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[Volunteers] [Public Field Trips & Programs] [Reserves] [Publications] [CERF] |
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What Awaits You if You Venture on a Public Field Trip to the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort (Registration through the Education Office is required) After a ferry ride to the Rachel Carson site, the interpretive walk begins at the west end of Town Marsh, one of the islands that
Birds, such as white ibis, black-bellied plover, and willet, can often be seen foraging for invertebrates in the tidal flat on the south
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comprise this 2,500 acres component.
As you begin on the edge of a marsh, you can identify plants such as salt marsh cordgrass, sea ox-eye, sea lavender, glasswort, and black needle rush. The walk across the dredge-spoil island exposes you to
dune colonization by sea oats and plant succession, including wild asparagus and Spanish bayonet.
As you emerge onto the tidal and mud flat, a
different wealth of flora are discovered. Also, many fiddler crabs scurry into borrows as you near. Other crabs, such as the striped hermit, calico and blue crab are often seen. Many
animals have specific salinity requirements for different parts of their life cycle. One such animal is the blue crab, which needs high salinity for eggs to hatch and
immature crabs to develop and lower salinity for the adult to live. So this estuarine area meets those needs.
side of Town Marsh. Great blue herons and American egrets search for fish. Many migrants
can be found on this site including the endangered piping plover, peregrine falcon, and long-billed curlew.
Given sufficient time, your group proceeds
across a tidal flat to Bird Shoals, which are mostly covered at high tide with water. These large expanses of shallow sound beach, located directly inside Beaufort Inlet, offer a wonderful
area for finding sandy bottom dwellers, such as live sand dollars, and their shell remains, cockles, moon snails, an occasional horseshoe crab and many tube worms. Finally, you return either across
the island or around the marsh edge to the boat home. |
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Old tie on shoes or water shoes (aqua socks) for wading and walking through mud and water are a must for these trips. You will be walking for about 2 hours. Sandals are highly discouraged because of sharp edged shells. Sunscreen and hats are highly recommended. Old clothing or bathing suits are good for getting wet and a little muddy. Dress appropriately for all possible weather conditions. Snacks and water are also a good idea. |
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