Eagle Island
Location: Brunswick County
Total Size: 2,335 acres
Map
Site Description: Eagle Island is a large expanse of brackish marsh and
swamp forest located between the Brunswick and Cape Fear Rivers near
Wilmington. The southern half of the island is brackish marsh with a series of diked dredged-material disposal
impoundments. The impoundments vary in depth of surface water and
vegetation depending on utilization of the impoundment during dredging activity.
Most often, one or more impoundments will be suitable for shorebirds during
migration, and occasionally waterfowl and waterbirds. The diked impoundments comprise approximately 880
acres. The impoundments attract thousands of shorebirds during migration.
Habitats: brackish marsh, man-made
impoundments, small patches of pine and mixed forest.
Interior areas of the diked impoundments consists of a scattered and patchy,
monotypic stand of Phragmites. The coverage of Phragmites depends
on the duration between deposits of dredged material. The area outside of the
diked area is brackish marsh consisting of cattail, threesquare and cordgrass.
Shallow water areas and mud flat are present throughout.
Land Use: disposal of dredged material
Primary Threats: Timing of disposal of dredged material, pesticides from mosquito spraying, control of water levels.
Protection Status: The site is gated and restricted by the US Army Corps
of Engineers.
Conservation Issues: Control of water levels in the impoundments is
a very significant concern. Water levels should be managed to provide
appropriate areas for foraging shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl. The
timing of flooding and draw downs should be managed to coincide with peak usage
by birds. The impoundments are sprayed to control mosquitoes. This reduces
forage for shorebirds. Other impacts are not known and should be
investigated. Furthermore, sediments should be tested regularly for contaminants.
Birds: The site supports great numbers and a great diversity of shorebirds
during migration. The most numerous shorebirds include semipalmated
sandpiper, least sandpiper, short-billed dowitcher, greater yellowlegs and
lesser yellowlegs. All of the shorebirds that regularly occur in the region have
been seen here, including many rarities. It is probably the only breeding site
for Black-necked Stilts in southern North Carolina. As many as 33 adults
and 15 young have been recorded. The site is a good are for winter
sparrows; more than 1,000 are present during some winters. Nesting anhingas,
painted buntings and tree swallows have been recorded. Large numbers of bobolink
(>1,000), mixed flocks of red-winged blackbirds and grackles (>10,000)
roost in the the marsh during winter and migration.
Key Bird Species
|
Criteria |
Season |
Number |
||
| 4d | shorebirds | FM, SM | 5,000-10,000 | |
| 4a | Black-necked Stilt | B | 10-15 pr. | |
| 4g | concentration and diversity of landbirds | FM, SM | -- | |
| Least Sandpiper | FM, SM | 250-4,000 | ||
| Semipalmated Sandpipier | FM, SM | 330-9,000 | ||
| Western Sandpipier | FM, SM | 115-500 | ||
| Short-billed Dowitcher | FM, SM | 108-4,000 | ||
| Lesser Yellowlegs | FM, SM | 210-300 | ||
| Greater Yellowlegs | FM, SM | 10-100 | ||
| White-rumped Sandpipier | FM, SM | 20-100 | ||
B=Breeding FM=Fall Migration
SM=Spring Migration W=Winter
Sources:
Sam Cooper, personal observations
US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District