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3 rare animals documented at Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve
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On April 26, DCR Natural Heritage Staff Zoologist Steve Roble discovered the state threatened barking treefrog (Hyla gratiosa) (G5 S1 NF ST) at Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve. Subsequent surveys by Roble and Southeast Regional Stewardship Biologist Darren Loomis documented a breeding population of about 20 barking treefrogs. One calling male of the state rare oak toad (Anaxyrus quercicus) (G5 S2) also was found on the preserve.
Fifteen species of frogs and toads were observed during the surveys, representing more than half of Virginia’s total frog fauna. Roble also discovered a second population of barking treefrogs about 2 miles east of the preserve. These are the first Sussex County records of barking treefrogs in more than a half century. This species was first recorded in Virginia in 1959 in a flooded field near Littleton, which is within three miles of the preserve. The following year, that breeding site was destroyed, and there were no documented records for barking treefrogs in Sussex County for the next 55 years.
Roble also confirmed the presence of a breeding population of the cocoa clubtail (Gomphus hybridus) (G4 S1) along the Nottoway River at Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve. This dragonfly species was first recorded in Virginia in 2013 at the preserve during a regional dragonfly society meeting, but photos taken during that meeting were not identified as this species until a week later, and no specimens were available for confirmation. This is the northernmost record of this riverine species.
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Important discoveries at South Quay Sandhills
Recent surveys by DCR Natural Heritage Field Zoologist Chris Hobson and Southeast Region Steward Darren Loomis added two new species to the list of rare fauna at South Quay Sandhills Natural Area Preserve.
The mantled baskettail dragonfly (Epitheca semiaquea) (G5 S1) was last seen in the Commonwealth 37 years ago when two specimens were collected by Frank Carle in nearby Franklin, Virginia. More than 30 individuals were observed at several sites within the South Quay Sandhills Natural Area Preserve during our recent surveys. Other recent surveys for this species in southeastern Virginia have failed to locate this state rare species, which has a very limited spring flight season.
The oak toad (Anaxyrus quercicus) (G5 S2) was also added to the list for the preserve when it was heard calling at a borrow pit near the southeast portion of the preserve. It is known from other nearby sites in southeastern Virginia.
Additionally, a new population of the frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) (G3 S2?) was found at a large patch of its host plant, Sundial lupine (Lupinus perrenis) in the southeast portion of South Quay Sandhills Natural Area Preserve. DCR surveys turned up 12 individuals of this globally rare butterfly at a recently acquired portion of the preserve that had remained unsurveyed until this year.
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Gray bat findings
During the last two weeks of August, Natural Heritage staff Chris Hobson and Wil Orndorff studied gray bats (Myotis grisescens) (G3 S1 FE SE) in Southwest Virginia, in collaboration with Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries staff, faculty and students from Radford University, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Highlands Community College, and volunteers from the National Speleological Society.
This year marks the fifth consecutive year that more than 500 bats from summer bachelor and maternity colonies have been captured, evaluated, banded and released.
This study is important because it began prior to the onset of White Nose Syndrome in gray bats and has continued to the point that gray bat hibernacula are clearly infected, allowing an evaluation in the changes in summer abundance and condition of animals in response to the disease.
To date, no significant mortality has been reported among gray bats from WNS, although shifts in winter roost locations have been noted, and gray bats have contracted the disease. Preliminary analysis of data over the previous four years shows that there has been no statistically significant change in condition of gray bats in Virginia since the onset of WNS. Data from this year will be integrated into this multi-year analysis, and a summary of the study’s findings will be published.
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Alleghany clustering bats represent significant find
During a recent field excursion to a cave in Alleghany County, DCR Karst Project Coordinator Wil Orndorff and others found a group of tightly clustered bats that could not be identified at the time. Wil returned with DCR Natural Heritage Field Zoologist Chris Hobson, Carol Zokaites, and Ellen Koertge, and the team managed to capture seven individuals from the cluster to document the identity of the bats.
Of the seven bats, five were male Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) (G2 S1 federally endangered) and the other two were male little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus).
The colony appears to contain more than 100 individuals, with approximately 25 to 30 percent being little brown bats, and the remainder Indiana bats. Both species have shown declines due to White Nose Syndrome in recent years. Little browns have been particularly hard hit with more than 95 percent declines in some populations. The mixed colony of these two species is also quite unusual. They are rarely found utilizing the same habitat outside of the hibernation period when both species reside in caves.
Additional investigation of this site and this colony is planned to determine whether the colony resides there year-round or is only present seasonally. The endangered Indiana bat was previously not known to occur in Alleghany County.
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Results of James spinymussel survey
DCR Natural Heritage Field Zoologist Anne Chazal completed a final report titled “Results of James Spinymussel Surveys in the Dan River Sub-basin in South-central Virginia, 2013-2014.” The Dan River sub-basin has 13 recorded freshwater mussel species, including the federally listed James spineymussel (Pleurobema collina) (G1 S1 FE SE ) and the state listed threatened green floater (Lasmigona subviridis) (G3 S2-/ST) and Atlantic pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) (G2 S2-/ST).
However, during this study, no rare species were found in 31 surveys conducted at 31 unique river reaches throughout the Dan River drainage basin. In February a major spill of coal ash into the Dan River occurred near Eden, North Carolina. The impacts of this spill on the freshwater fauna, including mussels, are still not known. Continuing survey efforts within the watershed should be a priority.
This study was conducted with funds provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries through an Endangered Species Section 6 Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Surveying the Dan River sub-basin for spinymussel.
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2014 discoveries at Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve
In late winter, DCR Natural Heritage Stewardship staff conducted prescribed burns in two portions of Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve. In the spring, DCR Natural Heritage Chief Biologist Chris Ludwig visited the preserve and observed that native vegetation was thriving in the wake of the burns. He noted new sub-populations of some of the preserve’s rarest plants, including Smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) (G2G3 S2 FE ST) and Tall Barbara’s-buttons (Marshallia legrandii) (G1 S1).
Two new rare plant species were also discovered. A small population of a diminutive grass known as Long-leaf wedgegrass (Sphenopholis filiformis) (G4? SH) was found in one of the recently burned vegetation units. The other new discovery (and the 12th rare plant of the preserve) was Old-field milkvine (Matelea decipiens) (G5 S1). It was found very near the other burned area. Without an aggressive burning program at this site, it is highly unlikely that many of the rare plants at Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve would persist, much less thrive, at this site.
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This area was burned in March 2014. Notice the thriving understory and open canopy.
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Survey for significant natural communities, rare plants at Breaks Interstate Park
At the request of the Breaks Interstate Park master planning committee, DCR Natural Heritage Inventory biologists traveled to the park for a second week of Natural Heritage inventory. DCR Natural Heritage Staff Botanist Johnny Townsend and Vegetation Ecologists Karen Patterson and Gary Fleming spent the week of May 19-23 conducting biological inventory to help inform the park’s master planning process.
Inventory efforts focused on areas that could be affected by recreational rock climbing and future trail and building development. Significant natural communities associated with sandstone cliffs and rock ledges were documented, as were significant terrestrial forest communities and communities associated with the scour zone of Russell Fork. Many plant collections from the inventory are new county records for Dickenson County. Populations of the state rare plants Round-leaf catchfly (Silene rotundifolia) (G4 S2) and Virginia spiraea (Spiraea virginiana) (G2 S1 FT SE) were revisited and assessed for viability.
Information from the survey will be provided to the park planning committee to ensure that development takes into consideration sensitive habitats and natural heritage resources.
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Fort Pickett natural heritage resource field visit
DCR Natural Heritage biologists revisited the controlled access areas of Fort Pickett to look for natural heritage resources that hadn’t been observed since the 1990s.
During this visit, they updated numerous element occurrences, collected specimens, and made field notes to determine whether any new significant resources were found. Overall, the area still looks every bit as good as it did in the early 1990s. The controlled access area will continue to provide very important habitat and contain high native species diversity in addition to providing vital training opportunities for our military. Obviously, though, some things have changed. A few examples:
- The increase of non-native Lespedeza species particularly in the disturbed habitats.
- A shift in herbaceous understory composition.
- An increase in tree cover in certain areas.
DCR biologists will continue to work with installation personnel to make sure that land management benefits the natural resources of Fort Pickett.
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DCR biologists explore the Fort Pickett controlled access area.
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Community volunteer effort
On June 30, five DCR Natural Heritage staff members volunteered at the Community Kitchen Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico County, Virginia.
The Community Kitchen Garden grows food solely for donation to the FeedMore Community Kitchen, which provides freshly prepared meals for the Richmond community’s underprivileged. Natural Heritage volunteers watered, weeded, turned new garden beds, sowed seeds, and harvested several different kinds of vegetables from the roughly one-third-acre vegetable garden.
An added benefit of the Community Kitchen Garden is that produce travels only four miles to reach the FeedMore Community Kitchen, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the organization’s programs. For more information about the Community Kitchen Garden, click here.
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Rare plants found in Rockbridge County
Several rare vascular plant species and lichens have been discovered at a previously unknown complex of limestone glades just outside Lexington. Dr. Charles Winder from Washington and Lee University has been studying some aspects of the glades and invited DCR’s Staff Botanist Johnny Townsend to have a look.
Thus far, 18 discrete glades of botanical significance have been explored. Most of these habitats are located within 2 kilometers of the city limits, but scattered examples are found along a more than 10-kilometer swath. All sites are apparently underlain by limestones of the Edinburg Formation. Discoveries of rare or otherwise significant vascular plants include:
- Flattened spikerush (Eleocharis compressa var. compressa) (G4 S2)
- Three-flower melic (Melica nitens) (G5 S1 S2)
- Pitcher’s stitchwort (Minuartia patula) (G4 S2)
- Small skullcap (Scutellaria parvula var. parvula) (G4 T4 State Record)
- Rock stonecrop (Sedum pulchellum) (G5 State Record)
- The only known limestone occurrences of the regionally endemic Kate’s Mountain clover (Trifolium virginicum) (G3 S3)
Populations of the two state records, Small skullcap (Scutellaria parvula var. parvula) and Rock stonecrop (Sedum pulchellum), are surprisingly large and extensive, each comprising a significant percentage of the flora on many of the glades. In addition, several lichens characteristic of open limestone exposures were documented. Of these, Blushing scale lichen (Psora decipiens) (G5 SNR) appears to be the most significant in terms of its known distribution. This almost entirely western species has been recorded in only a couple of locations in eastern North America in addition to the Rockbridge glades. DCR Natural Heritage scientists revisited these habitats in early September to assess the late-season flora, begin formal documentation of natural communities, and establish several permanent vegetation plots.
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Removal of invasive plants at Cowbane Prairie
On April 26, 16 eager volunteers descended on Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve to battle two nasty invasive plant species: Autumn olive and Garlic mustard. Led by a DCR Natural Heritage steward, volunteers pulled 60 gallons of garlic mustard and felled 14 acres of autumn olive. The autumn olive will be further stressed by frequent prescribed fire and subsequent chemical application. The garlic mustard was flowering so it was the perfect time to spot it.
Volunteers ranged from 6 and 7 year-old boys to Peruvian biologists conducting PhD research. The volunteers worked hard on their mission, and they came away with new knowledge of a rare natural community and the plant species that live there.
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Volunteers remove invasive species at Ogdens Cave
On Aug. 23, the DCR Natural Heritage Shenandoah Valley Region Steward led volunteers from Front Royal/Grotto’s Cave Club in removing invasive species at Ogdens Cave Natural Area Preserve in Frederick County.
The volunteers safely helped treat three exotic invasive woody species: Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and Multi-flora rose (Rosa multiflora).
Work focused on the area surrounding the cave entrance, which had an abundance of these plants. This work should allow displaced native plants to re-inhabit the area. Approximately three acres of invasive species were treated by day’s end. We hope this event will become a biannual activity with the Front Royal/Grotto’s Cave Club.
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Japanese stiltgrass treatment at Crow’s Nest
On July 31, the National Capital Region Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) of the National Park Service completed its second season at Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve. This season, the team treated Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), Beefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens), and Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) along approximately five miles of roads and trails. DCR’s Northern Region and Operations stewards continued the stiltgrass treatments at Crow’s Nest over the following weeks and will continue treatments in the years ahead.
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Shorebird nesting colonies at Wreck Island Natural Area Preserve
Wreck Island Natural Area Preserve provides important breeding habitat for both colonial and solitary nesting shorebirds, and it supports one of the largest wading bird rookeries in Virginia.
On a routine monitoring trip to the preserve in mid-June, Natural Heritage Eastern Shore Region Steward Dot Field documented a large brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) colony containing 800 nests with eggs and young. A second colony consisted of a mix of black skimmers (Rynchops niger) and common terns (Sterna hirundo), with least terns (Sterna albifrons) on the northern fringe. Thirty least tern and 27 common tern nests were noted. Approximately 620 adult black skimmers were present. The skimmers were in the early stages of egg laying. Some nests with eggs and numerous scrapes were evident. A scrape is a shallow depression scratched out by the bird to serve as a receptacle for eggs.
In mid-July Nancy Vehrs, president of the Virginia Native Plant Society, and Virginia Witmer of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, assisted Dot in assessing these same colonies in the aftermath of Hurricane Arthur. The colony sites are subject to overwash events during severe storms. Unfortunately, the large mixed colony consisting of black skimmers, common terns and least terns was disrupted by storm surge during the hurricane. A few common and least terns are re-nesting, but black skimmer reestablishment was not evident. Black skimmer individuals are larger than those of the other two species and require longer egg incubation and chick fledging periods.
Fortunately, the brown pelican colony was not severely affected. Young and fledgling pelican chicks were plentiful and appeared healthy. Over 800 brown pelican nests, each containing two to three eggs/chicks were documented in the colony earlier in the season.
Wreck Island Natural Area Preserve and other barrier islands along the Eastern Shore of Virginia provide some of the few remaining nesting sites in Virginia for several shorebird species. Their protected status benefits not only shorebirds, but also benefits human interests by providing a buffer against storms for mainland coastal areas.
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Natural Heritage winter-spring prescribed fire summary
In late winter and spring of 2014, DCR Natural Heritage fire management staff, with assistance from partner organizations, conducted prescribed burns at these state natural area preserves:
- Antioch Pines (230 acres)
- Blackwater Ecological Preserve (53 acres)
- Cherry Orchard Bog (64 acres)
- Chub Sandhill (114 acres)
- Difficult Creek (95 acres)
- Ogdens Cave (26 acres)
- Big Spring Bog (10 acres)
In addition, eight acres at Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve were burned by The Nature Conservancy as part of its project on the adjacent South River Preserve. Interagency cooperation among DCR, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, TNC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service was critical to implementing all of these burns.
Natural Heritage staff also assisted partners with approximately 25 prescribed burns on non-DCR lands, including state wildlife management areas, national forests, national wildlife refuges and TNC preserves. Fire helps maintain a site’s open characteristics by preventing the encroachment of fire-intolerant woody plants such as Red maple and White pine. Fire is also beneficial in controlling invasive species.
DCR staff participated in TNC’s Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) at both the student and instructor level, and provided instructor assistance for S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior at the Department of Forestry’s 2014 Longwood Fire Academy.
Other accomplishments included procurement and programming of 15 new portable radios for use on prescribed burns, placing back into service a 1998 renovated/upgraded Type 6 engine, making a presentation on the use of prescribed fire to restore and maintain bog communities at a Maryland TNC Fire Ecology workshop, and teaching Basic Wildland Firefighting and Fire Behavior (S130/190) to 40 AmeriCorps volunteers.
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Eagle Scout project at Crow’s Nest
On Aug. 16, scouts and parents from troop 850, along with the Northern Region Steward Mike Lott and Operations Steward Geoff Austin, assisted Adam Mann with his Eagle Scout project at Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County. Adam’s project involved trail construction over a wet stretch of the Accokeek Creek Overlook Trail, located approximately a third of a mile from the parking lot. In addition, mulch was placed on the trail sections to protect the trail surface. Approximately 15 people assisted in the completion of the project.
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Va. Native Plant Society Piedmont Chapter field trip
On Sept. 14, DCR Natural Heritage Chief Biologist Chris Ludwig led the Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society on a field trip to admire the thriving grasslands along a roadside in southeast Culpeper County. This area is at the southern tip of the Culpeper Basin, a large geologic area featuring expanses of diabase rocks at the surface which form poor, heavy-clay soils. These shrink-swell soils are known as hardpan and provide habitat for extremely rare woodland communities and numerous rare plants. While many of these areas have been cultivated or converted, this corner of Culpeper County has some spectacular areas of native flora with a few rare plant species.
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Guided hikes at Buffalo Mountain, Channels and Cowbane NAPs
On July 5, under beautiful clear skies, DCR Natural Heritage Southwest Region Stewardship Technician Eric Harrold led a hike for the general public at Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve in Floyd County. The hike focused on the rich natural and cultural history of the mountain and DCR’s role in protecting and managing it as one of the premier natural area preserves in the state. Being able to hire capable seasonal technicians allows the Virginia Natural Heritage Program to provide better service to the localities in which our preserves are located.
On July 18, in a cold and steady rain, DCR Natural Heritage Western District Manager Claiborne Woodall led a tour of Channels Natural Area Preserve for the Russell County Tourism Committee. In an effort to enhance tourism-based economic activity as well as improve awareness and quality of life for residents of Russell County, the committee is working to promote and capitalize on its natural assets, which include the the Channels (which straddles the Washington-Russell county line) and Pinnacle natural area preserves.
On Sept. 14, DCR Natural Heritage Southwest Region Stewardship Technician Eric Harrold, along with two Virginia Master Naturalists, led a field trip at the Channels as part of the Southwest Virginia Outdoor Expo. See: http://www.swvaoutdoorexpo.com/.
On Aug. 13, DCR Natural Area stewards from the Shenandoah and Mountain regions led an interpretive hike at Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve near Stuarts Draft for a group of 13 home-schooled students and six parents. Students ranged from 3 to 9 years old. The emphasis of the hike was on exposing the students to the unique ecological features of the preserve, including the fire-maintained wet prairie community, numerous rare plant species and their habitats, and restored warm-season grasslands. Kid-oriented activities on the hike included wildlife watching, oak bark rubbing, and hydric soil squishing (between fingers).
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The Russell County Tourism Committee at The Channels Natural Area Preserve.
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Virginia Cave Week Tours
As part of Virginia Cave Week in April, DCR Natural Heritage Protection and Stewardship staff hosted an open house near Blacksburg at Mill Creek Springs Natural Area Preserve, a state-dedicated preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed in cooperation with the DCR Natural Heritage Program.
Seventy-four people, most from the New River and Roanoke River valleys, participated in preserve tours, which included viewing a stunning array of native, limestone-loving wildflowers en route to Mill Creek Cave Spring. Here, water returns to the surface after flowing over a mile underground from valleys to the north through caves formed in a limestone ridge.
These caves are home to several extremely rare cave adapted invertebrate species lacking both pigment and eyes, including a beetle, millipede, and two crustaceans, all known only from Virginia’s caves. Participants learned about the connection between surface and groundwater in karst, and the role that karst springs play in supporting surface aquatic and terrestrial communities.
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DCR Mountain Region Steward Ryan Klopf discusses plant species with hikers at Mill Creek Springs Natural Area Preserve.
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