Virtual tour of KIBS (Captain Sam's part 7)

Finally, the tour has come to an end with the last 4 nets at Captain Sam's - 8, 23, 16, and 24.  These 4 nets are located mostly on high ground.  They are located along an old dune ridge that is now vegetated with low growing shrubs and trees.  

 Net 8

Net 8 has been around since 2012.  It is located perpendicular to the dune ridge so it kind of runs down hill towards the grassland area along the river.  This is another net lane that has experienced a lot of changes over the years.  In the beginning this net was completely covered with a canopy of vegetation.  Now it is much more open due to several red bay trees that has succumbed to the laurel wilt disease.  The good news is that red bays produce many berries and in the areas where the red bays had died, new seedlings have sprouted.  Net 8 has captured 2,098 birds (1,615 new birds, 483 recaptures).  Another unlikely rail capture occurred in 2012 when a Virginia Rail somehow found itself in the net.  

Net 8

Net 23

Net 23 has been in operation since 2013.  This net is located along the ridge of the old dune.  There is a very large live oak tree that cover most of the south side of the net.  This live oak harbors many birds during migration but I suspect that many of them miss the net because they are up high in the canopy of the tree.  Net 23 has captured 1,639 birds (1,267 new, 372 recaptures).  

Net 23

Net 16

Net 16 was started in 2012.  This net is located in one of the more dense areas of the bnading site.  This net is mostly shaded due to a crowded canopy of vegetation.  We lost a couple of red bays here recently which has opened up the northeast end of the net lane a bit.  Net 16 has captured 1,915 birds (1,387 new, 538 recaptures).  Like many of the nets located in denser vegetation, net 16 is not the most productive but does produce those skulky birds like Swainson's Warblers and Ovenbirds.  It is also a great late season Yellow-rumped Warbler net. 

Net 16

Net 24

Net 24 was first operated in 2013.  This net is located in the lower portion of the dune ridge.  It is fairly open and sunny and is very "weedy" in the early part of the season.  Net 24 has captured 1,536 birds (1,244 new, 292 recaptures) including the only Fox Sparrow (2019) that has even been recorded on Kiawah Island.    

Net 24

Over the next few days, I will move the virtual tour to the east end of Kiawah and highlight our 23 nets that we have at the Little Bear banding site. 

 

-Aaron