News and Information
WILDLIFE ON KIAWAH ISLAND
WILDLIFE SURVEYS AND MONITORING
Town of Kiawah Island
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
(843) 768-9166
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
(843) 768-9166
The Town of Kiawah Island conducts a variety of wildlife surveys in an effort to estimate population size and abundance of many wildlife
species. Surveys also allow biologists to look at population trends over time to better understand how our native wildlife species
are adapting to changes on Kiawah Island. For more information on these surveys, click on the links below.
White-tailed Deer - Spotlight surveys have been conducted for deer since 1997. Surveys are currently conducted for 3 consecutive
nights during September and December/January. The survey route is 18.2 miles long and covers most of Kiawah Island. In
order to calculate the density of deer on the island, biologists periodically conduct visibility estimates along the route.
By estimating the survey width using the estimates, it is possible to calculate the number of acres surveyed which is used to estimate
deer density in deer per square mile. View results from September 2009 and January 2010 surveys. View historic
spotlight survey data.
American alligators - Alligator surveys are conducted annually during July for 2 consecutive
nights. The survey route covers most of the ponds on the island. The total number of alligators are recorded along with
an estimate of their length. View alligator page including survey results.
Wilson's Plovers - An annualWilson's Plover survey was initiated in 2009 in conjuction with SCDNR. The first survey took place on May 12, 2009. A
total of 52 Wilson's plovers were observed during this survey of the entire Kiawah Island beachfront. View the 2009
report, including maps and location information. The 2010 survey was conducted on May 17, 2010 and a total of 70 birds were
seen. View the 2010 report.
Piping Plovers - Piping plovers are a Federally threatened species
and utilize the beachfront habitat on Kiawah Island extensively from July to May each year. Plovers are surveyed twice every
10 days (once at low tide, once at high tide) from August 1 - October 31, twice every month from November 1 - February 28, and twice
every 10 days from March 1 - April 15. Detailed records are kept on number of birds seen, their GPS locations, presence of bands,
habitat use, and behavior. View additional information, including an interactive map of plover locations.
Least
Terns - Least terns are a state threatend species that currently nest on the east end of Kiawah Island. Historically, least
terns nested on dry beach areas throughout the state but are currently only found nesting in a handful of locations in South
Carolina, one of which is Kiawah Island. Terns nest from May-July and the nesting area is clearly marked with signs prohibiting
access. An annual nest count has been conducted since they began nesting in 2006. In 2010, least terns initiated nesting
on the western end of Kiawah for the first time in more than 15 years. View additional information on beach nesting birds.
Red
Knots - Red knots have become a species of special concern in recent years as their numbers have dropped significantly.
A variety of researchers have placed unique alphnumeric flags on these birds to gather more information on migration patterns and
survival. Town Biologists conduct periodic surveys for red knots on the island and report flag combinations to aid in this
research. As of May 26, 2010, biologists have logged 252 flagged red knot resightings. Biologists also assisted SCDNR
in capturing 59 red knots on May 7, 2010 with a cannon net. View cannon net capture video. View flagged red
knot sighting map. View video of foraging red knots.
Bird banding - Birds are captured with
mist nets and banded with a unique indentifier to provide insight into the health and demographics of the Kiawah Island bird
population. Important information on the productivity, survivorship, and movements of many species can be attained through
banding. Banding will occur at 2 locations on Kiawah Island: Captain Sam’s Spit; 32 acre patch of undeveloped scrub-shrub
and Cougar Island; 200 acre patch of undeveloped maritime forest. Due to time constraints and limited manpower most of the banding
effort will be concentrated at Captain Sam’s Spit. Banding will take place approximately once per month from late August/early
September through May with additional sessions scheduled during spring and fall migration. You can find links to seasonal
banding summaries on our Research page.
Breeding birds - An annual Breeding
Bird Survey has been conducted since 1998 consisting of 50 stops during which all birds seen or heard during a 3-minute period are
recorded. Click here for additional information and to view survey results. In addition, 218 point count locations
were established in summer 2009 to better estimate bird species diversity and density on the island. The points are located
across the island from Captain Sam’s Spit to Little Bear Island in all major upland cover types except for open dunes and beach. View additional information.
Marsh birds - Marsh bird populations are monitored using a standardized protocol
developed by USGS for the National Marsh Bird Monitoring Program that incorporates a call-broadcast survey methodology. Marsh
birds will be monitored at 20 unique points consisting of 2, 10-point routes. Each route will be repeated 3 times during the
breeding season when marsh birds are most vocal. The surveys will start 30 minutes before sunrise and will be completed 2-3
hours later or prior to the time when marsh birds cease calling. At each point, a recorded CD with marsh bird calls will be
played through a portable CD player with amplified speakers. The CD will include 30 seconds of calls of each focal marsh bird
species (black rail, least bittern, clapper rail, king rail, common moorhen, and pied-billed grebe) that are expected breeders on
Kiawah Island interspersed with 30 seconds of silence between each species’ calls. Data recorded at each point will include
species, type of call given, and estimated distance to individual. Additional data on non-focal species, ambient noise levels,
weather, water conditions, and habitat can be collected. Visit our Marsh bird survey page or view the entire Avian Monitoring
Program Proposal.
Nightjars - Kiawah Island is home to 2 species of nightjars during the breeding
season; the Chuck-wills-widow and Common Nighthawk. A third species, the Whip-poor-will, may pass through the island during
spring and fall migration. The Town of Kiawah Island began participating in the United States Nightjar Survey Network in 2009.
The survey consists of driving and stopping at 10 points along a predetermined 9 mile route. At each point, the observer counts
all nightjars seen or heard during a 6 minute period. View additional information and survey results.