crested cormorants winter in Lake Marion in large numbers . Feeding flocks of 300 cormorants following schools of fish were a common sight outside of the refuge office .
Several common loons were heard or sighted during the winter months .
Pied-billed grebes were common in the winter and were observed on all of the units . They preferred the impoundments to the open waters of the lake .
Other birds in this category that were found on the refuge include king and Virginia rails and the sora. Rails were more often heard than seen . Common moorhens were permanent residents and observed on all of the units . Adult moorhens with chicks were frequently seen by the trap site on the Bluff unit . 9 5 . Shorebirds . Gulls, Terns and Allied Species As with the marsh and water birds, habitat management for this group of birds is incidental to overall refuge programs . It should be noted, however, that factors directly affecting the presence or absence of these species, especially lake levels, are controlled by the SCPSA . Species diversity and numbers occurring on the refuge are normally in direct proportion to the amount of exposed shoreline and mud flats present . Shorebird numbers are highest when migrations through this area and low lake levels coincide .
Several species in this group were observed on the refuge this year . Ring-billed gulls, Forester's terns, killdeer and common snipe were the most frequently seen . Greater yellowlegs were common in the spring .
6 . Raptors
Hawks commonly observed during the year included the red-tailed, red-shouldered, Cooper's, northern harrier and American kestrel . These species occurred on all units of the refuge with larger concentrations found on the Cuddo and Bluff 0 units . Nesting does occur on the refuge, but no nesting or population surveys were conducted . As in previous years, overall peak numbers occurred during the fall and winter months . Generally, populations remained stable with only minor fluctuations in numbers .
Osprey were observed throughout the year, with the highest numbers occurring in the spring and summer . Birds were often seen snagging limbs and Spanish moss out of trees, or picking up clumps of grass out of disked fields to add to their nests . Dead trees in Lake Marion provide good nesting sites for the osprey . Many osprey pairs nested both on and close to the refuge . Production in these nests were not monitored . The nesting platform put in Cantey Bay was used for the 6th consecutive year .
Four species of owls are found on Santee . These year-round residents include the barn, barred, great-horned and screech owls . Owls were more frequently heard than seen . Daylight observations and the frequency of calls indicate that populations appear to be stable . Screech owls used the wood duck nest boxes for resting and nesting . Most screech owls were found in the boxes on the Cuddo 24
unit . At least one barn owl, or pair, continued to use the old banding house on the Cuddo unit .
7 . Other Migratory Birds
Mourning doves peaked in December . As in previous years, small numbers were observed on the refuge throughout the year and nesting was observed on all units . Doves were most frequently sighted using corn fields mowed for waterfowl during the winter months . Freshly disked agricultural fields were favored for feeding and loafing in the spring .
The annual mourning dove call count survey for the Office of Migratory Bird Management was conducted in May by Manager Bond . The number of birds heard and observed on both routes were near those numbers reported in 1993 . Both routes, one in Clarendon and the other in Orangeburg Counties, are located well away from the refuge .
8 . Game Mammals
Fourteen species of mammals found on the refuge had hunting seasons prescribed by the State of South Carolina . These include the marsh rabbit, eastern cottontail, gray and fox squirrels, beaver, red and gray foxes, muskrat, raccoon, opossum, mink, otter, bobcat and white-tailed deer .
Deer are plentiful on the Bluff, Pine Island and Cuddo units . Annual hunts are permitted on Cuddo and Pine Island . Due to its size and proximity to the heavily used public use areas, no hunts were held on the Bluff unit . If the deer popu- lation continues to increase on this unit, this will have to be addressed by having a small quota or handicap hunt . Dingle Pond supported a smaller population of deer .
All of the deer checked in during the hunts were in good condition . Of special note was the harvesting of two antlered does during the Cuddo muzzleloader hunt . 0 The largest deer brought in for all the hunts was a 180 lbs . 5 point doe aged at 3 1/2 years . The antlers had a 14 inch spread . Two days later, a 150 lbs . 5 point doe with a 12 inch antler spread was checked in . This deer was aged at 2 1/2 years .
This was the second consecutive year that at least one deer did not weigh in at 200 lbs . or more, and the first time in several years that a few deer did not weigh in the 190 lbs . range .
Gray squirrels were commonly seen on the Bluff, Pine Island and Cuddo units . Only two fox squirrels were observed during the .year . One was spotted several times just inside the west gate on Pine Island, and the other was sighted near the refuge office .
No sightings of beaver or beaver activity were noted during the year . The first beaver activity on the refuge was found on the Cuddo unit in late 1991 . Since then no further activity has been observed . Hopefully, that was a transient 0 beaver passing through . 25
We received several reports of a black bear sighting on one of the refuge's Plantation Islands . Supposedly, the bear left the island and swam east to the mainland near the dam. The sighting was made by several people fishing in boats near the islands .
There was a notable increase in rabbits this year . This coincided with a notable decrease the last two years in bobcats and foxes . The increase in rabbits is understandable, due to a decline in predator species . However, we do not know what caused the decline in the bobcat and fox populations .
Although river otters are not abundant, sporadic sightings were made throughout the year . Otters were seen on all units, except Dingle Pond . Otter scent mounds, in the form of built up piles of grass, were frequently found on the Bluff unit . One road kill was found on the Hwy . 15/301 causeway .
Raccoons continued to be abundant, but not in the large numbers that were present up until two years ago . In early 1992 there was a die-off of raccoons . Apparently, the population was infected with distemper .
10 . Other Resident Wildlife
The Cuddo unit supports a small flock of wild turkey . The largest number observed in the flock was 12 . Normally sightings consisted of 5-6 birds . The turkey prefer the east side of the unit . The highest number of sightings were made in wheat fields early and late in the year . The Cuddo flock has not recovered from the effects of Hurricane Hugo . Prior to the hurricane, the flock was estimated at 30 birds . No turkey have been reported on the Pine Island unit since the first sighting there in 1988 .
Bobwhite were present on all units of the refuge, but not in . any significant numbers . Management favors bobwhites in the summer by providing habitat diversity, food, water, cover, and lots of edge . In the winter, however, a lot 0 of this habitat was flooded .
12 . Wildlife Propaqation and Stockinq
A total of 101 nesting boxes were available to wood ducks this year . Five new boxes were built and put up by local Scout Smith Boswell . This fulfilled one of his Eagle Scout badge requirements . The boxes were put along the ditch on Nelson's Cut Road on the Cuddo unit in March . The other boxes were checked for repairs and had wood shavings replaced in February . Nesting activity began in late February . The boxes were checked 6 times from March 12th to August 14th by volunteer Fuzzy Furse .
Eighty-nine of the boxes were used by wood ducks . Ten boxes were not used, one box was used only by an owl, two boxes were used by owls after used by woodies, one box was used only by a small bird, and nine boxes were used by small birds after used by a wood duck .
ANNUAL R .ZPORT FOPJ' WOOD DUCK DOX PROGRAM INFORMATT®R' YEAR 19'£4
Total Boxes Up 1,01
Total Usable Pores 101 (Boxes not in disrepair)
Use by Wood Ducks of B94BB° (t~ of Bores and ° of usable boxes) Usable Boxes
Nuumber of Boxes with 62 Dump Nests (>16 eggs)
Number of Successful 99 (Box that hatched one egg or more Boxes (Wood Ducks) - successful)
Usc by Other Ducks 0 ; (?uorgansors, etc. , and an estimate of Usable Boxes of successful hatches)
Period Checked Mar-Aug (Specific dates of the yearly box (Month) inspections)
Use by Other Wildlife 2 exclusively - 1? after being used by wood ducks of Usable Boxes
*Total Wood Ducks 9"" Matched
Wood Duck Broods 99 Produced
**Wood Ducks Surviving 495 to Flight Stage 0 Plans for Next Year (Indicate Number) Mere Boxes Moved Bores
Fewer Bores
No Change
***Remarks : Nest year will move some of the boxes on DJ _ngle Pond to other units, due to eggs being taken by people . Boxes were checked 6 times from Mar-Aug by volunteer . Many of the dump nests had successful hatches .
*Unless you can actually count egg shells, just multiply successful boxes by 10 . **If survival rate is other than 50 percent, please explain rational in remarks section . ***Be sure and document periods that boxes were checked for use and repair . 26
Of the 89 boxes used by wood ducks, 36 were used once, 49 were used twice and 4 were used three times . This is a total of 146 nest attempts by woodies . Of these, 99 were considered successful nests, with one or more eggs hatching . Sixty-two nests were dump nest, with 16 or more eggs in the boxes .
Problems were encountered during the nesting season . Several nests on Dingle Pond had the eggs removed . Since the down feathers were neatly placed on the ground, we assumed that someone was taking the eggs . No set pattern of when the eggs were being taken could be established . Plans for next year are to relocate some of these boxes to another unit . Rat snakes were problems on the Cuddo unit . The larger snakes, 5 feet and over, had no problem getting around the predator shields . In almost every case, the hen would abandoned the nest . Snakes found in boxes were "discouraged" from entering other boxes .
Using the method on the Annual Report Form, an estimated 990 wood ducks were hatched . An estimated 495 ducklings survived to flight stage .
16 . Markinq and Bandinq
The pre-season wood duck banding quota this year was raised by 75 birds to 450 . Banding began on May 27 and concluded on August 26th . During this period, 14 rocket net shots were made . All shots were made on the Cantey Bay Pond trap site . A total of 706 wood ducks were banded, although the hatch year female quota was not met (see Table 6) . Hales, especially hatch years, continued to be trapped in larger numbers than females . Mallards using the trap site were not as much of a problem as they were last year . Banding operations were ended the last week in August, even though there were three weeks remaining in the pre- season banding period . This was done to be sure we had enough charges leftover for the 1995 banding season . With the dismal funding forecast, we were looking to reduce expenses wherever possible in FY-95 . The wheat used as bait on the site was provided by coop farmer Stukes .
Table 6 . 1994 Pre-season Wood Duck Bandinq Results
Quota Banded
Male AMY 25 199 HY 35 301
Female
AMY 80 99 HY 310 107 Total 450 706 0 27 H . PUBLICUSE
1 . General
Santee MAR offers a variety of public use activities for the visiting public . The visitor contact station's dioramas, exhibits, information panels and aquarium gives the visitor an excellent understanding of Santee's management goals and a glimpse of the variety of wildlife found on the refuge . The mile-long Wright's Bluff nature trail provides visitors the opportunity to view wildlife, a pine forest, wetland community, wood duck nesting boxes and the refuge farming program .
Several sections of Lake Marion are included within the boundary of the refuge . Along with Lake Moultrie, Lake Marion comprises the Santee-Cooper lakes system, renowned as one of the best sport fishing areas in the Southeast . Some of the more popular fishing areas are located in the larger bays and coves within the refuge . Fishing from boats on the lake is by far the most popular way of fishing, although bank fishing along the lake shore and some of the refuge ponds is common . Hunting for deer, small game and migratory birds is also available on the refuge .
A total of 106,848 refuge visits were recorded this year . This is a significant increase over last year . However, it should be noted that 1993 had a 17% decrease from the 1992 visitation total . Increases occurred in almost all categories of use . Total activity hours were 167,152, indicating the average visitor spent 1 .6 hours per visit .
Eleven special use permits were issued to residents of the Cantey Bay subdivision for ingress and egress through Cantey Bay during the waterfowl sanctuary closure period, November through February . In order to minimize disturbance to waterfowl using the bay, permittees' boats are required to navigate at no-wake speeds along the extreme eastern side of the bay . In addition, a memorandum of understanding is in effect which restricts activities such as pier lights, fires, shooting and other disturbances along the shoreline during the closure period . The SUP's are 0 . only issued to subdivision residents on an annual basis
Federal duck stamps, Golden Age Passports and Golden Access Passports are available at the visitor center . During the year 9 duck stamps and 8 Golden Age Passports were sold .
4 . Interpretive Foot Trails
The effects of Hurricane Hugo are still evident along the nature trail . Trees weakened during the hurricane continued to blow over during gusty winds . The thick understory that resulted due to the opened canopy is constantly encroaching on the trail . This requires constant attention to remove fallen trees and cut or spray vegetation . Cape Romain ORP Larry Davis came out several times to replace weak planks on the boardwalks and construct a viewing bench overlooking Cantey Bay .
Despite occasional minor inconveniences, such as deer flies in the springtime, visitors continued to enjoy the sights and solitude of the trail . An estimated
28
4,350 visitors walked the trail during the year .
6 . Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations
The visitor center is usually the only stop for most visitors to the refuge . Many visitors commented in the guest register of how impressed they were with the center and the exhibits . No major changes were made to exhibits during the year . The center was open doing office hours Monday through Fridays .
Only minor maintenance such as dusting, cleaning glass, replacing burned out light bulbs and cleaning the aquarium were required . Total visits to the center were estimated at 3,413 .
7 . Other Interpretive Programs
Tours and programs were conducted if staff were available . Most requests for programs were from school groups . Most of the groups wanted a tour of the VCS by refuge personnel to explain the exhibits and talk about the refuge . If time permitted, a tour of the nature trail and the Fort Watson/Santee Indian Mound site were given . Several off-refuge programs were also presented . Table 7 lists the programs presented during the year .
Table 7 . Programs Presented In 1994
On Refuge
Date Group Type of Proqram # In Group
01-25 1st Baptist (Manning) VCS/Film 40 Kindergarten 01-26 Central Carolina Tech Tour of Cuddo 25 Natural Resources Class 02-15 Clarendon : Co . Youth Tour of Cuddo 5 Conservation Commission 0 35 04-20 Manning Middle School VCS/Film
04-29 Manning Middle School VCS/Film 35 05-04 St . Ann School VCS/Film 25 (1st Grade) 05-19 Alcolu Middle School VCS/Film/ES 30 05-19 Wilder Middle School VCS/Film/ES 30 06-22 SC Land Resources VCS/Talk/ES 25 Conservation Commission (Environmental Education Course for teachers)
Off Refuge
02-15 Elloree Garden Club Talk/Film 25 02-23 Holly Hill Intermediate School Talk/Film/ES 9 10-13 Lake Marion Nursing Home Talk/Film 25
29
Cape Romain NWR ORP, Larry Davis, gave five of the on-refuge and two of the off-refuge programs . With our reduced staff, his assistance was well appreciated . The remaining programs were given by refuge staff .
8 .Huntinq
The refuge had open seasons on four game species during the year . These included white-tailed deer, mourning dove, raccoon and opossum . For the 9th consecutive year there was no waterfowl hunting on the refuge, due to SCI-111RD electing not to have an early duck season . For the second straight year there was no squirrel hunting on the refuge . In late 1992 the state legislature passed a law to uniformly open the squirrel season statewide on October 1st . This is outside the designated refuge season . All of the hunts were open with no limit on the number of hunters that could participate . Aside from possessing appropriate licenses, hunters were required to sign and carry a copy of the refuge hunt regulations which served as a permit and to sign in and out at designated check stations .
Deer hunting on the refuge is popular, and raccoon hunting also produces a respectable turnout . Interest in dove hunting, however, has traditionally been a different story . There are two main reasons for this lack of interest . First, population numbers for doves are not very high, requiring a lot of effort to bag some game . Second, there are better off-refuge opportunities within this area for a more successful hunt . During the dove hunt, deer hunters were permitted to scout the Cuddo Unit . This accounts for the greatest activity while the area is open to public vehicle access . The number of hunters scouting a good location to put up a deer stand far exceeded the number of those that were dove hunting .
a . Raccoon and Opossum
The raccoon/opossum hunt is annually held on the last ten days of the state gun season and is only permitted on the Cuddo Unit . This year the ten-day period ran from February 20 - March 1 . Since hunting is not permitted on the refuge on Sundays, the first night of hunting started on the 21st . Participation was down 33% from 1993 . This was probably due to a high turnout last year, which was 65% over 1992 . Correspondingly, the harvest was also lower . Only 40 raccoons were taken, 11 below the previous year . In accordance with state regulations the bag limit was 2 per party per night . No opossum were harvested .
b . Mourning Dove
Participation for this hunt on the refuge has always been low . For example, only 20 hunters participated last year . That was an unusually high number, due to an increase in dove numbers in two harvested corn fields . This year participation was back to normal . The refuge season ran from September 17-30 . Only 8 hunters showed up and harvested 24 doves .
d . White-tailed Deer
The refuge deer hunts consisted of three different hunts held on two of the units . The first hunt was on the Pine Island unit and the other two were held on the Cuddo unit . Traditionally these hunts are very popular and the number of JV
deer harvested has kept the herd in balance . There was no bag limit or sex and age restrictions on the deer that could be taken .
The Pine Island primitive weapons hunt was held October 3-8 . Compound or long bows and muzzleloading rifles or shotguns were permitted . Although there was a small decrease in the number of hunters participating in this year's hunt, the number of deer taken went up by 1 . A total of 209 hunters bagged 28 deer .
The Cuddo unit hunts consisted of six days of archery hunting and six days of primitive weapons hunting . The archery hunt ran from October 10-15 . The turnout was down 25% from last year . The harvest, however, was up by 2 deer . The final tally showed that 452 hunters took 27 deer .
The Cuddo primitive weapons hunt was held October 17-22 . Like the other two deer hunts, hunter participation was down but the harvest went up . No large deer were taken . The biggest deer checked in was an 180 lbs . doe with a nice 5 point rack . As expected, this deer was the highlight of the first day's hunt . This performance was repeated two days later when an 160 lbs . 5 point doe was brought in . The result of the hunt was 506 hunters taking 93 deer . This is a decrease of 14% in participation and an increase of 17 deer bagged over last year .
This 180 lbs . five point doe was the largest deer taken during the hunts . JF
The hunts continued to be popular with local hunters . For many hunters, this is the only area they can hunt without spending money to join a hunt club or lease land . Many return every year and appreciate the opportunity the refuge provides .
The final tally for all three hunts was 148 deer . This is 20 higher than last year's total . Table 8 shows the results of the deer huntsy units .
0 31 Table 8 . Deer Hunt Data BV Unit-1994
PINE ISLAND UNIT (PRIMITIVE WEAPONS OCT . 4-9)
1/2 1 1/2 2 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 5 1/2 UNK TOTAL
Male 3 9 4 16
Female 1 5 5 1 12
Total 4 14 9 1 28
CUDDO UNIT (ARCHERY OCT . 11-16)
0 1/2 1 1/2 2 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 5 1/2 UNK TOTAL Male 4 6 4 14
Female 4 1 6 1 1 13
Total 8 7 10 1 1 27
CUDDO UNIT (PRIMITIVE WEAPONS OCT . 18-23)
1/2 1 1/2 2 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 5 1/2 UNK TOTAL
Male 8 20 12 4 1 45
Female 11 10 22 4 1 48
Total 19 30 34 8 1 1 93
9 . Fishinq
Fishing is the most popular recreational activity at Santee . Being located on a renowned sport fishing lake is the main reason for the high fishing activity on the refuge . Lake Marion provides excellent opportunities to catch largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, white bass and striped bass . Due to the variety of fish and various types of structures found in the lake the fishing is generally good year-round, except during extremely hot or cold periods .
The majority of fishing at Santee is done in the sloughs, bays and open waters of Lake Marion where access is generally unobstructed and larger boats can navigate . Bank fishing is also popular . However, the inaccessible shoreline along most of the refuge restricts this type of fishing to the Scott's Lake section of the Bluff unit, and the perimeter levee on Pine Island . The Scott's Lake area is popular due to its easy road access . The refuge's interior impoundments and canals are open to fishing March through October, but these 32
areas are only accessible by walking, bicycling or boating in from the lake and crossing over a levee . For these reasons, the interior impoundments are not heavily used . A total of 32,450 fishing visits were estimated during the year . This is an increase of 44% over last year .
17 . Law Enforcement
Santee had two collateral duty refuge officers with law enforcement authority, the manager and assistant manager . With the permanent staff down to only four positions, much of their time was taken up with duties that had been performed by someone else in the past . This resulted in less time devoted to law enforcement activities .
Most of the effort put into law enforcement occurred during the refuge hunts and state waterfowl season . Prior to the opening of the Cuddo unit deer 0 hunts, an effort was made to locate baited areas . None were found . However, after the hunts started, two reports of baited sites were received from hunters . Both violators were caught and cited .
Periodic patrols, confined to areas close to refuge boundaries, were made during the state waterfowl seasons . Local conservation officers frequently used our private Bluff unit boat ramp and kept a high profile along the refuge boundary during the season . Hunting activity was slow and interest waned as the season went on . Very few hunters that were checked had their daily bag limit of three birds . Only one case, hunting without a federal duck stamp, was made by refuge officers .
One litter case was made in April . The violator did not pay collateral and did not show up at his scheduled court date . A warrant was issued for his arrest by the Federal magistrate . U .S . Marshals were to execute the warrant. At the end of the year, we still had not received any information as to the disposition of this case .
In May, one of the telephone posts around the Indian mound site was removed . 1 Tire tracks indicated that a vehicle was driven through the opening and up the side of the mound . A close inspection showed that no significant damage was done to the mound . No evidence other than the tire tracks was found . The post was replaced and secured .
Frequent weekend and occasional night patrols were made at the Bluff unit to enforce no swimming and late use violations .
In September, Fringeli assisted SA Hines on a baited dove field in Berkeley County. Four hunters were charged with hunting over bait and the landowner was charged with aiding and abetting .
Manager Bond attended the annual 40-hour law enforcement training session held at the Lively Law Enforcement Training Center in Quincy, Florida on May 23-27 . Asst . Manager Fringeli attended the March 14-18 session . On October 13th, both officers requalified with their Service pistols at the Manning police range . The 0 requalification was given by SA George Hines . 33
i
This post was removed . .
1
. . . so someone could joyride on the Indian mound . Note tracks i tc the right of sign at base of mound . No significant ~amage was done . JF 34
I . EQUT-F'iE2r AND FACILITIEC
3 . MajorMaintenance
Mowing roads was an almost constant job during the growing season . With 30 miles of roads to maintain, no sooner was the last road mowed than the first road needed it again . Mowing was put off until the seed heads were high enough to go through a trucks grill and clog up the radiator . Only the center of the roads were mowed, until the last cut of the year when the roadsides were also mowed .
In January, the excavator was used to clean out the Bluff pump water supply ditch . The ditch occasionally gets filled in with sediment and vegetation . Cleaning the ditch facilitated the unobstructed follow of water from the lake to fly Five din ar 1 far ; € Bay Ponds and impoundments .
:ils ii:-uir,J ~: .-n ;stant maintenance . The access road to the north entrance of Pine Island was graded and graveled in several spots . Four loads of gravel were required to complete the repairs . Similar repairs were done on some of the Cuddo unit roads . The middle road on Cuddo was graded three times to crown up the top of the road . Due to a lack of funds, the road was not graveled .
During the night of July 22nd, a tree fell across the Bluff unit entrance sign . The sign was knocked out of its supporting frame . Fortunately, the sign was not damaged and was put back up with minor repairs to the frame .
If a tree falls in the woods, and no one hears it, does ii make a noise when it knocks down your entrance sign . JF 35
Two old wells on the Cuddo unit were filled in. The wells were a potential hazard to unsuspecting people and animals . One of the wells was brought to our attention by deer hunters when they found a small buck trapped in the well . Before the well was filled, another deer and a dog fell in and died .
In September, it was noticed that the shingles on the roof of the VCS/office building were badly deteriorated and coming apart in small pieces . A Request for Engineering Services was submitted to replace the roof . In October, Regional Office Architect Tony Pardinas inspected the damaged shingles . Tony also inspected damages to the maintenance buildings' shingles and fasciae . A second visit was made in November to collect additional information . We were told that the extent of the damages were bad enough that any delay in repairs would result in more expensive structural damages . We were informed that additional funds would be made available to perform the repairs . As the year ended, contract bids
Sections of shingles on the office/visitor center building, shown here, and the three maintenance buildings are deteriorating . The roofs are scheduled to be re-shingled next year . GB 3E
Rotting fascia boards on the three maintenance buildings are scheduled to be replaced, probably with vinyl siding . Note resulting water damage to soffit . JF
A screwgate structure was put on the culvert that connects the east and west side impoundments on Pine Island . The screwgate was taken off a culvert on the Cuddo unit . The gate will facilitate better water control of the Pine Island impoundments .
4 . Equipment Utilization and Replacement
Three above ground storage tanks were installed in January . The old under ground tanks were removed in November of last year . The contractor, Onslow Environmental Contractors in Jacksonville, NC, had to wait on the delivery of the new tanks . The new Convault tanks consist of one 1,000 gallon tank for gasoline, one 1,000 gallon tank for diesel, and one 250 gallon tank for heating fuel . When the tanks were initially filled, the gasoline tank only held 932 gallons . The only conclusion we can figure out is that the tank inside the concrete is not level . 37
New 1,000 gallon gasoline and diesel storage tanks installed in January . A 250 gallon heating fuel tank was also installed . JF
The new 24 inch angle pump to replace the old 14 inch pump at Timber Island field was installed in July . The removal of the old pump and installation were completed by refuge staff . The 45 degree angle pump is connected to 50 feet of discharge pipe . Since the new pump was higher than the old one, the field unit had to be raised a couple of feet to line up the pump and motor sheaves . The road that the discharge pipe goes under also had to be built up to cover the pipe . The pump worked fine when water was needed in Timber Island field . The larger pump is rated to pump 17,000 GPM at 600 RPM . This has reduced pumping *.ime required to flood Timber Island field . 38
New 24" angle pump at Timber Island Field #1 . This replaced a 14" pump . The work was done force account . Manager Bond in Photo . JF
7 The old Detroit diesel motor and shed had to be raised several feet to line up the sheaves for the belt . Jr 39
Two items of equipment were transferred out . The 1979 Ford van was transferred to Cape Romain NWR in April . The Ford 9700 farm tractor was transferred to Blackwater NWR in June . The tractor had a variety of major motor problems . The Ford 97M+ was replaced in March with a new John Deere 7800 tractor .
A new John Deere 7800 tractor was delivered in March . It replaced an old Ford 9700 tractor . JF
Two pieces of equipment were sold . The Roterra soil conditioner was sold in August for $200 .00 and the Giles 14' travel trailer was sold in November for ;325 .00 .
Several items of equipment were loaned out during the year . In January . we picked up our John Deere 350 crawler from ACE Basin NWR . The crawler had been at ACE Basin for nearly two years . The SCWMRD borrowed one of our 16" Crisifulli pumps in February . The pump was returned a month later . Pee Dee NWR picked up our excavator on March 11th and returned it on May 12th . A crew from Blackwater NWR came down and got the Caterpillar TD-15 in April and brought it back in June . Carolina Sandhills NWR borrowed the John Deere 4230 tractor and boom axe for a month in the summer . Cape Romain NWR borrowed the GMC truck/tractor for two weeks in October . They needed it to pull their barge out of the water . A special trailer hitch had to be designed to attach it to the trailer .
The John Deere 350 crawler was taken to Columbia in March to get an estimate on repairs for the tracks . We were told it would cost at least $700 for them to tear down the track, trouble shoot the damage and come up with a cost for pairs and labor . With funds in short supply and 6 months remaining in the fiscal year, we decided to hold off on any repairs . 40
J . OTHERITEMS
3 . ItemsOfInterest
The Christmas Bird Count was conducted by the Columbia Audubon Society on January 1st . The count takes in all units of the refuge .
Two hundred and twenty-seven bags of corn were donated to the refuge by Northrup- King in February .
Manager Bond delivered the refuge revenue sharing check to County Treasurer Margaret Jackson on June 21st . The check was in the amount of $26,282 .
Manager Bond attended a district cluster meeting at Savannah Coastal Refuges on May 16-17 .
On June 8th, Manager Bond attended a meeting in Charleston with the Army Corps of Engineers concerning permit requirements dealing with refuge wetlands .
Office Assistant Gaymon attended a warranty training workshop in Atlanta on June 21-23 .
Compatibility determinations were submitted to the Regional Office in June .
Manager Bond attended a ecosystem management planning meeting for the Savannah- Santee-Pee Dee ecosystem on June 7-8 in Charleston .
Charleston ES Supervisor Roger Banks visited the refuge on August 22nd to discuss ecosystem approach strategies for the refuge .
The VCS/office rest rooms were made accessible for the physically challenged . New mirrors and grab bars were put in and the stall doors were widened .
Manager Bond conducted an imprest audit at Cape Romain NVTR on September 12th .
Manager Bond attended the annual meeting of the Advisory Committee to the Natural Resources Department of Central Carolina Technical College on November 4th . Bond is a member of the Committee .
In the summer of 1993, construction began on a boat launching facility across the road from the Cuddo unit at a site locally known as Log Jam Landing . The project was a cooperative effort between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (formerly SCWIIRD), Santee-Cooper, U .S . Coast Guard and Sportfish Restoration . The facility was built primarily to entice large fishing tournaments back to the Santee-Cooper lakes area . The facility, which consists of eleven acres, has six boat ramps, floating docks, parking spaces for 200 vehicles with trailers, additional parking for vehicles without trailers, and a handicap accessible fishing pier . It is the largest facility of its kind in South Carolina . Two large B .A .S .S . sponsored tournaments and several smaller tournaments were held there during the year . The B .A . S .S . tournaments drew large crowds for the weigh-ins . The publics use of the facility was slow at first but has gradually increased . However, it still is not at the point where a large 41 volume of traffic is going down the road . This could change as word of the facility spreads . At one time, you hardly ever saw a vehicle on the road . The new facility could turn Into one of the most popular areas in this part of the county .
The new John Land III Boating and Sports Fishing Facility has six boat ramps with floating docks . JF
Part of the parking lot for the facility . The boat ramps are located at the opening in the trees . At the end of the pavement to the right is a fishing pier . JF 6 42
4 . Credits
Assistant Manager Fringeli wrote and edited the entire report . Office Assistant Gaymon typed and assembled the report .
0
Southern Hognose Snake (Heterodon simus) AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE Mole Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) SANTEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus) Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, established in Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) 1941 as a refuge for migratory waterfowl, lies in the Redbelly Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) upper coastal plains of central South Carolina in Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata) Clarendon County, approximately seven miles south Brown Water Snake (Nerodia taxispilota) of Summerton on Highway 301 . Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) The refuge is comprised of 15,095 acres of mixed Glossy Crayfish Snake (Regina rigida) hardwoods, mixed pine-hardwoods, pine plantations, Black Swamp Snake (Seminatrix pygaea) marsh, croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) and open waters located in four separate management Redhelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) units along Lake Marion, a hydro-electric reservoir . Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata) This diversity of habitats on Santee supports a wide Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus) variety of amphibians and reptiles . Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) This list of 35 amphibian species and 54 reptilian species Rough Earth Snake (Virginia striatula) is based on a special study by Dr Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae) . Julian R . Harrison, Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) III of the College of Charleston, on observations by • refuge personnel, state biologists, and local citizens, Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortriz) • and on information obtained from the following books • Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) : • Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adam- Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia, 1980 edition, by Martof, Palmer, Bailey, Harrison, and anteus) Dermid, published by the University of North Carolina • Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) Press ; The Audubon Society Field Guide to North • Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) American Reptiles and Amphibians, 1979 edition, by John L. Behler and Wayne King, published by Alfred HYPOTHETICAL LIST OF AMPHIBIANS AND REP- A. Knopf, Incorporated, New York, New York TILES WHOSE RANGES ARE IN THE VICINITY . Persons having information regarding species not listed are urged to contact the Refuge Manager, Santee (Necturus punctatus) Dwarf Mudpuppy National Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, Box 66, Summerton, Tiger Salamander (Am by stoma tigrinum) South Carolina 29148. The telephone number is Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata) (803) 478-2217. Three-lined Salamander (Eurycea guttolineata) Mud Salamander (Pseudo triton montanus) AMPHIBIANS River Frog (Rana heckscheri) Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris) Amphibians, the first land-dwelling vertebrates, are Painted Turtle (Chrysemys pitta) very important links in the chain of life at Santee, in both roles of predator (eating insects, worms, mollusks, etc.) and prey (being eaten by many other organisms) . Amphibians have moist, thin skin and most have four legs and soft clawless toes. Most young are totally aquatic while most adults are quasi-terrestrial air breathers.
SALAMANDERS - Long, slender bodies and sma" limbs make these animals resemble the more well known lizards . These amphibians are often overlooked by the casual observer since most are voiceless and nocturnal and can only be found by looking a '- r rocks, logs, leaf litter, etc ; DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lesser Siren (Siren intermedia) Greater Siren (Siren lacertina) Itr•-42570-5 May 1983 Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphi ma means) American Alligator (alligator mississippiensis) Mabee's Salamander (Ambyst ma mabeei) Spotted Salamander (Ambyst ma maculatum) TURTLES - A hard, protective shell, four limbs, a tail Marbled Salamander (Ambyst ma opacum) and a horny beak make these popular reptiles easy to Mole Salamander (Ambystom talpoideum) identify as they lie basking on logs or as they stick Southern Dusky Salamande (Desmognathus auri- their noses out of the water for a breath of air . cu la tus) Dwarf Salamander (Eurycea q ad rid igi to ta) Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Slimy Salamander (Plethodon lutinosus) Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum ) Many-lined Salamander (Stere chilus marginatus) Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) River Cooter (Chrysemys concinna) FROGS AND TOADS - Adult f ogs and toads are easily Florida Cooter (Chrysemys floridana) recognized with their tailless sto ky bodies, broad heads, Yellowbelly Slider (Chrysemys scripta) large eyes, well-developed for limbs, large hind legs, Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) and unique vocalizations . The eggs of most of these Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) amphibians hatch into aquati forms called tadpoles Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) which, in turn, change into the adult forms . Spiny Softshell (Trionyx spiniferus)
Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scap LIZARDS - Dry scaly skin, clawed feet and external Oak Toad (Bufo quercicus) ear openings separate the reptiles from their amphibian Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris ancestors, the salamanders. A few lizards are legless Fowler's Toad (Bufo woodhou and are easily confused with snakes until you notice Northern Cricket Frog (Acris c their ear openings and movable eyelids . The long slen- Southern Cricket Frog (Acris der tails of most lizards are easily broken, but they Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscel quickly grow another (regeneration) . Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer) Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) Pine Woods Treefrog (Hyla fern Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) Barking Treefrog (Hyla gratiosa Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus) Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirell Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectatus) Little Grass Frog (Limnaoedus Broadhead Skink (Eumeces laticeps) Brimley's Chorus Frog (Pseudac Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis) Southern Chorus Frog (Pseudac Six-lined Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlinea tus) Ornate Chorus Frog (Pseudacris Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata) Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Green Frog (Rana clamitans) SNAKES - Long scaly bodies without limbs, external Pig Frog (Rana grylio) ear openings or eyelids distinguish these unpopular, Southern Leopard Frog (Rana s but extremely necessary, reptiles . All snakes are carniv- Carpenter Frog (Rana virgatipes orous and swallow their prey whole, without chewing . EasternNarrowmouthToad(Gast Some snakes swallow live organisms, some wrap their bodies around their prey and suffocate it, and others inject poison into their prey to immobilize it. In the following list of refuge snakes, poisonous species are About 300 million years ago, rimitive amphibians asterisked (* ) . evolved into reptiles with dry caly skin, well-dev- eloped lungs, and either no lim or four limbs with Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus) claws. These were the first ve ebrates that could Scarlet Snake (Gemophora coccinea) live on land without needing an quatic environment Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) during some stage of their life cy le. Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ALLIGATORS - Large, armored "lizard-like" bodies Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta) make these aquatic carnivores eas to identify as they Mud Snake (Farancia abacura) lie about basking in the sun or gliding through the Rainbow Snake (Farancia erytrogramma) water with nose and eyes protrud ng. Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
The possession of nails, tacks, paint and flagging GENERAL PROVISIONS or the markings of trees and bushes is not Santee Refuge is one of over 500 national permitted . wildlife refuges. The primary objective of a national wildlife refuge is to provide habitat for The use or possession of alcoholic beverages the conservation and protection of all species while hunting is prohibited . of wildlife . The harvest of surplus animals is one The distribution of bait and hunting over bait tool used to manage wildlife populations . is prohibited . Hunting Carefully managed hunts maintain wildlife Camping, overnight parking, open fires, and populations at a level compatible with the littering are prohibited . Regulations & environment, provide wholesome recreational opportunities and permit the use of a valuable No Sunday hunting is permitted . Permit renewable resource . All hunters under the age of 16 must : The regulations listed below supplement the 1) Have successfully completed a state- general regulations which govern hunting on approved hunter education course in order wildlife refuge areas as set forth in Title 50, to participate in any refuge hunt . Code of Federal Regulations. Hunting will be in 2) Must be supervised by an adult at least 21 accordance with applicable State regulations . years of age . The adult must be in sight and Santee normal voice contact of the youth . An adult National Wildlife Refuge qe H" ke L i may supervise only one youth under 16 years Public hunting of white-tailed deer, mourning of age, except two (2) may be supervised in dove, waterfowl, gray squirrel, raccoon and a hunting blind during waterfowl hunts . opossum is permitted on portions of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge other than those areas *ec~ H"4, ><. § key A rUo marked or otherwise designated as being WHITE-TAILED DEER HUNT closed to entry or to hunting (see reverse map). Pine Island Unit: Primitive Weapons Season - The first Monday in October through the following Hunters must personally check in and out of Saturday . designated check stations . Cuddo Unit: Archery Season - The second Permits are required for all hunts and must be Monday in October through the following Hu,i2 Pe"iti2 VaLL4 signed and in possession when hunting on the Saturday. Big Game, Upland Game & Migratoryv,: Birds refuge . Primitive Weapons Season - The third Monday in The hunting area is open from 4 :00 a .m . until 1 4) Name: October through the following Saturday . a) hour after sunset, except night hunting is 3 allowed for raccoon and opossums . Primitive weapons include long or compound 4) N bows and muzzleloading (blackpowder) 0 c Dogs may be used only for dove, waterfowl, T Address : shotguns or rifles only . Other weapons not N 00 opossum and raccoon hunting . permitted . v N a P All vehicles must remain on established refuge No bag limit - either sex (antlerless deer must be N 0 roads. Roads marked closed to vehicles are for tagged at the designated check station prior to 0 N. walking only . Maximum speed 15 mph . ATV's c 0 leaving the refuge) . 0 X I have read and understand the regulations and ATC's are prohibited . 0 Hunters must wear either a hat, coat or vest of C m 0c a a t governing hunting on Santee NWR . All firearms must be unloaded and dismantled solid visible fluorescent orange during the deer z N or encased while being transported in a Ly N N primitive weapons hunts. LL_ a) a) E vehicle. C 7 E Man drives not permitted . 0 The use of nails, wire, screws or bolts to attach 0 c Signature: a stand to a tree or hunting from a tree into UPLAND GAME CUDDO UNIT ONLY which a metal object has been driven to Gray Squirrel Only : Fox squirrels are protected . support a hunter is prohibited . All stands must Open last 14 days of September if within State This permit is valid only when signed by the season. be removed at the end of the hunt . hunter listed above .
DO NOT L(TTEk!
Raccoon and Opossum : Last ten days of State gun season . Only No . 4 or smaller shot .22 rimfire ammunition is permitted . MIGRATORY BIRDS CUDDO UNIT ONLY Mourning Dove : Open last 14 days of S14NTEE September if within State season . PINE ISLAND & CUDDO UNITS National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl: Only opens if State has an early October season, hunting is allowed until noon . Decoys and non-native blind materials must be removed at end of each days hunt . Permanent blinds are not permitted . Non-toxic shot is required when hunting migratory birds . SCOUTING No special scouting season for white-tailed deer or waterfowl has been designated for the Cuddo Unit. Scouting is permitted during the dove and squirrel hunts. The scouting period of the Pine Island Unit will be the last Friday and Saturday before the hunt - vehicles permitted . Hunters may scout anytime prior to this date on foot or bicycle . Same Vim.y. Me+
LEGEND Refuge Boundary ---""' Roads • Vehicle Entry Point P Vehicle Parking Area Check Station • Boat Ramp pV/,7/,, Department of the Interior A 0 1 vtll r ArP.i (' !nzed fn I-hinfin^ %,* Recycled paper U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service i
Santee Nations/ Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 66 Summerton, S. C. 29148
Santee Refuge is one of over 400 National Wildlife Refuges. Theprimaryobjective of a National Wild- life Refuge is to provide habitat for the conser- vation and protection of aft species of wildlife . Sport fishing is permitted at a level compatible with the environment, provides wholesome recre- ational activities, and permits the use of a valuable renewable resource.
The regulations listed below supplement the gen- eral regulations which govern fishing on wildlife refuge areas as set forth in Title 50 Code of Fed- eral Regulations . Sport fishing will be in accor- dance with applicable State regulations .
GENERAL FISHING REGULATIONS
Public fishing on the Santee National Wildlife Re- fuge is permitted on approximately 16,000 acres as shown on the reverse map, except for those areas designated by signs and/or map as being closed .
Sport fishing is permitted 24 hours per day except for waters within land units which are limited to daylight use/bank fishing only .
Sport fishing is permitted year-round except that Cantey Bay, Black Bottom, Savannah Branch and waters within all land units are closed from November 1 through February 28 .
A valid State fishing license is required in accor- dance with State regulations .
Camping, overnight mooring of boats, open fires and firearms are prohibited .
Disturbing, damaging, destroying or other molest- ing of wildlife, habitat, or refuge facilities is pro- U . S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR hibited . RF - 42570-7 March 1985
JAYS, CROWS : TennesseeWarbler T Dickcissel T Blue Jay P Orange-crowned Warbler W Evening Grosbeak W American Crow P Nashville Warbler T Purple Finch W Fish Crow P Northern Patina S House Finch T TITMICE, NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS : Yellow Warbler T Pine Siskin W Magnolia Warbler T American Goldfinch W Carolina Chickadee P BIRDS Cape May Warbler T P Tufted Titmouse P Rufous-tded Towhee Black-throated Blue Warbler T Savannah Sparrow W White-breasted Nuthatch P Yellow-rumped Warbler W Grasshopper Sparrow W Red-breasted Nuthatch W Black-throated Green Warbler T Henslow's Sparrow A Brown-headed Nuthatch P Cerulean Warbler T Le s Sparrow W Brown Creeper W Blackburnian Warbler T Vesper Sparrow W WRENS : Yellow-throated Warbler P Lark Sparrow T House Wren W Chestnut-sided Warbler T Bachman's Sparrow P Winter Wren W Bay-breasted Warbler T Dark-eyed Junco W Barolin s Wren A Blackpoll Warbler T Chipping Sparrow P Carolina Wren P Pine Warbler P Clay-colored Sparrow A Marsh Wren W Kirtland's Warbler T Field Sparrow P Sedge Wren W Prairie Warbler S White-crowned Sparrow W MIMIC THRUSHES, THRUSHES : Palm Warbler W White-throated Sparrow W Northern Mockingbird P Ovenbird T Fox Sparrow W Gray Catbird P Northern Waterthrush T Lincoln's Sparrow A Brown Thrasher P Louisiana WarblerWa ush S Swamp Sparrow W Kentucky S Song Sparrow W American Robin P I Wood Thrush S Connecticut Warbler T Hermit Thrush W Mourning Warbler T Swainson's Thrush T Common Yellowthroat P Gray-cheekedThrush T Yellow-breasted Chat S Veery T Hooded Warbler S Eastern Bluebird P Wilson's Warbler T Canada Warbler T KINGLETS : Slate-throated Redstart S Blue-gray Gnatcatcher P Golden-crowned Kinglet W WEAVER FINCHES, BLACKBIRDS : NOTES Ruby-crowned Kinglet W House Sparrow P PIPITS : Bobolink T Date No. Species P Water Pipit W Eastern Meadowlark Observer(s) Sprague's Pipit A Western Meadowlark A Yellow-headed Blackbird A Weather WAXWINGS, SHRIKES ; STARLINGS : Red-winged Blackbird : . P Cedar Waxwing W Orchard Oriole S Time Afield Loggerhead Shrike P Northern Oriole W European Starling P Rusty Blackbird W VIREOS: Brewer's Blackbird A White-eyed Vireo S Boat-tailed Grackle A Yellow-throated Vireo S Common Grackle P Solitary Vireo W Brown-headed Cowbird P Red-eyed Vireo S TANAGERS : Philadelphia Vireo T Western Tanager T of the Warbling Vireo T Scarlet Tanager T WOOD WARBLERS : Summer Tanager S Black-and-white Warbler P FINCHES: SANTEE Prothonotary Warbler S Northern Cardinal P Swainson's Warbler S Rose-breasted Grosbeak T DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Worm-eating Warbler T Blue Grosbeak S U.S . Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge Golden-winged Warbler T Indigo Bunting S Blue-winged Warbler T Painted Bunting S RF-42570-2 - May 1989
Black Tern WATERFOWL : T The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1941 RAILS, AVOCETS : Black Skimmer A Tundra Swan W King Rail ac a refuge for migratory waterfowl, lies in the upper P PIGEONS, DOVES, CUCKOOS : coastal plains of central South Carolina in Ularendon Canada Guuse W Virginia Rail W County, approximately seven miles south of Summerton Barnacle Goose A Sora W Rock Dove I' Mourning Dove P on Highway 301 . White-fronted Goose W Yellow Rail T Common Ground Dove A The refuge is comprised of 15,095 acres of mixed hard- Snow Goose W Black Rail T Fulvous Whistling Duck A Purple Gallinule S Yellow-billed Cuckoo S woods, mixed pine-hardwoods, pine plantations, marsh, Black-billed Cuckoo T croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, and open Mallard P Common Moorhen P OWLS: waters located in four separate management units along American Black Duck W American Coot W Lake Marion, a hydro-electric reservoir . This diversity Gadwall W American Avocet A Common Barn -Owl P of habitats on Santee supports a wide variety of birds . Northern Pintail W PLOVERS: Eastern Screech Owl P Green-winged Teal P Great Horned Owl P Semipalmated Plover T This list of 293 species is based on records and observa- Blue-winged Teal P Barred Owl P tions by refuge personnel, state biologists, and visiting Cinnamon Teal A Wilson's Plover T Killdeer Long-eared Owl W birders and on a literature search of appropriate publica- Eurasian Wigeon A P Piping Plover Short-eared Owl W tions. Persons having information regarding species not American Wigeon W T Lesser Golden Plover Northern Saw-whet Owl T listed are urged to contact the Refuge Manager, Santee Northern Shoveler W T Black-bellied Plover GOATSUCKERS: National Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, Box 66, Summerton, Wood Duck P T Chuck-will's widow S SC 29148 - phone (803) 478.2217. Redhead W SANDPIPERS: Whip-poor-will T Ring-necked Duck W Marbled Godwit T Common Nighthawk S Since most birds are migratory, species use of the refuge Canvasback W Whimbrel T is indicated by the following codes : Greater Scaup W Upland Sandpiper T SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS, KINGFISHERS : Lesser Scaup W Greater Yellowlegs W Chimney Swift S P = Permanent Resident T = Transient Common Goldeneye W Lesser Yellowlegs T Ruby-throated Hummingbird S W = Winter Visitor A = Accidental Bufflehead W Solitary Sandpiper T Belted Kingfisher P S = Summer Resident White-winged Scoter A Willet T WOODPECKERS : Ruddy Duck W Spotted Sandpiper W Northern Flicker P Ruddy Turnstone T LOONS: Hooded Merganser W Pileated Woodpecker P Wilson's Phalarope Common Loon T Common Merganser W T Red-bellied Woodpecker American Woodcock P P Red-throated Loon T Red-breasted Merganser W Red-headed Woodpecker Common Snipe P GREBES: W Yellow-bellied Sapsucker W VULTURES: Short-billed Dowitcher T Red-necked Grebe T Hairy Woodpecker P Turkey Vulture Long-billed Dowitcher Horned Grebe W P Downy Woodpecker P Black Vulture Red Knot T Eared Grebe P Red-cockaded Woodpecker P Sanderling T Pied-billed Grebe HAWKS : Semipalmated Sandpiper T FLYCATCHERS : PELICANS, CORMORANTS, DARTERS : American Swallow-tailed Kite A Western Sandpiper T Eastern Kingbird S
American White Pelican Mississippi Kite S Least Sandpiper Gray Kingbird A ...... T Double-crested Lormorant Sharp-shinned Hawk ...... W Whit,,-rnmpPd Sandpiper Western Kingbird T - Cooper's Hawk P Anhinga P Baird's Sandpiper T Scissor-tailed Flycatcher A - Red-tailed Hawk P Pectoral Sandpiper T Great Crested Flycatcher S HERONS, BITTERNS, STORKS : - Red-shouldered Hawk P Dunlin T Eastern Phoebe W Great Blue Heron P Broad-winged Hawk S Stilt Sandpiper T Yellow-bellied Flycatcher T Green-backed Heron S - Rough-legged Hawk A Little Blue Heron P Buff-breasted Sandpiper T Acadian Flycatcher S - Golden Eagle W Willow Flycatcher Cattle Egret S Ruff A T - Bald Eagle P Alder Flycatcher T Great Egret P Northern Harrier W GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS : Snowy Egret Least Flycatcher T P OSPREYS, FALCONS : Herring Gull P Tricolored Heron P Eastern Wood-Pewee S Ring-billed Gull P Olive-sided Flycatcher Black-crowned Night Heron P - Osprey P T Peregrine Falcon T Laughing Gull T LARKS, SWALLOWS : Yellow-crowned Night Heron S Franklin's Gull A Least Bittern S Merlin T Horned Lark W Bonaparte's Gull W American Bittern W - American Kestrel W Tree Swallow T Forster's Tern Wood Stork QUAIL, TURKEYS, CRANES : W Bank Swallow T A Common Tern W IBISES: - Northern Bobwhite P Northern Rough-winged Swallow S Little Tern S Barn SwallowS Glossy Ibis - Wild Turkey P S Royal Tern T Cliff SwallowT White Ibis - Sandhill Crane A P Caspian Tern T Purple Martin S Dollar sunfish Lepomis marginatus Longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis Redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus Spotted sunfish Lepomis punctatus Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides White crappie Pomoxis annularis Black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus FISHES PERCHES PERCIDAE .Carolina darter Etheostoma collis Fantail darter Etheostoma flabellare Swamp darter Etheostoma fusiforme Johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum Tessellated darter Etheostoma olmstedi Saluda darter Etheostoma saludae Sawcheek darter Etheostoma serriferum Seagreen darter Etheostoma thalassinum Yellow perch Perca flavescens Piedmont darter ; Percina crassa Shield darter Percina peltata
MULLETS MUGILIDAE Striped mullet Mugil cephalus
SOLES SOLEIDAE Hogchoker Trinectes maculatus
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
42570-7 April 1983
The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, established in PIKES ESOCIDAE Yellow bullhead 1etnlurus natalis 1941 as a refuge for migratory waterfowl, lies in Redfin pickerel Esox a. americanus Brown bullhead Ictalurus nebulosus the upper coastal plains of central South Carolina Chain pickerel Esox niger Flat bullhead Ictalurus platycephalus in Clarendon County, approximately seven miles Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus south of Summerton on Highway 301 . The refuge MINNOWS and CARPS CYPRINIDAE Tadpole madtom Noturus gyrinus is comprised of 15,095 acres of mixed hardwoods, Goldfish Carassius auratus Margined madtom Noturus insignis mixed pine-hardwoods, pine plantations, marsh, Common carp Cyprinus carpio Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, and Mississippi silvery minnow Hybognathus nuchalis open waters located in four separate management Highback chub Hybopsis hypsinotus CAVEFISHES AMBL YOPSIDAE units along Lake Marion, a hydro-electric reservoir . Thicklip chub Hybopsis labrosa Swampfish Chologaster eornuta Bluehead chub Nocomis leptocephalus Although minimal fish management is conducted Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas PIRATE PERCHES APHREDODERIDAE at Santee, the waters of the lake and refuge provide Highfin shiner Notropis altipinnis Pirate Perch Aphredoderus sayanus optimum habitat for a variety of game and non- Ironcolor shiner Notropis chalybaeus game fish species . Lake Marion is one of the fore- Greenfin shiner Notropis chloristius NEEDLEFISHES BELONIDAE most recreational fishing spots in the nation. Fol- Greenhead shiner Notropis chlorocephalus Atlantic needlefish Strongylura marina lowing is a species list derived from records and Warpaint shiner Notropis coccogenis collections by refuge personnel and visiting ichthy- Dusky shiner Notropis cummingsae KILLIFISHES C YPRINODONTIDAE ologists. More exhaustive collecting would doubt- Whitetail shir ~r No tropis galac turus Golden topminnow Fundulus chrysotus lessly reveal additional species. Persons having in- Spottail shiner Notropis hudsonius Lined topminnow Fundulus lineolatus formation regarding species not listed herein are Sailfin shiner Notropis hypselopterus urged to contact the Refuge Manager, Santee Na- Yellowfin shiner Notropis lutipinnis LIVEBEARERS POECILIIDAE tional Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, Box 66, Summer- Taillight shiner Notropis maculatus Mosquitofish Gam busia affinis ton, South Carolina 29148 . Whitefin shiner Notropis niveus Least killifish Heterandria formosa Coastal shiner Notropis petersoni Swallowtail shiner Notropis procne SILVERSIDES ATHERINIDAE STURGEONS ACIPENSERIDAE Fieryblack shiner Notropis pyrrhomelas Brook silverside Labidesthes sicculus Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus Sandbar shiner Notropis scepticus Tidewater silverside Menidia bervll ;na Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum Mirror shiner Notropis spectrunculus Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus TEMPERATE BASSES PERCICHTHYIDAE LEPISO TEIDAE-- Longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus SUCKERS CATOSTOMIDAE White bass Morone chrysops Quillback Carpoides cyprinus Striped bass Morone saxatilis BOWFINS AMIIDAE White'sucker Catostomus commersoni Hybrid striped bass x white bass Morme sp. Bowfin Amia calva Creek chubsucker Erimyzon oblongus Lake chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta SUNFISHES CENTRAR CHIDAE FRESHWATER EELS ANG UILLIDAE Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus Mud sunfish Acantharchus pomotis American eel Anguilla rostrata Bigmouth buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus Flier Centrarchus macropterus Spotted sucker Minytrema melanops Banded pygmy sunfish Elassoma zonatum HERRINGS CL UPEIDAE Silver redhorse Moxostoma anisurum Blackbanded sunfish Enneacanthus chaetodon Blueback herring Alosa aestivalis Shorthead redhorse Moxostoma macrolepidotum ~- Bluespotted sunfish Enneacanthus gloriosus Hickory shad Alosa mediocris Suckermouth redhorse Moxostoma pappilosum Banded sunfish Ennaeeanthus obesus American shad Alosa sapidissima Smallfin redhorse Moxostoma robustum Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus Gizzard shad Dorosoma eepedianum Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense FRESHWATER CATFISHES ICTAL URIDAE Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus Snail bullhead Ictalurus brunneus Warmouth Lepomis gulosus MUDMINNOWS UMBRIDAE White catfish Ictalurus catus Orangespotted sunfish Lepornis humilis Eastern mudminnow Umbra pygmaea Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus Bluegill Lepomis maerochirus MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethicus). It is common around water . BLACK RAT (Rattus rattus). This is a non-native animal that may occur around buildings . NORWAY RAT (Rattus norvegicus). Also introduced, the animal may occur around buildings, grain bins and cultivated fields . HOUSE MOUSE (Mus nrusculus). An introduced species, it is common around buildings and fields .
CARNIVORES These mammals are predators that live mainly on fresh- ly killed prey, although some are ominvorous, and eat a lot of vegetative material . RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes) . A small, red, doglike mam- mal with a long . white-tipped, bushy tail, it is common throughout the refuge, especially in cropland areas . r4 GRAY FOX (Urocvon cinereoargenteus) . Small and doglike and colored grayish above and reddish below with a long. black-tipped, bushy tail . this mammal is i common in woody and brushy •ireas . 9 RACCOON (Procvon lotor). Easily identified by its .f black and brownish-gray ringed tail and black mask, n this mammal is common throughout the refuge . LONG-TAILED WEASEL (Mustela frenata). Brown above and white below with a black-tipped, brown tail, this nocturnal mammal prefers to hunt in areas near water . MINK (Mustela vison). Dark brown or black with white spots on the chin and throat- this nocturnal mammal hunts along the lake edge and around the refuge canals, impoundments and marshes . i STRIPED SKUNK (Mephitis mephitis) . Black with two white stripes on its back, this mammal is rarely seen in the area . RIVER OTTER (Lutra canadensis). Dark brown with a paler belly and throat, prominent whiskers, a long tapering tail and webbed feet . this mammal is common in refuge waters but submerges quickly and quietly i r when disturbed by humans . Lr BOBCAT (Felis rufus). Grayish with black spots and a short tail, this mammal is common but only seen occasionally . HOOFED MAMMALS a WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) . Santee's only hoofed mammal is easily identified by its long slender legs and "white-flag" tail . Common i)I?PARTMI :NT OF THE INTERIOR U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service but difficult to observe . this mammal is tan or reddish- RF-42570-3-January 1985 brown above in summer and grayish-brown in winter with white below . Bucks have antlers which they shed yearly and fawns are reddish colored with white spots .
The Santee NationalWildlife Refuge, established in 1941 STAR-NOSED MOLE (Condvlura cristata) . A long. RODENTS as a refuge for migratory waterfowl, lies in the upper hairy tail and 22 fleshy projecti9ns on the nt e make coastal plains of central South Carolina in Claiendon this stole unmistakable in its usually wet ha at county . approximately seven miles south of Sumrnerton These gnawing mammals have two pairs of incisor teeth . on Highway 301 . Although common, sonic species are seldom seen and BATS difficult to identi v unless in hand . The refuge is comprised of 15,095 acres of mixed hard- woods, mixed pine-hardwoods, pine plant at ions,niarsh, MARSH RABBIT (Svlvilagus pahistris) . Dark brown croplands. old fields, ponds, impoundments and open Bats are the only mammals that tru fly. 1 hese matn- with a sntalfgrayish-brown tail, this rabbit is conunon waters located in four separate management units along ntals are best seen flying about at dusk searching for on the refuge around the lake edges, swamps and Lake Marion, a hydro-elect ie reservoir . This diversity insects . bottonttands . of habitat on the refuge supports a wide variety of r- FASTLRN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus) . maninials. 'it~ Grayish-brown above with white below the short tail . this common resident inhabits brushy areas, old fields, This list of 45 species is based on records and observa- LITTLE BROWN MYOTIS /Moods lucifittgus),-'TItis woods and : cultivated areas . tions by refuge personnel, state biologists and local bat is glossy brown above and buff below and is seen GRAY SQUIRREL(Sc•iunts carolinensis) . Gray, silver- citizens and on a literature search of appropriate pub- occasionally during warm weather . tipped hair and a flat . bushy tail characterize this com- lications . Persons having information regarding species SILVER-HAIRED 13AT (Lasionvcteri.c noctrbagansK. not listed are urged to contact the Refuge Manager . The silver-haired bat is nearly black with silver frosted mon forest resident . FOX SQUI RREL(SciuruSniger). This, Our largest tree Santee National Wildlife Refuge . Route 2 . Box 66, hairs on the hack and is found in protected areas of Sununerton, 'South Carolina 29148, or telephone trees . squirrel is usually black and white, but can vary . A large bushy tail with yellow-tipped hairs can be seen (803) 478-2217 . EASTERN PIPISTRI-:LLE (Pipistrellus subflavus). • on this occasional forest resident . This species of bat can he found during the daytime SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL (Glauc•o hanging in vegetation . The eastern pipistrelle is our ;,, nrvs volans). This is our only flying squirrel and Our small- smallest bat and has reddish to light brown, j~icolored` MARSI'PLALS est squirrel, and although very common on the refuge, hair, is seldom seen since it is nocturnal . These are nianunals that bear very undeveloped young BiG BROWN BAT (I-ptesicus fiiscus) . Thislarge brotsn BEAVER (Castor canadensis). This large, dark brown and carry them in a pouch on the belly . bat is found in buildings arid hollo W- trees . rodent has a paddle-shaped, flat, black . scaly tail RED BAT (Lasiurus borealis). Varying shades of red . VIRGINIA OPOSSUM (Didelplris virginiana) . This Although not yet positively identified on the refuge, with white frosting on back arid breast and a whitish nocturnal mammal is common on the refuge . ~ -. r this inammal is known to occur within three miles of patch on each shoulder distinguish this hat which is the refuge on- Lake Marion and is possibly using the found in sumnier in trees and hedgerows . refuge lands and waters. SEMINOLE BAT (Lasiunts seminolus) . This silver- MARSH RICE RAT frosted, mahogany brown bat is found during daytime (Oryzomys palustris) . It is a INSECTIVORE - common-restdettt of niarshcb, sisals deed impuund- S -hanging-in clumps of Spanish moss . nients HOARY BAT (Lasiunts cinereus). Light brown with EASTERN HARVEST MOUSE Shrews and moles are small maninials with short thick dense white frosting and a huff throat, our largest but (Reithrodauont.vs fuunulis). They are conmitvn in refuge old fields and fur, tiny eyes and ears and five clawed toes on their rarely seen bat can be found hanging_ front evergreen ''field edges . feet. branches. OLDFIELD MOUSE (Peromvscus polionotus) . This NORTHERN YELLOW BAT (Lasiunts interniedius). SOUTHEASTERN SHREW (S(~rex longirostris) . This Large with long, silky, yelfriwish-brown fur touched animal is common in timbered lowlands and old fields . COTTON I4OUSL long-tailed mammal is brownish above and buff below with black above, this tree-loving bat can rarely be (Peromvscus gossvpinus). It is and can be found burrowing in mossy areas, fields . common in- timbered lowlands . brushy areas and seen by day, hanging in clumps of Spanish moss . brushy areas and woods Swaritps . . EVENING BAT (Nveticeius humeralis). The evening GOLDEN MOUSE (Ochrotonrvs nuttalli) . These SOUTHERN SHORT-TAILED SHREW (Blarina bat is reddish-brown above and tawny below and is mammals are contmon in thickets . brushy areas and carolinensis). This shrew is gray all over with a short found in sunnier in buildings and hollow trees . tail and is common under hedges and in woodlands . swamps . LEAST SHREW (Cryptotis parva), The least shrew is RAFINESQUE'S BIG-EARED BAT (Plecotus raf?nes- HISPID COTTON RAT (Siginodon hispidus) . It is short-tailed and grayish-brown or brown with a paler quii). Large ears distinguish this brown bat with white common in grassy areas, brush piles and forest edges . belly and prefers fields, marshes and wet woods . frosting below . EASTERN WOODRAT (Neotomaf?oridana). They are EASTERN MOLE (Scalopusaquaticus) . A long, naked BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT (Tadarida brasili- coninion in woodlands and hedges . snout, outturned palms, webbed toes and a short, ensis) . The naked tail extending beyond the interfem- WOODLAND OR PINE VOLE (Microtus pinelontrn) . naked tail identify this resident of fields and waste oral membrane separates this bat front the others . These animals are noted for their tunnels in woodlands . areas.