Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region
 

Management

The following was taken from the 2008-09 Annual Habitat Work Plan, Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex (533 KB). For an explanation of the larger context for the following management actions, click on this link to the national Strategic Habitat Conservation/Landscape Conservation Cooperatives.

2008 Management Actions

Piping Plover
Refuge beaches, above the high tide line, were closed to the public in early April following the guidelines in the 1996 Piping Plover Atlantic Coast Population Revised Recovery Plan. In addition, habitat on local beaches was symbolically fenced to protect nesting birds, as per the cooperative agreement with the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) for these sites. All beaches were walked 2-3 times per week to locate nesting piping plovers and then monitored daily during incubation and chick rearing to document reproductive success of each pair.

At all of the beaches that successfully fledged at least one chick, the fledging rate exceeded 50%. Trustom Pond had the highest chick survival rate at 88%, followed by Quonochontaug at 79%, and East Beach in Watch Hill at 69%. Although a pair of plovers did nest at Sachuest Point NWR, no chicks were fledged at Sachuest Point in 2008.

American Black Duck Monitoring:

Winter waterfowl surveys are conducted in salt marsh habitats at Ninigret, Trustom Pond, Sachuest Point and the John H Chafee refuges. Although surveys have been conducted for over 10 years at three of the refuges, JHC surveys were first conducted in 2004. Surveys are initiated in November of each year and continue bi-weekly through February.

The average number of American Black Ducks (ABDU) observed per survey from 1998 through 2008 on four NWRs in RI.
A color bar chart showing the average number of American Black Ducks (ABDU) observed per survey from 1998 through 2008 on four NWRs in Rhode Island.

Salt Marsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow Monitoring:

Banding and Nesting success:

In 2008 we were able to secure funding to implement additional monitoring for this species. A total of 118 sparrows were banded with 43 of those captured at Sachuest Point NWR (SPNWR) and 76 at the John H. Chafee NWR (JHC NWR)(Table 6). In addition, all suitable habitat (i.e. high marsh and fringe) was searched throughout the season for nests. Forty-three active nests were located and monitored 2-3 times per week to document success. Overall 74% of the nests successfully fledged at least one chick with a total of 106 chicks fledged (productivity = 2.47 chicks per nest) (Table 6). Nest success was much higher at JHC sites than Sachuest due to extreme nest flooding following rain events during the summer.

Table 6. Saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow banding and nest success data at various sites on the John H. Chafee NWR and Sachuest Point NWR during 2008.

Blood Mercury Data

Beginning in 2004 we have participated in an investigation of blood Mercury levels in saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrows on NWRs along the North Atlantic Coast. We have been able to collect and analyze samples during four year at the JHC NWR and during 2004 and 2008 at SPNWR. A total of 74 samples have been analyzed by scientists at the Biodiversity Research Institute, with a total of 20 sparrows sampled during July of 2008 at the two sites (Figure 10).

Figure 10. Blood mercury levels in Salt marsh sharp-tailed sparrows on Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex lands 2004-08.
Occupancy Modeling and Vegetative Data:

The salt marsh habitat at JHC and SP NWRs was divided into 100m grids and surveyed during three complete cycles during the summer to determine occupancy by SSTS. This data will be evaluated with the vegetative data that was collected in each grid to determine if there are patterns in occupied and un-occupied sites, and evaluate detectability. A total of 155 grids were established and surveyed this year. We established 123 grids at JHC and 33 at Sachuest. At JHC, we detected SSTS at least once in 65% of the grids and at Sachuest we detected them in 58%.

A preliminary analysis of this data is shown below and demonstrates the average number of saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrows observed per survey in each of the five major habitat types (Figure 11). As we further analyze the data we will be able to evaluate selection of habitat as a function of the amount of habitat available in each of these types rather than overall (i.e. since there is much more shrub and high marsh dominated habitat at Sachuest overall, we expect overall numbers to be higher).

Figure 11. Occupancy data for Salt marsh sharp-tailed sparrows on Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex lands during 2008.
Genetics Study – University of New Hampshire:

We have been cooperating with a graduate research project through the University of New Hampshire to evaluate genetics of SSTS from throughout New England which can potentially offer clues to juvenile dispersal. We submitted blood samples for analysis in 2007 and 2008 but have not yet received the results of those analyses.

Point counts

Landbird point count surveys were conducted during the breeding season for five consecutive years from 2002-2006 at the Sachuest Point and John H. Chafee NWR marshes. Those surveys were not conducted in 2007 or 2008 as the surveys only effectively document males calling. Since males were detected at all points, but it is only the females that attend to nests and chicks, we still did not have a sense of the relative abundance of nesting females. We are now engaged in more extensive monitoring of nesting females. Point counts could be useful at scheduled intervals (i.e. every 3-5 years) for long term monitoring to detect possible changes in use of the marsh as a result of changes in habitat suitability.

Additional monitoring:

We conducted secretive marsh bird surveys during 2007 and 2008 between April 10 and June 15. We surveyed 7 points at Ninigret, 5 points at Sachuest and 7 points at Chafee. Target species detected at Ninigret include the clapper rail, Virginia rail, least bittern and sora. We detected one king rail at Sachuest and no target species at Chafee. As a result of the survey, however, we did document use by green heron, marsh wren, white-eyed vireo, blue-winged warbler, willow flycatcher and eastern towhee. Also of interest, we frequently get reports of secretive marshbirds documented in Refuge marshes during the fall and into winter. Although formal surveys are not conducted during the non-breeding season, these relatively small areas of marsh appear to provide good quality habitat during fall and winter, particularly for American bittern.

The University of New Hampshire completed a two year study of the saltmarsh restoration that was associated with the landfill project at Sachuest Point. As part of that project they collected extensive information on nekton, vegetative response, and water chemistry. The final report will be completed soon.

Water Control Structure Installation at Sachuest Point NWR
Approximately 18 acres of new salt marsh were created as a result of the landfill remediation project completed during 2004. This involved creation of a new inlet on refuge property, south west of the existing water control structure, with associated channels. The marsh surface was designed to include areas of high marsh, low marsh, salt panne, and mud flat habitats. To enhance the long term maintenance of this habitat we worked with Ducks Unlimited to design and install the water control structure.

Migratory Shorebirds:
Volunteers conducted shorebird surveys throughout the year at the recently restored salt marsh habitat. This site provided a stop over site for numerous shorebirds during the spring and fall migrations, as well as terns, gulls, wading birds and waterfowl throughout the year. A total of 55 waterbird species and sever birds of prey have been documented on the marsh since fall of 2004, with the most common species year-round being the three common gull species, followed by semipalmated plovers, double crested cormorant and semipalmated sandpiper. The peak of shorebird use occurs in August for the most common species (Figure 15), while smaller numbers of the less common species are also detected throughout both the spring and fall migration. Wading birds and tern species peak in July. American black duck are of course the most common species during the winter months.

Habitat Management (general maintenance):
Approximately 84 acres are currently in various stages of grassland restoration at Sachuest Point NWR. Fifteen of these acres are the capped landfill which is mowed every 1-3 years to prevent encroachment of woody vegetation. An additional 69 acres has been treated for invasive species and is being allowed to convert to a mix of native shrubs and grasses. We have been spot treating portions of these fields on a rotational basis and also targeting early invaders throughout this area to support its transition to native maritime shrub habitats over the long term. Fifteen new acres of invasive shrub was hydro-axed in January of 2007 and will be mowed annually and herbicided as needed until it is dominated by native species.

  • The landfill at Sachuest Point was mowed in the spring to reduce encroachment by shrubs and maintain the 15 acres dominated by grasses and wildflowers.
  • Field 1(12 acres) was mowed by volunteers during the spring.
  • This year the primary focus was on detection and removal of early invaders that are still confined to relatively small populations. This year we completed the third consecutive year of hand pulling of Garlic mustard. This is almost entirely a volunteer effort, which this year involved the Garden Club of America. Volunteers again hand pulled the garlic mustard along the trails at Sachuest to prevent it from spreading. Some populations have been eradicated through these efforts, but each year they find remnant patches.
  • Swallowwort at Sachuest was handpulled initially but when it started to produce seed pods the remaining plants were cut with weed wackers by seasonal interns and volunteers. Approximately one month later (Sept. 17-19) we returned and applied a 2% solution of Garlon 4 herbicide to the re-sprouts. The largest population is along the east shore of Field 1, but we also pulled individual plants found along the south and west edges of the southern fields.
  • The 15 acre field (Field 4) that was hydro-axed received a mow treatment in late July and was followed up with an herbicide application of ½% Garlon 3A & 4 (boom spray) on September 17-18, 2008. In addition, refuge staff applied a 2% Garlon 4 solution via the ATV and backpack sprayers on the septic field and field directly west of the visitor center. Target species included Black Swallowwort, Spotted Knapweed, Asiatic Bittersweet, Autumn Oliver, Japanese Knotweed, Japanese Honeysuckle and Multiflora Rose. A total of 1194 gallons of mix were applied (12 gallons of Garlon, active ingredient triclopyr) over 18 acres.
  • Knapweed was treated on approximately 3.3 acres around the building, on top of the septic field, and in Field 1 and 5 (approximately 2 acres) on Sept 17-19.
  • We met with the town to discuss collective removal of the Asiatic Sand Sedge (Carex kobomugi) that was discovered in the dune grass along second beach of refuge and town properties. A plan was drafted for removal, dune stabilization, and replacement planting, and is in front of the CRMC for review.

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Last updated: January 10, 2012