DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
April 19, 2011
Boardwalk at Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve closed to protect nesting wood storks
The boardwalk at the Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve (HP) has been temporarily closed to protect nesting wood storks. The majority of the trails at Dungannon remain open for public use. The boardwalk is expected to reopen after the nesting season has concluded, which is typically late summer.
Wood storks are a federally endangered species. The United States breeding population of wood storks was listed as endangered after nesting pairs declined from between 15,000 and 20,000 in the 1930’s to 2,500 pairs by 1978. Historically, wood storks have used South Carolina as a post-nesting foraging area during the summer and fall. In 1981, the first successful wood stork nests were documented in South Carolina (11 nests). Presently, there are approximately 1,500 – 2,000 wood stork nests in South Carolina each year.
The Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve offers excellent habitat for many migrating and breeding songbirds and a variety of native wildflowers including large stands of wild Easter lily and five species of orchids. Dungannon is about 17 miles south of Charleston on SC Highway 162, four miles from the turn-off from US Highway 17.The well-marked trails and roads offer easy walking through open hardwood forest. No motorized vehicles are allowed. The preserve is open seven days a week during daylight hours. Five miles of trails, along with another five miles of roads and fire breaks, wind through the wooded areas and along the edges of the extensive narrow swamp.
Trail maps and other information about Dungannon can be found online. Maps are also available at a mailbox at the Dungannon gate along with the sign-in sheets.
People who are interested in viewing nesting wood storks are encouraged to visit the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Green Pond. Nesting wood storks can be observed from a safe distance on the dike near the office.
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