St. George Island State Park

Description: St. George Island State Park is located along the last 9 miles of east St. George Island in Apalachicola Bay. The island has fine sandy beach and vegetated dunes along the southern shore, and the backside of the island is marsh with emergent mud flats. The natural features of the park include extensive beaches and dunes, forests of slash pines and live oak hammocks. Shorebirds are scattered throughout the park with no particular area of concentration. Type 1 habitat may be along the mud flats of the marsh on the back side of the island, but this area is difficult to access. Type 1 habitat may also be located along the sandy beaches on the tip, which has little disturbance.

St. George Island is accessible by vehicle via a 4-mile bridge from the mainland. The public can access 4 miles of beach along the parks main drive, but the last 4 miles of beach is accessible only by foot. St. George Island State Park is owned by the State of Florida, and the western section of St. George Island is privately owned.

Melody Sapp surveys twice a month during the early morning all year but focuses counts on the LETE, SNPL, PIPL, AMOY, and skimmers, but may also count other shorebirds occasionally. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (25), WILL (35), RUTU (45), REKN (80), SAND (100), LESA (30), SBDO (45), DUNL (200).

Survey Method: Ground survey by ATV, which will save time due to the large area. Begin at the beach side at the western boundary of the park and continue to the tip of the island. Only a small amount of the backside can be surveyed by ATV before the marsh begins. This survey route takes about two hours. Low tide may be the best time to survey. The marsh may be surveyed by wading or with a kayak.

Selection Bias: The marsh on the backside of the island is difficult to access and may contain Type 1 habitat.

Measurement error: *

Measurement bias: *

Pilot Studies: This site was recommended as a good shorebird migration site despite low ISS counts. The marsh should be surveyed for potential Type 1 habitat.

Local Contacts: Barry Birch and Barbara Garrison, Park Managers, St. George Island State Park

Melody Sapp, Biologist, St. George Island State Park