Reports and Studies 2014 Review: 1975 Environment of Kiawah Report | Page 21
Summary & Analysis of the 1975 Kiawah Environmental Report
Information on Birds of Kiawah Island from Other Sources
Page 21
• 2012 Beach Management Plan.
This plan is available from the
The 2012 Local Comprehensive Beach Management Plan for Kiawah Island was noted in
Town website at:
the section on the beach. This report also included significant comments on threatwww.wildlifeatkiawah.com/linked/
ened or endangered birds.
2012beachmanagementplanweb.
Species
Federal Status State Status
Habitat
pdf
Brown pelican
—
Species of
Beach
concern
Wilson's plover
—
Piping plover
Threatened
Red knot
Candidate for
listing
Least tern
—
Threatened
Beach, dunes
Threatened
Beach, dunes
—
Threatened
Beach
Beach
Potential Research
Suggestions from the authors of the 1975 report:
•
•
•
•
A study of the effect of development on wintering densities of waterfowl.
A study of the effect of development on the density of songbirds.
A thorough examination of Rookery Pond. (Ed note: we believe this pond no longer
exists.)
A study of the reproductive success, predation rates, and colony structure of
Least Terns.
Suggestions from Aaron Given, Biologist, Town of Kiawah Island:
The authors noted that the common ground dove is a “Prime example of what happens
when habitat is eliminated,” and that the “ground dove should serve as a good example of the level of awareness needed in development”. Therefore, it is recommended that we need a study of the bird's breeding ecology. There is generally a
lack of information on the eastern population of this species. A study like this would
transcend Kiawah and would be applicable to all barrier islands with similar habitat.
Specifically, we need to study its reproductive success, home range, and habitat use.
Additional recommended studies are:
1. east Tern Nesting: Provide nesting platforms in ponds, and fence off east end
L
nesting area to exclude predators.
2. Wilson’s Plover nesting biology.
3. Red Knot stopover ecology.
4. Expand the Marsh Sparrow project to include habitat analysis.
5. Continue fall migration bird banding.
6. Use hydrogen isotopes to study origins of migrating birds.
Revised: May 2014_REV 8