Rachel Carson - North Carolina Reserve

Flora (Plant Life)

The dominant low salt marsh is colonized by salt marsh cordgrass, while high marsh typically contains a mixture of saltmeadow hay, sea ox-eye and black needlerush. Weedy asters, grasses, vines and shrubs occupy successional communities on the numerous spoil areas along Taylor's Creek. A small area of maritime forest and shrub thicket on the east end of Carrot Island is dominated by live oak, loblolly pine, red cedar, yaupon and wax myrtle.

Fauna (animal life)

Over 200 species of birds have been observed within the component area. The site is located within the Atlantic Flyway and is an important feeding area for Wilson's plovers in the summer and piping plovers in the winter. The shrub thicket of Middle Marshes support egret and heron rookeries. River otters, gray foxes, raccoons, marsh rabbits and feral horses inhabit the islands. American bottlenose dolphins swim in the channels and creeks, along with over 50 species of fish. Invertebrate species common to the site include various bivalves and whelks.

Endangered Species

Peregrine falcons have been observed on the Reserve component. The site also serves as an important feeding place for the piping plover (federal threatened status) and Wilson's plovers, both listed by state biologists as species of special concern. Loggerhead sea turtles (federal threatened status) occasionally nest on Bird Shoal.

Rachel Carson

Back

Next