On May 7, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) announced it will be implementing a complete temporary closure of Deveaux Bank Seabird Sanctuary to protect the state’s nesting pelican population.
Last week, biologists completed an initial survey of the state’s nesting brown pelican colonies, which are typically restricted to a few small islands and sandbars along the coast. The surveys showed both Bird Key-Stono and Tomkins Island Seabird Sanctuaries as inactive for pelican colonies this year, with most of South Carolina’s pelicans nesting on Deveaux Bank.
Because of Deveaux Bank’s regional importance to many birds of high conservation concern, all of the island, including the intertidal shoals, is temporary closed. Seasonal closures will be evaluated and adjusted to ensure protection of coastal bird habitat. In addition, no dogs are allowed on any part of the property at any time. SCDNR officials have posted signs on the high ground of the island indicating closed areas. The interior, intertidal sandflats are not able to support signage, but these areas also remain closed to all landing and foot traffic, as they serve as critical feeding and roosting areas for a wide variety of birds.
On April 24, SCDNR announced the temporary closure of Deveaux Bank. This announcement stated in part:
In addition to its nesting birds, Deveaux Bank also hosts tens of thousands of declining migratory shorebirds, including red knots, piping plovers and whimbrels, in need of rest and food. Quiet beaches that are free of predators and disturbance are essential to their survival during long journeys to and from their nesting grounds. Shorebirds feed in the intertidal sandy and muddy shoals on invertebrates such as marine worms, clams and horseshoe crab eggs
Due to erosion and overwash caused by storms in 2023, much of Deveaux Bank is now underwater from mid-tide to high tide. Because of Deveaux Bank’s regional importance to many birds of high conservation concern, all of the island, including intertidal shoals, is closed during the nesting season except for the southwest tip of the island nearest Edisto Island. In addition, no dogs are allowed on any part of the property at any time.
The May 7 announcement expands the closures beyond those stated in the April 24 announcement.
Seabrook Island Birders supports these announcements from SCDNR. These announcements ask the public to abide by the closures and report any violations to the SCDNR Law Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-922-5431. Failure to comply can result in fines up to $465 and 30 days in jail (code 50-11-860).
Share this:
SIB 