NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION
WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM QUARTERLY REPORT January–March 2025
Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
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On the cover clockwise from top left: Female Black-throated Green Warbler carrying nesting material, photo by Josh Emm. Nathan Vaughn, herpetology technician, with Neuse River Waterdogs captured during winter survey, photo by Jeff Hall. Male Piping Plover in breeding plumage, photo by Claire Reilly. Carpenter Frog, photo by Aubrey Greene. Contents photos from left: Neuse River Waterdog; participants in a Reintroduction/Translocation of Southeastern Freshwater Aquatic Species Workshop touring an aquaculture facility; and NCWRC staff participating in Gopher Frog surveys in the Croatan National Forest. Photographs by Jeff Hall.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Table of Contents Wildlife Diversity Program Staff ..........................................................................................................4 Another Dry Winter in the Sandhills ....................................................................................................6 WANTED: Softshell Turtle and Northern Pine Snake Sightings .................................................................. 6 Preparing for Bird Nesting Season 2025, the First Season Post-Helene ................................................. 7 Post-Hurricane Helene Bat Surveys Begin ............................................................................................. 8 Migratory Shorebirds Return to North Carolina's Shores! .....................................................................9 Are You GatorWise? New Outreach Program Promotes Coexistence with Alligators ..............................10 Working to Understand and Address Hook and Line Interactions with Sea Turtles in NC ......................... 11 Post-Helene Bog Restoration Work .................................................................................................... 12 Wayne's Warbler Breeding Confirmed in Brunswick and Camden Counties ............................................ 13 Detecting the Elusive Black Rail Using Remote Technologies ............................................................... 14 Final Breeding Season for the NC Bird Atlas Begins ...........................................................................15 Impacts to the Eastern Hellbender and Mudpuppy from Hurricane Helene and Debris Removal ...........16 Coastal Herp Staff Stay Busy with Collaboration and Cold Weather Surveys .........................................18 Winter Amphibians ..........................................................................................................................19
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) Wildlife Diversity (WD) Program is housed within the agency’s Inland Fisheries (Aquatic Wildlife Diversity) and Wildlife Management divisions. Program responsi- bilities principally include surveys, research and other projects for nongame and endangered wildlife species. Nongame species are animals without an open hunting, fishing or trapping season.
Wildlife Diversity Program Staff
Dr. Sara Schweitzer, Assistant Chief, Wildlife Management Division, Wildlife Diversity Program sara.schweitzer@ncwildlife.gov; Wake County Rachael Hoch, Assistant Chief of Fisheries, Inland Fisheries Division, Aquatic Wildlife Diversity
rachael.hoch@ncwildlife.gov; Wake County Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator scott.anderson@ncwildlife.gov; Wake County John Carpenter, Eastern Landbird Biologist john.carpenter@ncwildlife.gov; New Hanover County
Karen Clark, Science Support Specialist karen.clark@ncwildlife.gov; Coastal Region Kacy Cook, Waterbird Biologist kacy.cook@ncwildlife.gov; Onslow County Katherine Etchison, Mammalogist katherine.etchison@ncwildlife.gov; Buncombe County Dr. Luke Etchison, Western Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator luke.etchison@ncwildlife.gov; Haywood County Michael Fisk, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator michael.fisk@ncwildlife.gov; Lee County
Sarah Finn, Coastal Wildlife Diversity Biologist sarah.finn@ncwildlife.gov; New Hanover County
Gabrielle Graeter, Conservation Biologist/Herpetologist gabrielle.graeter@ncwildlife.gov; Buncombe County Aubrey Greene, Wildlife Diversity Biologist/Herpetologist aubrey.greene@ncwildlife.gov; Moore County Dr. Matthew Godfrey, Sea Turtle Biologist matt.godfrey@ncwildlife.gov; Carteret County Jeff Hall, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biologist jeff.hall@ncwildlife.gov; Pitt County Silas Hernandez, Landbird Technician silas.hernandez@ncwildlife.gov; Pender County Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist carmen.johnson@ncwildlife.gov; Craven County
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Brena Jones, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator brena.jones@ncwildlife.gov; Granville County Chris Kelly, Western Bird and Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Biologist christine.kelly@ncwildlife.gov; Buncombe County CC King, Science Support Specialist cc.king@ncwildlife.gov; Piedmont Region Emilia Omerberg, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist emilia.omerberg@ncwildlife.gov; Granville County Dylan Owensby, Western Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist dylan.owensby@ncwildlife.gov; Haywood County Michael Perkins, Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.perkins@ncwildlife.gov; McDowell County Claire Reilly, Waterbird Technician claire.reilly@ncwildlife.gov; Craven County Rosie Ronca, Herpetologist Technician rosie.ronca@ncwildlife.gov; Buncombe County Chantelle Rondel, Western Aquatic Listed Species Biologist chantelle.rondel@ncwildlife.gov; Macon County TR Russ, Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator thomas.russ@ncwildlife.gov; McDowell County Lee Sherrill, Science Support Specialist lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.gov; Mountain Region Andrea Shipley, Mammalogist (shared staff with Surveys & Research) andrea.shipley@ncwildlife.gov; Nash County Hope Sutton, Eastern Wildlife Diversity Supervisor hope.sutton@ncwildlife.gov; New Hanover County Mike Walter, Eastern Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist michael.walter@ncwildlife.gov; Alamance County
Alicia Davis Wassmer, Alligator Biologist alicia.wassmer@ncwildlife.gov; Wake County Joey Weber, Bat Technician joey.weber@ncwildlife.gov; Haywood County
Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Supervisor kendrick.weeks@ncwildlife.gov; Henderson County Lori Williams, Western Amphibian Biologist lori.williams@ncwildlife.gov; Henderson County
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Another Dry Winter in the Sandhills by Aubrey Greene, Wildlife Diversity Biologist/Herpetologist U nfortunately, the winter rains many of our rare amphibians require for breeding never came to the Sandhills; therefore, most wetlands were dry throughout the winter breeding season. The few wet- lands that continue to hold water from late-summer rains have had minimal breeding by rare amphibians because we have not had the rains to trigger individ- uals to move from the uplands to the wetlands for breeding. One species that is of particular concern is the gopher frog. Last year, 2024, was the first breed- ing event in three years for Sandhills gopher frogs but we haven’t found evidence of breeding in 2025, and we are nearing the end of their typical breeding sea- son. These regular winter droughts could be a pat- tern this State Endangered frog cannot sustain. Dry ponds also made for a slow dipnet monitor- ing season. Fewer than 10 of the 30 monitored ponds were holding enough water to survey for larval amphibians. Surveys yielded the usual suspects including Southern leopard frog and green frog tadpoles, and adult bro- ken-striped newts and Southern cricket frogs. Some unexpected finds included a beautiful adult carpenter frog and a few tiger salamander egg masses getting ready to hatch.
NCWRC
Above: Adult Carpenter Frog; Left: Tiger Salamander egg mass. Photos by Aubrey Greene.
WANTED: Softshell Turtle and Northern Pine Snake Sightings
by Aubrey Greene, Wildlife Diversity Biologist/Herpetologist
W ith warming temperatures, turtles and snakes are on the move, and we continue to be interested in softshell turtle and pine snake sightings in North Carolina. We want to learn more about these native species’ distributions across the state to help us monitor and manage their populations in the future. So if you see one, please take a picture, note the location, and submit your turtle and/or snake sighting using our easy reporter tools online.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Preparing for Bird Nesting Season 2025, the First Season Post-Helene by Chris Kelly, Western Region Bird and Northern Carolina Flying Squirrel Biologist
A s more and more roads reopen, the western region bird crew has made more progress assessing impacts of Hurri- cane Helene to bird habitat. Of primary concern are areas that are home to Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as a cerulean warbler hot spot just north of Asheville and northern saw-whet owl habitat around Mt. Mitchell and Roan Mountain.
of forest impacted), biologists had to pare it down to a selection of monitoring sites. Existing bird datasets that spatially overlap with hurricane impacts will be valuable for long-term monitor- ing and research. Examples include cerulean warbler monitor- ing point counts, bioacoustics surveys, game land point counts, NC Bird Atlas priority block datasets, and more. One of these, a bioacoustics survey and point count survey spearheaded by Steve Goodman of the National Parks Conservation Associa- tion (NPCA), was fortuitously completed in May 2024, giving us a snapshot of the bird community in northern Buncombe County in the last nesting season before Helene changed the face of this area. NCWRC continues the collaboration with NPCA and the U.S. Forest Service, and Steve has already begun deploying bioacoustic equipment for the 2025 nesting season. Our focus has shifted to long-term monitoring of the bird com- munity in this new, sometimes unrecognizable landscape with opportunities to study effects of land management activities aimed at forest recovery. Then, should our peers experience a natural disaster of this caliber, they can turn to lessons we’ve learned from Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Helene was a source of forest disturbance, deliv- ering extensive blowdowns, landslides, and flooding, that exceeded the impact of The Great Flood of 1916. We looked for guidance from colleagues and the peer-reviewed litera- ture, finding little. Although there are numerous accounts of how wildlife responds to hurricanes in coastal areas and low- lands, there are fewer such accounts for hurricane impacts in uplands. With the frequency of severe storms projected to increase, Helene may not be the last such catastrophic storm in western NC. We need to learn as much as we can about how birds respond, how the forest regenerates, and what management is needed (such as control of invasive plant spe- cies) to ensure these forests flourish. Although it sometimes still feels like guesswork, we can look at bird species’ individual preferences for particular struc- ture of vegetation layers to predict how the bird community assemblage might shift. In large blowdowns, we anticipate a reduction in forest obligate species (wood thrush, veery, scarlet tanager), particularly those nesting in tree canopies (blackbur- nian warbler), and an increase in species associated with young forest (indigo bunting, chestnut-sided warbler) and forest with scattered trees and snags (flycatchers, woodpeckers). This quarter we considered approaches to monitoring this avian response. Given the scale of Helene’s impacts (>100,000 acres Wildlife Diversity Technician Clifton Avery walks by an area of im- portant bird habitat that suffered extensive tree blowdown from Hurricane Helene’s sustained winds of 40-90 mph.
Recording equip- ment deployed at one of the National Parks Conservation Association’s bio- acoustics survey sites in northern Buncombe Coun- ty in spring 2024, before Hurricane Helene. The same survey site photo- graphed from a slightly different angle in March 2025, post-Hurri- cane Helene.
STEVE GOODMAN
STEVE GOODMAN
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Post-Hurricane Helene Bat Surveys Begin by Katherine Etchison, Bat Biologist I n March, NCWRC began post-Helene bat surveys to under- stand the hurricane’s impact on bats. Four acoustic stations were established along streams in the French Broad River Basin that will record bat activity until October when bats head to their winter grounds. These acoustic data will be compared with pre-existing data to understand bat activity pre- and post-Helene.
We also began surveys of gray bat bridge and culvert roosts to compare with pre-Helene roost counts. We counted 82 gray bats at one bridge and one gray bat at another, which is on track with previous early season counts. This is a posi- tive sign because over half of NC’s gray bat roosts were sub- merged in Helene’s floodwaters and bats may have been pres- ent at the time. We will conduct frequent gray bat roost surveys throughout the year to compare with pre-Helene counts. These data, along with the acoustic data, will provide an understanding of the hurricane’s effect on NC’s gray bat population. The gray bat (Myotis grisescens) is a federally endangered species, so any losses are of great concern. NCWRC staff also worked alongside U.S. Fish and Wild- life Service biologists and NC Department of Transportation staff to clear debris from two important gray bat bridges. The crevices where bats roost in these bridges were blocked by storm debris, so clearing them before bats return from their winter grounds was essential.
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
Top: A gray bat observed roosting under a Haywood County bridge in late March. Bottom: Wildlife Diversity Technician, Joey Weber, surveys a bridge for gray bats in Madison County.
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
Above left: Wildlife Diversity Technicians, Joey Weber and Ellen Pierce, deploy an acoustic detector along the Pigeon River in Haywood County. Above right: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist, Holland Youngman, Wildlife Diversity Technician, Joey Weber, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist, Mark Endries, clear debris from the crevices of a bridge used by gray bats as a roost site.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
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 Avocet, a rare Hudsonian Godwit, and a single Piping Plover—unusual (but exciting!) sight- ings 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.
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NCWRC
Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
JONATHON GRUENKE/NCWRC
Are You GatorWise? New Outreach Program Promotes Coexistence with Alligators by Alicia Wassmer, Alligator Biologist and Liz Scarlet, Alligator Technician D evelopment in coastal regions of southeastern states, including areas where alligator habitat occurs, is projected to continue increasing at exponential rates to meet the residential and recreational needs of growing human populations. This loss of natural habitat and constant influx of newcomers, many who have never lived in areas occupied by alligators, have amplified the need for state wildlife resource agencies to connect residents and visitors with vital information on how to coexist responsibly with alligators. To address this need, wildlife agencies in each of the 11 states within the natural range of the American alligator have worked together to develop and launch GatorWise, a regional outreach initiative. Modeled after BearWise®, GatorWise encourages the public to live responsibly with alligators by providing reliable information and resources about how to avoid human-alligator conflicts and co-exist safely with alligators. No matter which state they’re in, people can be GatorWise by following the GatorWise Basics.
GatorWise Basics • Assume alligators are present • Never feed alligators
• Don’t dispose of fish or food scraps in water • Never harass, capture, or handle an alligator • Be responsible for people and pets in your care • Maintain awareness anytime you are in or near water
By learning and applying the 6 GatorWise Basics, residents and visitors can take action to keep alligators wild and people safe. To learn more about becoming GatorWise, visit GatorWise.org .
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Working to Understand and Address Hook and Line Interactions with Sea Turtles in NC
by Matthew Godfrey, Sea Turtle Biologist; Sarah Finn, Coastal Wildlife Diversity Biologist; and Kimmy Miller, Sea Turtle Technician
C oastal waters of North Carolina are most suitable for sea turtles between April and November, when the turtles come nearshore and inshore to forage and reproduce. During this period, sea turtles are exposed to a variety of anthropo- genic threats, including vessel strikes, capture by hopper dredges, and incidental capture by commercial and recre- ational fishing gear. In partnership with the NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, NC Division of Marine Fisheries, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and NC Aquariums over the past several years, NCWRC biologists have been working to better under- stand the extent of interactions between sea turtles and recre-
mation about how to handle sea turtles accidentally hooked, and encourage fishers to immediately report all incidents with sea turtles to the NC Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline. At the end of 2024, there were 107 reported cases of tur- tles that had been hooked throughout the coastal counties. This is more than double the average number reported annu- ally during the previous five years, suggesting that the infor- mational signs are effectively resulting in better reporting of these interactions. In most cases, the turtles were lightly hooked, allowing fishers to easily remove the gear and return the turtle to the ocean without incident. Occasionally, a turtle had deeply swallowed a hook and was subsequently moved to an authorized facility where the hook could be removed by trained personnel in more controlled circumstances. Data about each interaction are shared with federal partners as part of a regional initiative to develop protocols to minimize inju- ries to sea turtles resulting from hook and line interactions. Although it is likely that interactions are still underreported, these efforts are a step toward better understanding of this threat to sea turtles in NC.
ational hook and line fishing gear. In early 2024, NCWRC distrib- uted new signs to all oceanic fishing piers in the state to increase awareness of sea turtle bycatch, provide infor-
NCWRC
Above: Informational sign about sea tur- tle interactions with hook and line gear, distributed to piers in North Carolina in 2024. Right: A sea turtle accidentally cap- tured by a recreational fisher is ready for release back to the ocean after the hook was removed from its beak.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
O n the morning of Friday, September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina. Catastrophic wind, flood- ing, and heavy rain began in the area on September 25th and lasted for days following the direct hit of the hurricane. Many wildlife species and habitats were affected by this historic event, including mountain bogs and bog turtles. The southern lineage of the bog turtle ( Glyptemys muhlenbergii ) is both federally threatened (S/A) and state threatened, and under review for full federal listing under the Endangered Species Act by the USFWS. Unfortunately, four of the top five bog turtle populations in the state were heavily impacted by the storm. These impacts include extensive amount of time sub- merged under flood waters and swift currents during the storm, as well as impacts to the habitat, like scouring and deposition of sedi- ment, rubble, and debris. At several bogs, the degree of impact from sediment deposition was deemed an emergency for this already imperiled species. Due to the sensitivity of the habitat and the need to minimize additional harm to the habitat and bog turtles, most of the work had to be done by hand. Also, despite having limited funding and staffing, we needed to accomplish as much as possible before turtles became active in April. This meant using shovels and buckets to scoop up sediment and rocks and haul the material out of the bog by hand. Due to the short timeframe and habitat sensitivity, we reached out to trusted conservation partners to ask for help. In February 2025, NCWRC Wildlife Diversity staff put out a call to our conservation partners requesting assistance with sediment removal at the most impacted bogs. To our great relief, they came through in a big way! At the most impacted bog, floodwaters deposited 12–24 inches of sediment across a large proportion of the wetland. In collabora- tion with our partners, we focused our efforts on restoring the high- est-quality habitat areas to make them suitable for turtles again. While we did make a lot of progress, this site still needs 10 or more days of work due to the incredible amount of sediment that washed in. At the second bog, sediment and debris were deposited from stream floodwaters, but luckily only in the lower portion of the bog. We spent four days there focused on removing the sandy sediment deposits as best we could from the areas used most frequently by bog turtles before the storm. At a third site, the primary impact was rubble inundation up to 3–4 feet thick over about 15% of the wet- land. A portion of the wetland was effectively destroyed; where before the storm there had been deep mucky soils and wetland plants, there was a thick layer of rocks. The Nature Conservancy hired a heavy-machinery contractor to remove the upper layers of rubble; we spent four additional days removing material by hand Post-Helene Bog Restoration Work by Gabrielle Graeter, Western Region Reptile Biologist
NCWRC
NCWRC
NCWRC
with the help of volunteers. The fourth bog that we worked in had large mounds of gravel deposited in a concentrated area, but we accomplished a lot with the one day we had allotted. Alongside our partners, we worked more than 420 hours in these four bogs to address impacts from Hurricane Helene. The bogs benefited from 49 volunteers from a diverse group of organi- zations, agencies, and the public, with representatives from multi- ple NCWRC divisions and programs, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, Zoo Knoxville, NC State Parks, Western Carolina University, Appalachian State University, The Nature Conservancy, Tangled Bank Conservation, NC Natural Heritage Program, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. We could not have accomplished what we did without so much enthusiastic help. These bogs are in much better shape now than before our work- days, but there is still a lot more to do. Top: Michael Ogle with Zoo Knoxville helps remove sediment from priority bog habitat that was deposited during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Middle: NCWRC staff Gabrielle Graeter and Mor- gan Whitmer work alongside Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy Technician Reese Sloan to remove sediment deposited during Hurri- cane Helene flooding in September 2024. Removing the sediment improved the wetland hydrology and allowed turtles access to high-quality nesting habitat. Bottom: Volunteers working to remove rocks that washed into a mountain bog. Due to the extent of the impact, this area will likely take years to recover.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
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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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
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, the marshbird team has been organizing and analyzing data collected using Autonomous Record- ing 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).
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Final Breeding Season for the NC Bird Atlas Begins
by Scott Anderson, Science Support Coordinator
T he North Carolina Bird Atlas is a 5-year, volunteer-driven project to map the distribution of breeding and wintering birds across the state. We began work on the Atlas in January 2021 and are hitting the ground running while entering our 5th breeding season with the goal of surveying 937 evenly spaced priority blocks across the state. In addition to volunteers, we deploy staff to survey in hard- to-reach areas. In January and February 2025, staff visited 305 priority blocks, making over 17,800 observations of wintering birds. In early April, as migration waned and resident birds began breeding, staff drove roads and floated streams searching for evidence of breeding species. To date, staff and over 3,000 volunteers have confirmed breeding of 215 species, collecting over 2.5 million observations from 916 priority blocks. By February 2026, we plan to have adequately surveyed over 1/6 of the entire state since 2021, resulting in the best dataset of breeding and wintering birds ever compiled for North Carolina. Anyone can participate by collect- ing data through the eBird app. More details are available on our website at: ncbirdatlas.org .
NCWRC
NCWRC
Top: Floating the Roanoke River at sunrise in search of breeding birds. Bottom: Belted Kingfisher ( Megaceryle alcyon ) nest burrowed into the side of a riverbank in coastal North Carolina.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Impacts to the Eastern Hellbender and Mudpuppy from Hurricane Helene and Debris Removal by Lori Williams, Western Region Amphibian Biologist
T he hits from 2024’s historic, 1,000-year flood, Hurricane Helene, keep coming for sensitive, state-listed aquatic species like the Eastern Hellbender ( Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis ) and Mudpuppy ( Necturus maculosus ), as well as for rare and endan- gered, yet ecologically important, freshwater mussels. Hurricane Helene devastated and destroyed swaths of western North Caro- lina in September 2024. Many hundreds of river miles were sig- nificantly impacted, and 14 out of the 17 counties in the hellbend- er’s and mudpuppy’s North Carolina range were affected (many, historically so), surpassing the previous benchmark for devasta- tion, which was the 1,000-year flood of 1916. Now, in winter and spring 2025, and still under an emergency declaration that preempted the typical consulting, permitting, and coordination with state resource agencies that normally would be standard protocol, western North Carolina counties began the daunting task of debris removal and stream cleanup. However, weeks and months into the process, we have seen the approach of some project managers, out-of-state contractors, and heavy equip- ment operators who were allowed, if not encouraged, to run the riverbeds “like highways,” even where protected species and sen- sitive habitat occurred. Thus, Wildlife Diversity Program staff (Aquatic and Terrestrial) and Habitat Conservation Program staff were compelled to act. Staff devised a one-page, critical recommendations list for county managers and contractors to use to minimize riparian zone, streambank, and riverbed disturbance during cleanup work, including to minimize or avoid running back and forth over flat boulders and bedrock, crushing them and potentially the rare and protected animals underneath, or nearby (note: read what can happen when stream cleanup is not coordinated and sensitive resources are not considered: https://conservingcarolina.org/ debris-removal-threatens-endangered-species/) . Staff have spent many weeks preparing maps and GIS-based products to identify high-priority river reaches that contractors can overlay with work areas that FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have targeted for debris removal. Coordination and implementation of our recommendations has been very challeng- ing in some counties and has gone relatively smoothly in others. One example of a good outcome and coordination has been Henderson County in the Mills River watershed. County manag- ers and contractors with a disaster recovery company, SDR from
UKE ETCHISON/NCWRC
BEN DALTON/NCWRC
Top: An Eastern hellbender (left) and a mudpuppy (right) found and relocated out of harm’s way during Helene-related debris removal on private property in the Mills River watershed, Hen- derson County, NC. Bottom: Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Dr. Luke Etchison (background, in red), and technician, Quentin LaChance (foreground, in blue) snorkel in the Mills River water- shed to search for state and federally listed freshwater mussels, mudpuppies, and Eastern hellbenders. Note the extreme erosion on the streambank from the historic floodwaters.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Greer, South Carolina, worked with our staff to facilitate animal rescues and relocations before heavy machinery needed to pass through. In snorkel surveys, staff found 2 hellbenders and 3 mud- puppies, as well as 3 federally endangered Appalachian Elktoe mussels (Alasmidonta raveneliana) and 82 state endangered Slip- pershell mussels (Alasmidonta viridis) and moved them to safe, downstream locations out of harm’s way. Where possible, machinery stayed out of the river altogether and used adjacent roads and properties to access and remove only Helene-related debris and material that could put infra- structure and property at risk if another major flood happens, which should be the main goal of this work across western North Carolina. These contractors did not strip the banks and riparian zones clean and did not damage the riverbed in the process, as had been done in other waterways. Thus, Henderson County provided a nice example of how post-Helene cleanup can be done the right way in our mountain streams, when county, state, and private partners are willing to coordinate and take protec- tion of aquatic resources seriously.
Below: An adult mudpuppy in a measuring board that was res- cued and relocated to safety from Helene-related debris removal on private property in the Mills River watershed. Mudpuppies are state listed as a special concern species and are often confused with Eastern hellbenders. Bottom: An example of a large debris jam left from Helene in the Mills River system, Henderson County, is shown above. Before any work by county officials began, a lo- cal NGO, the Mills River Partnership, hired their own contractors, experienced in stream restoration, and supervised their cleanup work in sensitive waters. Their main goal was to remove these large obstacles to improve boater safety, help stop erosion, and to do so with as minimal impact as possible to the remaining habitat. In doing so, they provided another example of how debris cleanup can be done the right way.
BEN DALTON/NCWRC
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MARIA WISE
Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Coastal Herp Staff Stay Busy with Collaboration and Cold Weather Surveys Jeff Hall, NC PARC Biologist and Nathan Vaughan, Herpetology Technician M eeting Up: WRC staff participated in several important meetings and workshops occurred during the first quar-
ter of 2025 to collaborate with partners about the management needs of reptiles and amphibians. Meetings attended include Drought and Aquatic Ecosystems in the Southeast U.S., Reintro- duction/Translocation of Southeastern Freshwater Aquatic Spe- cies Workshop, Carolina Bays Working Group, South Carolina PARC Annual Meeting, NCTWS/NCPARC Joint Annual Meet- ing, and Southeast PARC Annual Meeting. Staff were heavily involved in each of these meetings and contributed by present- ing, hosting, and facilitating. Of particular note was the suc- cessful joint meeting between the NC chapters of The Wildlife Society and Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Over 200 attendees experienced the three-day meeting, which included field trips, talks, socials, and fundraisers to support student research and meeting attendance. According to feed- back from participants, many meaningful conservation conver- sations took place, and a great time was had by all!
Top: Field trip during the Joint meeting of the N.C. Partners in Am- phibian and Reptile Conservation and N.C. Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Bottom: Hope Sutton, Coastal Region Wildlife Diversity Su- pervisor, with Neuse River Waterdog captured during winter survey.
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Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2025
Winter Amphibians Jeff Hall, NC PARC Biologist and Nathan Vaughan, Herpetology Technician D uring the colder months, staff focused on detecting winter SGCN anurans and salamanders, through trapping, dip-netting, auditory surveys, and egg mass surveys. Target species included Ornate Chorus Frog, Gopher Frog, Southern Chorus Frog, Mabee’s Salamander, Tiger Salamander, and Neuse River Waterdog, and included work across many Coastal Plain and Sandhills counties. Very cold temperatures occurred on some of the days of Neuse River Waterdog trapping and even included snow and ice on the ground. Conditions were cold enough that some of the traps had to be freed from the ice before being removed from the water to check for captures! Luckily, these conditions are normal for Waterdogs and no animals were affected by the cold.
Right: Gopher Frog egg mass. Far Right: Jeff Hall with Neuse River Wa- terdogs captured during winter sur- veys. Bottom: Winter survey site for Neuse River Waterdogs.
JEFF HALL/NCWRC
NCWRC
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JEFF HALL/NCWRC
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