Keep your paws off shorebirds' beaches

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June 9, 2009

Georgia DNR News Roundup

Submitted by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division

BRUNSWICK — When it comes to nesting shorebirds, man’s best friend can be an unwelcome intruder on Georgia’s beaches.

With summer just around the corner, the state Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division encourages travelers to give birds a better chance of survival by leaving their dogs at home when visiting the beach.

This is especially important from April through July, the breeding season for Georgia’s native beach-nesting birds.

Residents on barrier islands can also help by keeping their cats indoors, since even well-fed cats are inclined to kill birds.

“Nesting shorebirds already face daunting natural dangers such as high spring tides and native predators,” said Brad Winn, coastal program manager for Wildlife Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section. “Birds that nest right on the beach do not tolerate the added pressure from pet dogs and free-ranging cats. Dogs harass adult shorebirds, eat eggs and kill chicks. Cats actively hunt in the dunes, killing adult shorebirds and chicks. We can do better as stewards of our wildlife.”

While Wildlife Resources encourages leaving dogs behind when visiting the beach, dogs are actually banned on certain islands protected by Georgia Board Rule 391-4-7. Williamson Island in Chatham County and Pelican Spit in Glynn County are open to the public, but closed to dogs.

Three sand spit islands are closed to the public and pets year-round: the sandy spit seaward of the north end of St. Catherines Island in Liberty County, Little Egg Island Bar in the mouth of the Altamaha River in Glynn County, and the small marsh island in the mouth of the Satilla River in Camden County.

Beach-nesting birds such as the Wilson’s plover, listed as threatened in Georgia, prefer to nest above the high-tide line on wide, terraced beach flats or in the dunes. They lay eggs on the beach in shallow scrapes in the sand. After hatching, the chicks hide on the beach or in the grass. Disturbance by humans and pets can cause adult birds to abandon the nests and young chicks, exposing them to predators and excessive heat from the sun.

“We are down to only one pair of Wilson’s plovers nesting on Jekyll Island,” Winn said. “The Jekyll Island Authority recognizes the impact of unleashed dogs and feral cats on the island’s native wildlife and has developed an ordinance to ensure the survival of some of its rarest birds.”

Jekyll is the only island readily accessible to the public that still has beach-nesting birds for the public to watch and enjoy.

In addition to providing critical nesting habitat, Georgia’s beaches also serve as key wintering and stopover points for seabird and shorebird species such as the red knot, piping plover, whimbrel, black skimmer, American oystercatcher, brown pelican and royal tern. Birds from as far away as the Arctic region come through Georgia as they follow migration routes to and from South America. East Beach near St. Simons Island becomes a huge sand flat, supporting large numbers of feeding shorebirds during migration and winter months.

Owners who allow their dogs to chase shorebirds could be fined for harassing federally protected species like piping plovers.

“Please do not feed feral cats, (and) keep pet cats indoors and leave your dogs at home when you head to the beach,” Winn said. “Your pets and Georgia’s wildlife will be better off as a result.”

Georgians can help conserve shorebirds and other animals not legally hunted, fished for or trapped, as well as native plants and habitats, through buying wildlife license plates featuring a bald eagle or a ruby-throated hummingbird. Sales are vital to the Nongame Conservation Section, which receives no state funds. Visit www.georgiawildlife.com for more information, or call Nongame Conservation offices in Social Circle (770) 761-3035, Forsyth (478) 994-1438 or Brunswick (912) 264-7218.

SHARING THE BEACH — Tips for sharing Georgia beaches with the shorebirds that nest on them:

• Leave dogs at home. They destroy nests and chase birds.

• Hang out with the crowd. Avoid remote beach stretches where birds may be nesting.

• Walk below the last high-tide line to avoid accidentally injuring chicks or eggs.

• Learn to recognize Georgia’s coastal birds, take note of their nesting areas from April through August, and teach others to appreciate our native beach-nesting birds.

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Snakes of summer cause for awareness, not fear

FORSYTH — As temperatures rise, don’t be surprised if you see more late-afternoon activity on your sidewalks and driveways, particularly of the slithering variety.

Not to worry, though: Snakes can be a homeowner’s best friends, as long as you remember a few important tips.

First, snakes are best left alone. Most snake bites occur when a person tries to handle or corner a snake, prompting the animal to defend itself.

Second, of the 41 snake species known in Georgia, only six are venomous. Although telling some species apart can be difficult, becoming familiar with the colors and patterns of venomous species can enable even novices to determine whether a snake is venomous or not, providing peace of mind.

The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division will soon release “Venomous Snakes of Georgia,” a new publication intended to help the public identify venomous snakes and understand their natural roles.

Other resources include the brochure “Is it a Water Moccasin?” (go to www.georgiawildlife.com; click “Conservation” and look under “Georgia Animals & Plants”) and a guide to Georgia and South Carolina snakes at www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/index.htm.

There is also the excellent reference “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia,” released last year by the University of Georgia Press (www.ugapress.uga.edu/).

Non-venomous snakes such as the scarlet kingsnake and eastern hognose are sometimes confused with their venomous counterparts. Venomous snakes are often identified by their triangular-shaped head. However, many snake species flatten their head when threatened. Use caution when approaching any snake, and snakes in the wild should only be handled by an experienced person and after proper identification.

As reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded and rely on external sources to heat their bodies. In the fall and winter, you are more likely to see them warming themselves on rocks, sidewalks and paved roads. During summer, many snakes avoid open areas during the hottest part of the day and may become much more active during the evening.

About half of Georgia’s snake species give live birth. The young of all others are born from eggs, hatching within 40-80 days, depending on the species.

Newborn snakes can be seen from mid-summer to fall. Also, as the days grow hotter, many snakes will leave their usual hiding spots looking for prey that may be found close to dwindling water sources.

Adults of many of Georgia’s smaller snake species are often mistakenly assumed to be newborns. Although snakes in the state range from the eastern indigo, with recorded lengths up to 8 feet, 4 inches, to the crowned snake, which grows only 13 inches long, several non-venomous species commonly found in residential areas are small.

These include worm, ringneck and brown snakes, which each average about 12 inches in length as adults.

All snakes are an essential part of Georgia’s wildlife resources.

Fear or negative attitudes about snakes often stem from a lack of knowledge of their habits and role in the ecosystem. The majority of snakes found throughout the state are non-venomous, harmless and usually beneficial to man. A greater understanding of their importance as predator and prey often brings a greater appreciation for these admittedly not so “warm and fuzzy” animals with which we share our yards, gardens and forests.

If you spot a venomous snake in an area where it represents a danger to children or pets, you can contact Wildlife Resources for a list of private wildlife removal specialists.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS — What to do when you see a snake in your yard:

1. Never attempt to handle any kind of snake. If you are unsure of the snake’s identification, keep your distance

2. A venomous snake will most often have a triangular-shaped head as well as elliptical pupils similar to cats’ eyes, rather than round ones.

3. Snakes are important predators that feed on rodents, insects and even other snakes. There is no need to fear a snake in your yard. Simply give them the space they need.

4. Despite the relatively low level of danger posed by venomous snakes, many people consider their fear justification for killing snakes. In Georgia it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail to possess or kill many of nongame wildlife species, including non-venomous snakes.

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WILD FACTS: MOTH OR BUTTERFLY?

Are all butterflies brightly colored and all moths dull-looking?

Since both butterflies and moths occur in a variety of colors, you’ll need to look at other characteristics to tell them apart.

The antennae of butterflies are club-like while moths have feathery antennae. With a magnifying hand lens, you may also notice that the scales on a butterfly’s wings are uniformly overlapped while moth scales look irregular and sometimes “hairy.” In flight, moths usually hold their upper and lower wings together, but butterfly wings do not stay connected. Also, butterflies are diurnal (normally active during the day) while moths are nocturnal (normally active at night).

WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.

Stay informed about nongame wildlife with Georgia Wild, a free monthly e-newsletter from Wildlife Resources. Sign up at www.georgiawildlife.com.

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FISH FOR FREE THIS SATURDAY — and play “Catch a Boat” for your chance to win one!

National Fishing & Boating Week is currently underway (June 6-June 14, 2009).

Besides a FREE fishing day this Saturday, do you need a reason to get out and enjoy?

Here are five great ones:

5. Fishing and boating make for a great (and cheap) vacation. And we can all use a vacation about now, right?

4. When you purchase a fishing license, equipment or supplies, you help fund important conservation projects.

3. When you're on the water, you're not at work.

2. Fishing is the number one activity to get kids interested in the outdoors. Besides, the more times you take the kids fishing, the more times you get to go fishing.

1. You can Catch A Boat! Catch A Boat is the best fishing experience you can have indoors. Plus, you'll get a chance to win a brand new boat just by playing at take mefishing.org/community/catchaboat.

For more information about fishing in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com.