Nature

1. June 22nd, 2009

   Abundant Food

   During the fall, many of our native plant species bear fruits, berries, and acorns that wildlife depend on to gain important nutrients for the upcoming winter. One outstanding example is the wild grape or muscadine. These purple fruits can be seen all over the Island from August through October. Not only are they a great source of energy for deer, gray foxes, and raccoons, but if you can beat the wildlife to them, they make excellent jellies, sauces, and even wine. If you have muscadine vines on your property, try to avoid pruning them. They do not harm the trees and shrubs that they use as support, they produce beautiful purple grapes, and they offer tremendous value to wildlife.

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2. June 22nd, 2009

   Alligators Lose Their Appetite

   The American Alligator is often portayed as an extremely active and aggressive eating machine, when in truth this is not the case. Even during the most active period of the season, the average alligator on Kiawah Island eats only 1 – 2 pounds of food each week. Beginning in late October, when the cold-blooded alligators can no longer keep their body temperatures above 70° F, they stop eating completely and will not eat again until spring.

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3. June 22nd, 2009

   Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Season

   Each year in early May, adult loggerhead sea turtles begin to show up just off the Kiawah Island beach. Female turtles wait until dark to crawl up the sandy beach, select a spot above the high tide mark, excavate their nest, and deposit approximately 120 eggs. Over the next several months, as many as 200 nests will be laid along Kiawah’s beach. As summer draws to an end, swarms of baby turtles will head to the ocean under the cover of darkness where they will battle the odds to reach adulthood.

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4. June 22nd, 2009

   White Tailed Deer

   White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) live equally successfully in out-of-the-way forests and grasslands, as well as suburban locales. When they live closer to humans, deer become used to our presence, and will feed in yards and next to roads. Deer are commonly found on Kiawah Island. They feed primarily on native plants, acorns, and some ornamental plants. Breeding season is from September to January, and fawns are born late spring and early summer. Bucks grow new antlers each year, beginning in March, and the antlers remain through the breeding season, and are then shed in February.

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5. June 22nd, 2009

   Tracking Bobcats

   Bobcats are a very important predator on Kiawah. They fill a vital role in the Island’s ecosystem by helping to control rodent and deer populations. For this reason, a number of research projects have focused on gaining a better understanding of bobcat ecology and habitat needs on Kiawah Island.

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6. June 15th, 2009

   Painting In Spring Colors

   Spring has sprung and we are now enjoying the warmer weather, blooming flowers, and the arrival of beautiful Painted Buntings. Arriving around mid-April, the colorful males stake out and rigorously defend their territories. Singing from high in a tree, the male works to serenade lovely lady buntings and entice them into mating. Bonds are formed, babies are hatched, and the cycle begins again – provided we have enough habitat to support their population.

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7. June 15th, 2009

   Kiawah Development Partners Grants Additional Conservation Easement on Little Bear Island

   In early November, 2007 Kiawah Development Partners announced that the final two homesites on Little Bear Island will be placed into a conservation easement to be held and managed by the Kiawah Conservancy. This will result in the preservation of the whole of Little Bear Island in its natural state in perpetuity.

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