What's going on at Caw Caw?

Been out to Caw Caw recently? If so, you may have noticed some changes, if not, be prepared when you do get out!  So what might you see and why?

Following several years of unhindered growth, Caw Caw conducted a prescribed burn on January 19th, 2023, which cleared out years of accumulated Big (or Giant) Cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) and others over much of the rice impoundment areas.  The area near the Bald Eagle nest was not burned. The top photo shows the Waterfowl Habitat area from the observation platform and the below photo shows a look back towards the parking lot along the main dike across the bridge near the platform.

One can really see the difference, both when compared to memory, but also compared to the unburned Cordgrass on the right side of the dike in the second image.  It has been very interesting to see how fast the regrowth is occurring in the old rice fields.  However, probably the first thing one will notice driving in, is the burned areas right near the parking lot:

The burn in this area seems particularly dramatic since it is shaded and is taking longer to respond.  In addition, a lot of the woody undergrowth that was cleared out will hopefully not come back.  Take a look when you are next out, I think you'll be surprised at how much use the local wildlife is getting out of these areas of new growth.

A second major change that is very noticeable is the much higher-than-usual water levels across the whole Center; take another look at the image at the top of this page. Part of that is intentional: Caw Caw has a new Manager, Dennis Burgart, who is behind the more actively managed landscape.  He was initially hoping to raise the water levels in the back impoundment to improve the habitat for waterfowl.  It was looking good until we got the huge amounts of rain across the area we've had over the last month or so.  It turns out that some of Caw Caws culverts are undersized for that kind of water-flow demand, so the water has gone up everywhere.  That is causing the alligators to spend more time on the dikes, having no where else to bask, which is where visitors have been encountering them.   There have been no incidences so far, but please pay attention and give the gators plenty of room if you come across one lying across a path. As for the water levels, they should be returning to normal as the drainage catches up with the accumulated rain.  The waterfowl area has been underwater long enough now that it will probably be lowered, but perhaps not to previous levels.  If things still look different, remember that we couldn't even see some of the flooded area prior to the recent burn.

Speaking of Dennis, you can see him in the above picture showing me one of the Red Maples that have been marked for removal due to infestation with Asian Longhorn Beetles.  We recently had a Think & Drink (no recording available, alas) and Walk & Talk about these invasive pests.  Caw Caw is well within the quarantine zone and you might have seen the inspectors checking the area over the last six months or so.  It turns out there are quite a few trees within Caw Caw's boundaries that need to be removed.  Fortunately, most of them are well back from the trails, so there shouldn't be too much to see as far as changes and disturbance go.  However, there are some near the parking lot, where the above and below pictures were taken.

You might be able to spot these trees for a bit, they are marked with an orange spray-painted mark.  The actual infested ones also have a QR code on them:

However, of the 7 or 8 trees in theabove area, only the one shown is infected, the others are being removed as a precaution due to their proximity to the infected tree.  So, see if you can spot these trees and keep an eye out for future changes as they come down over time. Also, look at the red maples you see and see if you can find any ALB sign.  It is not as easy as you might think. From my own efforts around my neighborhood, I've discovered there are a lot of other things that make close, but not quite right, holes in maples.

The last thing I wanted to mention is more about future changes to expect and to help with.  Caw Caw received a Grant from the Native Plant Society local chapter for restoration of the rain garden that is currently mostly a sign, some ferns, and a few trillium:

With the funds from the Native Plant Society and with labor and love from the CMNA over the next year or so, we should be able to have a newly renovated garden in place that we can all take pride in and enjoy.  Stay tuned for more about the effort and be ready to pitch in when you can!

And I'll close with a final Trillium picture from the current rain garden area, just because they are one of my favorite springtime flowers!