Download Blue Heron Reserve Guide

BLUE HERON SANCTURARY
NATURE GUIDE
A PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE FOR
MOSS CREEK MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS
In the 1970s, the original developers of Moss Creek created a new pond here simply called
“Pond #4”. After a decade of tidal action and weather, the pond fell into despair, almost
dried up, and was invaded by upland grasses, shrubs and pines. In 1986, Todd Ballantine,
a local environmental educator and consultant, was brought in by Members who had the
foresight to see what a valuable resource it could become. Mr. Ballantine designed a new
pond for “the preservation of wildlife and the natural environment”, resulting in the Blue
Heron Sanctuary.
We hope that you will find this guide to be a source of education and inspiration to explore
all that the reserve has to offer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 3
Blue Heron Sanctuary: An Overview………………………..…….4
Plant Life…………………………………………………………………….5
Wildlife……………………………………………………………………….9
Amphibians/Reptiles…………………………………………………..11
Observations……………………………………………………………..12
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BLUE HERON SANCTUARY: AN OVERVIEW
The Blue Heron Sanctuary is located at the far north end of Moss Creek. It is very different from
our Fording Island Reserve in that it encompasses three quite different habitats: 1) a large pond
interspersed with five islands; 2) adjacent wetlands; and 3) an upland woodland area and trail
which take you along the far north side of the Sanctuary. It covers 36 acres and almost 6,000 ft. of
shoreline. The pond and wetlands are separated by a raised earthen walking trail which connects
the largest island to a boardwalk, which in turn provides over-the-water access to the sanctuary
from the east at the end of Victoria Drive.
There are two viewing benches here: one is fixed in the middle of the boardwalk looking across the
pond, and the other is midway along the central walking trail with a wonderful view of much of the
wetlands. At the west end access (right off Victoria Circle), you will find a small parking area next
to a heavily wooded upland area. The entire Sanctuary is adjacent to the road leading to Colleton
River Plantation and also the Victoria Bluff Game Management Area.
The pond itself is quite large but relatively shallow with a number of deep holes where larger fish
can hide. The pond serves both as part of our flood control system and as a water filter before
runoff joins the marsh. It is fed by a mixture of fresh water from the west end and salt water from
both tidal and pump action at the east end, thereby creating brackish water overall. As a result,
the pond’s salt content varies from one end to the other.
Listed on the following pages are descriptions of some of the plants and wildlife you may see while
visiting. The map above will help you locate where you are in the sanctuary.
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PLANT LIFE
Live Oak
This is the grand old tree of the South. Truly majestic as it ages and spreads, it may
grow to only 40-50’ tall, but its trunk can be huge (3-4’ in diameter), and its twisting
limbs often droop to the ground. It holds its leaves until spring when the new leaves
push off the old, thus it looks “alive” all year long. Live Oaks produce extremely sweet
acorns which are a major source of food for many animals. Their branches also serve
as a platform for the Resurrection Fern and a support for Spanish Moss.
Water Oak
The Water Oak grows to 60-70’ tall, usually with a rounded crown. While deciduous, it usually
holds its leaves well into the winter. Its acorns are small and black. The bark is blackish gray
and scaly. It is a “good” tree because it can absorb the large amounts of surface water that we
get from our heavy rains. In the winter, you will often see mistletoe clumps growing in its otherwise empty branches.
Red Bay
This was a very common tree in Moss Creek until about 2003/04 when they began to
die for some undetermined reason. However, they are coming back, but as a result
are still quite small. Full grown Red Bays can reach 60’ tall. Their 3-4” long evergreen
leaves are aromatic, and they produce creamy-white, bell shaped flowers.
Pignut Hickory
This Hickory can be identified by its bark which looks like water rivulets. It grows slowly and
puts down a long tap root to find sufficient fresh water sources. Green Hickory wood and nuts
can be used to flavor meat when grilling or smoking. Squirrels love the nuts, as do Wood
Ducks, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and many other birds. Because Hickory wood is strong and
resilient, it is used for tool handles, athletic equipment (especially baseball bats), and furniture.
Some early automobiles even had parts made out of Hickory.
Cabbage Palm
This true palm is also called a “Sabal Palm” or just “Palmetto” (not to be confused with the
“Saw Palmetto”). During the revolutionary battle on Sullivan’s Island, the stringy, soft wood of
the palm logs absorbed the British fleet’s cannon balls and led to an American victory, and
thus to our state tree! It can grow 30-60’ tall, live to 75 years, and has long (6’) drooping
fronds. Its tiny, fragrant cluster of white flowers turn into black berries which are devoured by
squirrels, raccoons, and birds. The Cabbage Palm’s long, stringy roots help bind the soil and
prevent erosion. Besides providing wind resistance, its soft “wood” allows it to bend in hurricane force winds without uprooting or breaking.
Saw Palmetto
As a shrub palm, Saw Palmettos often form impenetrable thickets. Its fan-like fronds are
armed with sharp spikes resembling teeth of a saw, and can easily cut you if you are not careful. Small white flowers which appear in June produce a dark berry in the fall, which are enjoyed by birds and other small animals. The spiny and sharp stalks provide cover and nesting
areas for reptiles, white-tailed deer, small mammals, and many birds.
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PLANT LIFE
Wax Myrtle
This salt tolerant member of the Bayberry family is an aromatic shrub or small Evergreen
tree which can grow up to 25’ tall. The leaves are coated with tiny yellow glands and can be
used in cooking like bay leaves. Its leaves also seem to repel insects, particularly fleas, so
they were often planted close to southern homes. Its waxy, grayish-blue berries provide
energy to our winter birds, especially Tree Swallows and the Yellow Rumped Warbler (which
is the only Warbler able to digest the wax). Myrtle Beach got its name from this plant!
Southern Red Cedar
This Juniper is a salt marsh evergreen that prefers sandy soil. You’ll often see it along
brackish mud banks and on sand/oyster pits. Its shredded-looking rust-red bark makes it
hard to tell apart from its relative, the Eastern Red Cedar, but it does have much smaller
cones. Cedar berries are the preferred fruit for hungry Cedar Waxwings, hence their name.
It grows very slowly, so any large tree (up to 40-60’) is probably quite old.
Yaupon Holly
This prevalent, distinctive shrub or small tree (up to 25’) has its evergreen leaves and cluster
of numerous tiny greenish-white flowers in the spring, but only the females produce berries.
Local Indians made a drink, similar to tea or coffee, from its highly caffeinated leaves. The
berries cause vomiting and diarrhea, so Indians turned them into the “black drink” which they
drank in purification rites before battle. Birds, however, love the bright red berries! The
name Yaupon comes from the Indian word for “small tree.”
Sparkleberry
This shrub, which has a smooth bark, is part of the blueberry and cranberry family. It has a
lovely white bell-shaped flowers which become shiny dark berries relished by song birds,
game birds, and small mammals. It happens to be a plant that deer ignore. In the fall, the
Sparkleberry leaves turn a spectacular red.
Sand Laurel Oak
This fast growing tree reaches heights of 65-100 ft., has a rounded crown and straight trunk.
They are found throughout coastal areas from Virginia down to Texas. Its acorns provide an
important wildlife food source for white-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, and a number of birds
and rodents. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, and persist on the tree until early
spring. The bark is dark grey and brown, and is usually smooth on young trees. As they age,
the bark develops furrows and ridges.
Sweetgum
This tree, a native of the Southeast, is a bottomland species preferring rich, moist, alluvial soil.
It has attractive grey bark, and simple, alternating leaves, finely-toothed and star shaped. The
fruit is a horny-coated ball (its seed capsule) which can be a landscape nuisance. The name
“sweetgum” originates from the sweet and gummy sap that oozes from cuts in the bark or
branches. This sap is used in salves, soaps, adhesives, and even tobacco flavoring. Many
birds enjoy its seeds.
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PLANT LIFE
Southern Magnolia
This ancient species evolved before bees appeared. Therefore, its flowers developed to attract beetles to help with pollination. Magnolia flowers are tough to avoid damage by these
same beetles. Its aromatic bark contains chemicals that have been used for medical purposes
such as to reduce both allergic reactions and anxiety issues.
Loblolly Pine
Because of Its straight trunk and few knots, it is the most commercially important forest species in the Southeast where it dominates 29 million acres and makes up over half of all standing pines. This tree will grow to 50-90 ft. with a dense crown and a mature limb spread of 3040 ft. The needles and cones help distinguish it from Slash Pine. Loblolly pine needles come
in bunches of three, and their cones are very prickly, whereas Slash pine needles come in
bunches of two and their cones are squeezable.
Groundsel Tree
This is an evergreen, salt marsh shrub or small tree with alternate leaves. Its greenish-white
flowers appear in clusters in early fall on both male and female plants. However, only the female produces the fruit of very white and silky bristles that can resemble snow from a distance. It should not be confused with Marsh Elder, a similar but opposite leaved shrub.
American Beautyberry
This is a deciduous shrub that grows 4-5 ft. tall and just as wide. It has long, arching branches
and small, greenish-white followers in the summer, but its most striking feature is its large
clusters of beautiful purple-magenta berries in the fall, which are very attractive to birds.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a grass but it varies greatly in height and can grow in many different climates.
Bamboo if further classified by its type of root system: either a “runner” (generally in temperate
climates) or a “clumper” (generally in tropical climates). Here it is a clumper. Bamboo is decorative and useful. It can be food, fodder, a construction material, or even made into tools and
musical instruments.
Dog Fennel
Dog Fennel is a short-lived summer perennial characteristic of the Old South. It blooms in late
summer through the fall, and can grow to 3-6 ft. tall, but closer to 6 ft. here. It has an attractive,
fern-like feathery appearance due to its lacy leaves which emit a foul odor. Its small flowers of
greenish-white are scattered over the upper parts of its stems and attract butterflies.
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PLANT LIFE
Carolina Jessamine
This attractive and fragrant native vine with its yellow trumpet shaped flowers is South Carolina’s state plant. Its blossoms are one of the first signs of spring in the Lowcountry. While it is
toxic to man, butterflies enjoy the nectar.
Poison Ivy
Unlike Virginia Creeper, which is a harmless vine, Poison Ivy has three shiny leaves and can
give you a very bad, itchy rash on your skin if you come in contact with it. Therefore, do not
touch it. Birds love its many berries.
Spanish Moss
This is not really moss at all, but an epiphytic plant (which grows on another plant), and does
not rely on the host plant for nutrients; epiphytes make their own food. It uses its long, thin,
scaly stems to wrap around the host tree and hang down from the branches. The leaves are
covered with cup-like, permeable scales that 'catch' moisture and nutrients from the air and
from pockets on the surface of the host. This water-trapping ability allows it to withstand long
dry periods. In extreme dry spells, the plant becomes dormant until moisture returns.
Crossvine
This is a tough, drought-tolerant, fast-growing vine that won’t harm wood masonry, and will
usually grow 20 ft. The foliage remains all year, changing from one season to another. The
leaves are unique as they are “trifoliate” having two smooth-edged, oblong leaflets and a third
slender, curling tendril used for climbing or clinging. The Crossvine’s flower beautiful: small
trumpets with red-orange outside and yellow inside.
Virginia Creeper
This is a climbing vine that can grow 50 ft either up or along the ground. It has five leaflets
tinged with red when they first start growing. It is frequently mistaken for Poison Ivy since
they often grow together. Virginia Creeper is a fast grower also, but does not have a tenacious grip. It blooms June through August with flowers that are tiny, yellowish-green, and
form clusters. Many animals eat the berries, but they are poisonous to humans.
Ebony Spleenwort
An uncommon evergreen fern which grows in dry, shaded and woody areas. It has alternate
“eared” leaflets growing from shiny black stems, and it reproduces through spores which
form on the back of fertile leaves.
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WILDLIFE
Raccoon
Bandit-masked raccoons are a familiar sight just about everywhere, because they will eat just
about anything. These mammals are found in forests, marshes, prairies, and even in cities.
They are adaptable and use their dexterous front paws and long fingers to find and feast on a
wide variety of fare. These nocturnal foragers use lightning-quick paws to grab crayfish, frogs,
and other aquatic creatures. On land, they pluck mice and insects from their hiding places, raid
nests for tasty eggs, and also eat fruit and plants. They may inhabit a tree hole, fallen log, or
even a house's attic. Females have one to seven cubs in early summer.
River Otter
The largest member of the weasel family found in South Carolina. The River Otter has a long
cylindrical body with a powerful tail, making it ideal for life in the water. Adult otters measure
35 to 55” in length, about one-third of which is tail. They are excellent swimmers and are
known to eat almost any animal matter found in aquatic systems including crayfish, crabs,
mollusks, fish, turtles, and waterfowl.
Red Fox
The Red Fox has rusty, reddish fur with a white chin, throat, and belly, pointy ears and a bushy
tail with a white tip. They stand 16 inches tall, about three and a half feet long, and weigh up to
15 pounds. Red Foxes are shy animals, so you will rarely see them. They are most active at
night. After mating, foxes make a den for raising young. Sometimes it will be in a hollow log,
streambank, rock pile, cave, or dense shrub. It is usually chosen at a place where there is
raised ground so they can see all around. A litter can have anywhere from one to ten pups.
Gray Squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrels are members of the rodent family, and spend most of their lives in
trees. They can grow 17 to 20 inches long, have grayish-brown fur, except for their bellies,
which is pale in color, and their tail often has silvery-tipped hairs at the end. This animal does
have a black phase, which means some of them are nearly all black; but these are not as
common.
Armadillo
Their distinctive armor plating is made up of actual bones, making the armadillo rather inflexible. This outer “armor” is used more as a deterrent to predators, rather than an actual means
of defense. With their stubby, powerful legs and strong claws, armadillos are designed for
digging and do so constantly looking for food, probing the ground and rotting trees for insects,
grubs, and other invertebrates, including ants. They will also eat carrion, eggs and even baby
birds or other small mammals if the opportunity presents itself.
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer is tan or brown in the summer and grayish brown in winter. It has white
on its throat, around its eyes and nose, on its stomach and on the underside of its tail. The
male has antlers. Males weigh between 150 and 300 lbs., and females between 90 and 200
lbs. A deer's diet changes depending on its habitat and the season. It eats green plants in the
spring and summer. In the fall, it eats corn, acorns and other nuts. In the winter, it eats the
buds and twigs of woody plants. They mate in January or February in the south, and the female has one to three fawns after about six months.
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WILDLIFE
Great Blue Heron
It is the largest North American heron and has head-to-tail length 38–54”, a wingspan of 6679”, and height of 45–54”. Features include slate colored flight feathers, red-brown thighs, and
a paired red-brown and black stripe up the flanks; the neck is rusty-gray, with black and white
streaking down the front; the head is paler, with a nearly white face, and a pair of black plumes
running from just above the eye to the back of the head. They can stand still patiently for what
seems to be hours when fishing.
American Egret
The largest of the egret family, they have all-white plumage and can be distinguished from
other white egrets by their yellow bill and black legs and feet.
Snowy Egret
They are about 2’ in length and have a wingspan of about 3’. They have white feathers, a yellow patch of skin around the eyes, a black bill and black legs with bright yellow feet.
White Ibis
Approximately 2’ tall and with a wingspan of around 3’. It is entirely white, except for its blackedged wings. Its blacked tipped wings may not be noticeable when at rest, but they are easily
seen when the ibis is in flight. It has a long, down-curved, reddish-orange bill and a reddishorange face. Its legs are long and gray, except for during breeding season when they turn reddish-orange.
Wood Ducks
One of the most stunningly pretty of all waterfowl. Males are iridescent chestnut and green,
with ornate patterns on nearly every feather; the elegant females have a distinctive profile and
delicate white pattern around the eye.
Hooded Mergansers
A small fish-eating duck of wooded ponds, they nest in holes in trees. It is frequently
seen on shallow waters where its only waterfowl companion is the Wood Duck.
Tufted Titmouse
A little gray bird with an echoing voice common in eastern deciduous forests. The
large black eyes, small, round bill, and brushy crest gives these birds a quiet but eager
expression. When it finds a large seed, you’ll see it carry the prize to a perch and
crack it with sharp whacks of its stout bill.
Carolina Chickadee
Dressed in what appears to be formal attire, these small, curious birds are among the
most inquisitive. They are in constant movement as small flocks, seemingly in welloiled coordination. They are named after their song chick-a-dee-dee-dee.
Carolina Wren
This shy bird delivers an amazing number of decibels for its size. Follow its teakettleteakettle! exclamation and you may see glimpses of its rich cinnamon plumage, white
eyebrow stripe, and long, upward-cocked tail.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers
A pale, medium-sized woodpecker common in forests of the East. Their strik-
ingly barred backs and gleaming red caps make them an unforgettable sight.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Page 11
Frogs
The green tree frog is native to the south-eastern parts of the United States. They are commonly seen in Florida, South Carolina, Arkansas, and southern Georgia in the local shrubbery
of the neighborhoods. They can be heard calling at night in the spring and early summer along
side lagoons and ponds.
Broadhead Skinks
6-13 inches in length, Broadhead Skinks are the largest skink in the southeast. They have
short legs and a streamlined bodies, generally gray, brown, or black, in background color with
five white or yellowish stripes (two on each side and one down the center of the back). Adults
often fade to uniform gray or brown, and mature males develop enlarged orange heads with
powerful jaws. Females and immature lizards are very similar in appearance to five-lined and
southeastern five-lined skinks.
Green Anoles
The Green Anole is generally about five to eight inches long, but females are usually smaller
and can be under five inches. They have adhesive lamellae on their foot-pads for crawling
along walls, much like geckos. Able to change color, the green anole can be anywhere from
bright green to browns depending on their mood, temperature, humidity and health. They are
often referred to as the American chameleon, although not related. Their tails and bodies are
long and slender and their heads have pointed snouts. Males are distinguishable from females
because males have a pink dewlap, a flap of skin that hangs in an arc below their neck used
for attracting females and in territorial displays.
American Alligator
The American Alligator inhabits wetlands which frequently overlap with human-populated areas. They have a large, slightly rounded body, with thick limbs, a broad head, and a very powerful tail. Adults generally have dark grey or nearly black color, and at times appear to be
lighter based on detritus or algae in the water. Juveniles have a striped pattern for camouflage
that they lose as they mature. Averaging about 9.5 inches in length when hatched, adult male
average 11.2 ft. in length, while females range from 8.2 to 9.8 ft. Adult body weights are reported from 168 to 800 lbs.
Snakes: Non-venomous
Scarlett Snake: Fairly small, up to 20 in, and relatively slender snakes patterned with alternating red, black, and white or yellow bands.
Rat Snake: Typically 3-5 ft. long, and range from black to gray in color, and even pale yellow. Adults primarily eat mice, rats, squirrels, and birds, as well as bird eggs. They are constrictors, and adept climbers that can scale brick walls as well as tree trunks.
Snakes: Venomous
Diamond Back Rattler: Large, heavy-bodied snakes with large, broad heads with two light
lines on the face, usually 33-72 inches long, and can tip the scales at over 10 lbs. The background color is brown, tan, or yellowish and covered with the namesake diamonds, which are
brown and surrounded by lighter scales.
Copperhead: Fairly large, 24 - 40 inches, and heavy-bodied with large, triangular heads and
elliptical pupils (cat eyes). The body is tan to brown with darker hourglass-shaped crossbands down the length of the body. The head is solid brown with two tiny dots in the top center of the top of the head. Juveniles resemble adults but have a bright yellow tail tip.
Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin: Typically 24 - 48 inches, occasionally larger, keeled-scaled,
heavy-bodied snakes. Their coloration is highly variable: they can be beautifully marked with
dark crossbands on a brown and yellow ground color or completely brown or black.
BLUE HERON SANCTUARY: OBSERVATIONS
Depending on the time of day and/or year, there is a lot to see and hear in the sanctuary. In
the large pond, you will often see fish jumping, some quite large. Alligators prowl around in
the pond or just sun themselves. You may also see some wading birds here, but they are
predominantly in the adjacent wetlands where there is plenty of action. There, you may also
see various ducks. Finally, the nearby woodland trail is relatively quiet and peaceful. It provides a nice change of scene in both flora and fauna.
On the raised central walking trail that takes you between the pond and the wetlands, you
should stay alert for fire ant nests which are generally large, sandy mounds with no apparent
activity until they are disturbed. Watch out, because their bite is very toxic. Also be careful
that you don’t return home with any ticks on you; check your clothing to be sure that some
did not hitch a ride. There are also a few snakes, so just be careful where you walk.