Biodiversity Blitz at Southgate Coastal Reservce (STX)

On November 13th SEA staff and a host of volunteers will spread out across the Southgate Coastal Reserve to catalogue as many plants and animals as possible in one day. Scientists from many disciplines will survey upland, wetland and beach habitats making lists of plants, insects, birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians and so on. The public is invited to participate in guided tours and activities throughout the day, beginning with a wetland bird watch from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. and concluding with a bat survey from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. There will also be educational exhibits and environmental games for children from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. under the big tent and some wonderful information to take home with you. Bring the whole family for a day of outdoor exploration! Youth groups are welcome—please let us know when your group will arrive and how many children will be attending.

The information generated by this effort will build upon the studies done at the Reserve in 2004 by Coast and Harbor Institute. Comprehensive surveys of bird and sea turtle activities have been carried out at Southgate for the past several years, and our understanding of habitat use by these animals is now quite good. However we have far less understanding of other animal, insect and plant populations. Information collected at the BioBlitz will enable SEA to better enhance and improve the various habitats at
the Reserve.

BioBlitz Activity Schedule

6:30 to 8:00 Wetland Bird Survey led by Carol
Cramer-Burke. Please wear shoes that can get
muddy; bring binoculars if you have them.

8:30 to 9:30 Plants Galore walk with Brian Daley.
Learn about the different plant communities found in
upland, wetland and beach berm habitats.

10:00 to 11:30 Pond Critters: a great activity for children!
William Coles and John Farchette will show
and tell about the fishes, crustaceans and other animals
to be found in Southgate Pond.

12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Presentations from experts under
the big tent. Jennifer Valiulis, Dr. Arthur Gaines and
others will share their insights to biodiversity and
conservation.

2:00 to 4:00 Fish Finders: Three activities to choose
from. Kemit Amon-Lewis will lead a snorkel survey
through Chenay Bay--for advance snorkelers only;
William 'Toby' Tobias will seine for fishes in the
near-shore waters; and Sharon Grimes will lead a
beach walk to identify some of the many shells.

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Peepers, cheepers and creepers!
Claudia Lombard and Jen Valiulis will be your
guides as wet up close and personal with reptiles
and amphibians.

6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Bring on the Bats! The first bat
survey to be conducted at Southgate. Renata
Platenberg, Jen Valiulis and Claudia Lombard will
run mist nests and identify these fascinating
mammals.