Kiawah Island’s
Marsh Sparrow Project
By Aaron Given, Town of Kiawah Assistant Wildlife Biologist
Photographs by Shauneen Hutchinson
T
he salt marsh is a harsh environment for wildlife. Water levels fluctuate
greatly as tides inundate the marsh vegetation with seawater twice
a day. The salt marsh is devoid of trees and taller shrubs, constantly
exposing wildlife species to the sun and wind. Despite this, three species
of coastal “marsh” sparrows thrive in the salt marshes of Kiawah Island: seaside
sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus), Nelson’s sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni), and
saltmarsh sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus).
SUMMER/FALL 2015 • VOLUME 34
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