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www.santeerefugefriends.org
Friends Invite You
to Come to Santee NW Refuge
"The
best birding center in South Carolina and
the Southeast."
Santee
NW Refuge 2125 Fort Watson Rd. Summerton,
SC 29148
803-478-2217 West
of I-95, exit 102 @ US 301/US 15, 6 miles south of Summerton,
SC
"When
one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached
to the rest of the world" - John Muir
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Unit Bird List
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The purpose of the
Friends of
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
is to promote conservation,
awareness, and appreciation of the
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
and to provide assistance
to the Refuge programs.
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Friends of Santee NW Refuge
2125 Fort Watson Road
Summerton, SC 29148
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Low Water Levels Present Challenges
and Opportunities
for Santee National Wildlife Refuge, from Kay McCutcheon 11-14-2007
Summerton, S. C.....Is Lake Marion half empty or half full? Like so
many things, it all depends on your perspective. Sustained drought conditions
throughout the Southeast are affecting residents from Georgia to North
Carolina and have also resulted in water levels well below normal in most
of the State's waterways. Normal lake level in Lake Marion for this
time of year is 74.9 feet and the current level is below 68.5 feet, more
than six feet below normal. The high water mark or "full pool level"
for Lake Marion is 76.8 feet above sea level. As bad as we might think
it is now, it has been worse. Although most folks use the extended drought
that ended in the latter part of 2002 as a prominent benchmark for drought,
the lowest recorded Fall water levels in Lake Marion occurred in 1956 when
the lake was down to 64.65, more than twelve feet below full pool.
A severe drought declaration was made on September 5, 2007 for all counties
except Beaufort and Jasper by the South Carolina State Climatology Office.
The ongoing drought affects lake levels in two major ways. Dry conditions
upstate reduce natural flows into Lake Marion and utility producers upstream
do not have water to release into Lakes Marion and Moultrie because they are
under the same drought conditions. Significantly reduced inflows into
Lake Marion from the Congaree and Wateree rivers, and from the 15,000-square
mile watershed that extends into North Carolina, have resulted in levels on
both Lakes Marion and Moultrie not seen since the early 1950s. Although
localized rain is important, significant rainfall in the upper portion of
this drainage that extends into the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
is even more critical to ending the drought. These areas are also under
extreme and exceptional drought conditions.
Drought conditions present both challenges and opportunities for natural
resource management on Santee National Wildlife Refuge. On the one hand,
current water levels are too low to allow refuge staff to pump water from
the lake into refuge impoundments managed as feeding and resting sanctuaries
for wintering migratory waterfowl. Reasonable rainfall accumulations
in the next several weeks will allow us to maintain shallow marshes and impoundments
with clay bottoms. It's not so easy to keep water in other impoundments
because their sandy bottoms allow the water to seep out.
On the other hand, the refuge is trying to make lemonade out of lemons by
taking advantage of low water levels to get in areas not normally accessible
to mow in several ponds and floodable sites and clear ditches of invasive
and overgrown vegetation that block the flow of water. Other projects
more easily accomplished during low water include clearing and maintenance
of dikes and water control structures and chemical treatment to control invasive
and exotic plants. For example, the refuge in partnership with
Santee Cooper, was recently able to chemically treat invasive plants (i.e.
water hyacinth, alligator weed, cattail, water primrose, white marsh, etc.)
in several wetland sites on the Pine Island, Cuddo and Bluff units.
We are taking advantage of all opportunities as they become available, including
prescribed burning areas that are usually wet this time of year.
Other positive impacts of lowered water levels and exposed mud flats are
increased use by shorebirds like yellowlegs and sandpipers. The low
water and shallow pools also provide a mecca for great blue herons, egrets
and other wading birds. During the summer, as many as 130 endangered
wood storks were often spotted on the refuge. An abundance of freshwater
mussels along exposed shorelines have also provided a veritable feast for
raccoons, opossums, alligators, and other wildlife.
A recurring history of drought periods is part of the natural hydrology
cycle. Wetlands depend on fluctuations to enable them to periodically
dry out. It is not healthy for most areas to artificially remain wet
all the time and they need seasonal fluctuations. Although prolonged
dry periods have severe immediate impacts, these droughts do serve a function
in the overall ecology of the landscape. When the hydrology of Lake
Marion cycles to dry, sediments in the bottom of the lake and nearby wetlands
are allowed to rejuvenate. When the bottoms dry out, the soft organic
muck materials break down and the firmer surface is better suited for rooting
of new plants. Seeds that have been inundated with water are now able
to germinate, grow and complete their life cycle. Nutrients once confined
to organic muck are now available to plants growing on newly formed land.
The prolific sprouting of vegetation in these dry bottoms is a good thing
for the lake and the migratory birds that will later use these areas when
the water returns. Seed banks in these exposed areas sprout even more
new vegetation when flooded. These food sources will be extremely valuable
to migratory ducks and geese wintering on the refuge. The cycle is one
of rejuvenation, something that plants and animals are adapted to.
However, the reality is that ducks and geese will soon arrive in this area
looking for food and sanctuary to get them through the winter before they
begin their journeys back to nesting grounds in the North and the number of
acres of flooded foraging habitat available on Santee National Wildlife Refuge
will be significantly reduced. Another factor that influences waterfowl
migration is the weather conditions in northern states. Mild winters
don’t push ducks south into the state and we may expect fewer ducks if mild
conditions linger into the winter. But, some ducks and geese will invariably
migrate and winter in South Carolina.
Where will they go? Most likely, waterfowl will be attracted to nearby
existing water areas (i.e., farm ponds and shallow areas of the lake).
We may witness a phenomenon seen in many other states but not in South Carolina
where ducks, geese, and swans use dry agricultural areas for feeding sites.
On the refuge, a number of wetlands still holding a few inches of water will
be available to a variety of puddle ducks (Northern pintails, American widgeon,
mallard, green-winged teal, wood duck, etc.). There are also the designated
waterfowl sanctuary areas in Cantey Bay, Pine Island and the Cuddo Unit, where
preferred shallow water conditions persist. We are already seeing ducks
use these areas.
Diving ducks such as ring-necked ducks, scaups, canvasbacks, and redheads
could possibly have fewer options on the refuge and may be attracted to deeper
water areas within the refuge and on the lake. Refuge staff expect that
duck and geese numbers in areas normally flooded will be reduced from previous
years. If sheet water conditions in refuge areas like Cantey Bay and
Savannah Branch can be maintained, it is entirely feasible that large numbers
of waterfowl can find sanctuary in these areas.
The refuge still plans to continue our post season migratory bird banding
operations in February if the number of waterfowl using the area is stable
and water levels are sufficient.
Posted on Fri, Sep. 28, 2007 TheState.com
"Off the beaten trail"
Cuddo bike path in Santee refuge a great place to
check out wildlife
By JOEY HOLLEMAN - jholleman@thestate.com
It’s more a dirt road than a bike trail, and the knee-high grass makes
pedaling a bike difficult in some sections.
Despite those drawbacks, the critter-filled surroundings on the banks
of Lake Marion make the 8.7-mile bike trail through the Cuddo Unit of the
Santee National Wildlife Refuge worth the trip.
Usually, spotting wildlife while riding a bike is nearly impossible. On
a nearly two-hour ride in Cuddo, I saw some large gators on land and in
the water, two deer, a great blue heron, several great egrets, a wide variety
of ducks and so many butterflies that at times I felt the need to slow down
so they wouldn’t smack me in the face.
Other sections of the 15,095-acre preserve in Clarendon County have plenty
of hiking trails, but Cuddo has the refuge’s only trail designated for bikes.
(Hiking is allowed on the bike trail.) Unlike the main office of the Santee
Refuge, which is just a couple miles from I-95, you have to travel several
miles on back roads to get to the Cuddo Unit entrance.
The gate is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April through September and 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
October through February. The Cuddo Unit is closed to hikers and bikers during
two deer hunts Sept. 30-Oct. 6 and Oct. 15-20.
The rest of the year, Cuddo is all about wildlife viewing. I stopped three
times on my bike trip to take photos. A bird-watcher with more patience might
want to stop 10 times, especially when cooler nights take the sting out
of the bug population.
It’s obvious the refuge staff spends more time worrying about resident
wildlife than human visitors. The bike trail is nothing more than a dirt
road used sparingly by refuge workers and, for two weeks a year, hunters.
The dearth of trail markers prompted me to go against Robert Frost’s advice
and take the road more traveled whenever there was a choice. Only once did
that fail me. Near the end of the clockwise loop, I went straight when I
should have turned right. But 100 yards down the wrong road, I came upon a
“dead end” sign and turned around.
The trail winds through a basic pine/immature hardwood forest. The first
must-stop spot is a couple of miles into the journey when only the trail/road
separates Lake Marion from a pond.
Two large gators sunbathed on an island in the pond. What looked like
large moving sticks in the lake cove meant at least a half-dozen more gators
hang out in the area. The Cuddo Unit has the highest concentration of gators,
and the largest individuals, in the refuge.
If you encounter a gator sunbathing on the bike trail, you’d best turn
around and try the loop going the other direction.
I made it only a few hundred yards more before leaving the bike behind
to stroll on the clam-covered shore of the drought-sunken lake. Back on the
bike, what had been an easy ride turned difficult when the dirt road gave
way to thick grass. I bet no more than a dozen bikes had cut through that
grass in the past couple of months.
The tall, thick grass, which dominated two of the next three miles, made
the bike seem like it had two flat tires. This would be an ideal section
for a Lowcountry biker training for long, uphill climbs.
In the middle of the grassy section is the other hard-to-resist stop on
a point between two lake coves. Small cypress trees spike the broad lake
vista. On this sunny day, yellow and purple wildflowers blanketed the edges
of the road, and the flocks of butterflies made it seem many of the yellow
flowers had sprung wings.
After another mile of grassy road and one brief wrong turn, the final
mile or two back to the car was an easy pedal. Just for kicks, I drove the
full 7.5-mile auto trail in Cuddo, which reminded me why it’s much more
interesting to hike or bike, even if you have to plow through tall grass.
Reach Holleman at (803) 771-8366.
BIKE RIDE: A place to ride at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge
WHAT: 8.7-mile bike trail
WHERE: Cuddo Unit of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge
WHEN: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April through September; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. October through
February. Closed to hikers and bikers during deer hunts Sept. 30-Oct. 6 and
Oct. 15-20.
DIRECTIONS FROM COLUMBIA: Take I-26 east to I-95 north. Get off at exit
108. Turn right, and go about 1½ miles to the end of road. Turn left,
and go 2 miles to Davis Crossroads. Just past the crossroads, take the first
paved road to the right and go about 4 miles. Turn right and go about ½
mile until road dead-ends. Turn right, and the entrance to the Cuddo Unit
is on the left. Refuge signs make it easier than it seems.
FEES: Free INFORMATION: (803) 478-2217 or www.fws.gov/santee
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Visitor Center is now open
after upgrades, and
you can walk
and ride the trails.
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Come to Santee NW Refuge
and join for 2007.
Friends of Santee National
Wildlife Refuge
invite you to join or
renew your membership for 2008.
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Student
$10
Individual
$25
Family
$40
Patron
$100
Sponsor
$250
Corporate
$500
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Designation:
"Important Bird Area"
by National Audubon Society
Based on:
endangered species, watch list species
and concentrations of birds
(waterfowl, colonial
waterbeds and exceptional numbers of migratory
land birds).
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The purposes of Santee Refuge Friends
are exclusively charitable and educational within the meaning
of the Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 and is an independent, non-profit organization.
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Become a Member
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Santee Refuge Recognized as an Important Bird Area by Audubon
Friends of Santee National Wildlife
Refuge announced that the National Audubon Society
had conferred the designation of "Important Bird Area"
(IBA) upon Santee National Wildlife Refuge. This
announcement was made at the conclusion of International
Migratory Bird Day activities held on the refuge on Saturday,
May 15th, 2004. Santee National Wildlife Refuge
was selected as an Important Bird Area on
the basis of three nominating criteria: Endangered
Species, WatchList Species, and Concentrations
of Birds (waterfowl, colonial waterbirds, and exceptional
number of migratory landbirds). Quoting from
Paul Koehler, Audubon's coordinator for South Carolina's
Important Bird Area Program, "I applaud the management
and conservation efforts at Santee NWR that contribute toward
it being named an Important Bird Area". There
are now 30 IBA's that have been recognized in South Carolina
and nearly 1,500 across the United States. Congratulations
to the refuge staff on this special recognition.
Two signs designating Santee NWR as an Important Bird
Area are erected at visitor contact areas to help
underscore the importance of the refuge for bird populations.
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Waterfowl found on
Santee National Wildlife Refuge by unit in the biweekly
survey 1-17-07:
Species:
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Bluff
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Pine Island
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Cuddo
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Total/species
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Hooded Merganser
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20
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10
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30
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Mallard
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725
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200
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600
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1525
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American Black Duck
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60
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40
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45
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145
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Gadwall
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110
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65
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210
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385
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American Wigeon
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65
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71
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136
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Green-winged Teal
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800
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450
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650
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1900
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Northern Shoveler
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20
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20
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40
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Northern Pintail
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7
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15
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22
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Wood Duck
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600
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475
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700
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1775
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Lesser Scaup
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30
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30
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Ring-necked Duck
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1900
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750
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1300
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3950
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Canada Goose
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965
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40
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27
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1032
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Tundra Swan
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4
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4
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American Coot
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250
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100
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400
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750
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Pied-billed Grebe
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25
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13
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40
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78
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Totals
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5581
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2133
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4088
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11802
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Come walk the new nature trails
between the Visitor Center and
Indian Mound.
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New Binoculars at the Visitor
Center,
thanks
to Friends and Santee Cooper.
New Binoculars in place & dedicated
Oct 16, 2004.
Visitors on the deck have increased 30%.
Thank you Santee Cooper
for your donation.
We are working
hard to increase membership and to get members
involved with proposed projects on the Refuge.
If you have a special skill or interest
please let us know.
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First visitors to use
the new glasses, June 19, 2004.
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New Refuge System Exhibit Panels at SC Welcome Center
Two new exhibit panels promoting the Refuge
System, the Centennial celebration, and inviting
travels to visit the refuges located near Interstate
95 were erected at the SC Welcome Center and Rest
Area sites just across Lake Marion. The panels
which are housed in covered, outdoor kiosks also include
a section devoted to Santee National Wildlife Refuge.
Several hundred thousand travelers on
I-95 could view these panels annually.
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Find the Cuddo Driving Trail with the
new sign installed by Gene.
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Young spring gator seen in Cuddo, 2004.
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