WILDLIFE ON KIAWAH ISLAND

 In 2011, we experiemented with capturing Eastern Screech-Owls for a project to monitor their population distribution across the island.  As development increases on Kiawah Island, dead trees (snags) are removed because they are unsightly.  However, many species of wildlife, including screech-owls, rely on snags for food, shelter, and raising young.  Screech-Owls are very adaptable to suburban living and will use man-made boxes for nesting and roosting.  Even though we encourage property owners to leave snags standing, supplementing areas with nest boxes that have low densities of screech-owls may be necessary.

      

Banding will be conducted at one or two locations per night and start approximately 30 minutes after sunset.  The banding sites will be dispersed across the island to represent both developed and undeveloped areas.  Eastern Screech-Owls are lured into a mist net by playing a recording of their territorial call.