NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION
WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2025
2025 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Table of Contents Program Updates - 2025 ....................................................................................................................4 BIRDS .............................................................................................................................................9 Migratory Shorebirds Return to North Carolina’s Shores! ..................................................................... 9 The Jersey Shore Flocks to NC - Banded Piping Plover Spotted in Carteret County ................................ 10 American Oystercatcher Banding ................................................................................................... 11 Locals and Visitors Intermingling at Shackleford Banks ...................................................................... 12 New Colony Discovered During Annual Wood Stork Monitoring Survey ................................................ 13 Wood Stork Trapping and Tagging to Study Their Movement Ecology........................................................14 Detecting the Elusive Black Rail Using Remote Technologies .............................................................. 15 What We Are Learning About the Elusive Black Rail From a Dry Year .................................................... 16 Wayne’s Warbler Breeding Confirmed in Brunswick and Camden Counties .......................................... 17 Final Breeding Season for the NC Bird Atlas Begins ........................................................................... 18 The Secret Lives of Breeding Birds .................................................................................................. 19 Autonomous Recording Units … Working All Night Long … ................................................................ 20 North Carolina Bird Atlas Completes Final Breeding Season ............................................................... 21 A Core Banks Atlasing Adventure .................................................................................................... 22 Preparing for Bird Nesting Season 2025, the First Season Post-Helene . .............................................. 23 Post-Helene Bird Monitoring .......................................................................................................... 24 Wood Thrush Nanotagging ............................................................................................................. 25 Motus Installations and Maintenance with the American Bird Conservancy .......................................... 26 Using Motus Stations to Document Full Annual Cycles of Songbirds .................................................... 27 REPTILES ......................................................................................................................................29 Are You GatorWise? New Outreach Program Promotes Coexistence with Alligators ............................... 29 Looking Back at Five Years of Alligator Spotlight Surveys .................................................................... 30 Working to Understand and Address Hook and Line Interactions with Sea Turtles in NC ......................... 31 Keeping Tabs on Sea Turtle Habitat ................................................................................................. 32 Earlier Nesting Peak Observed in 2025 Sea Turtle Nesting Season ...................................................... 33 Extended Non-nesting Period For a Loggerhead Sea Turtle ................................................................. 34 Searching for Herps in All the Right Places – Sandhills Ecoregion ....................................................... 35 Post-Helene Bog Restoration Work .................................................................................................. 36 Monitoring Bog Turtle Populations Post-Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina ............................ 37 Working to Restore Bogs in Western North Carolina ........................................................................... 38 Restoring Bog Habitat to Support Recovery of the Southern Lineage of Bog Turtles ............................... 39 AMPHIBIANS .................................................................................................................................40 Another Dry Winter in the Sandhills ................................................................................................. 40 Coastal Herp Staff Stay Busy with Collaboration and Cold Weather Surveys .......................................... 41 Winter Amphibians ........................................................................................................................ 42 Monitoring Day and Night .............................................................................................................. 43 Impacts to the Eastern Hellbender and Mudpuppy from Hurricane Helene and Debris Removal ............. 44 Detections of Eastern Hellbenders Post Hurricane Helene ................................................................. 46 Surveys for the Eastern Hellbender in the Nolichucky Sub-basin During the First Breeding Season Post-Hurricane Helene..................................................................................................... 48 Emerging Gopher Frog News .......................................................................................................... 49 Surveys for Gray Treefrogs and Wetland Habitat Enhancement Through Prescribed Fire ........................ 50 Studying Timber Harvest Effects on Green Salamanders and Their Micro-climate ................................. 51
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2025 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
NCPARC ........................................................................................................................................53 MAMMALS .....................................................................................................................................56 Woodrats in Western North Carolina ..............................................................................................56 Post-Hurricane Helene Bat Surveys Begin ....................................................................................... 57 Post-Hurricane Helene Bat Surveys Show Reduced Gray Bat Counts ..............................................58 Counts of Gray Bats Down Following Hurricane Helene .................................................................59 2025 Post-Tropical Storm Helene Gray Bat Efforts Conclude ..........................................................60 FISHES ..........................................................................................................................................61 Robust Redhorse Sampling and Propagation .................................................................................61 Monitoring the Movement and Habitat Use of Stocked Carolina Madtoms in Sandy Creek ................62 Hurricane Helene Monitoring and Woody Debris Technical Guidance in the Foothills Region of the Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program ........................................................................63 Fish Populations in the Nolichucky River Basin Showing Signs of Resilience in First Year Since Hurricane Helene .....................................................................................................64 Aquatic Species Surveys to Inform Habitat Suitability For Rare Aquatic Species ................................. 65 Lake Waccamaw Fish and Mussel Monitoring Surveys ..................................................................... 66 Cape Fear Shiner Broodstock Collection ......................................................................................... 66 Rare Coastal Fishes Surveys .......................................................................................................... 67 MOLLUSKS ....................................................................................................................................68 Development of Genetic Tools to Aid in the Restoration of Two Federally Endangered Mussel Species, the Tar River Spinymussel and Yellow Lance ...................................................... 68 New Hope Creek Mussel Relocation ..............................................................................................69 Updating the Distribution of Brook Floater Following Hurricane Helene...........................................70 HABITAT MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................71 Wildlife Passage ...........................................................................................................................71 Green Growth Toolbox ..................................................................................................................71 NC Wildlife Action Plan ................................................................................................................72 Partners for Green Growth ............................................................................................................73 Resilience Strategy ......................................................................................................................73 Conservation Partnerships ...........................................................................................................73 Technical Assistance ....................................................................................................................74 Partners for Green Growth ............................................................................................................74 Cooperative Land Conservation ....................................................................................................75 Conservation Partnerships ...........................................................................................................76 Barrier Removal and Assessment .................................................................................................77 Western NCDOT: Bats ..................................................................................................................78 Aquatic Passage ..........................................................................................................................78 Aquatic Organism Passage/Culvert Assessment Project .................................................................79
Cover photos from top left clockwise: Cope's Gray Treefrog, photo by Aubrey Heupel Greene; Nathan Vaughn, NCWRC, with captured Neuse River Waterdogs, photo by Jeff Hall; Copperhead crossing a road in the Sandhills, photo by Aubrey Heupel Greene; Pileated Woodpeckers photographed during NC Bird Atlas survey, photo by Jay Wherley.
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2025 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
T he North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) Wildlife Diversity (WD) Program is housed within the agency’s Wildlife Management and Inland Fisheries (Aquatic Wildlife Diversity) divisions. Program responsibilities principally include surveys and monitoring, research, and other projects for nongame and endangered wildlife species. Nongame species are animals without an open hunting, fishing or trapping season.
Program Updates - 2025 WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM, WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION It was all hands on deck in the Western Region to assess damage to habitat and species from Hurricane Helene, such as riverine scouring, landslides, sediment-carrying flood waters, and snapped and downed trees. Restoration work was a significant focus in 2025 and will continue for many years. The Sandhills region continued to experience dry con- ditions, affecting ephemeral ponds and adjacent habitats supporting several amphibians that are Species of Greatest Conservation Need. In late spring, however, heavy rains resulted in later than usual breeding and production of egg masses by Gopher Frogs. In the Eastern Region, sampling for the federally threatened Neuse River Waterdog continued and a research study that will include eDNA sampling was designed with partners from NCSU. A multi-year research project on American Alligator survey design was wrapped up, and results will improve our survey strategies. Hard work and ingenuity are helping us learn much more about the Eastern Black Rail, migra- tory bird movements and survival, and sea turtle breeding behaviors. NCWRC staff and volunteers completed the last breeding season surveys for the NC Bird Atlas, NCWRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the USFWS to work through the NC Red Wolf Team on recovery actions in the Final Revised Recovery Plan, and the agency’s Wildlife Action Plan was finalized and submitted for review by the USFWS. 2025 was a busy, productive year for the Wildlife Diversity Program.
NCWILDLIFE.GOV
EASTERN BLACK RAIL (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis)
EASTERN BLACK RAIL Conservation Plan for North Carolina
May 21, 2025
EXHIBIT L
CHRISTY HAND/SCDNR
HABITAT CONSERVATION DIVISION The Habitat Conservation Division continued working to protect Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and con- serve working lands by on-the-ground conservation, technical guidance, wildlife surveys, and providing recommendations on regulatory permits. In 2025, staff biologists reviewed and provided recommendations on some 1,700 development proj- ects. These projects spanned nearly every type and every habitat in North Carolina. From stream restorations as part of Helene Recovery efforts in the mountains to the Wilmington Harbour expansion at the coast, our biologists provide recom- mendations to minimize harm to all wildlife species and promote public access. The NC State Wildlife Action Plan 2025 (SWAP) revision was submitted and approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Plan identifies fish, wildlife, plant, and insect SGCN, as well as research and management priorities for other species. The SGCN evaluation for the 2025 Plan identified 434 fish and wildlife SGCN, lower than the 457 identified in the 2015 Plan, thanks in part to the conservation work and efforts over the last 10 years. An expanded SGCN list was included in the 2025 Plan to include 462 plants, 229 insects, and 29 marine species. The Division continues working with municipalities and local governments to promote conservation opportunities using the Green Growth Toolbox and corresponding Partners of Green Growth grant program (PGG). The 2 new PGG projects funded in 2025 included Buncombe and Union counties. Grant funding through America the Beautiful and the US Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed the Division to continue WAP implementation projects. The focus of this work is on-the-ground SGCN conservation. These funds will allow our biologists to remove dams that are barriers to aquatic organism passage, assess culverts affecting fish movements, research native plants serving as hosts for rare insects, and restore the habitats required by those insects and many other SGCN species.
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2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Dr. Sara Schweitzer , Assistant Chief, Wildlife Manag Wildlife Diversity Program sara.schweitzer@ncwildlife.org, Wake County
2025 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report Wildlife Diversity Program Staff Wildlife Diversity Program Staff Wildlife Diversity Program Staff Wildlife Diversity Program Staff Wildlife Diversity Program Staff
Dr. Sara Schweitzer , Assistant Chief, Wildlife Management Division, Wildlife Diversity Program sara.schweitzer@ncwildlife.org, Wake County Dr. Sara Schweitzer , Assistant Chief, Wildlife Management Division, Wildlife Diversity Program sara.schweitzer@ncwildlife.org, Wake County Dr. Sara Schweitzer , Assistant Chief, Wildlife Management Division, Wildlife Diversity Program sara.schweitzer@ncwildlife.org, Wake County Dr. Sara Schweitzer , Assistant Chief, Wildlife Management Division, Wildlife Diversity Program sara.schweitzer@ncwildlife.org, Wake County Rachael Hoch , Assistant Chief, Inland Fisheries Division, Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program rachael.hoch@ncwildlife.org , Wake County Rachael Hoch , Assistant Chief, Inland Fisheries Division, Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program rachael.hoch@ncwildlife.org , Wake County Rachael Hoch , Assistant Chief, Inland Fisheries Division, Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program rachael.hoch@ncwildlife.org , Wake County Rachael Hoch , Assistant Chief, Inland Fisheries Division, Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program rachael.hoch@ncwildlife.org , Wake County GARY PEEPLES/USFWS Rachael Hoch Assistant Chief Inland Fisheries Division Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program rachael.hoch@ncwildlife.gov Wake County
Rachael Hoch , Assistant Chief, Inland Fisheries Divis Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program rachael.hoch@ncwildlife.org , Wake County
Dr. Sara Schweitzer Assistant Chief Wildlife Management Division Wildlife Diversity Program sara.schweitzer@ncwildlife.gov Wake County
Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator scott.anderson@ncwildlife.org, Wake County 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report Shannon Deaton Division Chief Habitat Conservation shannon.deaton@ncwildlife.gov Wake County
Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator scott.anderson@ncwildlife.org, Wake County Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator scott.anderson@ncwildlife.org, Wake County Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator scott.anderson@ncwildlife.org, Wake County Scott Anderson Science Support Coordinator scott.anderson@ncwildlife.gov Wake County
Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist kacy.cook@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County Kacy Cook Waterbird Biologist kacy.cook@ncwildlife.gov Wake County
John P. Carpenter, Eastern Landbird Biologist john.carpenter@ncwildlife.org; New Hanover County
Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator scott.anderson@ncwildlife.org, Wake County
John P. Carpenter, Eastern Landbird Biologist john.carpenter@ncwildlife.org; New Hanover County John P. Carpenter, Eastern Landbird Biologist john.carpenter@ncwildlife.org; New Hanover County John P. Carpenter, Eastern Landbird Biologist john.carpenter@ncwildlife.org; New Hanover County John P. Carpenter, Eastern Landbird Biologist john.carpenter@ncwildlife.org; New Hanover County John P. Carpenter Eastern Landbird Biologist john.carpenter@ncwildlife.gov New Hanover County
Katherine Etchison, Mammalogist katherine.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Bunco David Cox Habitat Conservation Supervisor david.cox@ncwildlife.gov Granville County
Karen Clark, Science Support Specialist karen.clark@ncwildlife.org, Coastal Region
Karen Clark, Science Support Specialist karen.clark@ncwildlife.org, Coastal Region Karen Clark, Science Support Specialist karen.clark@ncwildlife.org, Coastal Region Karen Clark, Science Support Specialist karen.clark@ncwildlife.org, Coastal Region Karen Clark, Science Support Specialist karen.clark@ncwildlife.org, Coastal Region Karen Clark Science Support Specialist karen.clark@ncwildlife.gov Coastal Region
Dr. Luke Etchison, Western Region Aqua luke.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood C Alisa Davis Southern Conservation Planner alisa.davis@ncwildlife.gov Richmond County
Michael Fisk, Eastern Region Aquatic W michael.fisk@ncwildlife.org ; Lee County
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michael.fisk@ncwildlife.org ; Lee County
2025 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist kacy.cook@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County Maria Dunn Northeastern Permit Coordinator maria.dunn@ncwildlife.gov Beaufort County Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist kacy.cook@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist kacy.cook@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County
Gabriela Garrison Eastern Piedmont Coordinator gabriela.garrison@ncwildlife.gov Richmond County Sarah Finn, Coastal Wildlife Diversity Bio sarah.finn@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover C
Katherine Etchison, Mammalogist katherine.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County Katherine Etchison Mammalogist katherine.etchison@ncwildlife.gov Buncombe County Katherine Etchison, Mammalogist katherine.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County Katherine Etchison, Mammalogist katherine.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County
Gabrielle Graeter, Conservation Biologis gabrielle.graeter@ncwildlife.org ; Buncom Gabrielle Graeter Conservation Biologist/ Herpetologist gabrielle.graeter@ncwildlife.gov Buncombe County 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Dr. Luke Etchison, Western Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator luke.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood County Dr. Luke Etchison Western Region Aquatic Dr. Luke Etchison, Western Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator luke.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood County Dr. Luke Etchison, Western Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator luke.etchison@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood County 6
Dr. Matthew Godfrey, Sea Turtle Biologis matt.godfrey@ncwildlife.org ; Carteret Co Dr. Matthew Godfrey Sea Turtle Biologist matt.godfrey@ncwildlife.gov Carteret County 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Wildlife Diversity Coordinator luke.etchison@ncwildlife.gov Haywood County
Michael Fisk, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator michael.fisk@ncwildlife.org ; Lee County Michael Fisk, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator michael.fisk@ncwildlife.org ; Lee County Michael Fisk, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator michael.fisk@ncwildlife.org ; Lee County Michael Fisk Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator michael.fisk@ncwildlife.gov Lee County
Jeff Hall, Partners in Amphibian and Rep jeff.hall@ncwildlife.org ; Pitt County Dr. Matthew Godfrey, Sea Turtle Biologis matt.godfrey@ncwildlife.org ; Carteret Co Aubrey Heupel Greene Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Herpetologist aubrey.greene@ncwildlife.gov Moore County Dr. Matthew Godfrey, Sea Turtle Biologis matt.godfrey@ncwildlife.org ; Carteret Co
Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist carmen.johnson@ncwildlife.org ; Craven C Jeff Hall, Partners in Amphibian and Rep jeff.hall@ncwildlife.org ; Pitt County Jeff Hall Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biologist jeff.hall@ncwildlife.gov Pitt County Jeff Hall, Partners in Amphibian and Rep jeff.hall@ncwildlife.org ; Pitt County
Sarah Finn, Coastal Wildlife Diversity Biologist sarah.finn@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover County Sarah Finn, Coastal Wildlife Diversity Biologist sarah.finn@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover County Sarah Finn, Coastal Wildlife Diversity Biologist sarah.finn@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover County Sarah Finn Coastal Wildlife Diversity Biologist sarah.finn@ncwildlife.gov New Hanover County
Brena Jones, Central Region Aquatic Wi brena.jones@ncwildlife.org ; Granville Co Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist carmen.johnson@ncwildlife.org ; Craven C Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist carmen.johnson@ncwildlife.org ; Craven C Carmen Johnson Waterbird Biologist carmen.johnson@ncwildlife.gov Craven County
Gabrielle Graeter, Conservation Biologist/Herpetologist gabrielle.graeter@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County Jacob Freedman Eastern Aquatic Passage Coordinator jacob.freedman@ncwildlife.gov Granville County Gabrielle Graeter, Conservation Biologist/Herpetologist gabrielle.graeter@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County Gabrielle Graeter, Conservation Biologist/Herpetologist gabrielle.graeter@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County
Chris Kelly, Western Bird and Carolina N christine.kelly@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe Brena Jones, Central Region Aquatic Wi brena.jones@ncwildlife.org ; Granville Co Brena Jones, Central Region Aquatic W brena.jones@ncwildlife.org ; Granville Co
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allison.medford@ncwildlife.org ; Montgom Allison Medford, Wildlife Diversity Biolog allison.medford@ncwildlife.org ; Montgom
carmen.johnson@ncwildlife.org ; Craven County carmen.johnson@ncwildlife.org ; Craven County
2025 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Brena Jones, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator brena.jones@ncwildlife.org ; Granville County Brena Jones, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator brena.jones@ncwildlife.org ; Granville County Brena Jones Research and Landscape Coordinator brena.jones@ncwildlife.gov Granville County
Dylan Owensby, Western Region Aquat dylan.owensby@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood Dylan Owensby Western Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist dylan.owensby@ncwildlife.gov Haywood County Dylan Owensby, Western Region Aquatic dylan.owensby@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood Allison Medford, Wildlife Diversity Biolog allison.medford@ncwildlife.org ; Montgom
Chris Kelly Western Bird and Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Biologist christine.kelly@ncwildlife.gov Buncombe County
Michael Perkins, Foothills Region Aquat michael.perkins@ncwildlife.org ; McDowe Michael Perkins, Foothills Region Aquati michael.perkins@ncwildlife.org ; McDowe Michael Perkins Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.perkins@ncwildlife.gov McDowell County Dylan Owensby, Western Region Aquati dylan.owensby@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood Dylan Owensby, Western Region Aquatic
Chris Kelly, Western Bird and Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Biologist christine.kelly@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County Chris Kelly, Western Bird and Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Biologist christine.kelly@ncwildlife.org ; Buncombe County
Chantelle Rondel, Western Aquatic Liste chantelle.rondel@ncwildlife.org ; Haywoo Chantelle Rondel, Western Aquatic Liste chantelle.rondel@ncwildlife.org ; Haywood Michael Perkins, Foothills Region Aquat michael.perkins@ncwildlife.org ; McDowe Michael Perkins, Foothills Region Aquati Langston Rimmer Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist langston .rimmer@ncwildlife. gov Granville County
CC King, Science Support Specialist cc.king@ncwildlife.org , Piedmont Region CC King, Science Support Specialist cc.king@ncwildlife.org , Piedmont Region CC King Science Support Specialist cc.king@ncwildlife.gov Piedmont Region
7 7 TR Russ, Foothills Region Aquatic Wildl thomas.russ@ncwildlife.org ; McDowell C TR Russ, Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlif thomas.russ@ncwildlife.org ; McDowell Co Chantelle Rondel, Western Aquatic Liste chantelle.rondel@ncwildlife.org ; Haywoo ; Haywood Chantelle Rondel Western Aquatic Listed Species Biologist chantelle.rondel@ncwildlife.gov Haywood County
Brooke Massa Northern Conservation Planner brooke.massa@ncwildlife.gov Alamance County
GARY PEEPLES/USFWS
Lee Sherrill, Science Support Specialist lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org , Mountain Reg Lee Sherrill, Science Support Specialist lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org , Mountain Reg TR Russ, Foothills Region Aquatic Wildli thomas.russ@ncwildlife.org ; McDowell C TR Russ, Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlif ; McDowell Co TR Russ Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator thomas.russ@ncwildlife.gov McDowell County
David McHenry Western DOT Coordinator david.mchenry@ncwildlife.gov Haywood County
Olivia Munzer Western Piedmont Coordinator olivia.munzer@ncwildlife.gov Granville County
Lee Sherrill, Science Support Specialist lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org , Mountain Reg Lee Sherrill Science Support Specialist lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.gov Mountain Region
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alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.org ; Wake Cou alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.org
2025 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Cindy Simpson Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator cindy.simpson@ncwildlife.gov Durham County
Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diver kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.org ; Henders Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diver kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.org Kendrick Weeks Western Wildlife Diversity Supervisor kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.gov Henderson County
2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Lori Williams, Western Amphibian Biolog lori.williams@ncwildlife.org ; Henderson C Lori Williams, Western Amphibian Biolog lori.williams@ncwildlife.org Lori Williams Western Amphibian Biologist lori.williams@ncwildlife.gov Henderson County
Andrea Shipley, Mammalogist (shared staff with Surveys & Research) andrea.shipley@ncwildlife.org ; Nash County Andrea Shipley Mammalogist (shared staff with Surveys & Research) andrea.shipley@ncwildlife.gov Nash County
2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report 2023 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
Andrea Shipley, Mammalogist (shared staff with Surveys & Research) andrea.shipley@ncwildlife.org ; Nash County Hope Sutton, Eastern Wildlife Diversity Supervisor hope.sutton@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover County ; Nash County Andrea Shipley, Mammalogist (shared staff with Surveys & Research) andrea.shipley@ncwildlife.org ; Nash County Vann Stancil Hydropower and Multi-Region Coordinator vann.stancil@ncwildlife.gov Johnston County
Travis Wilson Eastern DOT Permit Coordinator travis.wilson@ncwildlife.gov Granville County
Hope Sutton, Eastern Wildlife Diversity Supervisor hope.sutton@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover County Mike Walter, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.walter@ncwildlife.org; Alamance County hope.sutton@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover County Hope Sutton Eastern Wildlife Diversity Supervisor hope.sutton@ncwildlife.gov New Hanover County Hope Sutton, Eastern Wildlife Diversity Supervisor hope.sutton@ncwildlife.org ; New Hanover County
Mike Walter, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.walter@ncwildlife.org; Alamance County Alicia Davis Wassmer, Alligator Biologist alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County Mike Walter, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.walter@ncwildlife.org; Alamance County Mike Walter, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.walter@ncwildlife.org; Alamance County Mike Walter Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.walter@ncwildlife.gov Alamance County
Alicia Davis Wassmer, Alligator Biologist alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Supervisor kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.org ; Henderson County Alicia Davis Wassmer, Alligator Biologist alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County Alicia Davis Wassmer, Alligator Biologist alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.org ; Wake County Alicia Davis Wassmer Alligator Biologist alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.gov Wake County
Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Supervisor kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.org ; Henderson County Lori Williams, Western Amphibian Biologist lori.williams@ncwildlife.org ; Henderson County Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Supervisor kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.org ; Henderson County Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Supervisor kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.org ; Henderson County
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BIRDS BIRDS
Migratory Shorebirds Return to North Carolina’s Shores! by Carmen Johnson, Coastal Waterbird Biologist; Claire Reilly, Waterbird Technician; and Jacob Krueger, Waterbird Technician
T he arrival of spring marks the resumption of International Shorebird Sur- veys (ISS), which are conducted by the Waterbird Team each year during spring and autumn migrations. The ISS is a volunteer-based survey initiative organized by Manomet Conservation Sciences to collect data about shorebird migration across the Western Hemisphere. These data are used to inform con- servation decisions and increase understanding of movement ecology, popula- tion trends, and the habitat that birds use along regular migration paths. In March, the team conducted surveys in Carteret and Pamlico counties on some of the vital coastal habitat that migrating birds depend on. The first type of habitat surveyed was sand shoals. Shifting ocean currents and sediment deposition create areas of shallow water with ridges of sand, com- monly referred to as “shoals.” These areas may be exposed or submerged, depending on tide stage, moon phase, and wind direction. Shoals serve as cru- cial rest stops for migrating birds, providing valuable foraging habitat where birds can refuel and rest before continuing their long journeys. The Waterbird Team observed over 300 individuals using the shoals for foraging and roosting, representing twelve species, including Dunlin, Short-Billed Dowitcher, Piping Plover, and Common Tern. The next survey was conducted at a vegetated dredged-material island, where approximately 1,000 Double-crested Cormorants were seen roosting. After walking the perimeter, the team recorded 14 species in total, including shore- birds such as Short-billed Dowitchers and Black-bellied Plovers. Additionally, about 200 Brown Pelicans were spotted selecting nesting sites and gathering nesting material for the upcoming breeding season. The final survey was conducted at a waterfowl impoundment, where marshy areas and mudflats provide crucial stopover habitat for migrating shorebirds. In addition to eight species of ducks, the team observed over 600 individuals across 14 species of shorebirds. Some notable species included American Avo- cet, a rare Hudsonian Godwit, and a single Piping Plover—unusual (but excit- ing!) sightings for this area.
CLAIRE REILLY/NCWRC
CLAIRE REILLY/NCWRC
Top: Least Sandpiper foraging on a mudflat. Middle: Two male Piping Plovers having a territorial dispute. Bottom: American Avocet in non-breeding plumage.
2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
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NCWRC
BIRDS
The Jersey Shore Flocks to NC - Banded Piping Plover Spotted in Carteret County by Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist; Claire Reilly and Jacob Krueger, Waterbird Technicians
W hile conducting surveys in Carteret County in mid-May, the Waterbird Team spotted a Piping Plover wearing some very fash- ionable accessories—black, gray, and orange leg bands on the upper legs. The unique combination of colors and placement on the legs indi- cate where a bird was originally banded and which agency did the band- ing. The bird, whose nickname is ‘Caraxes,’ hatched in New Jersey at Barnegat Light Restoration Area, a state park on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in 2024. Caraxes was banded by the New Jersey Department of Fish & Wildlife (NJDFW) along with two siblings. Sub- sequently, all three birds successfully fledged. Each year NJDFW chooses a theme to name the Piping Plovers that hatch in the state, and, in 2024, the theme was Game of Thrones. The chicks in Caraxes’ brood were each named after a dragon from the series. Her brother, Meleys, has been spotted back in New Jersey, but the whereabouts of her other sibling, Sunfyre, are unknown. This was the first resighting of Caraxes since she fledged. NCWRC and the National Park Service are monitor- ing areas near where Caraxes was seen in the hope that this Jersey bird has decided to nest on the North Carolina coast this season.
JACOB KRUEGER/NCWRC
Top: Banded Piping Plover ‘Caraxes.’ Bottom: Jacob Krueger, volunteer Pierre Beaurang, and Claire Reilly count and monitor birds from a shallow water vantage point to minimize disturbance to the birds as they forage.
CARMEN JOHNSON/NCWRC
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BIRDS
American Oystercatcher Banding by Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist; Claire Reilly and Jacob Krueger, Waterbird Technicians
I n July, the Waterbird Team was joined in the field by Brian Van Druten, a biologist at Pea Island National Wildlife Ref- uge, to band American Oystercatcher chicks that had hatched in the spring on islands managed by NCWRC. Banding these birds allows researchers and site managers to monitor their dis- persal, nest site selection, survival, and more; these data can then be used to inform conservation decisions and increase the accuracy of population models. American Oystercatcher banding in North Carolina is part of a larger scale banding and resighting effort across their range, with each participating state using a different band color — birds banded in North Carolina receive dark green bands. A 26-year-old female, known by the code 06, has been resighted by biologists and the public nearly 130 times over her lifetime. She returned to Dare County again this year to nest on one of the waterbird islands that NCWRC manages to help American Oystercatchers and other waterbirds. This year she and her unbanded mate successfully fledged a full clutch of three chicks. Brian and the Waterbird Team were able to band two of her chicks and we hope that they will return to nest on their own in the coming years.
CARMEN JOHNSON
Claire Reilly holds an American Oystercatcher chick while Brian Van Druten carefully closes the bands.
JACOB KRUEGER
CLAIRE REILLY
Left: Morphometric data, including bill length, are recorded for each chick that is banded. Right: Brian Van Druten (Pea Island NWR) bands a young American Oystercatcher.
11 2025 WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT
BIRDS
Locals and Visitors Intermingling at Shackleford Banks
by Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist; and Claire Reilly, Waterbird Technician
I n November 2025, the Waterbird Team joined staff from Audubon North Carolina and the Rachel Carson compo- nent of the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve to con- duct a winter roost survey of American Oystercatchers near Shackleford Banks, the Newport River, and the Rachel Carson Reserve. Like many other species, during the non-breeding season American Oystercatchers roost in groups for safety from predators and energy conservation, which provides an excellent opportunity to resight banded individuals. The team spotted a mix of birds sporting dark green leg bands, meaning that they were banded in North Carolina. We also saw birds banded in Georgia, Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts. Each band sports a unique color and letter code that makes it possible to identify the bird. Notably, yellow band “NX” was seen in the group. “NX” was banded in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 2009 and has spent every winter in Carteret County before returning north to nest. Another visitor, red band “IJ”, was banded on the Alta- maha River in Georgia in 2010 and visited North Carolina every winter until 2013, when it decided to relocate here per- manently. “IJ” nested at Cape Lookout National Seashore in 2013 and 2014 and has been seen in Carteret County often since then, though this was the first time the bird has been resighted in 2025. We are glad to see these long-time visitors getting along with the locals!
BEN WUNDERLY/NC COASTAL RESERVE
Top: Audubon NC technician, Ashlyn Newberry, photographs a flock of American Oystercatchers. Bottom: Claire, Carmen, and Lindsay preparing to survey a shoal that is part of the Rachel Carson compo- nent of the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve.
CARMEN JOHNSON/NCWRC
MATTHEW GODFREY/NCWRC
Flock of American Oystercatchers on Shackleford Banks.
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BIRDS
New Colony Discovered During Annual Wood Stork Monitoring Survey
by Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist, and Brooke Callisto, Waterbird Technician
S ince Wood Storks were first reported nesting in North Carolina in 2005, eight nesting locations had been identified. This year, a new Wood Stork colony was discovered just southeast of Lake Waccamaw, raising the total colony locations used across the last two decades to nine. This newest site is in an impoundment with tall, mature, dead and dying cypress trees sur- rounded by open water. At the time of the survey, the colony was determined to have 35 active Wood Stork nests. The remainder of the annual Wood Stork survey yielded three other active colonies at known nesting sites. The location of colonies changes from year to year based on water availability, vegetation condition, and other factors. For the 2025 nesting season, 487 active Wood Stork nests were observed in the four active colo- nies identified.
KACY COOK/NCWRC
Survey of new Wood Stork colony southeast of Lake Waccamaw.
MISSY MCGAW/NCWRC
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Wood Stork Trapping and Tagging to Study Their Movement Ecology
Kacy Cook, Coastal Waterbird Biologist; and Brooke Calisto, Waterbird Technician
T hree Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) were captured at Oyster Harbor in Supply, North Carolina using a net blaster and decoys at the end of September. Each stork was fitted with an e-obs Bird Solar GPS transmitter weighing 27g and banded for identification. In addi- tion, blood and feather samples were collected along with oral and cloacal swabs to test for various diseases and PFAS (per- and polyfluo- roalkyl substances). GPS tag 8981 was deployed on September 22nd. Since then, it has remained along the Shallotte River. The farthest it ventured from the river was on October 14th when it stopped briefly at Ocean Isle Beach. GPS tag 8980 was deployed on September 23rd. The Wood Stork stayed in Brunswick County where it has moved between the Lock- wood Folly and Shallotte Rivers. GPS tag 8979 was deployed at the same time as 8980 on September 23rd. The stork stayed near Shallotte before it traveled down to Peters- field, South Carolina near the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge on September 30th. It remained in that area for approximately eight days before it started to travel north on October 8th. Its most recent location on October 16th was just south of Longs, South Carolina near the bor- der with North Carolina. Continued monitoring of these individuals will provide valuable information on habitat use and migration stop-over sites for future management and conservation of Wood Storks. We would like to thank the Oyster Harbor Homeowners Association and residents who allowed access to a pond where trapping was conducted. We would also like to thank the US Department of Agriculture for assistance of their staff and the loan of their net blaster.
KELLY DOUGLASS
Clockwise from above: Brooke Calisto carefully holds a Wood Stork while Larry Bryan attaches the GPS transmit- ter. Below: Larry Bryan (retired, Savannah River Ecology Lab, UGA), Kelly Douglass (USDA, WS), Miranda Turner (NCWRC), Kacy Cook (NCWRC), and Brooke Calisto (NCWRC). Bottom: Larry Bryan, Kacy Cook, and Brooke Calisto retrieve Wood Stork captured by net-blaster.
HOPE SUTTON
KELLY DOUGLASS
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BIRDS
Detecting the Elusive Black Rail Using Remote Technologies
by Kacy Cook, Coastal Waterbird Biologist and Brooke Calisto, Waterbird Technician
O ver the winter and early spring, 2025, the marshbird team has been organizing and analyzing data collected using Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs), wildlife cameras, and water level monitors during pilot 2024 Black Rail surveys. Thirteen ARUs and 11 water level monitoring stations were deployed on game lands in the Cedar Island region for up to 73 days between April 4 and July 31, 2024. One ARU was also deployed at Fort Fisher State Park from April 29 to May 8, 2024, but resulted in no detections of Black Rails. In the Cedar Island region, collection of consistent ARU data was made more challenging by black bear disturbance, equipment failures, and staffing issues. However, ARUs detected Black Rail ‘ink’ calls on both game lands, suggesting that Black Rails were actively nesting at these sites. In total, the deployed ARUs recorded at least 15,000 Black Rail calls, most of which were the more commonly heard ‘ki-ki-do’ call. Of five ARUs deployed in a single marsh on a gradient from marsh edge to marsh interior along the forest edge, the number of Black Rail detections was highest in the herbaceous high marsh along the marsh interior, an area dominated by saw grass and with few trees or shrubs. There were no Black Rail detections in marsh areas closest to the water’s edge and dominated by black needlerush and sparse high marsh vegetation. The other 8 ARUs were deployed along the forest edge and interior of a different area of marsh. This marsh had a higher number of detections than the marsh described above when controlling for number of ARUs and recording time. Of a total of 73 recording days, Black Rail calls were detected on only 10 days on average by any single ARU, supporting findings by other researchers that Black Rail calling activity is sporadic and detection probability from passive listening surveys is low. Deployment of ARUs, therefore, greatly increases the likelihood of detection and provides higher quality survey data for documenting Black Rail occupancy. Water level data collected between April 4 and August 20, 2024, suggest that there was a flooding event around May 20 during which up to 9.5 inches of water flooded the high marsh and could potentially have drowned eggs and chicks. It appears that there was not another flooding event until August 13, after the chick rearing period would have likely been completed. Eight camera traps were also deployed on game lands in the Cedar Island area from September 19, 2024, through March 6, 2025, in an attempt to detect Black Rail adult flightless molt and winter activity. No Black Rails were detected during this period.
NCWRC
Wildlife Technician, Brooke Calisto, after hav- ing completed maintenance of a deployed water level monitoring station and autono- mous recording unit (ARU).
15 2025 WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT
BIRDS
What We Are Learning About the Elusive Black Rail From a Dry Year by Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist and Brooke Callisto, Waterbird Technician
T he low amounts of precipitation and lack of major storms during 2025 provided an opportunity to gain insight into Black Rail habitat use during a period in which water levels in coastal marshes were relatively low through most of the breeding season. We conducted Black Rail call-response surveys at 17 points, 4 to 5 times each, in or near unburned (not burned in at least 10 years), high elevation coastal marsh. We only detected Black Rails at 2 points. These 2 points were on the edge of fairly large pools with some standing water and a diversity of high marsh herbaceous plant species. The points with no detections were in high marsh at pools with no standing water, in more narrow coastal marsh with no obvious pools, or in wide marsh with pools dominated by sawgrass (Cladium), where herbaceous plant diversity was low. Analyzing the audio recording data from 26 Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) that were deployed throughout the 2025 Black Rail breeding season produced a variety of results. No Black Rail detections were recorded by any of the 8 ARUs deployed at Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge (SQNWR) in an unburned sawgrass dominated marsh covered in standing water. Black Rail calls were detected on 2 dates by 1 ARU placed adjacent to high elevation marsh dominated by saltmeadow cordgrass at SQNWR. An area of unburned high marsh with a diversity of plants and an area of mid-elevation marsh dom- inated by black needlerush, both known to support a population of Black Rails, produced multiple Black Rail calls at each of 6 ARU points. At a different unburned site, Black Rail calls were detected at 8 of 11 ARU points in marsh dominated by black needlerush in the interior of the marsh near high marsh herbaceous vegetation and pools with standing water. One of these 8 points had only 1 Black Rail call and it was in high marsh near the forest edge in an area without pools. The 3 points without calls were at pools within black needlerush-dominated marsh, but not near high marsh vegetation or were at the sound-edge of the marsh. We look forward to continuing surveys and monitoring of Black Rails to better understand the role of water levels, fire, and annual precipitation pat- terns play in the presence of this cryptic species.
Above: Technician Brooke Calisto conducting BLRA veg surveys. Below: Black Rail in marsh.
KACY COOK/NCWRC
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BIRDS
Wayne’s Warbler Breeding Confirmed in Brunswick and Camden Counties by John Carpenter, Coastal Region Landbird Biologist; Josh Emm, NC Bird Atlas Coastal Crew Lead; and Silas Hernadez, Coastal Region Assistant Landbird Biologist
D espite a disappointingly low number of Wayne’s Black-throated Green Warbler observations in early Spring 2024, the coastal landbird team once again continued the search for this rare subspecies beginning in March 2025. This year, both confidence and effort were boosted by having several more field technicians available to spread out across the Coastal Plain. This strategy paid off with more birds being seen on pro- tected lands in more counties: Beaufort (Van Swamp Game Land), Brunswick (Juniper Creek Game Land), Camden (Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Ref- uge and Dismal Swamp State Park), Carteret (Croatan National Forest) and Hyde (Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge). Some of these sightings represent new locations where the species had not been observed before, including a narrow channel at the southern end of the Alligator River. Not only were singing males detected, but breeding was confirmed in two new loca- tions: Juniper Creek Game Land and Dismal Swamp State Park . The Wayne’s Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens waynei) population still represents a
Above: Female Black-throated Green Warbler carrying nesting material.
fraction of the more common mountain nominate species (Setophaga virens), as can be clearly seen on the NC Bird Atlas map: https://ebird.org/atlasnc/map/btn- war . Much work remains to fully understand the distribution and abundance of this subspecies, but the potential opportunities to continue learning about this species at more sites is exciting.
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