Out and About in Delaware's State Parks

Summer 2003 has definitely kept everyone in the resort area on their toes! Who would have thought the weeks following Memorial Day would be a complete washout? Day after day of relentless showers dampened the spirits of the most optimistic sun worshippers. With July 4th approaching, there seemed no relief in sight. Then, just as wholesale depression was about to set in, Mother Nature relented and the sun reappeared. Overnight, we went from cool, soggy conditions to sunny, hot, humid conditions. This was more like it! Summer had finally arrived in Delaware! What could be better?

The arrival of sunny skies in time for the long holiday weekend helped lure huge crowds to the resort area. People were ready to let loose, have fun, and hit the beach. Finding parking was a major challenge for everyone. The local state parks reached capacity on Friday and Saturday by mid-morning, turning away thousands of potential visitors. Those lucky enough to stake out a section of beach were treated to some of the best weather this year. There was no doubt about it…the holiday weekend was an unqualified success!

Hiding Out

As a Rehoboth resident, I always view the arrival of the summer crowds as a bit of a mixed blessing. While it’s always great fun to reconnect with old friends, the hassles of negotiating resort traffic are enough to discourage anyone. While I’m sure I’ll get back into the swing of dealing with the summer congestion, I’m just not ready to deal with it yet. As a result, my partner, Bob, and I decided to avoid town for the holiday weekend. As much as we wanted to hit the beach, we decided to wait until things "quieted down" a bit opting to stay close to home. Of course, it didn’t hurt that our next door neighbor, Brenda, had invited us to use her pool. In the relative peace of her backyard oasis, dozens of friends and neighbors escaped the heat and enjoyed hours of fun away from the busy resort. It might not have been the beach, but it was a very relaxing alternative and I still got to work on my tan!

It’s a Wild, Wild Life

In the past several weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in a number of wildlife related issues in the resort parks. While many people think of the recreational aspects of the beach parks, they do not always think about the importance of protecting the environmental resources found there. Wildlife management and natural resource protection are very important components of our Division’s overall mission. After all, most visitors are drawn to the parks to enjoy the natural resources found there. Whether it is the beautiful dunes and beaches, or scenic marshes and woodlands, our parks are the perfect place to escape the challenges of everyday life. It is the rich diversity of plant and animal life that populate these unique ecosystems that make our parks such exciting places to visit.

Protecting Natural Resources

You don’t have to be a scientist to look around and see that development is quickly overtaking much of Delaware. Little by little, open space is being lost to the bulldozers. This is especially evident in the resort area. Just look around at the tremendous amount of new construction that has occurred this past winter! All this development has had a tremendous effect on the natural resources. Many species of native plants and animals have suffered as a result of lost habitat. Each year, there are new species of concern. It becomes the job of our staff and volunteers to manage the parks to ensure these important natural resources are not lost in Delaware.

So exactly what are we doing to help these species? In our coastal parks many visitors are surprised to find sections of beach closed to pedestrians, surf fishing vehicles and pets due to nesting birds. While there are a number of species of concern including least terns, common terns and oyster catchers, the primary species responsible for the beach closures is the piping plover. This notoriously shy bird was once quite common along our coast. However, the effects of coastal development and predation have nearly eliminated the species. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service have officially listed the species as "threatened." Since the late 1980s, as few as 3 nesting pairs have been identified in Delaware. Intensive efforts to protect the birds have met with limited success. This year, 6 pairs have been identified nesting at Cape Henlopen. Many of their eggs have already hatched with the chicks in various stages of development. We are cautiously optimistic as many of the chicks continue to mature and will soon reach the stage where they can fly and care for themselves.

If you travel down Route 1 through Delaware Seashore State Park, you might be surprised to see a low fence on the west side of the highway. This fence was installed to protect diamondback terrapins, a species of turtle, which nests in the sandy dunes around the inland bays. Many turtles were being killed as they attempted to cross the highway to make their nests. The number of turtles being lost was alarming to biologists and concerned visitors. Even if the parent turtles survived, the young hatchlings were frequently being killed as they tried to negotiate their way to the bay. The fence was a first step in a concerted effort to redirect the turtles to less hazardous breeding areas. The fence has met with limited success but it marks the first coordinated effort to protect this unique species.

A Sad Tale

Over the years, I have often seen the negative effect people have on wildlife. About two weeks ago I had the opportunity to assist staff who went to Holts Landing to retrieve a dead osprey. This species, also called a "fish hawk," closely resembles a bald eagle. Though much smaller in size, it sails the skies with much the same grandeur as our national symbol. This particular bird had died as a result of an unfortunate accident. The bird’s leg had become entangled in fishing tackle, the large hook securely wrapped around its ankle. The bird had flown to the top of a nearby tree where the tackle became caught in the branches. The osprey died trying to escape its dilemma. It seemed such a senseless waste of life. If the tackle had only been disposed of properly, this beautiful bird might still be alive. I couldn’t help but think how in small and profound ways; we effect the world around us. We really can make a difference…the choice is ours!

Check out the state parks website at www.destateparks.com. for information, suggestions and directions. And if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, please e-mail me at stephen.schilly@state.de.us. Or look for me at the beach!

Nature’s Best Bets

If you are looking for fun summer activities, there are a number of weekly "best bets" at the Cape Henlopen Nature Center. These weekly programs run through September 1.

Dolphin Watch • Saturdays, 10 a.m.
Bottle-nosed dolphins are common summer visitors to the waters off Cape Henlopen. Join a park naturalist at the nature center for a presentation on marine mammals and then venture to the Bunker Overlook to search for dolphins from the land. Observe and learn about these amazing marine mammals as they travel and feed in the waters off the park. Limited to 25 participants. Pre-registration is required. $1 per person.

Feathered, Furred, and Hoofed • Sundays, 2 p.m.
Study the diversity of animals at Cape Henlopen in this series dedicated to the web of life. Each week we will study a variety of creatures within the animal kingdom. Programs will involve indoor and outdoor activities.

Chorus in the Morning • Sundays, 8 a.m.
Hike with a naturalist to experience the diverse habitats that attract various species of birds. We’ll explore the ocean, shore, and forests in search of resident and migratory species. Binoculars and insect repellent are recommended. Pre-registration is required by 3 p.m. the day before each program.

Up Close and Personal with Reptiles • Thursdays, 1 p.m.
Reptiles are an essential component of the web of life at Cape Henlopen. Unravel the secrets of this scaly world that includes turtles, lizards, and of course, snakes. Live specimens will be displayed for interaction with these fascinating creatures.

For more information on these and other park programs, contact the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852.