Rawls Island
Location: Dare County
Total Size: 3 acres
Site Description: Rawls Island is located on the northwest side
of Pamlico Sound, near Engelhard. It is a natural estuarine island and a
prime nesting site for wading birds. The site is primarily comprised of
wax myrtle, morning glory, and spartina marsh.
Habitats: saltmarsh, shrub/scrub
Land Use: wildlife conservation
Primary Threats: disturbance to birds, erosion
Protection Status: The site is in private ownership.
Conservation Issues: Human disturbances during the nesting season
is a serious concern.
Birds: Rawls Island is an important nesting site for wading birds. In 2001, 783 colonial waterbird nests were found on the site of eight different species (Criteria 4f).. Of particular importance were the 198 glossy ibis nests and the 251 little blue heron nests. Both these numbers represent the largest nesting site for each of these two species in the state for the year 2001.
Key Bird Species
|
Criteria |
Season |
Number |
||
| 4a | Little Blue Heron | B | 251 | |
| 4a | Glossy Ibis | B | 198 | |
| Great Egret | B | 65 | ||
| Tricolored heron | B | 34 | ||
| Snowy Egret | B | 19 | ||
| CattleEgret | B | 119 | ||
| White Ibis | B | 93 | ||
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | B | 4 | ||
B=Breeding FM=Fall Migration
SM=Spring Migration W=Winter
Sources:
David Allen, NC Wildlife Resoruces Commission
NC Colonial Waterbird database