Deveaux Bank is heavily populated this season with some of our favorite coastal birds as they are nesting. SCDNR staff has made us aware that the bank is closed and with the approaching holiday weekend, there is the threat of disturbance to the nesting birds. We need your help spreading this information so that people are aware this holiday weekend and they do not play a role in the threat to the natural process for these animals.
Closure lines are clearly indicated with signs and buoys on the property. Only the tips of the island are open because the remaining areas are full of nesting birds! Most of the birds have young chicks, so it is crucial the colonies are not disturbed. With the summer temperatures ramping up, if adult birds are forced to fly off the nests, chicks and eggs can perish in minutes from the heat. SCDNR staff plans to be out there this holiday weekend, Saturday – Tuesday but could still use your help keeping an eye on the colonies when they are not present. If you see dogs on the island or people in the closed area, you may anonymously call their law enforcement hotline at 1-800-922-5431.
We wish you all a safe and happy Independence Day weekend! Thank you for all you do.
[SCDNR via Edisto Island Open Land Trust]