Review and Approvals Santee National Wildlife Refuge

REVIEW AND APPROVALS

SANTEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Summerton, South Carolina

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1991

171. Ao - 7 ?z Refuge Manager~ /-Da e ssociate Manager Date INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS 1

B. CLIMATIC C0NNDITIONS 2

C . LAND ACQUISITION

1 . Fee Title Nothing to Report 2. Easements Nothing to Report 3 . Other 3 4. Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements 3

D . PLANNING

1. Master Plan Nothing to Report 2. Management Plan Nothing to Report 3. Public Participation 4 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resources Mandates 5 5 . Research and Investigation 5 5. Other Nothing to Report

E. ADMINISTRATION

Personnel 9 Youth Programs 12 Other Manpower Programs Nothing to Report Volunteer Program 13 Funding 14 Safety 14 Technical Assistance Nothing to Report Other Nothing to Report

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General 17 2 . Wetlands 17 3 . Forests 24 4 . Croplands 24 5 . Grasslands Nothing to Report 6 . Other Habitats Nothing to Report 7 . Grazing Nothing to Report 8 . Haying Nothing to Report 9 . Fire Management 26 10 . Pest Control 26 11 . Water Rights Nothing to Report 12 . Wilderness and Special Areas 28 13 . WPA Fasanent Monitoring Nothing to Report 14. Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements 28 15 . Private Lands 28 Page

16 . Other Fasements Nothing to Report

G . WILDLIFE

1 . Wildlife Diversity Nothing to Report 2 . Endangered and/or Threatened Species 28 3 . Waterfowl 30 4 . Marsh and Water Birds 32 5 . Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 33 6 . Raptors 33 7 . Other Migratory Birds 34 8 . Game Mammals 34 9 . Marine Mammals Nothing to Report 10 . Other Resident Wildlife 35 11 . Fisheries Resources Nothing to Report 12 . Wildlife Propagation and Stocking 35 13 . Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to Report 14 . Scientific Collections Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control Nothing to Report 16 . Marking and Banding 36 17 . Disease Prevention and Control Nothing to Report

H. PUBLIC USE

1 . General 36 2 . Outdoor Classrooms - Students Nothing to Report 3 . Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to Report 4 . Interpretive Foot Trails 44 5. Interpretive Tour Trails Nothing to Report 6 . Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations 44 7. Other interpretive Programs 45 8. Hunting 45 9. Fishing 48 10. Trapping Nothing 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 Vehicling Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to Report 17 . Law Enforcement 49 18. Cooperating Associations Nothing to Report 19 . Concessions Nothing to Report

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1 . New Construction Nothing to Report 2 . Rehabilitation Nothing to Report 3 . Major Maintenance 52 4 . Equipment Utilization andReplacement 53

ii Page

5. Carmunications Systems 54 6 . Computer System 54 7. Energy Conservationn Nothing to Report 8. Other Nothing to Report

J. OTHER ITEMS

1 . Cooperative Programs Nothing to Report 2 . Other Economic Uses Nothing to Report 3. Item of Interest 54 4 . Credits 55

K. FEEDBACK

111

LAKE MARION

SANTEE National Wildlife Refuge DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Fish and Wild Service 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 caused by the construction of hydro-electric power and navigational projects on the Santee and Cooper Rivers . Except for some 4,400 acres of fee title land, the refuge is superimposed on lands and waters of the 110,000-acre Lake Marion reservoir which is administered by the South Carolina Public Service Authority (SCPSA) .

The refuge is physically divided into four geographically separated management units containing 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 . Special emphasis is placed on managing specific habitat for the wood duck . In addition, emphasis is placed on management of the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species .

Included in the refuge is the 420-acre Dingle Pond Unit which is a designated Public Use Natural Area . This unit consists primarily of a Carolina Bay and as such is of local geological significance . The 163- acre Plantation Islands area and Little Pine Island are proposed for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System . However, the proposal has not yet been signed by the president . Historic sites within the refuge and listed in the National Register include the Santee Indian Mound, the site of Fort Watson of Revolutionary War fame . This site is also listed in the South Carolina register of historical sites . r A fifty-year lease agreement between the USFWS and the SCPSA became effective in 1975 . This lease completely altered the water boundary and changed much of the land boundary from the original lease . Provisions in the lease permitted the posting of mutually agreed upon boundaries which would become official refuge boundaries once officially surveyed . Both land and water boundary surveys were completed in 1985 and final approved maps from the SCPSA in 1986 .

A . HIGHLIGHTS

Waterfowl numbers are still down although goose numbers have leveled off . (Section G .1)

This was the wettest year in recent history . (Section B)

Northrup King Co . donated 200 bags of corn seed . (Section J .3)

The staff banded 748 wood ducks, the most ever . (Section G . 16)

Who ever heard of killing Johnsongrass in corn? (Section F . 10)

- More pumping of water to flood or dewater was done than in recorded refuge history . (Section F . 2)

Safety grating was installed around three in-ground pumps . (Section E . 6)

Another contour dike was constructed in Timber Island Field on the Cuddo Unit. (Section F .2)

- The refuge celebrated its 50th anniversary . (Section H . 1)

Refuge office/visitor center on the shore of Lake Marion . Many visitors wish they could buy it for their personal residence . (GF)

1 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/early spring, late summer, and early fall . Annual mean temperature and precipitation based on a 30-year average is 63 .5 of and 46 .35 inches, respectively .

This year precipitation totaled 60 .86 inches, considerably more than last year's 43 .17 inches . The wet spring and summer caused us to have to pump much more than normal, but the crops did well . However, some crops in low areas drown out . In September the rains quit and we had to pump all water to flood impoundments in November for waterfowl . As a contrast, last year we had to let water out because of Fall rains to prevent overtopping of dikes and roads .

The summer was hot at times with temperatures breaking 100 of only in July, but exceeding 90 of four other months . Refer to Table 1 .

Table 1 . Climatological data on Santee Refuge, 1991 Precipitation (inches) Temperatures (oF) Lake Average 1st Month Total 30-yr -Avg No . Max Min Max Min of Mth Avg +Avg Days o F . o F . Rain JAN 8 .41 3 .44 +4 .97 12 71 25 50 34 74 .50

FEB 1 .15 3 .67 -2 .52 5 81 18 59 35 74 .55

MAR 4 .22 4 .66 -0.44 5 87 32 67 42 75 .80

APR 7 .34 3.51 +3.83 12 89 29 76 51 76 .70

MAY 6 .24 3.35 +2 .89 11 97 53 84 60 76 .20

JUNE 2 .91 3.82 -0 .91 11 96 54 90 67 76 .25

JULY 9 .51 5 .65 +3 .86 14 1'o 67 92 70 76 .20

AUG 14 .89 5 .63 +9 .26 13 97 63 93 71 76 .00

SEP 1 .37 4 .32 -2 .95 3 97 48 84 64 75 .50

OCT 1 .19 2 .58 -1 .39 3 86 40 77 51 74 .70

NOV 1 .75 2 .34 -0 .59 5 80 24 67 41 73 .65

DEC 1 .88 3 .38 -1 .50 5 82 18 58 34 73 .40

C . LAND ACQUISITION

3 . Other

Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements

A 21-acre deeded conservation easement was posted in February in extreme western Orangeburg County . This was the first one for Santee NWR and at year's end was the last one . In 1990, four tracts in Clarendon County and one in Abbeville County were recommended for the easement program by Fish and Wildlife Enhancement and the Division of Wildlife and Habitat Management, but at year's end no word had come to post the boundaries .

The distance between the white posts is the width of the conservation easement that Asst . Mgr . Fringeli is posting . (GB)

3 i

Mgr. Bond posting the easement that is not much for waterfowl habibat . (GF)

D . PLANNING

3 . PublicParticipation

The South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department (SCWMRD) held a series of three public meetings in the Santee-Cooper lakes area to present options and receive feedback about waterfowl management in the area . The primary purpose of the meetings was to discuss several proposals concerning changes in hunting regulations on the lakes . Since we are the primary waterfowl managers on the lakes, we were invited to attend to give our input .

Refuge personnel were present at two of the meetings . Mgr . Bond and Asst . Mgr . Fringeli attended the December 5th meeting in Manning and Mgr . Bond also attended the December 17th meeting in Orangeburg . The meetings consisted of three phases . First, a brief history of waterfowl use and populations on the lakes since their creation in 1941 was presented . Then SCWMRD officials discussed their proposed changes to the hunting regulations on the lakes, and finally the floor was opened to receive hunters' input on the proposals . SCWMRD's proposals, which may be approved singularly or in combination, included increasing the area on the lakes that would be limited to 1/2 day hunting, limiting hunting on the lakes to 2 or 3 days a week, reduce the number of hunting days on the state's waterfowl management areas, and creating a waterfowl sanctuary on an area west of the refuge on Lake Marion . These proposals, along with other actions, are being suggested to help increase the number of waterfowl in the Santee-Cooper lakes area .

4 One of the hunters' main concerns is the cause of the decline in waterfowl numbers on the lakes and what actions are being taken to increase waterfowl populations . Questions concerning Santee's management practices were addressed by Mgr . Bond . A few hunters correlated the reduced farming program on the refuge over the past several years with the decline in waterfowl numbers . Mgr. Bond pointed out that several impoundment construction projects over the past ten years enables us to flood more acres now than were flooded during the years of highest waterfowl use . He also informed the group that over the past couple of years unused corn had to be plowed under prior to the start of a new planting season . In other words, the corn is available but the waterfowl are not using it . This seems to be the result of the declining number of birds wintering in the area and also to a change in feeding habits by the ducks and geese that winter here .

Attendance at both meetings was 50 - 60 people . SCW D requested written comments from the hunters before they make any changes to the hunt regulations . A second series of public meetings to present the results of the comments and any proposed changes will be held in February 1992 .

4 . Compliance With Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

In 1990, several meetings were held between the FWS and South Carolina archaeologists concerning damages that occurred around the Santee Indian mound during a logging operation to clean up debris caused by Hurricane Hugo . Based on site inspections and ensuing discussions, the following recommendations were made : 1) repair damages (tire ruts) caused by loggers to prevent any further potential damages ; 2) conduct a survey of the site to determine the extent of any damages and to locate the boundaries of significant cultural resources ; 3) develop a management plan for the site when the boundaries have been delineated ; 4) prohibit any further use of 0 heavy equipment near the site ; 5) as the lead land agency the USFWS must approve any future activities within the site, even those conducted by the lessee - the SC Department of Parks,Recreation and Tourism . The cost of the survey, estimated at $30,000, is to come from USFWS funds .

On March 12 another on-site meeting was held at the mound . Those in attendance included Asst . Mgr . Fringeli, Dave Anderson and Harry Sheele of the National Park Service in Atlanta, SC State Parks archaeologist Donnie Barker, deputy state archaeologist Steven Smith and State Historic Preservation Office archaeologist Charlie Hall . Although the five recommendations that were agreed on in 1991 were discussed, a more immediate concern was to stabilize the mound . Many years of neglect had resulted in some erosion on the sides of the mound . A plan to hand clear the vegetation off the mound, fill the small eroded areas with sterile fill dirt, and then hydroseed the site with Bermuda grass was agreed on . A second item of importance that was agreed on was the need to stabilize the lake shore adjacent to the mound . Due to funding and logistics problems, this plan was not initiated during the year .

A proposal to clear the vegetation off of the mound and then hydroseed it was prepared by Donny Barker and submitted to the Regional Office . The proposal was approved and signed off by Regional Director Pulliam . On

5 April 4th Donny Barker sprayed the mound to kill the vegetation . A second application was required a couple of weeks later . On May 1st the state brought in a crew to remove the vegetation . All of the vegetation, including several small trees, was cut off at ground level . Precautions were taken not to pull plants up by the roots to avoid disturbing the mound . After the crew was finished, the only vegetative material that remained was large wisteria vines that could not be safely removed without damaging the site . fill dirt was then used to fill in exposed holes .

Fortunately, during the period after the mound was cleared and before the hyroseeding , there were no heavy rains to wash loose soil off of the unprotected mound . The mound was hydroseeded on May 7th . The seeding was done by a company out of Columbia contraoted by the state . The green slurry material that was sprayed on the mound consisted of hulled and unhulled Bermuda grass seed, browntop millet seed, a formulation of slow release 15-15-15 fertilizer, and an organic tackifier . Since the browntop millet is a faster grower it is used to control erosion before the slower sprouting and growing Bermuda grass can crowd it out . The tackifier dries to form a hard shell that protects the seeds from temperature fluctuations and evaporation of soil moisture . Initial results were good . The Bermuda grass came in good and covered almost the entire mound, except for several small sections . After awhile, however, weeds and wisteria started coming up . It may take a few more treatments with herbicides to control the weeds and a couple more years for the Bermuda grass to get thick enough to crowd everything else out . As for now, the erosion problem seems to be under control and the appearance of the mound is much better now that the unsightly vegetation is gone . The form and shape of the mound can be appreciated by visitors to the site .

The entire cost of the project, except for some of the herbicide that 0 was provided by the refuge, was borne by the state .

Before the Indian Hound was cleared . (GF)

I* At

After. Two large stumps are evidence of three size before hurricane Hugo . (GF)

State contractor hydroseeding the Indian Mound . (GF)

5 . Research andInvestigations

a . 43525-I-1-Migration and Survival of Canada Geese Wintering in the Atlantic Flyway. withSD4cialEmphasis on the Carolinas . 0 This continued to be a high priority program . Santee's main objectives of 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 geese . It was originally coordinated by Dr . Richard Halecki with the New York Coopera- tive Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University . In October 1990 the New York Wildlife Cooperative Unit completed the study . However, Patuxtent Wildlife Research Center wanted us to continue reading collars and attempt to neck collar geese . Early this year 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 headed by Dr . Jay Hestbeck . The modifications included a change in the reporting forms and the inclusion of resident Canada geese in the study .

During the year a total of 224 neck collars were read . Of these, 138 were on migratory geese and 86 were on resident geese . These collar readings did not consist of 224 different numbers, but were about 35 numbers read on several occasions . Attempts to capture and collar geese were again unsuccessful . The geese completely ignored bait on the trap site, preferring to feed in Cantey Bay or on the corn and wheat available in the fields .

8 b . Furbearer Survey

Santee annually participates In SCW D'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 . This year the lines were set up and recorded in October . The results were 0 submitted to the state coordinator . c . Acid Rain Station

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 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 .

d . Evaporation Station

In 1989 the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) set up an evaporation monitoring station on the Bluff Unit . The station was one of several set up around Lake Marion to record evaporation rates over a two year period . Daily data was kept on air and water temperatures , rainfall and wind speed . Refuge staff recorded the data and submitted the results monthly to the state coordinator . The study was completed in March . DHEC disassembled and removed the station . M We have not received a final report on the study . E . ADMINISTRATION

1 . Personnel

There were no personnel changes during the year . The station staffing plan remained at 6 FTE's . The same old staff that made it through 1990 remained on through 1991 .

There were two personal career highlights this year . Manager Bond reached 30 years of federal service on December 30th . Four years included active duty in the Navy and the remaining 26 years have been with the FWS . Automotive Mechanic John Johnson reached 20 years of federal service on November 22nd . John spent 6 years with the U .S . Postal Service before joining FWS . Both Glen and John received framed certificates and tie 0 pins upon reaching these length of service milestones .

w a v to Y 0

STAFF PHOTO

(selftimmer by GB)

1 5 4 3 6 2

Name/Title Grade EOD Status

1 . Glen W. Bond, Jr ., Refuge Manager GS-12 08/84 PFT 2 . Gerard C . Fringeli, Supervisory ROS GS-11 01/90 PFT 3 . Edward M. Stuckey, Range Technician GS-07 06/62 PFT 4 . Rufus Gaymon, Office Assistant GS-06 08/78 PFT 5 . John H . Johnson, Automotive Mechanic WG-10 07/77 PFT 6 . Bobby L . Pearson, Tractor Operator WG-07 08/88 PFT

10 Mgr. Bond presents Auto Mechanic John Johnson with his 20-yr . service certificate . John has been with the Service since 1977 and all at Santee . (GF)

Mgr . Bond was presented his 30-year service certificate by Federal Express --no fault of his supervisor who was by-passed in the delivery process .

(GF)

2 . Youth Programs

Two enrollees were selected to participate in the YCC program . Both enrollees were brought in for one hour prior to the start of the program to familiarize them with their job duties, fill out required forms and to answer questions . Brian Gilmore of Santee started the eight-week program on June 10th and Greg Walker of Summerton began on June 12th . Greg quit before the program was over due to family health problems that required him to assist at home . Brian remained the entire length of the program .

Primary duties included litter pickup, nature trail maintenance, boundary sign maintenance, clearing brush along roads and levees, cleaning vehicles and equipment, mowing grass, grounds maintenance and assisting refuge staff on various projects . The remaining enrollee, Brian, completed the program on August 9th .

YCC'ers Brian Gilmore (L) and Greg Walker . (GB)

4 . Volunteer Program

Although participation in this program is low there were several individuals who donated their time to the refuge . Harold "Fuzzy" Furse, a local waterfowl hunter and enthusiast, contributed many hours from April through September checking wood duck boxes and assisting with the banding program . Fuzzy is concerned about the waterfowl resource and this interest shows in his enthusiasm to work on the refuge . Fuzzy maintains the nesting data on the boxes and reports any needed repairs or other details that require attention . During the banding season he frequently helps to band ducks and often brings his sons or friends to assist . Fuzzy has donated time on the refuge for several years . Since he usually works during off duty hours and doesn't keep an account of the hours he puts in we estimated that he donated 125 hours during the year .

"Fuzzy" Furse was a good volunteer to have around when it came time to band wood ducks or check nest boxes . (GF)

13 Every year the wildlife class from Sumter Area Technical College helps out at the check station on the first day of the Cuddo Unit primitive weapons hunt. This year ten students participated along with their instructor Joey Taylor . The students help refuge personnel weigh deer, pull and age jaw bones, put on appropriate antlerless deer tags, record successful hunters' names and addresses, and record data . The students appreciate the opportunity to do some hands-on field work . We appreciate the extra help, since this is the busiest day of the deer hunts . The class spent six hours at the check station resulting in 60 volunteer hours .

Jeannie Bond and Betty Stuckey were gracious hosts during our 50th anniversary celebration . The ladies set up the refreshment table and 0 dispensed soft drinks and coffee throughout the day . The names may sound familiar because they are the wives of Hgr . Bond and Range Tech Stuckey .

5 . Funding

Initial funding allocated for FY-91 was $278 .8K . Of this amount, $2,000 was allocated for the GSX contaminant study which is being done by Wildlife Enhancement Office in Charleston and, therefore, could not be directly spent by the refuge . During the year four adjustments were made : 1) $24 .2K of carry over funds for Hurricane Hugo cleanup and repairs were added ; 2) $2K for a proposed partners project that fell through was taken back; 3) $10.5K to purchase a pickup truck was added ; and 4) $2 .6K were received for the YCC program . This brought the final funding level to $314 .1K, a 9% decrease from FY 90 .

TABLE 2 . Five-Year, FY Funding Allocation ($1,000'S) Sub-Activity 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1120 1 .0 0 .5 1221 1 .5 1260 229 .6 1261 180 .5 203 .3 204 .7 163 .1 1262 104 .9 93 .4 88 .3 112 .4 2821 24 .2 50 .0 6860 3 .0 9120 3 .0 TOTAL 314 .1 346 .7 294 .0 276 .0 232 .6

6 . Safety

Staff safety meetings were held on a monthly 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, office safety, eye and ear hazards, back injuries, hypertension, assisting choking victims, and stress relief . YCC enrollees also attended the meetings during the summer program .

Fortunately, no accidents requiring medical attention or involving lost time off the job occurred during the year . A total of 406 921 staff hours have been worked since the last lost-time accident in 1966 .

One accident involving property damages did occur during the construction of a crossover ramp in Timber Island field . Manager Bond turned over the International dump truck while backing up the ramp with the bed in the transport position . The truck landed on its right side damaging the door, door frame and mirror . The dump bed was also knocked out of alignment . The bed has been straightened out . The door, frame and mirror have not yet been repaired . Total damages are estimated at $1,000 .

7 Additional grates were constructed around the Black Bottom, Pine Island and Bluff Unit pumps . The new grates will prevent someone from acciden- tally falling in between the pumps and the concrete housing . This could be especially dangerous when the pumps are running . Fishermen occasionally use these areas .

All of the station's fire extinguishers were checked in April by a certified inspector .

The dirt was too soft on the edge to hold the loaded dump truck and Mgr . Bond inspects after crawling out the driver's window . (Larry Davis)

One of three in-ground pumps before safety grating was fabricated and installed by mechanic Johnson . (GF)

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After (GF)

16 F . HABITATMANAGEMENT

1 . General

Ongoing evaluation of habitat and land use guided activities in 1991 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. PineIslandUnit

This unit is unique in that greentree reservoirs, moist soil habitat, and permanent open waters are present . Managed waters of the unit were brought to a summer elevation of 76 .2' MSL in March, but with a very wet summer it was impossible to maintain that level, even with many days of pumping . Rains all but stopped the first of September, but there was an excellent growth of moist soil plants, a majority of which were desirable to waterfowl . With dry conditions prevailing into Fall, all the non-forested areas were burned in mid-November to set back encroachment of woody plants . In October, two 5- acre areas were disced and planted to wheat for green browse during the winter . Immediately after the burn, water was pumped in to bring pool levels to 77 .4' MSL . At this level, which is the maximum for the dike and road system, timber and moist soil areas are flooded . The three areas of year- round 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 more 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 1991 were dictated by precipitation and evaporation . During the summer, water level stayed well above the spillway, and at year's end water was still flowing over the spillway . The spillway elevation is necessary to prevent flooding a state highway .

17 The Dingle Pond Unit . (GF) c . CuddoUnit

Six wetland management areas have been identified on the Cuddo Unit, and are connected to the main water source via a system of canals and water control structures . The main water source is a 48-inch reversible, high capacity pump located at Black Bottom, a part of Lake Marion . From this location all impoundments and wetland areas can be inundated and dewatered . Dewatering can also be done by gravity flow, depending on lake level, through a 36-inch'screwgate on the Potato Creek side . In addition, the Cuddo Unit contains permanent water and green timber reservoirs .

In 1991 the entire unit was managed as a single unit, although there are several water control structures in the overall system . In January 1991 maximum water elevations of 76 .0' MSL were maintained throughout the unit ensuring shallow inundation in green timber reservoirs and moist soil areas . With only minor fluctuation, this elevation was maintained through the winter until drawdown was initiated during mid-March . A summer elevation of 74 .5' MSL was our goal, but heavy summer rains kept levels fluctuating . Many hours of pumping out was done in May and August to prevent damage to timber from high water .

Timber Island Field can be and is managed separately from the remaining Cuddo Unit wetlands system . Having its own in/out pumps, the field was flooded at least 12 inches deeper than the main system in winter and drained in summer . Plans were to plant about 40 acres of corn in Timber Island field, but wet conditions prevailed and we had to go to milo in June .

Before the 4th and last contour level in Timber Island Field was finished . The field had been planted to milo, but was grassy with good stands of millet. The dike will meet an existing dike at white marker stake in lower center . (GB)

After construction and flooding, although the picture is too dark to show much water . (GF)

An existing contour dike segment had to be raised to accommodate water levels in the 4th level of Timber Island Field . Tractor Operator Pearson did a food job while getting on-the-job training . (GF)

The finished product - Timber I . Field on Dec . 23 (GF)

Pump No . 3, which is the supply pump for the three upper contour levels of Timber Island Field, broke down and was not replaced or functional until year's end . However, we were able to start pumping into the upper levels at mid-December, which allowed several thousand ducks to use the field .

20 0

d. BluffUnit

This is primarily a farming unit where waterfowl foods are produced 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 . Expansive beds of Hydrilla verticillata, a submergent aquatic plant generally considered a pest species in Lake Marion, was observed in all of Cantey Day during the year . This species has expanded its local range on the lake in recent years, but only in the past four years has it been noted on the refuge in any significant amounts . Interesting to note was the intense use of these grass beds by wintering waterfowl . From the arrival of waterfowl concentrations in late October and November the w- major use area was the grass beds . Since the installation of a pumping structure on the Bluff Unit, we have realized the canal which supplies water to this pump needs to be lengthened, widened, and deepened to ensure an adequate water supply during periods of extremely low lake levels which is almost annually . With the existing setup, water supply at low lake levels cannot keep up with the pump and pumping operations are prolonged when pump rpm's are reduced .

At the beginning of the year the pump was being repaired and the impoundment, Five Pine Pond, was allowed to fluctuate with the lake, which in January is very low, 74 ft . MSL . Even after the pump was repaired, it had a severe leak . However, lake levels were getting high and with the severe leak, it was decided to forget pumping after a 2 .5-hour effort . High water caused a loss of young corn in two of the fields . To avoid fighting high water levels, it was decided to wait until the lake was drawn down in December to repair the leak . However, in November it was discovered the pump had stopped leaking . No magic involved, just a flap/seal had been out of place and 0 turning the pump or changes in water pressure had caused it to set in place . In early December, 218 hours of pumping were done to flood Five Pine and Cantey Bay Ponds and provide habitat for wintering waterfowl . By this time lake level was 3 .5 ft . below full pool level .

Winter wheat and mowed corn with lots of water around make the Bluff Unit attractive to waterfowl . (GF)

- 01-

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Some of the corn drowned because of too much rain on the Bluff Unit. (GF)

Table 3 . Bluff Unit Pum Time Fuel Consum tion Month Hours Fuel January Qtr 1 February 2 .5 7 March April Qtr 2 May 0 0 June July Qtr 3 August 0 0 Se tember October Qtr 4 November December 218 338 Totals 220 .5 345

Table 4 . Pine Island, Pumping Time - Fuel Consumption, 1990 Month Hours Fuel January 1st Qtr February 29 168 March 2nd Qtr April May 438 662 June 3rd Qtr July August 107 162 September October 4th Qtr November 218 390 0 December_ Totals 92 1 .382

Table 5 . Cuddo Unit, Pumping Time - rue1 Co1isui'nption 1990 Black Bottom Timber island rielcl *1 #2 #3 Qtr Month Hours Fuel Hours Fuel Hours Fuel Hours Fuel Jan 1st Feb 54 111 0 0 64 144 0 0 Mar Apr 2nd May 351 747 0 0 102 172 0 0 June July 3rd Aug 278 309 0 0 103 132 0 0 Sep Oct 4th Nov 501 886 321 528 0 0 144 418 Dec Total 1,184 2,053 321 528 269 448 144 418

2 3

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 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, turned bottoms up . This takes away mast which we could flood in winter and cavity trees for wood ducks in summer . 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 tree still had a full set of leaves in September when the hurricane hit . With much of the overstory gone, the understory of vines, briars and fast growing woody plants such as sweetgum have created a tangled mass . Adding further to the tangle are the fallen trees, which will ultimately rot, but it will be many years before the forest returns to "normal" .

4 . Croplands

a. Bluff Unit

In Calendar year 1991 the Bluff Unit was force account farmed to corn and wheat . In January fields 1, 2, 5, 8A, 8B, 9, and 11 were in wheat from fall of 1990 totaling 65 acres . These fields were plowed under in early March for green manure and planted to corn in late March-early April with good success, except field No . 1 which was fallowed . Crows were kept out this year by using a product called Kernal Guard . It worked . SL

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Tractor Operator Pearson applies the final dose of nitrogen to corn on the Bluff Unit . The corn was donated by Northrup King Co . (GF)

2 4 Fields 9, 11, 12 and 13 were so wet that they either didn't get planted or the corn drowned . Even field 5 had areas of drowned corn . However, with the wet summer, excellent corn was made in fields 2 and 2A .

Those fields which were in corn at the beginning of the year were summer fallowed and then planted to wheat in early October . These fields included Nos. 1, 2A, 3, 4, 6 and 7 .

b . Pine Island Unit

Pine Island consists of 869 acres of upland interspersed with marsh and moist soil areas . About Zoo acres were kept open by mowing and burning . This year, October, 10 acres of land were disced and planted to wheat, but despite what appeared to be good conditions and fertilization, a poor stand existed at year's end .

c . Cuddo Unit

In the distant past, over 1,000 acres were farmed on this unit, both cooperatively and force account . This year the acreage was less but the cooperative and force account methods were used .

James Richburg was the cooperative farmer and our agreement called for the refuge to furnish seed, fertilizer, nitrogen and pesticides for the corn . Mr. Richburg announced in November that he would not be farming the refuge again because of severe weed problems such as sicklepod and Johnsongrass . However, the 20 acres of wheat he planted in the Fall of 1991 would be his to harvest in 1992 . All of Mr . Richburg's farming occurred on the Cuddo Unit . Besides the wheat he planted in field Q3-6, he planted 34 acres of corn for the refuge in March in field Q3-5 . Even after a disastrous previous year, he planted soybeans in fields Q1-1 and 2 . Q3-7 and 8 and Q4-6 and 7 totaling 146 acres. With the wet summer, he could never get ahead of the grass and weeds and didn't harvest enough to pay for his seed. Fee tried both no-till and conventional methods with the soybeans . Although he harvested more beans from the conventionally planted fields than from the no till fields, neither was worth the effort .

The staff force account farmed all of field Q3-9 (Timber Island Field) on Cuddo and planted about 70 acres of dwarf milo in the field . Because this field can be 90% flooded and has many contour dikes with four water levels, farmers generally have large pieces of equipment and don't like to work these small areas .

In November all the corn was mowed down and strips were mowed in the milo . The wet summer allowed excellent growths of natural waterfowl foods to grow in the milo such as millet and panic grass . When flooded in late fall the milo field provided some good waterfowl habitat .

2 5 9 . Fire Management

A prescribed burn plan was drawn up and approved to burn fallowed fields and floodable marshes on the Pine Island Unit . The burn was accomplished in November and appeared to reach our goal of controlling woody vegetation in the non-forested areas of the Pine Island Unit . Preventions were taken to ensure control of the fire and included having a good, wide firebreak plowed on the upland side and a mobile tank/pump with water .

Plans were also approved to burn the red-cockaded woodpecker colony on the Pine Island Unit, but at year's end this had not been done .

10 . Pest Control

Manager Bond held a South Carolina license for restricted pesticide application .

Staff personnel applied minor amounts of Rodeo to aquatic vegetation at the Bluff Unit banding site . In addition, small amounts of Pramitol, a soil sterilant, was applied to the banding slope in an effort to eradicate vegetation . 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 Bronco, Treflan and Canopy . The refuge staff used Accent, Lasso, Atrazine and Evik on acreage force account farmed in corn . Kernal Guard was used on all corn seed planted by the staff . As noted previously, the Kernel Guard worked well in preventing crow damage .

Our biggest success story was the use of the pesticide Accent over the top of corn . According to the label our corn and Johnsongrass was too big to do much good by the time we learned of this chemical by DuPont . The label says for best control the grass should not be more than 10 inches tall . Ours was 10 to 18 inches tall as was the corn but when applied at the label rate, it stopped the growth of Johnsongrass, turned it purple in color, but allowed the corn to continue growing . This treatment was done only in the corn planted by the co-op farmer on Cuddo field Q3 .5 . The corn came through what was a solid stand of Johnsongrass to make an estimated 100 bu . per acre . The treatment cost $18 per acre.

Can you find the corn among the Johnsongrass? This is row No . 30 from the left in field Q3-5 on the Cuddo Unit . (GB)

Asst. Mgr. Fringeli standing between rows No . 29 and 30 a few week after application of the chemical "Accent" . which took care of the Johnsongrass . (GB)

27 12 . Wilderness and Special Areas

The 615-acre Dingle Pond Unit is a designated Public Use Natural Area . This area, being a Carolina Bay, is of both local and State geological significance . Because of this designation, 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 .

14 . Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements

The only easement assigned to this refuge was posted in February and is located 51 miles from the office in extreme western Orangeburg County . Based on the shape and hydrology of the easement, it seems the person recommending it for inclusion into the refuge system looked at the wrong piece of property .

15 . Private Lands

Manager Bond looked at one prospective project on private property, but determined it to be far too expensive on a per-acre-of-habitat-created basis .

Another project that was planned to be done in 1991 was cancelled by the owner, Len Villacres .

G . WILDLIFE

2 . Endangered and/or Threatened Species a. The American Alligator

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 South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department statewide . Under new guidelines, the American alligator 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 .

On the refuge only one alligator is known to have died . The animal was seen alive but was obviously "sick" because it was lying at the edge of a canal during cold weather (December) . We later noted the 8 ft . 3-inch animal dead at the same location with no signs of foul play evident .

Peak populations during 1991 remained at an estimated 200, although no population 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

28 were pulled down leaving only shallow impoundments and canals . It is during this time that "gators", 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 . Probably 95% of the refuge population is found on the Pine Island and Cuddo Units . b. Southern Bald Eagle

The endangered status of the Southern Bald Eagle remained unchanged in 1991 . Observations during the year increased over 1990 with monthly reported sightings . The majority of these sightings were reported on the Bluff, Pine Island and Cuddo Units and as many as five were seen at one time .

No known nesting occurred on the refuge this year, but an eagle's nest on the refuge was first observed on December 21, 1988 and from general appearance and size appeared to be a new nest . The nest, located on the Pine Island Unit, was first observed from the air while flying the waterfowl survey, and periodic inspection of the site revealed two adult eagles tending the nest . However, they did not produce any young and even egg laying could not be confirmed . When hurricane Hugo ripped through the area in September 1989, the nest was blown away, but the tree remains . In 1991 the new nest, located in February 1990 about 1 .5 miles on private property from the one Hugo blew away, produced at least one young to flight stage . c . Osprey

The Osprey was observed throughout the year with a peak of ten reported during the summer . Numerous nests occur in dead tree snags off the refuge in Lake Marion and are used annually. This year a pair nested on the platform in Cantey Bay that Bond and Stuckey put up five years ago . A natural nest was noted on the refuge for the first time, located in a small cypress tree on the east side of "the pasture" of the Pine Island Unit . The species was observed on all units of the refuge with larger numbers reported at Pine Island and the Bluff Units . d. Peregrine Falcon

One sighting of a peregrine falcons was made at Santee during calendar year 1991 and that was on the Bluff Unit by Mgr . Bond in November . e . Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Continued monitoring of the red-cockaded woodpecker colony at Pine Island indicates that the colony was active in 1991 . This was the only active colony on the refuge, but since Hugo, their future is in doubt . Six of nine cavity trees were eliminated by Hugo . Of the three remaining trees, one looked very good as a possible nesting cavity, but nesting was not confirmed this year . Early in the year, three birds were seen simultaneously in the colony .

3 . Waterfowl

Population figures have fluctuated dramatically during the past 10 years . However, the general trend in peak waterfowl populations is downward . Swans do not occur in significant numbers, so any population changes are of little concern in the overall waterfowl picture .

a. Ducks

At the beginning of the year ducks peaked at 27,820 about the first week in January. This is almost exactly the peak reported in January 1990 . Unlike in prior years, the widgeon was the most numerous duck with a peak of 10,800 . Ring-necks peaked at 8,070 during January to become the second most abundant species followed by mallards at 6,115 . The black duck, a priority species, peaked at only 365 during the same period .

A very mild January and February were recorded with the high temperatures in the 60's and 70's . With this and the end of hunting season,ducks dispersed almost immediately and by mid-February only 230 remained . The geese and swans seem to stay on the refuge until they are ready to migrate north which is usually mid-February .

The Fall of '91 brought about the same number of ducks as was present the past winter . The year ended with widgeon and ring-necks peaking out at 4,892 and 6,630 respectively and mallards at 4,385 . Black ducks and green-winged teal were down to peaks of 585 and 776 respectively at year's end .

Though smaller in size, the Bluff Unit supported much of the waterfowl in 1991, a peak of 11,190 being recorded in January . Cantey Bay served as the primary loafing and feeding area . With cold fronts, which moved through the area, concentrations of mallards, blacks, and other dabblers utilized corn fields in January while divers remained on the open waters of Cantey Bay . However, some corn remained at the end of January . The warming weather along with the ending of the waterfowl hunting season, resulted in dispersal of the birds . The fall migration on this Unit peaked at 6,110 in November . It was interesting to note that the majority of divers and dabblers extensively utilized grass beds in Cantey Bay .

The Dingle Pond Unit is a designated Public Use Natural Area . Because of its size and physical character, Dingle Pond has never contributed sig- nificantly to the overall waterfowl management program at Santee . This unit, however, provides an abundance of excellent wood duck brood habitat . A peak of 105 ducks was estimated on Dingle Pond in January . This peak included small numbers of wood ducks, black ducks, mallards and ring- necks . In past years the eastern portion of Polly Cantey Bay which was a part of the refuge has supported minor concentrations of teal, ring- necks, wood ducks, mallards, and black ducks . However, with lease boundary line changes in 1985 a boundary line hunting situation has developed which has effectively eliminated waterfowl use of this area of the Dingle Pond Unit .

0 0

T T 1 r 1 I i I PEAK DUCK POPULA IONS

180 174 168 162 156 150 144 138 132 126 120 m w 114 F, 108. 102 96 90 84 78 72 66 60 54 48 42 36 30 24 18 12 6 0 I I i I I 1 i I I I i I r I- 110 all rn m rn V V V V V V V V V V 00 00 00 . 00 00 0o 00 00 00 00 %O %O "O kD O .O ~D CYN V 00 '0 O t_n c7% V 00 t0 O F" N W -P- LA OW' V 00 ~O O F-' N W 4 Ln V Year

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0 Thousands Pine Island has been set aside, year to year managerial decision, as a wetland management area, i .e . no row-crop farming . With the capacity to manipulate and maintain water at desired elevations, the unit consists of shallow pools, expanses of open wetland areas, and flooded timber, thus, providing a diversity of habitat for both divers and dabblers . With this management regime waterfowl use of the unit has improved in recent years but in a disproportionate amount to development . Waterfowl use of the area in 1991 was concentrated along the shoreline and the open waters of The Pasture, probably because of beds of aquatic grass . Small numbers of ring-necks utilized the Pine Island Pool and minor numbers of mallards, black, wood ducks, and g . w. teal utilized shallow flooded wetlands . The majority of divers, however, were to be found in the open waters and wood ducks in general preferred the flooded timber . Peak use of the unit was reached in January and December with 7,100 and 10,627 ducks respectively, including mallards, black duck, ring-necked, g . w . teal, bufflehead, widgeon, and gadwalls .

At the Cuddo Unit during 1991, duck numbers peaked at 9,646 in late December with a major use area being the Nelson's Cut area . Ring-necks, widgeon and mallards composed the majority . Major concentrations of birds were observed in Black Bottom and the shoreline inlets of Potato Creek . Minor numbers of ring-necks, and wood ducks utilized Black Bottom impoundments, Still Creek, and Cattle Guard Wetlands . Goose Pen Pond received only minor use . Shallow impoundments within Timber Island Field were used by dabblers including mallards, blacks, teal, and ring-necks . Green timber reservoirs 1 and 2 received only minor use by wood ducks and black ducks, and insignificant use was noted in winter wheat and dry land corn fields . Gator Pond was used by as many as 5,000 ring-necks in December .

b . Geese

Canada Geese peaked at 729 during early-February . Though high temperatures remained in the 50's to 70's throughout much of January and February wintering concentrations did not disperse until late February . The first birds of the fall migration were difficult to determine because on September 19, 134 were noted using a plowed field on the Bluff Unit and 17 of these birds wore neck collars put on by the State during the summer about 40 miles from the refuge . By September 26, the number had risen to 212 . By October their number steadily increased until there were 600 on the refuge at year's end . Use by snows (blues) and white fronts is insignificant since there were less than 10 of each during the year .

Historically, the Bluff Unit has wintered the majority of geese at the refuge . With the mild weather the birds preferred the shallow open waters of Cantey Bay, both loafing and feeding in grass beds . Winter wheat fields, B-3 and 7 received good use and manipulated corn fields were used considerably in January . With low lake levels, which persisted throughout s the winter, exposed mud flats and shallow areas offered excellent loafing areas and seldom were birds observed off the unit . Though optimum habitat conditions existed, a combination of factors including summer-like weather, low lake levels, and the presence of the grass beds, effectively altered both feeding and loafing patterns . It should be noted that for

31 the fifth consecutive year, geese spent a major portion of their time in Cantey Bay. When you speak of peak numbers and concentrations of geese in 1991, you are, at best, referring to rather small numbers . A peak of 729 birds used the Bluff in February, and even this number seems large by comparison with the peak of 350 which occurred in mid-December 1988 .

Only minor use of the Pine Island Unit was reported during the year, though winter browse was available . The birds preferred the open waters and mud-flats of "The Pasture" . At no time were more than 260 geese observed, and that was only for a short period of time in early January when birds interchanged between the refuge units .

Up to 280 Canada geese utilized the Cuddo Unit during late February . However, only minimal use was made of green browse and corn fields, and geese preferred the shorelines of Black Bottom and Nelson's Cut . At no time during the year were the birds noted on the open waters of Lake Marion. c . Swans

Swans, though a curiosity, are of minor significance in the overall waterfowl picture at Santee . The species has occurred in small numbers for nine consecutive years and continue to be of interest to visiting groups . The 1991 peak of 39 occurred during December and were found on the Bluff and Pine Island Units . d. Coots

Coots peaked at 3,314 at mid-November, which is an increase over the previous year . Even though the species occurs on all units of the refuge, most were on the Bluff and Pine Island Units .

4 . Marsh and Water Birds

Habitat management for this category of birds is incidental to the overall management objectives and programs at Santee, and 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 six species of herons known to occur at Santee, only four were observed during the year . The black-crowned, and yellow-crowned night herons were conspicuously absent from the refuge . This is the seventh and eighth years respectively that these have not been reported . All of the four heron species observed, great blue, tricolor, little blue and green- backed were seen in modest numbers . A small rookery of great blue herons was observed at the head of Black Bottom Impoundment and though this rookery contained only nine nests, it may well be the beginning of a new larger rookery. Great blues also nested (2) in Gator Pond and Cattle

32 0

Guard Wetlands (2) on Cuddo and four on Pine Island in impounded water on the east side .

The pied-billed grebe was observed on all units during cool and cold weather months .

King, Virginia, black and sora rails are present and their populations seem stable .

For the fifth consecutive year concentrations of up to 300 cormorants were observed on the refuge . The birds showed up in late October and remained on and around the several refuge units through the cold weather months . Some nesting during the summer occurs in the waters of Lake Marion, but off the refuge .

Other birds in this group were present, but only the anhinga nested (6) and they were not present in such exceptional numbers as to be noted here . Such birds other than the anhinga included white ibis, and the egrets . The anhinga nests were located on Cuddo in Black Bottom and Cattleguard Wetlands .

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 . However, it should be noted that factors directly affecting the presence or absence of these species, primarily lake levels, are controlled by the South Carolina Public Service Authority . Species diversity and numbers occurring on the refuge are normally in direct proportion to the amount of exposed shoreline and mud flats present .

Noticeably absent were the large concentrations of gulls including 600 herring, ring-billed, Bonaparte's and laughing gulls which have occurred on the refuge in the past . They were present, but only in group of 20's or thereabouts . Common snipe could be found around the flooded moist soil areas, particularly on the Pine Island Unit . A stroll through the area might jump 10-20 .

6 . Raptors

a . Hawks

Hawks commonly observed during the year included the northern harrier, Cooper's, red-tailed, red-shouldered, and the American kestrel . Less frequently encountered were the sharp-skinned, and broad-winged hawks . These species occurred on all units of the refuge with larger concentrations reported at Cuddo and the Bluff Units . Nesting does occur on the 0 refuge, but no nesting or population surveys were conducted during the year . As in previous years, overall peak numbers occurred during the fall and winter months . Generally, populations remained stable with only minor fluctuations in numbers .

33 The peregrine falcon, bald eagle and osprey are addressed elsewhere .

b. Owls

The four species of owls which occur at Santee are year-round residents and include the barn, barred, great-horned and screech owls . These birds, being nocturnal, are heard more frequently than seen . However, daylight observations and the frequency of calls tend to indicate stable numbers . Screech owls (10) nested in structures intended for wood ducks, especially on the Cuddo Unit .

7 . Other Migratory Birds 0 Mourning dove peaked in December . As in previous years, small numbers were observed on the refuge throughout the year and nesting was observed on all units . As many as 300 doves were observed using corn fields manipulated for waterfowl during the winter months and agricultural fields were favored for feeding and loafing in the spring . The annual dove census was conducted in May by staff personnel and the number of birds observed and calls recorded on both routes 0530 and 0601 were near those reported in 1990 . Both routes are well away from the refuge .

A dove hunt was conducted on the Cuddo Unit during September . (Section H.8 .a .) .

8. Game Mammals

The State of South Carolina prescribes a hunting season for eleven species of mammals . Of these eleven species, ten occur on the refuge . Four of the ten species which occur on the refuge, white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, raccoon, and opossum, were hunted in 1991 .

The Bluff and Dingle Pond Units each supported small populations of white- tailed deer . However, the larger more diverse Cuddo and Pine Island Units supported the major concentrations . It was on the latter two units that deer hunting was allowed, but restricted to primitive weapons . Other hunting activity was restricted to the Cuddo Unit . (Section H-8 .)

Other mammals for which there is a prescribed state season include rabbit, mink, muskrat, otter, skunk and fox . None of these were hunted or trapped on the refuge .

The muskrat is present, but its numbers are so small as to be insignificant .

For the first time beaver were noted on the refuge when Manager Bond found cuttings and a dam in a drainage ditch on Cuddo in early October . With a good population of alligators, maybe they won't become the nuisance they have on other refuges .

34 In addition to the gray squirrel, the eastern fox squirrel is also present on the refuge . The fox squirrel, though not listed as either endangered or threatened, is of state significance and concern due to relatively small numbers statewide . This species is also far from abundant on the refuge and we are concerned that hunters might remove some fox squirrels along with grays during the September hunt, even though taking them is prohibited .

The river otter was observed in small numbers on all units throughout the year . Evidence of their presence is more frequently observed than the otters themselves . A population estimate, based on casual observation, was placed at 25 .

Both the red and gray fox occurred on the refuge and peaks of 20 and 50 respectively were estimated . The species were observed on all units of the refuge with the larger numbers found on the Cuddo Unit . The raccoon is probably the most abundant game mammal on the refuge . An estimated 250 is the maximum present .

10 . Other Resident Wildlife

Other resident wildlife include wild turkey, bobwhite quail, and bobcat . Turkeys are increasing in their range, and the population on the Cuddo Unit is thinning . Fewer birds were observed this year than last and the flocks are smaller . Turkeys were not reported this year at the Pine Island Unit, but one flock of 14 was seen on Cuddo .

Bobwhite quail were present on all units of the refuge . Habitat management naturally favors quail in summer by providing habitat diversity, food, water, cover, and lots of edge, but in winter a lot of their habitat is flooded .

Bobcat also occurred on all units of the refuge, and it is not uncommon to see a bobcat in daytime on the refuge .

12 . Wildlife Propaqation and Stockinq

A total of 75 wood duck nesting boxes were located on the various Units of the refuge .

Bluff Unit

- 23 boxes available of which 13 were used by wood ducks . - 2 of the 13 boxes were used twice . - 14 successful nests and 1 unsuccessful . - 1 box was used by a screech owl and then by a woodie . - 1 box was used by another bird .

ANNUAL REPORT FORM WOOD DUCK BOX PROGRAM INFORMATION YEAR 1991

Total Boxes Up 75

75 Total Usable Boxes

57 Use by Wood Ducks of Usable Boxes

70 Number of Success- ful Boxes (Wood Ducks)

Use by Other Ducks 0 of Usable Boxes

Period Checked Ma . - Aug . (Month)

Use by Other Wild- life of Usable Boxes 20

*Total Wood rucks Hatched 700

Wood ruck Broods Produced 70

**Wood Ducks Surviving to 350 Flight Stage

Plans for Next Year (Indicate Number)

More Boxes Entrance Holes Created in Trees Fewer Boxes

X No Change

Five boxes from the Bluff Unit will be moved to the Cuddo Unit .

------*Unless you can actually count egg shells, Just multiply successful boxes by 10 . **If survival rate is other than 50) percent, please explain rationale in remarks section . ***Be sure and document periods that boxes were checked for use and repair . DinglePond Unit

- 9 boxes available of which 6 were used by wood ducks . - 2 of the 6 boxes were used twice . - 8 successful nests . - 4 boxes were used by other birds : 1 after use by woodie .

Pine Island Unit

- 6 boxes were available of which 5 were used by wood ducks . - 2 of the 5 boxes were used twice . - 7 successful nests . - 2 boxes were used by other birds : 1 after use by woodie .

Cuddo Unit

- 37 boxes were available of which 33 were used by wood ducks . - 22 of the 33 boxes were use twice . - 41 successful nests and 14 unsuccessful . - 1 box of the 22 used twice by woodies was used twice by other birds and 3 of the 22 boxes were used by woodies after use by screech owls . - Of the 14 unsuccessful nests, 2 were pecked by flickers(assumed) . - 3 of the 6 boxes used by screech owls were not used by woodies . - Other birds nesting, usually after a woodie had nested, include the Carolina wren and great crested flycatcher .

A check of boxes on the Cuddo Unit on April 20 revealed 16 nests with 16 to 40 eggs per box . In the past, dump nesting has not been a problem, even though the same number of boxes existed on Cuddo in the same location last year. Plans are to take five of the unused boxes from the Bluff Unit and place them on Cuddo for the 1992 nesting season .

Unlike some past nesting seasons, predation was nearly non-existent . One greenish ratsnake was removed from a nest box on Cuddo . The snake either negotiated the conical shield or dropped from an overhanging limb .

16 . Marking and Banding

The banding quota this year was 400 preseason wood ducks .

Pre-season wood duck banding began in May with two shots and 53 woodies banded, and continued to September 20 . With a good effort and cooperation by the woodies, we ended up with a total of 748 . Efforts at baiting continued year round with corn and wheat and our sole capture method was use of a rocket net at one site, namely Cantey Bay Pond on the Bluff Unit .

H . PUBLIC USE

1 . General

Santee NWR offers a variety of public use activities for the visiting public . The visitor contact station's dioramas, exhibits, information

36 panels and aquarium give 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 and 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, known 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 on the refuge . Fishing in boats on the lake is by far the most popular way of fishing, although bank fishing along the shore and in some of the refuge ponds is common . Hunting for deer, small game and migratory birds is also available on the refuge . A total of 40,640 refuge visits were recorded this year . This is a large decline from 1990 . The most noticeable drop was in the fishing and boating categories . Total activity hours were 93,826, indicating the average visitor spent 2 .3 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, permittee 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 for boat travel are only issued to the subdivision residents on an annual basis .

Thirteen Golden Age Passports were issued during the year, double the number issued in 1990 . No requests were received for the Golden Access Passports .

A new entrance sign for the Bluff Unit was delivered and put up in December just prior to the 50th anniversary celebration . The sign was made by Wilderness Graphics, Inc . of Tallahassee, Florida .

Santee's 50th anniversary celebration was held on Saturday December 14th. Although the actual anniversary date is January 1, 1992, we decided that holding the celebration a couple of weeks early would not cause too much confusion . Also, things slow down a little bit at this time of the year and more time could be spent on cleaning facilities, picking up supplies and equipment, and in general getting everything ready for the celebration . Most of the planning was handled by Mgr . Bond and Cape Romain NWR's Outdoor Recreation Planner Larry Davis . Larry had a lot of good suggestions on different activities to be held in conjunction with the celebration . He was also instrumental in scheduling the master of ceremonies and keynote speaker, contacting several of the exhibiters, getting the invitations and program schedules printed, and sending out news releases to area newspapers and radio stations .

Prior to the anniversary 60 invitations were sent out . These were mailed to county and state officials, SCWMRD officials, Santee-Cooper

37 officials, local conservation organization representatives, retired refuge employees, other refuges in SC and other individuals who had been connected with the refuge in the past . Draft invitations to Senators Thurmond and Hollings were sent to the regional office . After some minor rewriting these were formally sent out by Regional Director Pulliam .

To get the word out news releases were sent out to all the local newspapers, radio stations and the local cable TV company who put the announcement on their public service channel .

Activities were planned to try and provide something of interest for everyone who attended . Events included a black powder demonstration by Ralph E .Baker of the South Carolina Shooting Association, an archery demonstration by Joe Layton of the South Carolina Bowhunters Association, a mist net bird banding demonstration by Evelyn Dabbs of the Columbia Audubon Society, a rocket net banding demonstration by Range Technician Eddie Stuckey and Native American dancing by the TahCah Dance Team of Unali-Yi Lodge 236 . Wildlife booths were set up by Ducks Unlimited and Larry Davis . The display Larry put up was the FWS's Suitcase for Survival which contains confiscated wildlife parts of endangered/threatened species . To give the guests a feel of why the refuge was established and an opportunity to see some wildlife an auto tour route was set up on the Bluff Unit . The gate to the Unit was opened and visitors were allowed to drive along a designated route, which was marked to avoid confusion and to enable the visitors the best opportunity to view waterfowl and the farming program. Refreshments, coffee and soft drinks, were provided courtesy of the Lake Marion Waterfowl Association .

The master of ceremonies and keynote speaker are two well known television personalities in South Carolina . Jim Welch was the MC and Rudy Mancke gave the keynote address . Both Jim and Rudy appear on the popular SC Educational Television program "Naturescene" where Rudy is the naturalist on the show and Jim is the host . Due to the popularity of the program, it has been syndicated on PBS stations throughout the country . Other speakers included Refuge Manager Glen Bond, Associate Manager Bill Grabill, Santee-Cooper President and CEO Kenneth Ford and SCWMRD District Biologist Bill Mahan .

The ceremony began at 10 AM with an invocation by our Office Assistant Reverend Rufus Gaymon . This was followed by the playing of the national anthem by the Scott Branch High School Ensemble and the presentation of colors by local Boy Scout Troop 32 . Jim Welch then read a proclamation passed by the South Carolina House of Representatives declaring December 14, 1991 as Santee NWR Day in SC . This motion was presented before the House by local State Representative Alex Harvin III .

Just prior to the start of the ceremonies weather conditions took a change for the worse . Gusty winds and clouds started coming across the lake . The rains held off until the final speaker Rudy Mancke began addressing the audience . Rudy told the crowd of his first visit to the refuge and how he immediately became attached to Santee . He has returned many times and has rambled all over the area . He encouraged the visitors

to do the same, not only here but at other refuges to form an appreciation for the refuges and wildlife . He also talked about the need to save remaining wetlands and of the plight of the continental waterfowl populations . As Rudy's speech went on, the rain started falling harder and at the end of his abbreviated talk everyone made a dash to the visitors center to get out of the rain .

With everyone crowded inside the VCS the demonstrations began with the TahCah Dance Team performing Native Indian dances in the tightly packed center . Fortunately, the storm passed quickly . After the dance performance, visitors went outside to view the other demonstrations . The outside activities included mist netting, black powder, archery, rocket net banding and another performance by the dance team . Most all of the visitors stayed to see all of the demonstrations . By 2 PM just about everyone of the 100 estimated visitors that attended the celebration had left. Although the turnout was not as large as we anticipated, we feel that whose who did attend went away with a better understanding of the refuge, its mission, its past and hopefully its future .

State Representative Alex Harvin III was instrumental in having December 14, 1991, declared "Santee NWR Day" in South Carolina . (GF)

Since Eddie was the longest reigning staff member (29 yrs .) we gave him the honors . GF

The crowd has gather for the 50th anniversary and then the cloud decided to gather . Note the Indian Mound in right background (over the 3rd person from right) . (GF)

Staff member Gaymon giving the invocation .0(GF)

Associate Mgr . Bill Grabill address the crown as Welch, Bond and Gaymon, listen intently .

Keynote speaker Rudy Mancke was telling the crowd how to appreciate their environment just before the rain hit . (GF)

The Indian dancers and drummers put on a very colorful display . (GF)

The archery demonstration was interesting and informative . (GF)

Staff member Stuckey explained the why's and how's of duck banding before setting off the rocket net . (GF)

Since the refuge has a primitive weapons deer hunt, it was appropriate to have a black powder weapons demonstration . (GF)

4 . Interpretive Foot Trials

When Hurricane Hugo hit this area in September 1989, it felled many large pine trees that had formed a thick canopy . Without this canopy, a thick undergrowth of vegetation has grown in the area of the foot trail . This has created a constant maintenance problem to keep grass and other vegetation from growing on and along the edge of the trail . Because of this the trail had to be sprayed and cut several times throughout the growing season to keep it passable and neat looking . Another maintenance problem was the many trees that were weakened by Hugo and now break off or uproot by strong winds . Regular checks had to be made on the trail following storms to clear fallen trees out of the way .

Despite these minor inconveniences, visitors continued to enjoy the sights and solitude of the trail . An estimated 1,630 visitors walked the trail during the year .

6 . Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations

The visitor contact station (VCS) is usually the only stop for most visitors to the refuge and many of them comment in the guest register how impressed they are with the displays in the center . No changes were made to O. the exhibits during the year, but normal maintenance such as changing pest stri es, dusting, cleaning glass and replacing burned out lights was competed as required .

44 'r

the year. Liberal feedings of live mosquito fish and tilapia kept the display fish healthy and happy . The main attention grabber in the tank was a big largemouth bass . However, late in the year an undiagnosed disease affected the bass and two redear sunfish . Several treatments with different chemicals didn't cure the disease . All three fish died . Surprisingly, a gar, blue catfish, and bluegill were not affected . Several replacement fish were obtained from Orangeburg NFH . Total visits to the VCS were 2,802 . This is a 10% increase over last year's visits .

7 . Other Interpretive Programs

Tours and programs were conducted when requested by schools and other 40 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 Ft . Watson/Indian Mound site were given . Several off-refuge programs were also presented . A list of the programs presented during the year is shown in Table 6 . The number of requests this year dropped from 1990 .

Table 6, Programs Presented In 1991

Date Group Type of Program # In Group 02-06-91 Sumter Area Technical Tour of Refuge 15 College (Biology Class) 02-22-91 Branchville Elem Sch VCS Tour/Film 20 03-26-91 Lake Marion Nursing Home Talk/Films 15 04-16-91 Paxville Headstart Class VCS Tour/Film 35 04-19-91 Springhill Elem Sch VCS Tour/Film/Trail 80 04-23-91 St . Ann Catholic Sch VCS Tour/Film/Trail 25 I, (1st Grade) 05-03-91 Nelson Christian Sch VCS Tour/Film/Trail 40 05-13-91 Lake Marion Nursing Home Talk/Films 15 06-10-91 SC Mental Health Center VCS Tour/Film 25 (Sumter) 09-19-91 Santee Rotary Club Talk/Film 20

8 . Hunting

Five game species were hunted on Santee during the year . These were white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, mourning dove, raccoon and opossum . For the 6th consecutive year there was no waterfowl hunting on the refuge, due to SCWMRD electing not to have an early duck season . All of the hunts were open with no limit on the number of hunters that could participate . The only requirements to hunt, aside from abiding by state and federal regulations, were to obtain, sign and possess a copy of the refuge hunt regulations ', which serve as a hunt permit and to sign in and out at designated check stations .

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a. Raccoonand 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 10-day period ran from February 20 - March 1st . Participation and harvest in this hunt were well above last year's totals . Hunting activity in 1990 was severely affected by damages caused by Hurricane Hugo, but this year 114 hunters took 26 raccoons .

b . Mourninq Dove

Dove hunting is limited to the Cuddo Unit . Participation in this hunt has traditionally been low, and this year was no exception . Two factors ', account for the low turnout . First, the dove population on the Cuddo Unit is low and second, private managed dove fields in this part of the state provide better hunting opportunities . This year the hunt was held September 2-30. Although no doves were taken, 13 hunters signed in at the check station . During the dove hunt, deer hunters are permitted to scout the Cuddo Unit and this accounts for the greatest activity while the unit is open to public vehicle access . The number of hunters scouting a good location to put up a deer stand far exceeds the number of those that are dove hunting .

c . Gray Squirrel

Squirrel hunting is permitted only on the Cuddo Unit and this year the hunt was held on September 14-30 . This hunt is limited to gray squirrels with the taking of fox squirrels being prohibited . Just as with the dove hunt, most of the activity on the unit is by scouting deer hunters . Only four hunters came out to the refuge to squirrel hunt . No squirrels were taken .

Due to the low participation in the dove and squirrel hunts, we have considered dropping both hunts . If this happened, a special scouting season for deer hunters could be opened, but this idea has repeatedly been rejected by the RO . Their position is that since the cost to have the hunts is low and that we are providing an opportunity for some one to hunt, the seasons should remain open .

d . White-tailed Deer

The refuge deer hunts consisted of three hunts held on two of the units . The first hunt was held on the Pine Island Unit and the other two hunts were on the Cuddo Unit . Traditionally these hunts are very popular and a the number of deer are harvested has kept the herd in balance .

The Pine Island primitive weapons hunt was held October 7-12 . Long or compound bows and muzzleloading shotguns and rifles were permitted . A total of 211 hunters participated accounting for 1,266 activity hours and 28 deer taken . This is an increase of four deer over the 1990 total .

The Cuddo Unit hunts consisted of one week of archery and one week of primitive weapons hunting . The archery hunt ran from October 14-19 . The

turnout was good with 680 hunters putting in 4,080 activity hours and taking 45 deer . Both the number of hunter visits and deer harvested were an increase over 1990 figures .

As usual, the Cuddo Unit primitive weapons hunt was the most popular of the three deer hunts . The final tally showed that 816 hunters spent 4,896 hours trying to bag a deer . These numbers are slightly higher than last year's . The harvest, however, did not show a corresponding increase, since only 62 deer were taken, 42 below 1990's final tally . This large drop in the harvest can be attributed to the cancellation of all the deer hunts in 1989 due to the damages caused by Hurricane Hugo . This resulted in a higher surplus of deer during the 1990 hunting season .

7 The final tally for all three hunts was 135 deer . This was 23 less than taken in 1990 . We feel this is a result of a higher deer population last year as explained in the previous paragraph . Table 7 shows the results of the deer hunts by area .

Table 7, Deer Hunt Data-1991

PINE ISLAND UNIT (PRIMITIVE WEAPONS OCT . 7-12)

1/2 1 1/2 2 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 5 1/2 UNK TOTAL

Male 4 11 2 1 18

Female 3 1 5 1 10

Total 7 12 7 1 1 28

CUDDO UNIT (ARCHERY OCT .14-19)

1/2 1 1/2 2 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 5 1/2 UNK TOTAL

Male 6 13 5 1 25

Female 6 7 5 2 20

Total 12 20 10 2 1 45

CUDDO UNIT (PRIMITIVE WEAPONS OCT .21-26)

1/2 1 1/2 2 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 5 1/2 UNK TOTAL

Male 9 13 7 5 1 35

Female 8 11 6 2 27

Total 17 24 13 7 1 62

A proud hunter helps us manage the deer population by removing one of the larger specimens from the Cuddo Unit . (GF)

9 . Fishing

Fishing is by far the most popular recreational activity at Santee, and 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 the various types of structures in the lake, 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 on the Bluff Unit, Log Jam Landing on the Cuddo Unit and the perimeter levee on Pine Island . The Scott's Lake area is heavily used due to easy road access . The refuge's interior ponds, impoundments and canals are open to fishing March through October, these areas are only accessible by walking, bicycling or boating in from the lake and walking over a levee . For these reasons the interior ponds are not heavily used . A total of 23,350 fishing visits were estimated during the year . This is a 33% decrease from 1990 .

IE Local fishermen Al Ellis hefts a 74-lb . flathead catfish he caught in a trotline within a view of the refuge office .

17 . Law Enforcement

Santee has two refuge officers with law enforcement authority . Mgr . Bond attended the annual 40-hour law enforcement training session held at the Lively Law Enforcement Training Center in Quincy, Florida on March 4-8 . Asst. Mgr . Fringeli attended the second session held at the Center on April 2-6 . Both Bond and Fringeli opted to change their Service firearms from the Smith & Wesson Model 66 to the Sig Sauer P228 . They both attended the transitional pistol training course at the Lively Center on June 24-26 . On October 17th both officers requalified with their Service pistols at the Manning police range . The requalification was given by SA George Hines .

On July 15th Refuge Officer Fringeli and South Carolina Conservation Officer (CO) Glen Davis investigated a fresh alligator carcass that was reported across the road from the Cantey Bay subdivision . The alligator had been shot twice in the head . From blood stains on the pavement and slide marks along the embankment, it appeared that the alligator was shot somewhere else and transported to that location and dumped out of a vehicle . Several residents in the subdivision were interviewed, but none could recall hearing any shots or any unusual happenings in the area . Two individuals did tell the officers of a large alligator that frequently

49 0

swam in that area, but they had not seen it for several days . The dead alligator, at 11'4", fit that description . Without any good evidence or leads the investigation ended . The state highway department retrieved and buried the carcass . Several months later CO Davis got word that one of the subdivision residents may have been involved with the shooting . However, without any substantial witness nothing could be done .

While scouting on the Cuddo Unit prior to the opening of the deer season, a hunter reported finding a site where ear corn had been set out to bait deer . The area was searched and the corn was found . However, long before the opening of the season all evidence of the corn was gone . The day before the start of the Cuddo Unit archery hunt an extensive search was made to locate any baited sites . None were found . Apparently, the baiting cases made last year spread the word that this practice could be expensive .

During the Cuddo Unit deer hunts several hunters reported that their deer stands had been stolen . One hunter reported that his climbing stand was taken within an hour and a half break that he took for lunch . Vehicle checks were made at the main gate when thefts were reported and a description of the stolen stands was given, but none were recovered . Either the stands were carried off of the refuge and picked up later or they were taken out in trucks through the main gate before the hunters realized their stands were gone .

Occasional patrols were made during the state waterfowl season . Some of the patrols were made with state CO's . Since there was no waterfowl hunting on the refuge a close watch was kept on hunters close to the boundary . As in recent years, the hunting was not very good, due mainly to low waterfowl numbers . After a brief initial interest during the early 9 season and at the start of the regular season, things gradually slowed as the season progressed .

One report was received of someone duck hunting on the refuge around Potato Creek near the deep water . The same caller stated that some of the boundary signs in the lake were missing . A check of the area the same day confirmed that the caller was right, five signs missing . This was no mere coincidence, since someone had removed them . The signs were replaced and a close check was kept on the area, but nothing illegal was observed in the area the remainder of the season .

Two batteries were stolen out of refuge vehicles parked in the shop compound sometime between February 22-25 . The two vehicles are not used on a regular basis, so the missing batteries were not noticed right away . A thorough check of all equipment was made to see if anything else was taken . During this inspection a cut in the three barbed-wire strands over the fence behind the grain bins was observed . Apparently, the thieves cut the wires and climbed over the fence . The wires were repaired and the inspection showed that nothing else was missing . No apprehensions were made .

50 One pending case from last year was resolved in August . The individual was cited with four $100 FOC waterfowl hunting violations in November 1990 . At the time of apprehension in the field, the hunter did not have any identification and initially gave the officer a wrong name and address . After pressing the issue, he finally gave the correct information . When the violation notices were sent out, he had already changed his residence . He was finally located and a court date was set up in July . He told Officer Fringeli that he planned to come to court and plea bargain with the magistrate to reduce the fines . On the morning of the court date he called the attorney's office and asked for a postponement, which was granted . Since Fringeli was not notified an unnecessary 120-mile round trip to Charleston was made . A new court date was set for August, and the individual was once again contacted to notify him that a new court date 0 was scheduled and to let him know that this information and the violation notices were coming his way via certified mail . He wanted this letter to be sent to a new address - a post office box . Apparently he didn't want his wife to know about the fines . At this time he was told to give the violation notices his fullest attention, since the four $100 fines were only the minimum amount for the forfeiture of collateral . If the magistrate found him guilty the four individual fines could be much higher . Apparently this caught his attention . The day before court his attorney notified the U .S . attorney's office that his client would be mailing in his fine by express mail . The four violations he was considering to plea bargain with the magistrate were hunting waterfowl without a state hunting license, without a federal duck stamp, without a state duck stamp, and with an unplugged shotgun .

Table 8, Summary of Violations 0 Violation Number Disposition Unplugged Shotgun 1 Pending

Fishing in a Closed Area 1 Pending

Fishing in a Closed Area 2 $50 each

I . EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

3 . Major Maintenance

Repairs on the Couch axial flow pump on the Bluff Unit were completed in January . In late 1990 we discovered that the pivot pin was broken and the bearings were worn out . After a lengthy search the manufacturer, Couch Pump Co ., was located and new parts ordered . The major problem we had with the pump was getting a piece of equipment with a long enough boom to pull out the pump and put it back in . The South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee-Cooper) was contacted for assistance and they provided a mobil crane and crew . After the repairs were completed and the Santee-Cooper crane and crew were called-in the pump was put back in place . The difficult

51 job was trying to set the beveled pivot pin back into its slot . With the pin at the end of the 14-foot pump, unable to see the pin or slot and with a margin of error probably less than an inch to align the pin and slot, this was no easy job. After many attempts, the pump was finally set in place .

After we thought that everything was correct and the crane and crew had left, a new problem was discovered . When the pump was set in the closed position water was still flowing through . We came up with several theories of what could be wrong . Either the pin was not properly aligned in the slot, or the pin was too long and the pump was not properly sealing at the bottom, or the rubber flaps that seal on the sides and bottom of the pump were out of alignment . Whatever the problem was, it was decided to wait until the following year when the lake level was low enough before we could fix the pump . In December the pump was run for several days to flood the Bluff impoundment . Our intentions were to put a piece of plywood in front of the pipe to keep from losing water until repairs could be made . Surprisingly, when the pump was shut off and turned to the closed position there was no leak . Probably by running the pump, the unit must have seated itself properly and secured the rubber flaps along the side of the pump .

A flooding problem on the Cuddo Unit's Woods Road was solved by digging a drainage ditch to remove the water . The new ditch, approximately 300 feet long, was cut from the road to an existing ditch in the woods . Flooding on the road is usually not much of a problem. However, heavy rains the first half of the year kept high water on the road for an extended period of time and revealed the need for drainage .

Problems developed with two of the diesel motors that power field pumps . The motor on the Timber Island Field #2 pump was taken into the shop in May where repairs were required on the fuel system and the governor . The #3 pump in the same field had major problems and was taken into the shop in October . The repair shop estimate was $5,000 . Instead of repairing the aged motor, it was decided to replace it with a rebuilt motor we had on hand . Before it could be used, several modifications had to be made . These included mounting it on a skid, hooking up a radiator, putting on gauges, an air filter system, an emergency cut-off switch and a sheave . The replacement motor was hooked up just in time to flood the higher sections of the field for arriving waterfowl .

A boardwalk was constructed at the Pine Island screw-gate water control structure to provide easy access to operate the screw-gate .

The old dilapidated banding tower and two corn cribs on the Bluff Unit were torn down in March . The structures were in too bad of condition to use and were also an eyesore . All the material was hauled off to the landfill .

Refuge roads were regularly mowed throughout the spring, summer and fall as needed . Road grading and spot graveling were required on the most frequently travelled roads, especially following heavy rains .

52 4 . Equipment Utilization and Replacement

Major repairs were required on the excavator and the Ford 9700 farm tractor . The excavator was taken into the shop in March to replace rollers and rails at a cost of $6,130 . In July the excavator had to be taken back to the shop to replace a hydraulic leak in one of the boom cylinders . The bill for this repair was $990 . The Ford tractor needed extensive repairs to the lower lift torsion bar system, hydraulic system, exhaust manifold and turbo system . Total cost of repairs was $4,325 . As can be seen, much of the budget was used to keep heavy equipment running .

Several pieces of equipment were loaned out to neighboring refuges . Likewise, some equipment had to be borrowed . The excavator was picked up by Alligator River NWR in September and then taken to Pee Dee NWR . It was returned in November . ACE Basin NWR borrowed the JD 350 wide track dozer, front-end loader and dump truck . Orangeburg NFH used the backhoe for several weeks in April . In March Auto Mechanic Johnson spent a day at Orangeburg NFH's stock lake spreading gravel at the boat ramp with our JD 350 crawler . The next day he returned to the site with the excavator and removed a large floating island . On the borrowing side we had to use Cape Romain's backhoe for a week in September when our backhoe got stranded at ACE Basin by high water . On several occasions we provided an operator and truck/ tractor lowboy to transport equipment between ACE Basin and Cape Romain .

New items purchased this year included a Savin copier and Cannon fax machine for the office and a Roanoke rotary mower bush axe . Transferred equipment to the refuge included a Yamaha 4 wheel ATC from Cape Romain NWR and a Ruger .22 cal rifle from Merritt Island NWR . The GMC dump truck that had been on loan to Cape Romain NWR since October 1989 was transferred to them in June . A Hardee offset mower was transferred to Carolina Sandhills NWR in December . A 100-watt Motorola mobile was transferred to the U .S .FWS office in Ocean Springs, MS .

The metal storage building in the shop yard that was severely damaged by Hurricane Hugo was torn down after being removed from the real property list . Items that had been stored in the building were transferred to other buildings .

6 . Communications Systems

An application for a new radio frequency assignment of 164 .625 MHz was submitted in February . With some of the remaining Hurricane Hugo monies we were planning on changing our radio system from the current low band to the high band frequency . Two radio companies were contacted for information about their products . One company representative even loaned us two portable units to test them on the Corps of Engineers repeater that is attached to our 7 radio antenna. As the year went on, no word about the approval of the frequency was received . We heard from several sources that sometimes it takes as long as two years to get a frequency approval . As the end of the fiscal year was coming to an end we had to obligate the monies to other items and by the end of 1991 we still had not heard one way or the other about the frequency assignment .

53 6 . ComputerSystems

A new Swan 386SX computer system was purchased . Among other uses the computer will be used as a backup for the new automated T&A system .

J . OTHER ITEMS

3 . Items of Interest

Ted Borg . chief photographer for the South Carolina Wildlife magazine, visited the refuge in January . He came to takes pictures for a future article on national wildlife refuges in South Carolina .

The Northup King Seed Co . in Columbia donated 200 bags of corn to the refuge in January . The corn was used for our farming program .

Mgr. Bond and Asst . Mgr . Fringeli attended the Region 4 Project Leaders meeting held in Nashville, TN on February 12-15 .

Mgr. Bond attended an organic farming workshop at Wheeler NWR on March 12- 14 .

A film crew from Channel 10 in Columbia visited the refuge on March 19th . They filmed a piece for the "Carolina Camera" segment of their evening news program, which included an interview with Mgr . Bond . The segment aired several nights later .

Mgr. Bond delivered a $31,573 refuge revenue sharing check to Clarendon County Treasurer Margaret Jackson on April 25th .

Associate Manager Bill Grabill conducted a refuge inspection on May 15-16 .

Mgr. Bond and Asst . Mgr . Fringeli attended a meeting for project leaders and assistants from South Carolina and Georgia refuges in Savannah on June 5th . Assoc . Mgr . Grabill headed the meeting that dealt mainly with private land programs and fire crews .

Mgr. Bond and Asst . Mgr . Fringeli attended two OAS training sessions . The first was held at the Orangeburg airport on June 11th . This session was given by SA Ted Curtis . The second session was on July 23rd in Atlanta . These training sessions are required for employees that occasionally fly as part of their duties .

Range Technician Eddie Stuckey attended a two-day retirement workshop held at the Regional Office on June 18-19 .

One hundred and fifty bushels of wheat were picked up from Pee Dee NWR in June . Some of the wheat was used as bait for pre-season wood duck banding and the remaining wheat was planted in the fall .

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Migratory Bird Biologist Otto Florschutz visited the refuge on October 22nd and with Mgr . Bond visited several sites and discussed current and future management activities .

Mgr . Bond and Office Asst . Gaymon attended the training session on T&A automation held in Gainsville, Florida on October 28-November 1 . Asst . Mgr Fringeli took the training in Raleigh, NC on November 4-8 .

4 . Credits

Mgr . Bond wrote Sections A, B, C, F and G and edited the entire report . Ass't . Mgr. Fringeli wrote Sections D, E, H, I and J . Office Ass't . Gaymon compiled information for Table 1 and typed and assembled the report . 7

55 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 Redbelly 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, III of the College of Charleston, on observations by Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) 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 Dwarf Mudpuppy (Necturus punctatus) National Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, Box 66,Summerton, Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma 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 u- 1 - DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR rocks, logs, leaf litter, etc ; U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lesser Siren (Siren intermedia) Greater Siren (Siren lacertina) RFA2570-5 May 1983 Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) Two-toed Amphiuma (A mphiumia means) American Alligator (alligator mississippiensis) Mabee's Salamander (Ambysto a mabeei) Spotted Salamander (Ambysto a maculatum) TURTLES - A hard, protective shell, four limbs, a tail Marbled Salamander (Ambysto a opacum) and a horny beak make these popular reptiles easy to Mole Salamander (Ambystoma lpoideum) identify as they lie basking on logs or as they stick Southern Dusky Salamander Desmognathus auri- their noses out of the water for a breath of air . culatus) Dwarf Salamander (Eurycea qua ridigitata) Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Slimy Salamander (Plethodon gl tinosus) Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) Many-lined Salamander (Stereoc ilus marginatus) Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) River Cooter (Chrysemys concinna) FROGS AND TOADS - Adult fro s and toads are easily Florida Cooter (Chrysemys floridana) recognized with their tailless stoc i bodies, broad heads, Yellowbelly Slider (Chrysemys scripta) large eyes, well-developed foreli, bs, large hind legs, Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) and unique vocalizations . The ggs of most of these Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) amphibians hatch into aquatic rms called tadpoles Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) which, in turn, change into the a ult forms. Spiny Softshell (Trionyx spiniferus)

Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scaphi • • us holbrooki) LIZARDS - Dry scaly skin, clawed feet and external Oak Toad (Bufo quercicus) ear openings separate the reptiles from their amphibian Southern Toad (Bu fo terrestris) ancestors, the salamanders. A few lizards are legless Fowler's Toad (Bufo woodhousei and are easily confused with snakes until you notice Northern Cricket Frog (Acris cre itans) their ear openings and movable eyelids . The long; slen- Southern Cricket Frog (Acris gryl us) der tails of most lizards are easily broken, but, they Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) quickly grow another (regeneration) . Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer) Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) Pine Woods Treefrog (Hyla femor lis) Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) Barking Treefrog (Hyla gratiosa) Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus) Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirella) Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectatus) Little Grass Frog (Limnaoedus oc laris) Broadhead Skink (Eumeces laticeps) Brimley's Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brimleyi) Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis) Southern Chorus Frog (Pseudacris igrita) Six-lined Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus) Ornate Chorus Frog (Pseudacris or ata) 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 sphe ocephala) but extremely necessary, reptiles . All snakes are carniv- Carpenter Frog (Rana virgatipes) orous and swallow their prey whole, without chewing . EasternNarrowmouthToad(Gastrop ryneearolinensis) Some snakes swallow live organisms, some wrap their bodies around their prey and suffocate it, and others REPTILES inject poison into their prey to immobilize it . In the following list of refuge snakes, poisonous species are About 300 million years ago, pri itive amphibians asterisked (* ) . evolved into reptiles with dry sc y skin, well-developed lungs, and either no limbs •r four limbs with Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus) claws. These were the first verte rates that could Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea) live on land without needing an aq atic environment Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) during some stage of their life cycle . Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ALLIGATORS - Large, armored "lizard-like" bodies Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta) make these aquatic carnivores easy 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 protruding.i, Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)

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 Parula S House Finch T TITMICE, NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS : Yellow Warbler T Pine Siskin W Magnolia Warbler Carolina Chickadee P T American Goldfinch W Cape May Warbler BIRDS Tufted Titmouse P T Rufous-sided Towhee P Black-throated Blue Warbler White-breasted Nuthatch P T Savannah Sparrow W Yellow-rumped Warbler W Red-breasted Nuthatch W Grasshopper Sparrow W Black-throated Green Warbler Brown-headed Nuthatch P T Henslow's Sparrow A Cerulean Warbler Brown Creeper W T Le s Sparrow 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 Bo 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 American Robin P Kentucky S Song Sparrow W Wood Thrush S Connecticut Warbler T Hermit Thrush W Mourning Warbler T Swainson's Thrush T Common Yellowthroat P Gray-cheeked Thrush 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 Water Pipit W Eastern Meadowlark P 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 T The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1941 WATERFOWL : RAILS, AVOCETS : Black Skimmer A as a refuge for migratory waterfowl, lies in the upper Tundra Swan W King Rail P PIGEONc DOVEc CUCKOOS . Canada Goose W Virginia Rail W coastal plains of central South Carolina in Clarendon Rock Dove P County, approximately seven miles south of Summerton Barnacle Goose A Sora W Mourning Dove P on Highway 301 White-fronted Goose W Yellow Rail T . Common Ground Dove A Snow Goose W Black Rail T The refuge is comprised of 15,095 acres of mixed hard- Yellow-billed Cuckoo S woods, mixed pine-hardwoods, pine plantations, marsh, Fulvous Whistling Duck A Purple Gallinule S Mallard P Common Moorhen P Black-billed Cuckoo T croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, and open OWLS: waters located in four separate management units along American Black Duck W American Coot W Common Barn-Owl P Lake Marion, a hydro-electric reservoir . This diversity Gadwall W American Avocet A Eastern Screech Owl P of habitats on Santee supports a wide variety of birds . Northern Pintail W PLOVERS : P Great Horned Owl P Green-winged Teal Semipalmated Plover This list of 293 species is based on records and observa- P T Barred Owl P Blue-winged Teal Wilson's Plover tions by refuge personnel, state biologists, and visiting Cinnamon Teal A T Long-eared Owl W Killdeer P birders and on a literature search of appropriate publica- Eurasian Wigeon A Short-eared Owl W Piping Plover tions . Persons having information regarding species not American Wigeon W T Northern Saw-whet Owl T Lesser Golden Plover T listed are urged to contact the Refuge Manager, Santee Northern Shoveler W GOATSUCKERS : National Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, Box 66, Summerton, Black-bellied Plover T Wood Duck P Chuck-will's widow S SC 29148 - phone (803) 478-2217. W SANDPIPERS : Redhead Whip-poor-will T Marbled Godwit Ring-necked Duck W 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 LOONS : Hooded Merganser W Ruddy Turnstone T Pileated Woodpecker P Common Loon T Common Merganser W Wilson's Phalarope T Red-bellied Woodpecker P Red-throated Loon T Red-breasted Merganser W American Woodcock P Red-headed Woodpecker P Common Snipe W GREBES : Yellow-bellied Sapsucker W VULTURES : Short-billed Dowitcher T Hairy Woodpecker P Red-necked Grebe T Turkey Vulture P Long-billed Dowitcher Downy Woodpecker P Horned Grebe W Black Vulture P Red Knot T Red-cockaded Woodpecker P Eared Grebe A Sanderling T P HAWKS : Pied-billed Grebe ...... Semipalmated Sandpiper T FLYCATCHERS : PELICANS, CORMORANTS, DARTERS : American Swallow-tailed Kite A Western Sandpiper T Eastern Kingbird S American White Pelican A Mississippi Kite S Least Sandpiper T Gray Kingbird A ouble-crested -Cormorant F Sharp shinned Hawk W - White-tamped Sandpiper T Western Kingbird T Anhinga P Cooper's Hawk P Baird's Sandpiper T Scissor-tailed Flycatcher A Red-tailed Hawk P HERONS, BITTERNS, STORKS : Pectoral Sandpiper T Great Crested Flycatcher S Red-shouldered Hawk P Eastern Phoebe W Great Blue Heron P Dunlin T Broad-winged Hawk S Yellow-bellied Flycatcher T Green-backed Heron S Stilt Sandpiper T Rough-legged Hawk A Acadian Flycatcher S Little Blue Heron P Buff-breasted Sandpiper T Golden Eagle W Willow Flycatcher T Cattle Egret S Ruff A Bald Eagle P Alder Flycatcher T Great Egret P Northern Harrier W GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS : Least Flycatcher T Snowy Egret P OSPREYS, FALCONS : Herring Gull P Eastern Wood-Pewee S Tricolored Heron P Ring-billed Gull P Olive-sided Flycatcher Black-crowned Night Heron Osprey Falcon P T P Laughing Gull T Yellow-crowned Night Heron S Peregrine T LARKS, SWALLOWS : 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 W Wood Stork A QUAIL, TURKEYS, CRANES : Bank Swallow T Common Tern W Northern Rough-winged Swallow IBISES : Northern Bobwhite P S Little Tern S Barn Swallow S Wild Turkey Glossy Ibis S p Royal Tern T Cliff Swallow T Sandhill Crane A White Ibis P Caspian Tern T Purple Martin S MUSKRAT (On(latra 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 nuusculus). 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 mammal with a long, white-tipped . bushy tail, it is common throughout the refuge, especially in cropland areas . GRAY FOX (Urocvon (,inereoargenteus) . Small and doglike and colored grayish above and reddish below with a long . black-tipped . bushy tail, this mammal is common in woody and brushy 'areas . RACCOON (Procvon lotor). Easily identified by its black and brownish-gray ringed tail and black mask . this mammal is common throughout the refuge . LONG-TAILED WEASEL (Mustela frenata). Brown above and white below with a black-tipped . brown fail, 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 . STRIPED SKUNK (Mephitis mephitis) . Black with two white stripes on its hack . 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 when disturbed by humans . BOBCAT (Fells rufus). Grayish with black spots and a short tail, this mammal is common but only seen occasionally . HOOFED MAMMALS WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) . Santee's only hoofed mammal is easily identified by DEPARTMI{NT OF THE INTERIOR its long slender legs and "white-flag" tail . Common 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 National Wildlife Refuge . established in 1941 STAR-NOSFI) MOLE (Conh'lura cristata) . A long, is0tJt_J~TJ as a refuge for migratory waterfowl, ties in tile upper hairy tart and « fleshy projections on the nose make coastal plains of central South Carolina in Clarendon this mole unmistakable in its '. ' .1W -I 1-k" t county . approximately seven miles south of Suni nerton These gnawing manmials have two pairs of incisor teeth . on Highway 301 . Although common, sonic species are seldom seen and BATS difficult to identify unless in hand . The refuge is comprised of 15,095 acres of mixed hard- . woods. mixed pine-hardwoods, pine plantations, marsh MARSH RAI3BIT (Svlvilagus palustris) . Dark brown . inipoundnients and open croplands, old fields, ponds Bats are the only mammals that truly fly . These niani- with a small grayish-brown tail, this rabbit is common waters located in four separate management units along nials are best seen tl\cnig about at dusk searching for, on the refuge around the lake edges. swanips and Lake Marion. a hydro-electric reservoir . This diversity insects . but totnlands. of habitat on the refuge supports a wide variety of EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus). niaminals . Gravi,h-brown above with white below the short tail . this coninion resident inhabits brushy areas, old fields This list of 45 species is based on records and observa- LITTLE BROWN MYOTIS (Alvotis liciugus) -'7'4,iis . woods and cultivated areas tions by refuge personnel, state biologists and local bat is glossv brown above and buff below' and is'`seen . GRAY SQUIRREL(Sciurus citizens and on a literature search of appropriate pub- occasionally during warns weather. carolinensis). Gray . silver- lications . Persons having information regarding species SILVER-HAIRED BAT tipped hair and a flat, bushy tail characterize this com- urged ,o-tact (Lasionvcteris nocttbagansf not listed are the Refuge Manager . Tile silver-iiaireti bat is nearly black with silver frosted mon forest resident . Santee National Wildlife Refuge . . Route 2 . Box 66, hairs on the hack and is found its protected areas of FOX SQUIRREL(Sciurusniger) . This, our largest tree Sunimerton . - South Carolina 29148, or telephone trees . squirrel is usually black and white, but can vary . A (08 03)4708 -22 17 . EASTERN 1'1PISTRELLE (Pipistretlns subflavus) . large bushy tail with yellow-tipped hairs can be seen This species of bat can he found during the daytimeC on this occasional forest resident . SOUTHERN hanging in vegetation . The eastern pipistrcllc is out- FLYING SQUIRREL (Glaucomvs sniallest hat and has reddish th volans). This is our only flying squirrel and our small- MARSUPIALS .light brown . ricolored - hair . est squirrel, and although very coninion oil the refuge . is These are mammals that bear very undeveloped young BiG BROWN BAT (h.ptesicus fuscus). This large brown seldom seen since it is nocturnal . BEAVER and carry theni in a pouch on the belly . bat is found in buildings and hollow trees. (Castor canadensis). This large . dark brown RED BAT (Lasurrus borealis). Varying shades red rodent has a paddle-shaped, flat, black, scaly tail . VIRGINIA OPOSSUM (Didelphis virginiana) . This of with white frosting on back and breast and a whitish Although not yet positively identified on the refuge, nocturnal mammal is common on the refuge . patch on each shoulder distinguish this bat which is this inaunnial is known to occur within three miles of the refuge on Lake Marion and is po ibly using the found in summer in trees and hedgerows . refuge lands and waters . SE MINOLE BAT (Lasiurus seminolus) . This silvcr- frosted, mahogany brown bat is found during daytime MARSH RICE RAT (Oryzomys pahistris) . It is a INSECTIVORES hanging in clumps of Spanish moss . common resident of marshes, canals and inipound- nicnts . HOARY BAT (Lasiurus cinereus). Light brown with- Shrews and moles are small nianinials with short thick EASTERN HARVEST MOUSE dense white frosting and a buff throat . our largest but (Reithrodontomvs eyes and ears and five clawed toes on their 1-uimulis): They ar : e . fur, tiny --rarely--se n bat i airbe found hang ng from eveibreeti__ fields and- field edges. feet. branches. OLDFIELD MOUSE (Peroni.yscus NORTHERN YELLOW BAT (Lasiurus intermedius) polionotus) . This (Sores longirostris). This . SOUTHEASTERN SHREW Large with long ; silky, yellowish-brown fur touched animal is common in timbered lowlands and old fields . COTTON MOUSE long-tailed mammal is brownish above and buff below with black above, this tree-loving bat can rarely be (Peromvscus gossypinus). It is coninion and can be found burrowing in mossy areas, fields, seen by day, hanging in clunips of Spanish moss . in timbered lowlands, brushy areas and swanips . brushy areas and woods . EVENING BAT (Nvcticeius humeralis) . The evening GOLDEN MOUSE SOUTHERN SHORT-TAILED SHREW (Blarina bat is 'reddish-brown above and tawny below and is (Ochrotomvs nuttalli). These This shrew is gray all over with a short mammals are coninion in thickets. brushy areas and carolinensis). found in summer in buildings and hollow trees . tail and is coninion under hedges and in woodlands . swat n ps . LEAST SHREW (Cryptotis parva) . The least shrew is RAFINESQUE'S BIG-EARED BAT (Plecotus raftnes- HISPID COTTON RAT (Sigmodon 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 prefelrs fields, marshes and wet woods . frosting below . EASTERN WOODRAT (Neotoma f loridana). They are EASTERN MOLE (Scalopusaquaticus) . Along, naked BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT (T,adarida brasili- coninion in woodlands and hedges . snout, outturned palms . webbed toes and a short . ensis) . The naked tail extending'beyiind the interfem- WOODLAND OR PINE VOLE (Microtus pinewrum) . naked tail identify this resident of fields and waste oral nienibrane separates this bat from the others . These animals are noted for their tunnels in woodlands . areas . 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 flauescens Piedmont darter Percina crassa Shield darter Percina peltata

MULLETS MUGILIDAE Striped mullet Mugil cephalus

SOLES SOLEIDAE Hogchoker Trinectes maculatus

of the

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SANTEE U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge 42570-7 April 1983

The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, established in PIKES ESOCIDAE Yellow bullhead Ictalurus 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 htnlurus ,vunctatus south of Summerton on Highway 301 . The refuge MINNOWS and CARPS CYPRINID. I F 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 YOPSIDA F, units along Lake Marion, a hydro-electric reservoir . Thicklip chub Hybopsis labrosa Swampfish Chologaster cornu to Bluehead chub Nocomis leptocephalus Although minimal fish management is conducted Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas PIRATE PERCHES APIIREDODERIDA I:' 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 h Notropis chloristius NEEDLEFISHES BELONIDA E most recreational fishing spots in the nation . Fol- Greenhead shiner s 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 CYPRINODONTIDA 1:' ologists. More exhaustive collecting would doubt- Whitetail shir ~r Notropis galacturus 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 Gambusia affinis ton, South Carolina 29148 . Whitefin shiner Notropis niveus Least killifish Heterandria formosa Coastal shiner Notropis petersoni Swallowtail shiner Notropis procne SILVERSIDES ATHERINIDA E STURGEONS ACIPENSERIDAE Fieryblack shiner Notropis pyrrhomelas Brook silverside Labidesthes sicculus Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus Sandbar shiner Notropis scepticus Tidewater silverside Menidia beryllina Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum Mirror shiner Notropis spectrunculus Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus TEMPERATE BASSES PERCICHTHYID: l F, GARS LEPISOSTEIDAE White perch Morone americana Longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus SUCKERS CATOSTOMIDAE White bass Morone chrysops Quillback Carpoides cyprinus Striped bass Morone saxatilis BOWFINS AMIIDAE White sucker Catostomus commersoni yb i a iped-bass--x white bass -Morme sp. Bowfin Amia calva Creek chubsucker Erimyzon oblongus Lake chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta SUNFISHES CENTRARCHIDA F, FRESHWATER EELS ANG UILLIDAE Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus Mud sunfish Acantharchus porno us 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 Ennaecanthus obesus American shad A losa sapidissima Smallfin redhorse Moxostoma robustum Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus Gizzard shad Dorosoma eepedianum Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense FRESHWATER CATFISHES ICTALURIDAE Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus Snail bullhead Ictalurus brunneus W arm outh Lepomis gulosus MUDMINNOWS UMBRIDAE White catfish Ictalurus catus Orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis Eastern mudminnow Umbra pygmaea Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus NOTES Calendar of Wildlife Events

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Santee National [!UWildlife RefIiugE CALENDAR OF WILDLIFE EVENTS VISITOR INFORMATION

This calendar is meant to prov de visitors with a gen- The Santee National Wildlife Refuge Office/V :sitor eral guide to seasonal wildlife events. Weather may Center is located in North Santee on the shores of cause variations of one to two eeks. Lake Marion. The office is located off U .S. Highway JANUARY . . Waterfowl cony ntrations peak with -,01/15 . seven miles south of Summerton, S .C . and Canada geese abundant on the wheat fields and large five miles north of Santee, S .C . Signs that will lead numbers of mallards in the im oundments and bays . you to the office are located at the entrance to the "Winter" sparrows, juncos and f nchesare here in good refuge on U .S . Highway 301/I5 and on Interstate 95, numbers for the winter . Striped bass are schooling. Exit 102 . The historical site of Ft . Watson/S.:ntee Indian Mound and the Wright's Bluff Nature Tra I are FEBRUARY . Waterfowl mum rs begin to drop with located at the end of the paved entrance road and are shovelers becoming prevalent . rappie begin to move open year round . into the creeks . Wood ducks, pt rple martins and blue- birds are beginning to look over the nesting boxes . Public ramps for launching boats are located on the Cuddo Unit (State Highway 260 at Taw Caw Creek, MARCH . . . Raptors are pie tiful . Alligators may open year round), on the Pine Island Unit (cast end be seen sunning on canal and pond edges . Largemouth of State Highway 400 . open year round) . and on the bass begin to move into the steal ows . Bluff Unit (State Highway 257 and U .S . Highway APRIL . . . . Butterflies and ragonflies are every- 301115 intersection on Cantey Bay . open March I - where . Buntings, orioles, tana ers, vireos and blue October 31) . grosbeaks have returned and rblers are migrating. There are several campgrounds, restaurants, and motels Productive fishing for most spec es . within two to seven miles of the Refuge Office . Recre- MAY Spring nligratio continues . Nesting ational camping is not permitted on the refuge . Rest- rooms and drinking water are available at the Refuge activities are evident . Excellent fishing for all species . Office during office hours . JUNE Hummingbirds, t tmice and chickadees Foot, bicycle and boat traffic is permitted inside the are using the porch feeders whil rabbits and squirrels land units from March I - October 31 . Exterior Lake forage below . Fish begin to se k out cooler waters . waters are open year round with the exception of White bass begin schooling . Cantey Bay, Savannah Branch, and Black Bottom, JULY Shorebirds begin to return from their which are closed to boating traffic from Novembe - I - nesting grounds and can be seen or pond and lake edges. February 28 . The Dingle Pond Public Use Natural Area Young of the year are out prac icing their skills and and the Scott's Lake and Wright's Bluff Nature Trail learning to survive . Bass, crap ie and catfish have areas are open year round . moved to deep water . REMEMBER - Bring everything you need to make AUGUST . . . Summer warbler begin to migrate your visit enjoyable . . .. rain gear, comfortable walking South . Redbugs,biting fliesandm squitosare voracious . shoes, insect repellent during warm weather, water, Fishing is generally poor . binoculars. etc. SEPTEMBER. Fall songbird migr tion peaks. Terns are WEAPONS . WATER SKIING AND SWIMMING ARE leaving as kestrels, blue-winge teal and gulls are NOT PERMITTED . PETS MUST BE ON A LEASH . arriving . Hummingbirds leave fee ers . For additional information on hunting, fishing, and OCTOBER . . Raptors, cormor~ nts, white-throated other public uses, please write the Refuge Manager, and song sparrows, and waterfowl are arriving in Route 2, Box 66, Sunimerton, S numbers .C . 29148 or .-all . Ruby-crowned kinglet and yellow-romped (803) 478-2217 . warblers are prevalent . Cat fishing is excellent . NOVEMBER . Bald eagles are frequently sighted around waterfowl concentration . Finches begin to DON'T LITTER, HELP KEEP OUR WILD AREAS CLEA h monopolize the feeders . Striped bass are schooling. DECEMBER. Large concentrat ons of waterfowl . Whistling swans may be obser ed on Bluff Unit. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Excellent fishing for largemout bass, striped bass U. S . Fish and Wildlife Service and catfish .

No Sunday hunting is permitted . V 6N GENERAL PROVISIONS Hunters must launch boats at designated boat ampN c Z Santee Refuge is one of over 475 national wildlife launching sites within the Cuddo Unit to hunt open L refuges . The primary objective of a national water or island areas . 10 wildlife refuge is to provide habitat for the o°c Camping, overnight parking, open fires and littering me conservation and protection of all species of m wildlife. The harvest of surplus animals is one tool are prohibited . of Hunting used to manage wildlife populations . Carefully All hunters under the age of 16 must : °~0 m Regulations & managed hunts maintain wildlife populations at a 1) Have successfully completed a state-approved 0 level compatible with the environment, provide hunter education course in order to participate in N1 Permit wholesome recreational opportunities and permit any refuge hunt . the use of a valuable renewable resource . 2) Must be supervised by an adult at least 21 years The regulations listed below supplement the of age . The adult must be in sight and normal general regulations which govern hunting on voice contact of the youth . An adult may wildlife refuge areas as set forth in Title 50, Code supervise only one youth under 16 years of age, of Federal Regulations. Hunting will be in except two (2) may be supervised in a hunting Santee National accordance with applicable State regulations . blind during waterfowl hunts. Wildlife Refuge GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS SPECIFIC HUNTING REGULATIONS Public hunting of white-tailed deer, mourning dove, waterfowl, gray squirrel, raccoon and WHITE-TAILED DEER HUNTS opossum is permitted on portions of the Santee Pine Island Unit: Primitive Weapons Season - The first National Wildlife Refuge other than those area Monday in October through the following Saturday . marked or otherwise designated as being closed Cuddo Unit: Archery Season - The second Monday to entry or to hunting (see reverse map) . in October through the following Saturday . Hunters must personally check in and out of Primitive Weapons Season - The third Monday in designated check stations . October through the following Saturday . Permits are required for all hunts and must be Primitive weapons include long or compound bows signed and in possession when hunting on the and muzzleloading (blackpowder) shotguns or rifles refuge. only. Upland game and migratory bird hunters are No bag limit - either sex (antlerless deer must be m 0 Hunt Permit Valid for: m Big Game, Upland Game & Migratory Birds requested to use hunter check stations identified tagged at the designated check station prior to 4- on reverse map . leaving the refuge) . m Name : Dogs may be used only for dove, waterfowl, Hunters must wear either a hat, coat or vest of solid opossum and raccoon hunting . visible fluorescent orange during the deer primitive Address : All vehicles must remain on established refuge weapons hunts. • o roads identified by signs and/or gates . ATV's and UPLAND GAME CUDDO UNIT ONLY ATC's are prohibited . CO CO 0 Gray Squirrel Only: Fox squirrels are protected . C All firearms must be unloaded and dismantled or Opens with State season and closed September 30 . 0 I have read and understand the regulations encased while being transported in a vehicle . L z• N t Raccoon and Opossum: Last ten days of State gun U- 4 governing hunting on Santee NWR . • - The use of nails, wire, screws or bolts to attach a season . stand to a tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter MIGRATORY BIRDS CUDDO UNIT ONLY r9cA Signature: is prohibited . Mourning Dove: Opens with State season and ends September 30 . The distribution of bait and the hunting over bait is This permit is valid only when signed by the prohibited. hunter listed above .

Waterfowl: Opens for 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 . 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 .

Santee National Wildlife Refuge South Carolina

LEGEND LAKE MARION REFUGE BOUNDARY SANTEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ROADS ROUTE 2, BOX 370 VEHICLE ENTRY POINT SUMMERTON, S .C . 29148 ∎ VEHICLE PARKING AREA PHONE : (803) 478-2211 CHECK STATION PINE ISLAND AND CUDDO UNITS 0 AREA CLOSED TO A PORTION OF SANTEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE HUNTING 0 1 MILE BOAT RAMP % Recycled paper O

Enjoy Your Visit... Santee offers a variety of outdoor recreation activities for the refuge visitor . The refuge Visitor Center For more information contact : presents a general overview of what there is to do and see at Santee . Trails for hiking, wildlife obser- Refuge Manager Santee National Wildlife Refuge vation and photography are available . Boating, e fishing and hunting are also permitted . Portions Route 2, Box 66 1 t of the refuge are closed during parts of the year . Summerton, SC 29148 For current information on closures check with Phone (803)478-2217 of the refuge office . i I

VISITOR CENTER - The Santee Visitor BOATING - Lake Marion is open year- Centeris currently open Monday through round to boating, except Cantey Bay,

Friday, 8 :00 AM - 4:30 PM . It contains Savannah Branch, and Black Bottom, a a number of displays describing refuge which are closed from November 1 wildlife and habitats . The Center pro- through the end of February . Public vides an excellent opportunity for the launches are available at Log Jam Land- visitor to become acquainted with the ing and the Pine Island Unit Launch Site . refuge before venturing out, and is highly recommended, especially for the first time visitor . ~~ FISHING - All areas open to boating are also open to fishing, as well as the Scott's . J Lake Public Fishing Beach . Open year- round, these areas produce largemouth WILDLIFE OBSERVATION - Foot and bass, catfish and bream . Remember, all bicycle trails are open during March Federal and State regulations are in through October for wildlife observa- effect. tion, photography and hiking. For history buffs the Ft . Watson/Santee Indian Mound is a must . For birders, the dikes around the Dingle Pond Public Use Natural Area are excellent for view- HUNTING - Permitted on the refuge during designated seasons . Deer, small ing wading birds and shorebirds . Winter- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ing migratory waterfowl may be ob- game, quail, dove and waterfowl seasons served from the observation tower along are scheduled yearly . Consult the hunt U .S. Fish and Wildlife Service the Wright's Bluff Nature Trail, which brochure for additional details . RF-42570-1 - July 1989 is open year-round . 1

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Habitat Managem t To support a large v tensive habitat ma management prog very basic to the compl grams is the wood due e nesting boxes are p~o,v in available tree cave ural habitat . The wate and agement program is more comple . Wat e adjusted to provide maximum benefits or wildlife . In the impoundments and marshes different levels are used to help some types of vegetation to grow while controlling unwanted "pest plants" . Periodi- To provide food, water and shelter for approxi- cally flooded woodlands containing nut-producing mately 8,000 Canada geese and over 50,000 hatXufeads ire food-rich and very beneficial to ducks during the months of November through waterfowl. February. Wildlif e The management of forest and cropUjds-~ realso To provi tiff *aterand shelter for many of er,__-- -__-:7*myriad. of wildlife species- inhabit the varied' critical. -Private -farmers are contracted who plant migratory and resident birds . _..~* -landscape of Svee . During the winter months corn, wheat, millet and soybeans. These crops "` thdfde nanger bldlda e ge an an species of wi Id life . The 1armers receive fo provide habitat and protection for e r and threatened species including the red-rockalcd ~suodpcckcr anal American alligator . mallards, pintails, teal and wood ducks along ernment . with Canada geese are a major attraction . Through- ea established in To provide opportunities for environmental educa- out the year red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks Habitat management is a complicated process-but ,County, South tion . interpretation and wildlife-oriented recreation can be viewed soaring overhead, as can a variety well worth_ the effort since it provides ani abundant s. within the for refuge visitors . of songbirds in the trees, and wild turkey . amount of food ; cover and shelterfpr-a wide range mixed hard- of animals. _ . ods, pine plantations, Birds are not the only residents of Santee . The ponds; inipoundnients forest provides a home for white-tailed deer and ous diversity of habi- other'woodland creatures such as raccoons, squirrels - life . and bobcats . The ponds and marshes provide a home for an alligator here and there plus a num- f the refuge stret& . ber of snakes including cottonmouths . hernn side; of Santee office/visitor - center'' s fo'"i blic viewing . L l11 lII1l~.J t T~~`~. ur miles north of _ SANTEE National Wildlife Refuge

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Dingle Polly-Can tey Bay Pond Unit 0 1 Mile t t

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1 , 1 1 ., , 1 a 1 1 1 I 1 a • , Pine Is an

U i 1 LEGEND :

Office/Visitor Contact Station „

• y Public Boat Ramp

1 ,I Maintenance Area 1

. . Wright's Bluff Nature Trail and Observation • Tower/Wayside Exhibit 41 .. , , 1 •'•...: : Historic Site of Ft . Watson • . . and Santee Indian Mound

• ' • 10OAcre Plantation Islands , • Refuge Boundary Island Wilderness Area L A K E A? A Round Island R 1 0 N •••• •• •• Road