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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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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

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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

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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...
Yellow Rat Snake | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Yellow Rat Snake | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata • Long, powerful constrictor 86.4 - 256.5 cm (34 - 101 inches) long • Skillful climber • Three different adult color patterns; plain, striped and blotched • Mates April...
Yellow Jessamine | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Yellow Jessamine | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Gelsemium sempervirens • Sometimes called "Jasamer" in South Carolina • Other common names are Woodbine, Carolina, Evening Trumpet Flower • South Carolina's state flower • Woody climbing vine with...
Wild Turkey | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Wild Turkey | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Melegris gallopavo • Males 122 cm (48 inches); females 91 cm (36 inches) • Tail tipped with chestnut • Familiar "gobble" sound • Often roost over water • Polygamous • Swift runners • Habitats...
White Tailed Deer | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
White Tailed Deer | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Odocoileus virginianus • Important game mammal, but illegal to hunt in wildlife refuge • Similar to Mule Deer, Elk, Caribou, Moose and Pronghorn • Large white tail • Capable of running 56 - 64 kmps...
Southern Magnolia | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Southern Magnolia | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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Magnolia grandiflora • Leathery leafed evergreen tree • Foliage shiny above and rusty-hairy below • Leaves rounded at base • Twigs and buds rusty-hairy • Height 60 - 80 feet • White and fragrant...
Yucca Skipper | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Yucca Skipper | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Megathymus yuccae • Head narrower than thorax • Antennae not hooked at tip, but with large club • Hind tibiae with only one pair of spurs • Fast flying with wingspan of 40 mm or more • Holds wings...
Sand Dollar | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Sand Dollar | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Mellita quinquiesperforata • Flat version of sea urchin • Fused skeletal plate forms rigid exoskeleton (test) • Lives in shallow water, using sand as protection • Male and female cannot be...
Red Winged Blackbird | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Red Winged Blackbird | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Agelaius phoeniceus • Gregarious bird • Scarlet markings often concealed with only yellow margin visible • Immature male sooty brown and mottled with red shoulders • Brown female and juvenile...
Red Bellied Woodpecker | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Red Bellied Woodpecker | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Melanerpes carolinus • Robin-sized 25 cm (10 inches) long • Barred black and white above • Sexes similar in appearance • Red crown and nape in males • Female has red nape only • Common in South •...
Red Bay | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Red Bay | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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• Persea borbonia • Also known as Bull Bay • Evergreen with narrow head • Grows to 75 feet tall • Trunk 3 feet in diameter • Red bark • Bright red lumber used for making cabinets • Elliptic leathery...
Popcorn Tree | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)
Popcorn Tree | Bulls Island Natural Area (S.C.)

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S apium sebiferum • Also known as Tallow Tree • Nonnative, of Chinese origin • Takes over marsh • Leaves pointed at both ends • Sap is milky and poisonous if rubbed in eyes or taken internally •...