Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

Bulls Island is located in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge near Charleston, South Carolina. The refuge was established in 1932. Stretching for 22 miles along the coast of South Carolina, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is a rich natural resource. The ocean, the bays, the coast and the maritime forest , as well as the plants and animals that live in each, make this one of the most productive environments on earth. Each of these is dependent on the delicate balance of the marshlands.

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Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 1 1
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1

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Bulls Island was one of the most heavily damaged areas in South Carolina by Hurricane Hugo. Rudy and Jim visit Bulls Island to observe how nature is healing itself after the deadly hurricane. Here at...
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 1 2
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2

Video

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At the same stop, Rudy and Jim come across a Northern Mockingbird, and a Red-Wing Blackbird perched in some nearby trees, making their distinctive bird-calls. Feeding on some nearby Dewberry flowers...
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 1 3
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 3

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On the other side of the impoundment we see the effects of Hurricane Hugo. The area once dominated by canopy trees like tall pines, are no longer there.
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 2 4
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4

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Sandy soils – At this stop, we see Southern Magnolia trees, which help keep the sandy ground stable. With this one magnolia tree, Rudy and Jim find holes left behind by beetles, and woodpeckers which...
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 2 5
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 5

Video

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At the same stop, vines and flowering plants can also be seen growing in this area. We see Yellow Jessamine, and Toadflax.
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 3 6
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 6

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Hurricane Hugo damage revisited – Here we see further evidence of damage caused by Hurricane Hugo. The tall canopy trees like pines, oaks, and palmettos have been stripped bare. Nature is slowly...
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 3 7
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 7

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At the same stop, Rudy and Jim find more plants typical of barrier islands: Devil’s Walking Stick, Prickly Ash, and Buckthorn. In a shady area close by, Rudy and Jim find a resting Eastern Cottonmouth...
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 3 8
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 8

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Osprey birds and Bald Eagles can also be seen nesting in this wildlife refuge.
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 4 9
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 9

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The Dike – Vast fields of Cord Grass populate this area. The fresh water impoundments, with much lower levels of salinity, are perfect places for shore and sea birds such as Yellowleg birds, Black...
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 4 10
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 10

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Rudy and Jim catch a full sized adult alligator sneaking around the area, and also find a Four-Lined Rat snake, also known as a Live-Oak snake.
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 4 11
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 11

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Great Egret birds, whose nests were initially destroyed by Hurricane Hugo, have flocked back to the island to rebuild their homes.
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 5 12
Bulls Island (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 12

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“Ghost Beach” - Rudy and Jim further assess the damage to the island by Hurricane Hugo. The pines and live oaks at the shore line are gone, but the Palmetto trees survived. The water is slowly eroding...
American Painted Lady | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
American Painted Lady | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Yellow bar on front edge of forewing • White spots on top of wing • Smaller than Painted Lady • Migrates south to north each spring and summer • Most die in cold northern temperatures • Can fly more...
Bald Eagle | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Bald Eagle | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Haliaeetus leucocephalus • National bird of the United States • 75 - 108 cm (30 - 43 inches) • Adult has white head and tail • Massive yellow bill • Juvenile has dusky head and tail with dark bill •...
Black Crown Night Heron | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Black Crown Night Heron | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Nycticorax nycticorax • Stocky bird with thick bill • Usually hunched and inactive • Black back and black cap with pale gray or white underparts • Gray wings • Red eyes • Yellow or yellow-green...
Black Necked Stilt | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Black Necked Stilt | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Himantopus mexicanus • 33 - 40 cm (13 - 16 inches) long • Black above, white below • Long neck • Very long red legs • Straight thin bill • Noisy and conspicuous • Aggressive during nesting season
Blue Heron | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Blue Heron | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Ardea herodias • Common large wading bird • 99 - 132 cm (39 - 52 inches) long with wingspan 1.8 m (70 inches) • Gray plumage • Yellow beak • Long legs • Flies with neck folded • Primary diet of fish...
Blue Winged Teal | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Blue Winged Teal | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Anas discors • Small brownish duck with pale blue shoulder patches • 35 - 40 cm (14 - 16 inches) long • Male has gray head and white crescent in front of eye • Female is mottled brown with pale blue...
Bluet | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.) | NatureScene
Bluet | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.) | NatureScene

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• Hedyotis procumbens • Member of coffee family • Also called Trailing Bluet or Innocence • Perennial herb with shallow roots • Low-growing loose tufts 10 - 15 cm tall • White flowers bloom from July...
Bumblebee | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Bumblebee | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Bombus pennsylvanicus • Face and head mostly black • Black behind the wings • Yellow abdominal segments • Wings smoky • Pollen basket on hind tibia • Adult drinks nectar and eats honey • Larva feeds...
Cabbage Palmetto | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Cabbage Palmetto | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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Sabal palmetto State tree of South Carolina and Florida Named for large leaf bud or "cabbage" at top of trunk Grows upward from a single terminal bud Mature height 30 - 50 feet Trunk up to 2 feet...
Cattail | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Cattail | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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Typha latifolia Common aquatic plant Named for foot long hot dog-shaped flower spike Upright smooth stiff stems grow to 10 feet Alternate, elongated strap-like leaves Thick underground branching...