Little Tybee 50yr Management Plan Final

MARK WILLIAMS TED WILL
COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR
Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands Natural Area
Chatham County
50 Year Strategic Plan

December 29, 2021
Prepared By:
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520
Plan Approved By:
___________________________ ____________________________
Alan Isler, Chief Jon Ambrose, Chief
Game Management Section Wildlife Conservation Section
10/24/2022
___________________________ ____________________________
3/25/2022
Date Date
____________________________
Ted Will, Director
Wildlife Resources Division
____________________________
Date
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Prepared by the Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Contributors include the following Department staff:
Jason Lee, Wildlife Conservation Section, WRD, Program Manager

Tim Keyes, Wildlife Conservation Section, Wildlife Biologist
Jon Ambrose, Wildlife Conservation Section, Chief
Fletcher Smith, Wildlife Conservation Section, Wildlife Biologist
Eamonn Leonard, Wildlife Conservation Section, Wildlife Biologist
David Mixon, Game Management, Program Manager
Sarah Love, Staff Archaeologist, WRD and PHSD
Chris Kalinowsky, Marine Biologist, Coastal Resources Division
Additional editing and consultation was provided by the following:

Christi Lambert, Director of Coastal and Marine Conservation, The Nature Conservancy
Anne Flinn, Director of Land Protection, The Nature Conservancy,
Tina Bennett, Wildlife Conservation Section, WRD
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Overview................................................................................................................................................... 5
Legal Constraints ...................................................................................................................................... 5
RESOURCE DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................................. 6
Location and Area Significance ................................................................................................................ 6
Site History ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Site Description ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Geology ................................................................................................................................................... 15
Hydrology ............................................................................................................................................... 17
Wildlife & Fish ........................................................................................................................................ 19
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Rare species and specialized management groups ............................................................................... 21
Vegetative Communities and Special Use Areas................................................................................... 23
Uplands ................................................................................................................................................... 24
Isolated Wetlands .................................................................................................................................. 25
Table 1. Vegetative Community and Special Use Area Composition of Little Tybee/Cabbage
Islands NA ................................................................................................................................... 27
Historic and Archeological Sites............................................................................................................. 28
Public Use and Recreation ..................................................................................................................... 28
1. ....................................................... Figure 11 Likely Campsites 1-4 on Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA
.................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Commercial Use...................................................................................................................................... 29
Developed Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................... 30
LONG-TERM GOALS .................................................................................................................................... 30
MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................................................ 31
Sea Level Rise ......................................................................................................................................... 31
Wildlife and Fish ..................................................................................................................................... 32
Forest Management ............................................................................................................................... 33
Uplands ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Wetlands................................................................................................................................................. 33
Additional Considerations ........................................................................................................................... 34
Invasive Species Management............................................................................................................... 34
Appendix A - Lidar based elevations of Little Tybee Island. ....................................................................... 35
Appendix B - Lidar based elevations of Cabbage Island. This island is predominantly marsh, with very
little upland. ................................................................................................................................................ 36
Appendix C - High Conservation Priority Animals and Plants known to occur on Little Tybee and Cabbage
Islands Natural Area, Chatham County, GA, data from GA DNR Biotics database (accessed March 2021).
.................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Appendix D - Survey of Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands .......................................................................... 38
Appendix E - Bird List for Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands Natural Area. Data gathered from eBird in April
2021. 158 species have been recorded on eBird checklists. Scientific names presented from
Clements/eBird Checklist v2019. ................................................................................................................ 39
Appendix F - Mid-winter Shorebird Count results for Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands Natural Area......... 43
Appendix G - List of all plants and animals mentioned in the plan, including common and scientific name.
.................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Appendix H - Fishes of Little Tybee Island and Cabbage Island Natural Area ............................................ 50
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Appendix I - Little Tybee Island and Cabbage Island Conservation Easement ........................................... 52
Appendix J - Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands Natural Area Heritage Preserve Dedication ..................... 58
Appendix K - Bird Island Rule ...................................................................................................................... 66
Appendix L - Example Prescribed Fire Burn ................................................................................................ 67
List of Figures:
Figure 1 Map of Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands Natural Area. ................................................................. 7
Figure 2 Map of Little Tybee Island Natural Area. ........................................................................................ 8
Figure 3 Imagery of Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands Natural Area from 1942. ....................................... 12
Figure 7 Map of lidar based elevations showing dredge spoil and ditching on Long Island. ..................... 17
Figure 8 Nearby Fort Pulaski NOAA Tidal gauge showing Sea Level Rise According to NOAA; the relative
sea level trend is 3.39 millimeters/year with a 95% confidence interval of +/- 0.27 mm/yr. based on
monthly mean sea level data from1935 to 2020 which is equivalent to a change of 1.11 feet in 100 years.
.................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 9 Fort Pulaski Tidal Gauge showing SLR rate increasing over time. ................................................ 18
Figure 10 Vegetative Communities and Special Use Areas of Little Tybee &Cabbage Islands NA ............. 26
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INTRODUCTION
Overview
This document serves as the strategic plan for the 7,721 acres of property (Appendix D, 1991
Survey) that comprise Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands Natural Area (Little Tybee & Cabbage
Islands NA) located on the coast of Georgia (WRD Region 6, Coastal Region). Portions of this
property harbor plant and animal species of conservation and management concern and
significant natural communities.
The State of Georgia acquired the Little Tybee-Cabbage Islands complex from The Nature
Conservancy (TNC) on August 14, 1991. These properties were acquired in fee simple, with a
perpetual conservation easement still held and monitored by TNC (Appendix H and see below
Legal Constraints). The purpose of the easement is to conserve the islands in their natural state
and to allow use for scientific, educational, and recreational purposes. The islands were
dedicated by the State as a Heritage Preserve on March 27, 1992, to protect, conserve and
preserve the recreational, natural, and cultural resources for future generations, with the
stipulation that Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands shall be used for recreational, educational,
scientific, and cultural research purposes, as well as environmentally sound preservation and
management of the island ecosystems (Appendix I). Hunting, taking or trapping of game and
nongame wildlife as defined in the O.C.G.A. Sect. 27-1-2 & Sect. 12-3-601, by the public is
prohibited within the boundaries of the marshes and high ground of Little Tybee and Cabbage
Islands except as specifically permitted for purposes of research or habitat management. In
addition, Williamson Island, part of Little Tybee NA, is protected under the Bird Island Rule
(Appendix J).
Permitted recreational uses include picnicking, swimming, fishing, cast netting, beach seining,
shell collecting, wildlife observation, boating, kayaking, and camping in designated areas. Certain
areas will be closed to camping and other uses, as determined necessary for the protection of
wildlife habitat and the continuance of wildlife breeding cycles. Certain areas may be designated
for recreational shellfish harvesting and for recreational crab pots with bycatch reduction devices
(BIRDs). Prohibited acts include introducing or harboring nonindigenous species,
including livestock and pets; hunting, taking, or trapping of game and nongame wildlife;
camping in non-designated areas; construction of campfires outside of designated areas;
cutting or removal of live or dead standing trees, shrubs, or other vegetation, such as sea oats;
and use of bicycles or motor vehicles by the public.
Legal Constraints
In transferring Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands to the custody of the Department of Natural
Resources, The Nature Conservancy reserved a conservation easement on the property as
defined under the Facade and Conservation Easements Act of 1976, O.C.G.A. 44-10-2. The
following description is cited in part from that statute: "(c)"conservation easement" means a
restriction or limitation on the use of real property expressly recited in any deed or other
instrument of grant or conveyance executed by or on behalf of the owner of the land described
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therein whose purpose is to preserve land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic,
landscape or open condition or in agricultural, farming, forest or open space use ..."
The Department will manage the property in compliance with these restrictions. In addition to
the State statute cited above, Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands are designated as undeveloped
barrier islands of national importance and are included by the Congress of the United States as
protection units under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982 (PL 97-348 as amended by the
Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990, PL 101-591). The intent of the federal statute is to
protect undeveloped barrier islands by restricting federal funding for certain activities on those
designated units. The statute bans federal expenditures for development, with some exceptions
provided for energy exploration, existing navigation projects, maintenance and repair of existing
roads and facilities, certain military activities, and other related activities of national interest. The
statute prohibits cost-sharing or funding for new roads, bridges, or infrastructures associated
with development.
RESOURCE DESCRIPTION
Location and Area Significance

Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands are ocean and sound-facing barrier islands located on the
eastern shore of Chatham County, Georgia, north and west of Wassaw Sound and south of Tybee
Creek. Little Tybee Island has approximately three and one-half miles of narrow beaches that are
dissected by two inlets that empty into the Atlantic Ocean. These beaches are highly dynamic
overwash systems that can change dramatically from impact with large storm systems. Behind
the beach strands lie extensive saltmarshes dotted with maritime hammocks. Cabbage Island is
a modern deltaic marsh island on the westerly edge of Wassaw Sound. Access to these islands is
by watercraft. Tybee Island to the north and Wilmington Island to the west are the closest
populated areas.
The coastal sand dunes, beaches, sandbars, shoals, hammocks and marshes of the Little Tybee-
Cabbage Islands complex comprise a vital natural resource system which provides significant
habitat for the continued existence of a great diversity of wildlife species. This coastal system
also acts as a buffer to protect real and personal property and natural resources from the
damaging effects of floods, winds, tides, and erosion.
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Site History
Little Tybee Island, like many of Georgia’s barrier islands, has a shoreline that stabilized during
the Holocene epoch after a period of sea level fluctuations. The stabilization of sea levels along
the Georgia coast created ecosystems ideal for consistent habitation by pre-contact era peoples
beginning around the Archaic Period. While it is possible that small bands of hunter-gatherers
exploited rich coastal resources during the Paleoindian Period, evidence of human activity prior
to the Holocene has been obscured by the rise in sea level to roughly 200 feet higher than they
were during the Paleoindian Period. After environmental stabilization during the Archaic, the
Georgia Coast became a prime location for seasonal hunter-gatherers and for year-round
occupation due to the richness of subsistence resources in both estuaries and maritime forests.
By this time, large Pleistocene mammals had become extinct – making the coast an attractive
area for bands of Archaic people to hunt deer, smaller mammals, and to catch or collect turtle,
fish, shellfish, and birds. Pre-contact era occupation of the island is represented by the presence
of shell middens which began to appear about 5,000 years ago along the southeastern coastline.
These middens, which built up over many years, were used both year-round and seasonally and
contain artifacts that reveal information about the diet (oysters and shellfish primarily) and
subsistence practices of precontact era Native peoples. One of the defining characteristics of the
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Late Archaic period in Georgia is the emergence of cooking technology in the form of ceramic
vessels. Georgia is the home of the oldest pre-contact ceramic pottery in the United States which
is in the form of heavy ceramic pottery tempered with Spanish moss that prevented thermal
shock during the firing process.
The coast of Georgia was occupied regularly through both the Woodland (3,000 to 1200 years
ago) and Mississippian (1,200 to 600 years ago) periods, the latter of which is represented on
Little Tybee by Savannah and Lamar phase ceramics. Trends that developed in the preceding Late
Archaic continued through the Woodland Period. Increased sedentism and social stratification
intensified during the Woodland period. Notably, the emergence of seed cultigens and
horticulture in the southeast is seen during this time. Ceramic vessels became more refined, but
also sturdier, and shifted from Spanish moss tempering to sand and grit – allowing vessel walls
to become thinner. During the Woodland Period, Native American pottery was more elaborately
decorated and diagnostic pottery reflects the use of fabric-wrapped or carved wooden paddles.
The appearance of triangular, small projectile points reflects that the bow and arrow may have
been adopted during the Woodland Period. Reliance on maize agriculture and increasing
sedentism and social stratification began during the Late Woodland and can be seen in
archaeological deposits. Evidence of these changes carry through to the emergent Mississippian
Period along the Georgia Coast. Mississippian people were primarily farmers living in socially
stratified or ranked societies. Typical Mississippian villages ranged in size but typically consisted
of a central plaza, residential area, and a defensive structure or landform. Though Mississippian
people farmed, they still relied heavily on estuary resources such as shellfish. Phases of the
MIssissippian era are categorized by ceramic decoration and site organization and, along the
coast, typically fall into the categories of being Savannah, Irene, or Lamar peoples. Colonial era
tribes in the area included the Guale and the Yamasee, and it is theorized that the word Tybee
derives from the Euchee word for ‘salt’.
The Spanish first arrived on the Georgia coast in 1526 with an expedition and short-lived
settlement while laying claim to much of the Atlantic Coast. In 1539, Hernando De Soto
discovered a much-changed Native American world, wherein tribes had dissolved and towns
abandoned, likely due to epidemics introduced by the original Spaniards. In 1565, the Spanish
established a permanent settlement in St. Augustine and missions on St Catherine’s Island, St
Simons Island, and other coastal Georgia areas. The Spanish sought to convert the Guale tribes
to Christianity and establish economic alliances with them. By 1690, after many years of
resistance by the Guale and then by the French and English (and allied native tribes), the Spanish
largely abandoned coastal Georgia, while maintaining the St. Augustine settlement.
In 1733 General James Oglethorpe and the English colonists arrived at the nearby mainland’s tall
bluff, finding mostly cooperation among the depopulated native Yamasee. Oglethorpe called his
new town Savannah, likely because of the vast marshlands and open longleaf wiregrass habitats
that dominated the uplands and lowlands. In the colonial period, while Tybee and other nearby
islands saw residential and commercial development, the larger hammocks on Little Tybee are
known to have been formerly inhabited by fishermen who grazed livestock on the marshes and
dunes.
Several residences were constructed in the post-colonial period, and one persisted into the
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1920s; however, no historic structures currently exist. It is also believed that timber was removed
from the larger hammocks during this period. No habitation of the hammocks has occurred in
more than 50 years.
Several artesian wells formerly provided sources of freshwater for the hammocks, but these wells
no longer flow. Long Island contained several large relict interdunal freshwater wetlands, but
most were ditched and drained for mosquito control in the 20th century. This process opened
large wetlands for tidal flow that could be considered for hydrologic restoration, which would
increase freshwater sources on the island.
In the 20th century, the Little Tybee Islands were unsuccessfully considered both for resort and
residential development, and proposed plans for a bridge to nearby Tybee Island failed. A mining
company purchased both islands, and the threat of phosphate mining of the islands and
saltmarshes partially led to public outcry and eventual legislation (Coastal Marsh Protection Act
of 1970) that required a State permit for saltmarsh impacts. The permit was not granted, and in
1991 Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands were donated by The Nature Conservancy to the State of
Georgia with a retained easement (Appendix I). In 1992, the islands were dedicated as a Heritage
Reserve by then Governor Zell Miller (Appendix J), and officially became the Little Tybee and
Cabbage Island Natural Area. In 1998, Williamson Island (Figure 2) was declared a Bird Island
under the Bird Island Rule (Appendix K).
Dynamic erosion and deposition on the beach facing island is pronounced and may be
exacerbated by recent sea level rise (SLR, approximately 1 foot since 1934). According to the
Shoreline Change model developed by Dr. C.J. Jackson of Georgia Southern University much of
the beach extent of Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA is an ‘erosional hotspot’. However, since
no shorelines will be hardened, we still expect overall natural beach westward migration to occur
with the next phase of SLR.
Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA has historically required little active management by DNR. For
most conservation purposes, this has served the Natural Area well. Very little human disturbance
has occurred, primarily due to its relative remoteness and inaccessibility. Also, many visitors have
traditionally practiced leave no trace camping, and so typical user impacts have until recently
been minimal. However, there is currently unauthorized, user-built infrastructure on several
campsites, including makeshift bathrooms, cooking areas and other camping infrastructure.
Site Description
Little Tybee Island contains approximately 1000 acres of high land and 5,500 acres of marsh land,
for a total of 6,500 acres. Cabbage Island contains approximately 10 acres of high land and 1,200
acres of marsh land, for a total of 1,210 acres.
Little Tybee Island is characterized by multiple dune ridges that are dissected by tidal creeks and
dispersed throughout a broad expanse of tidal saltmarsh. Its ocean-facing beaches, measuring
approximately 5.3 miles in length, are extremely dynamic and are subject to constant wave, wind,
and tidal energy. The beaches are separated by two tidal creeks, Little Tybee Slough to the north
and Little Tybee Creek to the south, that form shallow inlets to the Atlantic Ocean. These beaches
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are washover systems that are flooded by storm tides, except for a portion of the beach seaward
of Myrtle Island hammock (see Figure 1)
Williamson Island Spit, which included the southern half of the beach at its maximum
development, is now dissected by Little Tybee Creek and remains as a low subaerial spit with
intermittent dunes and marsh seaward of Beach Hammock. Stable dune systems are vegetated
with sea oats, beach panic grass, saltmeadow cordgrass, beach dropseed grass, camphor-weed,
beach elder, sand spur, prickly pear, greenbriar, Adam’s needle, and beach morning glory. Wet
meadows have bayberry, slash pine, broomsedge, dollar leaf and many grasses and sedges. At
mid- to low tide a broad expansive beach occurs along the shoreface of Little Tybee with
numerous shoal bars extending out to sea at the inlets. In recent years these intertidal flats have
hosted some of the largest horseshoe crab spawning sites on the Georgia coast, providing critical
foraging habitat for long-distance migratory shorebirds in spring, including the federally
threatened red knot. Williamson Island has long been recognized as an important nesting seabird
and shorebird site, thus its inclusion in the Bird Island Rule. Erosion has removed habitat where
birds nested in the late 1990’s, forcing shorebirds to move to the middle portion of Williamson
and leading to an overall decline in seabird use of the site. Given the dynamic nature of the
nesting habitat and the flexibility of the birds’ response, it is important to conserve and manage
all suitable habitat for beach nesting birds.
High land on Little Tybee consists of old dune ridges and remnants of recurved spits scattered
throughout the tidal marshes. The largest land mass is Long Island, situated in the northwestern
half of the island and fronted by Little Tybee Creek marshes. Long Island is a series of parallel
dune ridges less than 10 feet in height, with intertidal marshes occurring in the swales.
Approximately 30 years ago several miles of ditches were dug through the interdune swales by
the Chatham County Mosquito Control Authority in order to drain ponded fresh-brackish water
areas that bred mosquitoes. Other large hammocks include Beach Hammock Island, between
Little Tybee Creek and House Creek, Myrtle Island north of Little Tybee Slough, and Buck
Hammock, north of Buck Hammock Creek (see Figure 1). Several other unnamed hammocks are
scattered throughout the marsh.
All hammocks are low in elevation, most being less than 10 feet MSL (see Appendices A and B),
with occasional relict or current dunes reaching above 15 feet MSL. Most contain typical maritime
forests dominated by slash pine, live oak, laurel oak, cabbage palm, southern redcedar, yaupon,
red bay, devilwood, buckthorn, bayberry, sparkleberry, saw palmetto and groundsel bush. Less
common tree species are pignut hickory and hackberry. Marsh-upland transition zones are
characterized by cabbage palm, southern red cedar, yaupon, groundsel bush, marsh-elder
(hightide) bush, sea oxeye, and black needlerush. Cabbage Island, facing southeast into the open
Wassaw Sound, is a marsh island fronted by broad sandy, intertidal and subtidal mud flats
sporadically covered with shell beds. Storm tides and wave energy pile unattached dead shell
material onto the backshore forming long narrow shell rakes in the edge of the marsh. Six small
relict dune ridges with varying orientations are scattered throughout the marsh on Cabbage
Island. These ridges are vegetated with live oak, southern redcedar, cabbage palm, yaupon, saw
palmetto, and slash pine. Marginal areas are dominated by hightide bush, sea oxeye, and high
marsh plants.
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The marshes of Little Tybee Island and Cabbage Island are characterized by high salinity (15 to 30
ppt) and are dominated almost entirely by smooth cordgrass, both tall and short forms. The
higher marsh elevations with lower salinities are dominated by black needlerush or by marsh hay
cordgrass. On beach washover fans and brackish meadows, the latter is dominant. On high salt
pans and transition zones, salt grass, saltwort, and glasswort may be dominant or intermixed
with sea oxeye and high tide bush.
Williamson Island has been expanding southward and northward in recent years, with
overwashes filling in the tidal creeks behind the main beach (Figures 2-5). The 2006 imagery was
taken at high tide, while the 2013 and 2019 were taken at lower tides, increasing the disparity
between the imagery. Beach Hammock has been eroding from the westward and southward
sides in recent years. This area is highly dynamic with numerous subtidal sandbars changing
positions after large storm events.
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Geology
Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands consist of unconsolidated fine sands, silts, clays, organics, and
shell fragments of Recent (Holocene Epoch) origin dating back to approximately 4,500 years ago.
These sediments originate from the historic Savannah River delta and nearshore environment.
Principal forces shaping the islands and marshes are wind, wave, and tidal energies associated
with lunar tides, tropical hurricanes, and northeasters. Recent, or Holocene, sediments are
undifferentiated from Pleistocene materials and together these occur to a depth of 88 ft. In east
Chatham County these sediments range in thickness from 49 to 88 ft and overlie the Tybee
Phosphorite Member of the Coosawhatchie Formation, which is Miocene in age, approximately
14 x 106 years before present. The discovery of the Tybee Phosphorite Member of the
Coosawhatchie Formation, which lies 75 to 117 feet below mean sea level and contains industrial
grade phosphates, prompted the Kerr-McGee Corporation through its subsidiary to purchase
Cabbage and Little Tybee Islands. Failure to obtain the necessary permits from the State to
remove the overburden and mine the phosphate eventually led to the gift of the property to TNC
more than two decades later.
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Approximately 2.3 million cubic yards of sand was dredged from the Tybee Island spit in 1975
and 1.3 million cubic yards in 1987 to restore and nourish the Tybee Island beach through jointly
funded state/federal projects. In 1994 the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers again considered using
the bar and nearshore material seaward of Little Tybee Island for a beach nourishment project
but dropped the site from further consideration due to objections from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. The current designation of Little Tybee Island as a unit of the Coastal Barrier Resources
System has implications for any future sand removal in this area, as does its Heritage Preserve
dedication, since removal of sand from nearby would likely negatively impact the sand sharing
system on Little Tybee’s beach facing islands
The current most significant geologic anthropogenic impacts are extensive mosquito ditching on
Long Island. The former interdunal wetlands were excavated to establish hydrologic connectivity
with the surround salt creeks sometime in the recent past (likely before State ownership). Figure
6 shows the drainage effects of this ditching and placing of dredge spoil on adjacent stream
banks. It is likely that some of these ditches are naturally filling in over time, and so self-restoring,
but they are pervasive and have considerably altered the geology, hydrology and ecology of Long
Island and the overall Little Tybee NA. It is important to note that mosquito ditching is no longer
favored as a method for mosquito control, but that aerial spraying and other methods are
currently preferred by Chatham County. Aerial spraying has been observed over the Natural Area
and will be addressed with Chatham County Mosquito Control.
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Figure 7 Map of lidar based elevations showing dredge spoil and ditching on Long Island.
Hydrology
Georgia’s coastal waters, including Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands, are tide-dominated systems
with two high and two low water levels daily, one of which is slightly higher than the other. Each
tidal cycle is completed every 11 hours and twenty-five minutes. Salinities typically vary between
15-30 parts per thousand (ppt). Soil (interstitial) salinities in the high sandy marsh environment
may exceed 30 ppt. Tidal ranges average 6.9 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), but
astronomical tides can be up to 9.3 ft MLLW, (or reaching 5.5 feet MSL), and down to 1.8 feet
MLLW. Recent extreme tides, likely due to Sea Level Rise (Figure 7) and as measured by the Fort
Pulaski tide gauge, are trending upward and the rate of change is increasing (Figure 8).
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Figure 8 Nearby Fort Pulaski NOAA Tidal gauge showing Sea Level Rise According to NOAA; the relative sea level trend is 3.39
millimeters/year with a 95% confidence interval of +/- 0.27 mm/yr. based on monthly mean sea level data from1935 to 2020
which is equivalent to a change of 1.11 feet in 100 years.
All areas of Little Tybee and Cabbage Island marshes have well developed tidal creeks that
exchange water directly with the Atlantic Ocean, Wassaw Sound, or Tybee Creek. Navigation in
some creeks is limited to high tides. Several saltwater ponds exist in old creek oxbows behind
inlets.
Freshwater systems are ephemeral in nature and occur in low interdune swales (which, as noted,
have been subject to extensive mosquito ditching and so are considerably diminished, Figure 6).
Wet years may extend the life of these systems, which typically dry up completely during dry
seasons. No large permanent freshwater ponds are known to occur on the islands. Average
rainfall is about 52" per year and accounts for the maintenance of freshwater vegetation on all
upland areas. Rainwater percolates downward into the sandy upland soils until it reaches denser
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salt water. Little or no mixing occurs in the groundwater so that a freshwater lens sits on top of
the saltwater layer.
Analyses of archeological sites on Little Tybee and Cabbage indicate that the oldest exposed
surfaces are 3,700 yrs. BP. Using these same techniques Long Island is estimated at 1,000 BP,
Beach Hammock and other hammocks landward of Buck Hammock at 675 BP, with Buck
Hammock and Myrtle Island being more recent. Historic changes on the Little Tybee shore since
the 1860s have been characterized by dramatic accretion, then recession. In the last three
decades Williamson Island developed seaward of Beach Hammock, and then eroded away more
than 50% (see Figures 2-5).
Wildlife & Fish
The Little Tybee Island complex contains a diversity of habitats and supports considerable wildlife
diversity. However, likely due to the irregularity of available freshwater, no sustainable
populations of large game species (e.g., deer, turkey) occur on Little Tybee or Cabbage Islands
and resources are insufficient to maintain large game species in any significant quantities. The
larger tidal creeks and front side ocean can support significant flocks of wintering seaducks,
primarily lesser scaup and black scoter, but also including other species in lower numbers such
as red-breasted merganser. Smaller creeks support wintering hooded merganser and ruddy
duck. Small freshwater ponds and sloughs have supported a variety of dabbling ducks including
wood duck, blue-winged teal, gadwall, American wigeon and mallard in low numbers. The
raccoon is the most abundant mesomammal on the islands.
Maritime forests on barrier islands are extremely valuable to a host of migratory bird species,
and because of increasing development of these habitats for human habitation on the south
Atlantic Ocean, the preservation of Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands has great significance.
Based on recent detections of radio-tagged Kirtland’s warblers along the coast, this federally
threatened species likely uses the area during migration. The area represents feeding, roosting,
and nesting area for southern bald eagles. Wood stork foraging habitat occurs in the marsh
creeks and brackish ponds, and potential breeding sites occur on the upland portions of the
islands. The value of these islands to neotropical migrants as roosting, and feeding areas cannot
be overemphasized, as the coastal maritime forests concentrate migrants along the coast in
spring and fall.
Little Tybee has been surveyed annually during Georgia’s statewide mid-winter shorebird survey
since 1996 (Appendix F). An average of 6,826 shorebirds representing 19 species have been
documented annually, with a high count of 13,095 individuals in 2016. The most numerous
species detected is the dunlin, followed by semipalmated plover, short-billed dowitcher and
western sandpiper. The mid-winter survey documents the regular occurrence of the federally
threatened piping plover and red knot. Little Tybee beaches (Georgia Unit 2) are designated as
critical habitat for piping plover due to regular use during migration and winter. Little Tybee
Island is an important wintering area for this species, which breeds from North Carolina to
Newfoundland, in the Great Lakes region, and interior plains states. The recently de-listed
Peregrine Falcon utilize the islands for feeding and roosting. Cabbage Island is a portion of the
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Wassaw Sound International Shorebird Survey (ISS) unit and is also included in our breeding
American Oystercatcher Surveys in summer and roosting surveys in winter.
Red knot numbers are highly variable presumably due to interannual variation in food
abundance, but when red knots winter in Georgia in significant numbers, Little Tybee NA has
been one of the most important wintering site for this species. During the 2018 mid-winter
shorebird count 2,004 individual red knots were detected on Little Tybee. Georgia hosts several
thousand wintering American oystercatchers. Typically, a flock of approximately 100 birds use
Wassaw Sound and Little Tybee Island. The location of high-tide roosts are dynamic within the
system, but these birds are often found on the south beach of Little Tybee. While we have not
conducted regular migration surveys on Little Tybee, it is clearly an important staging area for
arctic and sub-arctic migrant shorebirds. Little Tybee is important for staging and as a nocturnal
roost site for whimbrels during Spring migration, when up to 2,000 or more can be present. In
recent years abundant horseshoe crab spawning has attracted some of the largest spring flocks
of federally threatened red knots in the state. The long-term protection of horseshoe crabs from
commercial harvest is critical to maintaining the importance of this Natural Area for migratory
shorebirds.
Little Tybee Island provides important nesting habitat for several Georgia State Wildlife Action
Plan listed species. The beach nesting birds that use this island include American oystercatcher,
Wilson’s plover, least tern, gull-billed tern and black skimmer. Willet and common nighthawk
also nest in the dunes, with willet also nesting in adjacent high marsh habitat. Approximately 10-
12 pairs of American oystercatchers nest each year on Little Tybee. Our last survey of nesting
Wilson’s plovers in 2010 documented 26 territorial pairs (approximately 7% of the statewide
count), and the south end of Williamson can host some of the densest nesting in the state. They
have been confirmed nesting every year since. Seabirds typically form small mixed colonies of
less than 50 pairs along this stretch of beach. Seabirds that use the area year-round for roosting
include brown pelican, royal tern, Forster’s tern, laughing gull and ring-billed gull
Many other species nest within the Natural Area, including bald eagle, clapper rail, seaside
sparrow, marsh wren, and several wading birds including egrets, great blue heron and green
heron. While breeding songbird surveys have not been conducted, the maritime forest
hammocks certainly support nesting populations of painted bunting, Northern parula, yellow-
throated warbler and great-crested flycatcher among other species.
Over 150 bird species have been documented on the Natural Area. For a full list see Appendix E.
The Natural Area is a popular angling destination, as many species of fish and sportfish are known
to occur in the marshes and creeks on Little Tybee and Cabbage Island Natural Area, including
those in Appendix H.
Feral hogs have been introduced on Little Tybee Island. Because of the potential for significant
impacts on indigenous species feral hogs will be controlled by DNR or its designated agents.
Lethal and other means of control will be implemented to reduce impacts on native species and
their habitats. No other feral species is known to occur at the present time on the islands.
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Further introduction of exotic, feral, or nonindigenous species will be prohibited by DNR and
violations will be prosecuted.
Rare species and specialized management groups
a) Sea turtles- Little Tybee Island’s tidal creeks, sounds, and nearshore waters provide
important foraging habitat for loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and green sea turtles.
Leatherback sea turtles are found primarily in offshore waters foraging for sea jellies
during the spring and winter months. Loggerhead turtles nest on ocean-facing beaches
from May through August. Nests are deposited in the dunes and incubate for
approximately 60 days prior to hatchling emergence. Nesting surveys have been
conducted by volunteers from the Tybee Marine Science Center on Myrtle Island
(northern section) since 2005. Myrtle Island averaged 10 loggerhead nests per year with
a range from 2 to 21 nests from 2005 to the present. The remaining beaches have not
been regularly surveyed due to logistical challenges associated with accessing remote
beaches. Overall, sea turtle nesting densities on Little Tybee are low due to the relatively
poor quality of nesting habitat including low dune structure and significant offshore bars
that inhibit nesting. Kemp’s ridley, Green and leatherback sea turtles have been
documented nesting on adjacent islands but have not been found on Little Tybee. All
species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered
Species act (ESA) and Georgia’s Protection of Endangered, Threatened, Rare, or Unusual
Species law (391-4-10).
b) Diamondback Terrapins- Little Tybee Island and adjacent creek systems provide
important foraging and nesting habitat for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin).
The diamondback terrapin is a small to medium-sized turtle that is native to coastal
Georgia’s brackish and saltwater marine habitats, particularly salt marshes. Terrapins
rarely leave the water except to lay eggs and exhibit high site fidelity to individual creek
systems. Females nest on estuarine shorelines including dunes and marsh hammocks.
The diamondback terrapin is listed as “Unusual” under Georgia’s Protection of
Endangered, Threatened, Rare, or Unusual Species law (391-4-10) as a result of localized
population declines from mortality in commercial and recreational crab traps.
c) Seabird and shorebird breeding, roosting, and foraging areas - American oystercatchers,
Wilson’s plovers, least terns, brown pelicans, black skimmers, royal terns and gull-billed
terns use sites along coastal areas such as beaches, offshore sandbars and shell rakes.
Feeding areas include adjacent marshes, mudflats and managed impoundments.
Thousands of shorebirds, including the federally listed red knot and piping plover, depend
on these areas for migration and wintering habitat.
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d) Shorebird migration and wintering areas - Little Tybee Island provides important habitat
for many species of shorebirds throughout the year (25 species have been documented).
This is a significant nesting site for American oystercatcher and Wilson’s plovers between
March and August. Little Tybee hosts thousands of shorebirds during fall migration,
winter and spring migration. Our mid-winter shorebird counts (conducted annually since
1996) have averaged 6,826 individual shorebirds comprised of 19 species (see Appendix
F). Little Tybee is used as a diurnal and nocturnal roosting site by significant numbers of
whimbrels during spring migration.
e) Red knot - The rufa subspecies of red knot (Federally threatened) has declined
significantly in the past 35 years, leading to federal listing under the Endangered Species
Act in the USA and under COSEWIC and SARA in Canada. Evidence for the decline was first
observed in long-term studies of a major spring stopover site (Delaware Bay) and on
wintering grounds (Tierra del Fuego). In only 30 years, the population of rufa Knots
declined from approximately 150,000 to possibly less than 30,000 total individuals. The
GA DNR Wildlife Action Plan considers determining population estimates and
identification of stopover sites to be high priority.
Most research exploring the population decline of red knots has focused on conditions
within the Delaware Bay. Red knots staging within the Delaware Bay feed nearly
exclusively on the eggs of the horseshoe crab and horseshoe crab egg densities have been
related to spatial distribution, foraging rates, rates of mass gain and the associated ability
of birds to reach threshold leaving weights. Leaving weights have been suggested to
influence adult survivorship, indicating a link between conditions within the Delaware Bay
and recent population declines. Horseshoe crabs have been harvested commercially in
the Delaware Bay for decades, and the rapid emergence of the conch industry has
dramatically increased harvest pressures in recent years. Increased harvest rates of
horseshoe crabs may impact the magnitude of spawning events, resulting in egg densities
well below those required by staging red knots and other shorebirds, and harvest of crabs
has led to conflicts between the biomedical harvest and fishing industries and
conservation groups.
Little Tybee frequently supports the most significant horseshoe crab spawning in the
state, providing critical foraging opportunities for red knots among other shorebird
species, allowing them to gain weight for a non-stop flight to Arctic nesting grounds.
Recent radio tracking work on red knots in South Carolina indicate that the Southeast may
be a terminal staging area (birds fly straight from here to the Arctic) for up to 2/3 of birds
using the Southeast coast in spring. This increases the importance of maintaining healthy
HSC populations in Georgia.
f) Horseshoe crabs - Horseshoe crab (HSC) spawning is highly variable in Georgia, but
recently large spawning events have occurred on intertidal bars between Williamson and
Beach Hammock. Preserving this spawning site is a top management priority for the
Natural Area. Much of the observed declines in arctic nesting shorebird populations
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(including red knots) have been linked to over-harvesting of HSC within Delaware Bay.
Migratory shorebirds require dense spawning sites where they feed on HSC eggs to build
up fat for their migration to the Arctic. Declines in HSC eggs lead to declines in weight
gain and result in declines in adult survival and nesting success. There is a significant
biomedical harvest of HSC in South Carolina to be bled at the Charles River Lab near
Charleston. This harvest, including on National Wildlife Refuge properties, has led to the
local collapse of many HSC spawning sites. It is possible that commercial harvest pressure
could move into Georgia.
g) Waterfowl, shorebird and wading bird ponds and marshes - Georgia's abundant
waterfowl resources include both year-round residents as well as wintering migrants.
Locally breeding species include wood duck, mottled duck, black-bellied whistling duck,
purple gallinule, common gallinule, king rail, clapper rail, black-necked stilt, anhinga,
wood stork, american bittern, least bittern, great blue heron, great egret, little blue
heron, green heron, black-crowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron, white ibis
and glossy ibis. However, many of Georgia's waterfowl and shorebird species are
migrants from the northern United States and Canada. These species spend the spring
and summer in traditional northern breeding areas, and then migrate to southern
latitudes during the fall and winter. The birds then return to breeding areas the following
spring to repeat this annual cycle. Because this group depends on wetland habitats, and
wetlands are rapidly declining, many conservation agencies and organizations are
working to protect our wetlands and water birds. These areas provide habitat for
migrating and wintering populations, as well as aquatic invertebrates, numerous
amphibians and reptiles, wading birds, shorebirds, certain species of Neotropical
migratory birds (see Appendix G for complete bird list), and mammals such as beaver and
otter. Among the reptiles that use these areas, the local population of American Alligators
is of significant importance.
h) Plants- While the habitats found within the Natural Area do not typically contain many
rare plant species, accumulations of shell through natural or human activity may provide
habitat for rare species that only grow in high calcium soil conditions. There are reports
for two of these species found on the Natural Area: Florida privet (State Rank S2, SWAP
high priority species, State Rare, Global Rank G4) and climbing buckthorn (State Rank S2,
SWAP high priority species, State Threatened, Global Rank G4).
Vegetative Communities and Special Use Areas

Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA has been categorized into general landcover types and
subdivided as necessary into habitats for management planning (Figure 9 and Table 1
below). Certain rare species will have specific protocols that must be addressed in each
of the identified landcover types.
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Uplands
a) Maritime Forest - These include Maritime Live Oak hammocks, and Maritime Slash Pine –
Longleaf Pine Upland Flatwoods Disturbed upland communities often become a type of
successional Loblolly Pine – Sweetgum forest. Maritime forests are found on stabilized
dunes on barrier islands, on marsh hammocks, and on ridges and bluffs on the mainland
near the coast. Vegetation in these areas is influenced by the harsh effects of wind, salt
spray, and storms, by the frequency of fire, and by land use. Maritime forests provide
important habitat for birds, with up to 240 Neotropical migrants and year-round residents
documented in these forests and adjacent habitats. The dominant forest type found in
coastal Georgia is the Maritime Live Oak Hammock. This community is characterized by a
mostly closed canopy of live oak sometimes with slash pine and loblolly pine and variety
of species that create a sub canopy and shrub layer including yaupon holly, American
holly, devilwood, red bay, pignut hickory, southern magnolia, cabbage palmetto, wax
myrtle, beauty berry, and saw palmetto. The herbaceous layer is generally dense with
vines, oak seedlings, and graminoids. Characteristic vines include dew berry, catbriars,
and basket grass. Whip nutrush, slender woodoats, and foxtail grasses are dominant
graminoids. More slash pine dominated upland woodland communities are classified as
Maritime Slash Pine – Longleaf Pine Upland Flatwoods. Usually, longleaf pine is only
present in larger examples of this community on the northeast ends of larger barrier
islands that have greater capacity to sustain naturally occurring lightning strike-initiated
fires.
b) Beaches – This habitat occupies the upper portion of ocean beaches that are just above
the daily normal tidal reach and classified as South Atlantic Upper Ocean Beach. Periodic
overwash from spring and king tides as well as storm events can alter this community.
Vegetation is general sparse and can include annuals such as searocket, seaside spurge,
sea purslane, and seaside amaranth.
c) Dunes – If this habitat is positioned behind beaches and includes grasslands with
scattered shrubs and herbaceous species with sea oats dominant or co-dominant it is
classified as Sea-oats Temperate Herbaceous Alliance. The foredune area is more sparsely
vegetated due to actively moving sand while more species richness is found on the more
stable back dunes. Along with sea oats the other species found in the community include
beach elder, sandmeadow cordgrass, broomsedge, beach morning glories, wax myrtle,
beach croton, beach panicgrass, seashore dropseed, sweetgrass, catbriers, pennywort,
Adam’s needle, prickly pear, jumping cactus and sea purslane. Habitats behind the back
dunes that mark the transition into a maritime forest community can be classified as a
Live Oak – Yauponn (Wax-myrtle) Alliance. Vegetation of this community is
characteristically a dense shrubby stand with live oak dominant or codominant, and often
also with species such as yaupon holly, wax myrtle, sand live oak, saw palmetto, catbriar,
Carolina cherry laurel, southern red cedar, redbay, and Hercules club.
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d) Hammocks - Upland forests found on marsh hammocks are classified as either Red-cedar
– Live Oak – Cabbage Palmetto Marsh Hammocks or Cabbage Palmetto Woodland. These
communities are much lower in stature than the Live Oak Maritime Hammock and are
either dominated by coastal red-cedar or cabbage palmetto with scattered live oak. A
mixture of species is found in the shrub layer including dense saw palmetto, yaupon holly,
wax myrtle, redbay, and beautyberry. The herbaceous layer can include longleaf
woodoats, catbriers, saltgrass and basket grass.
Isolated Wetlands
a) Freshwater ponds/swales-- These freshwater wetland communities are often found as
swales between dune ridges or with in former dune ridges in the maritime forest. The
vegetation in these communities can vary widely from Cabbage palm dominated
woodlands, to Carolina willow and shrub mallow communities to more open graminoid
and sedge dominated.
b) Saltmarsh – These habitats occupy the estuaries between the mainland and barrier
islands and the edges of tidal rivers and sounds. Varying levels of salinity within the
marshes create interesting patterns of vegetation. Areas that are inundated twice daily
by tides support vast, uniform swathes of smooth cordgrass, while marshes with irregular
inundation and lower salinity levels, are usually dominated by black needlerush. These
upper marshes boast higher biodiversity levels, supporting a variety of grasses, sedges,
herbs, and shrubs. Marshes are vital to both the natural and human environments,
buffering the impacts of storms and tidal surges and providing nurseries for large numbers
of fish and other marine life.
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Table 1. Vegetative Community and Special Use Area Composition of Little Tybee/Cabbage Islands NA
Vegetation Type Acreage Percentage Land Cover

Cabbage Palmetto Woodland 1.37 0.02
Estuarine and Inshore Marine Waters 1263.56 14.07
Live Oak - Yaupon - (Wax-myrtle)
Shrubland Alliance 13.21 0.15
Maritime Live Oak Hammock 222.94 2.48
Maritime Slash Pine - Longleaf Pine
Upland Flatwoods 9.82 0.11
Mid- to Late-Successional Loblolly Pine -
Sweetgum Forest 68.94 0.77
Pond/Open water 0.24 0.00
Red-cedar - Live Oak - Cabbage
Palmetto Marsh Hammock 258.24 2.88
Sea-oats Temperate Herbaceous
Alliance 33.62 0.37
South Atlantic Upper Ocean Beach 457.44 5.10
Southern Atlantic Coastal Plain Salt and
Brackish Tidal Marsh 6648.32 74.05
Total Acreage 8977.69 100.0
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Historic and Archeological Sites
Much of the land on the Georgia coast has long supported thriving populations of humans. As
such, important and culturally significant resources and locations are abundant. Common
features include Native American burial mounds, shell middens, Late Archaic Period habitation
locations, surface and subsurface artifact scatters, ceramic scatters, building foundations, and
wells, all of which could be located on Little Tybee. The Office of the State Archaeologist reports
approximately 65 site records for the Little Tybee Island area. The recorded sites are all
precontact and typical of other sites in the coastal area. An intensive archaeological survey of
both Cabbage and Little Tybee Islands is needed. Additional precontact sites both on the upland
and in submerged areas are expected to be found. All shell concentrations, particularly on the
high ground, have potentially significant midden deposits.
Per Department of Natural Resources Standard Operating Procedures, any ground disturbing
management activities that may have the potential to disturb or damage such features will be
reviewed by the Office of the State Archeologist of the State Parks and Historic Sites Division prior
to commencing and will be subject to the Georgia Environmental Protection Act review process.
Staff archaeologists from OSA are available to assist with any future interpretive planning or to
provide additional precontact and historic context for the area.
Public Use and Recreation
The Little Tybee NA beaches, maritime forest and mosaic of other habitats provide many passive
recreational opportunities. Natural marshes, maritime forest and beaches and wetlands are
home to a variety of observable wildlife including local and migratory bird species. A wide variety
of wading birds, shorebirds, birds of prey and songbirds can be observed here throughout the
year. Rare species have also been documented on the Natural Area, including curlew sandpiper
and snowy plover. See Appendix C for complete list of birds documented on Little Tybee &
Cabbage Islands NA.
Opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and boating are expansive, with multiple creeks,
natural landings and beaches easily accessible. Camping opportunities in likely campgrounds
(Figure 10) will be made available through a reservation system. These campground sites may
change after further ground reconnaissance or after extended periods of use.
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1. Figure 11 Likely Campsites 1-4 on Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA
Due to its status as a Natural Area dedicated to wildlife, pets are not allowed on Little Tybee &
Cabbage Islands NA. Rare shorebirds and sea turtle nesting presence is not compatible with pets.
Dogs specifically have been documented killing flightless American Oystercatcher chicks and
chasing roosting and foraging shorebirds on Little Tybee.
Other activities that regularly disturb nesting, roosting and foraging birds are also prohibited.
These include but are not limited to use of drones, model aircraft, wind-powered aircraft
(kiteboards, paragliding, kite skating, sand-yachting or cart-sailing) fireworks, and bicycling.
Commercial Use
There is no legal commercial harvest of any animals, fish, crustaceans, bivalves or plants within
the boundaries of Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA.
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Developed Infrastructure
Currently no authorized infrastructure exists on Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA. All
unauthorized structures within the Natural Area will be removed.
LONG-TERM GOALS
The coastal sand dunes, beaches, sandbars, shoals, hammocks and marshes of the Little
Tybee/Cabbage Islands complex comprise a vital natural resource system which provides
significant habitat for the continued existence of a great diversity of wildlife species. This coastal
system also acts as a buffer to protect real and personal property and natural resources from the
damaging effects of floods, winds, tides, and erosion. Further, the habitats of Little
Tybee/Cabbage Islands provide outstanding recreational, cultural, educational, scientific, and
aesthetic values for this and all future generations of Georgians.
Due to that, the overarching goal of Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA management is
conservation of rare species and the habitats that support them, while providing public access
and enjoyment of these resources. The following individual goals have been identified to guide
development of the management actions:
1. Conserve, manage, restore and enhance wildlife and natural communities including rare,
unusual, threatened, or endangered plants and animals, and other species of concern. Items
that may need to be considered to achieve this goal are as follows:
• Shorebird and Sea Turtle Management and Habitat Management
• Prescribed Fire
• Invasive Species Management
• Hydrologic Restoration, including but not limited to plugging ditches and drains
• Resource/Staffing Needs
• Research and Monitoring
• Continued collaboration and partnership with neighbors and conservation entities
such as The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chatham
County and the City of Tybee Island
2. Control feral hogs, coyotes and raccoons. Items that may need to be considered to achieve
this goal are as follows:
• Monitoring of feral hog populations and impacts
• Monitoring of coyote populations and impacts
• Monitoring of racoon impacts
• Assessment of population control options
• Contracted lethal control operations or specialty hunts
• Education and outreach
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3. Protect unique features, and significant historical and archeological sites. Items that may
need to be considered to achieve this goal are as follows:
• Manage Access and Protect Sensitive Areas
• Consult with the Office of the State Archaeologist/Partner with Native American
representative
4. Promote opportunities for research, education, and compatible recreational use. Items that
may need to be considered to achieve this goal are as follows:
• Natural Area Rules and Regulations
• Research permission protocol /List of needs
• Signage: increase and enhance
• Identify and designate campgrounds
• Identify campgrounds with potential for infrastructure (should be above expected
SLR for 50 years)
• Establish protocol for camping reservations/cleanup/monitoring
• Mapping of places of interest, birding sites, etc.
• Engaging researchers/School systems
• Public awareness of and celebration of Little Tybee
• Definition of Compatible Uses
• Volunteer opportunities
MANAGEMENT
Sea Level Rise
Future sea level rise, as noted in Figures 7 and 8, will present more challenges to habitat
management. The most reliable source for sea level rise on coastal marshes and other habitats
is the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM). The SLAMM uses a moderate SLR scenario to
illustrate likely effects for the next 50 years. SLAMM data is available at:
https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/slamm.html
It is critical to consider its potential effects over the management time frame. Fortunately,
SLAMM predicts relatively minor impacts over this span. 1-2 feet, and due to Little Tybee’s
natural shoreline (it does not have engineered jetties, etc.), it is expected that the beach and its
associated habitats will retreat in step with SLR. However, unequal erosion and accretion rates
may produce drastic changes that make management difficult. Sea turtle, shorebird nesting or
other micro-habitats may be significantly affected some years due to erosional or flooding events
and may take years to recover adequately. In those cases, manipulation of these habitats may
be necessary.
GA DNR staff initiated a long-term salt marsh vegetation monitoring project in 2012 to follow
changes to vegetation composition and position in 9 locations on the Georgia coast. One of the
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sampling sites is on in the southern tip of Little Tybee Island. Surveys will be conducted in the salt
marsh ecosystem throughout the Georgia coastal region to assess plant community diversity and
their respective mapping possibilities, elevation stratification of salt marsh communities, and
long-term vegetation change. Dominant species cover data was collected to place the different
communities into a US National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) system’s association level
community and the Cowardin system groups. Transects were be established from an upland
anchor point and proceed down into marsh vegetation where the gradation of elevation and the
localized community diversity is maximized. Data will be collected at several preselected survey
areas across the coast that have assurances of long-term preservation, are situated where
elevation change is gradual, and encompass several vegetation community transitions. The initial
and subsequent plot data will help determine whether USNVC associations, Cowardin system
groups, or a system of our own creation can be further mapped remotely using aerial
photography and/or Lidar elevation data. These plots will be permanently marked and resampled
at 5-year intervals.
Wildlife and Fish
Focal Areas for Rare Species and Specialized Management Groups – Special attention and
management should be paid to state protected and special concern species in areas where that
is appropriate. These areas, known as “Focal Areas,” may have restrictions or specific protocols
related to the management of rare species.
a) Seabird and Shorebird Nesting Areas (April–August)- In nesting areas, human disturbance
is a significant threat for these birds, which already face risks from native predators and
high spring tides. Pets also can be destructive, killing or scaring birds, so are prohibited on
the Natural Area. To help beach-nesting birds, visitors to Georgia beaches are encouraged
to practice the following:
• Avoid posted sites.
• Walk below the high-tide line.
• Watch beach birds only from a distance.
• Back away from nesting birds they accidentally disturb.
b) Waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds- Management of the vegetative community

associated with this group will be covered in Managed Waterfowl Impoundments, Section
d of Special Use Areas, also see Appendix D.
c) Bald eagle- Chatham County supports the greatest number of nesting bald eagles of any
GA county. LTNA typically hosts at least one nesting pair annually.
Public fishing opportunities exist along the many tidal creeks, beaches and marshes of the Natural
Area.
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Forest Management
Timber management activities are subject to the Wildlife Resources Division - Forest
Management Policy. With the exception of prescribed burning and invasive species control,
active timber management will not occur on Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA.
Uplands
a) Maritime Forest - This habitat type should be managed primarily by an absence of
direct management. Active intervention may be required for managing invasive
species or disease outbreaks or following a large-scale disturbance such as a
wildfire or hurricane. Recognized methods of enhancing stand conditions for
wildlife may also be considered, such as timber stand improvement, or gap
creation.
b) Prescribed fire may be applied to upland habitats to mimic natural wildfire
processes, though the use of this management technique will be limited to very
few locations within the designated Natural Area. During the spring of 2020, the
upland Maritime forest of Myrtle Hammock (see figure 1 for location) was scorched
by a crown fire. This fire killed off approximately 90 percent of the pines on the
island and was caused by an out of control campfire. Use of controlled fire to
reduce duff and understory fuels has a dual impact on management activities on
Little Tybee, it reduces the impact of sporadic wildfires caused by humans, and also
reduces the cover provided to feral hogs in highly sensitive habitats adjacent to
horseshoe crab spawning sites and sea turtle nesting areas. See Appendix L for an
example of Prescribed Fire Plan.
Wetlands
These habitats should be managed to achieve desired structure and composition. Where feasible,
ditches and other artificial drainage should be eliminated to restore natural hydrology. Use of
pesticides for mosquito control will be limited to the extent feasible and other forms of pest
control will be investigated.
a) Barrier Island Freshwater Wetlands and Ponds/Open Water -Usually found in broad
flats or in elliptical to linear interdune depressions on Georgia’s coastal barrier
islands. These wetland habitats are variable in physiognomy and species
composition; deeper, more permanently flooded ponds often have a large extent
of open water; shallower ponds are usually dominated by a combination of
submergent, emergent and/or floating macrophytes. Trees or shrubs are present
mainly along the edges of the ponds. These habitats have been impacted by
groundwater withdrawals, fire suppression, and invasive exotic plants such as
Chinese tallow tree.
b) Tidal Freshwater Marsh – Management of these habitats should be limited, except
in cases of invasive species outbreak such as common reed. These infestations
should be controlled by applying appropriate aquatic rated herbicides (either by
aerial, boat, or backpack sprayers), with attention given to minimizing soil or
hydrology disturbance.
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c) Salt and Brackish Marsh (saltmarsh) - Management should be limited, except in
cases of invasive species outbreak such as common reed. These infestations should
be controlled by applying appropriate aquatic rated herbicides (either by aerial,
boat, or backpack sprayers), with attention given to minimizing soil or hydrology
disturbance. Application of prescribed fire may be appropriate with infrequent
return intervals for wildlife use enhancement.
Additional Considerations
Invasive Species Management
The introduction of non-native invasive species can have detrimental effects on an ecosystem.
As defined by Executive Order 13112 (February 3, 1999) an invasive species is an alien species
whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human
health.
• Invasive species have the potential to be present in each of the general landcover types
and can be an obstacle to achieving management goals. Broad prescriptions for managing
invasive species are not often possible and eradication is generally not feasible. Each
situation will need to be evaluated separately and final implementation of one the various
management options should be based on the priority level of the invasive species in
question, the severity of the infestation, the negative impacts the invasive species has or
potentially has on the landcover being managed, the acceptable collateral damage from
the management action, the availability of funds to execute the desired management
action, and the ecological cost of doing nothing.
• The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council as well as the Coastal Georgia Cooperative Invasive
Species Management Area (CISMA) maintain statewide and coastal invasive species
priority lists, respectively. These lists should be consulted to help determine the priority
level of the invasive species in question. The Coastal GA CISMA is a great resource for
management suggestions as it should have the most current information about invasive
species priorities for the coastal region and updated management recommendations.
• There are several known invasive species currently present in coastal Georgia. These
include animals, plants, insects and diseases: feral hog, coyote, Chinese tallow, sand pine,
salt cedar, common reed, water hyacinth, climbing fern, deep-rooted sedge, and redbay
ambrosia beetle/laurel wilt. However, better location data is needed for these and other
priority invasive species (see figure below). Cogongrass, while not currently present on
Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands NA, is one of the highest priority invasive species in Georgia
and should prompt immediate action to develop a management plan if found. Any areas
of cogongrass infestation will be immediately reported to the Georgia Forestry
Commission for treatment.
• With all invasive plant species, there are multiple management options, from mechanical
to chemical (aerial to ground; aquatic rated or terrestrial rated) to biocontrol. Staff will
research management methods before adopting a final course of action. Some situations
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can be handled by a small number of staff while others would require helicopter
application or contract labor.
• Feral hogs will be managed as invasive species because they adversely impact natural
habitats, including sensitive wetland habitats and horseshoe crab spawning areas.
• Early detection and rapid response to any new occurrence of a high priority invasive
species is necessary to prevent infestations and will require staff training on identification
of these species. This is achieved through active monitoring and review of the most up to
date distribution databases (like EDDMapS and USGS NAS), using certified seed sources
for ground cover restoration, and cleaning equipment, vehicles, footwear, and clothing
that has entered known invasive species infestation
Appendix A - Lidar based elevations of Little Tybee Island.
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Appendix B - Lidar based elevations of Cabbage Island. This island is predominantly marsh, with very
little upland.
36
Appendix C - High Conservation Priority Animals and Plants known to occur on Little Tybee and Cabbage
Islands Natural Area, Chatham County, GA, data from GA DNR Biotics database (accessed March 2021).
Global State USA State
Common Name Scientific Name
Rank Rank Listing Listing
Animals:
Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus G4 S3
MacGillivray's Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus macgillivraii G4T2 S3
Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa G4 S3 LE R
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta G3 S3 LT E
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus G3 S2 LT T
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia G5 S2 T
Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas G3 S1 LT T
Eastern Diamond-backed Crotalus adamanteus G4 S4
Rattlesnake
Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea G2 S1 LE E
Northern Atlantic Right Whale Eubalaena glacialis G1 S1 LE E
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus G5 S2 R
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus G5 S3 T
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus migrans G4T3Q S3
Northern Yellow Bat Lasiurus intermedius G4G5 S3
Kemp's Ridley Lepidochelys kempii G1 S1 LE E
Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin G4 S4 U
Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax G5 S4
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris G5 S2S3
False Killer Whale Pseudorca crassidens G4 SNRN
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger G5 S1 R
Least Tern Sternula antillarum G4 S2 R
Manatee Trichechus manatus G2 S2 LE E
Plants:
Sweet Acacia Acacia farnesiana G5 S1
Swamp Thistle Cirsium muticum G5 S2
Florida Wild Privet Forestiera segregata G4 S2 R
Climbing Buckthorn Sageretia minutiflora G4 S2 T
LE = Federally Listed - Endangered; LT = Federally Listed - Threatened; C = Federal Candidate;
E = State Endangered; T = State Threatened; R = State Rare; U = State Unusual; SH = State Historic; SNR = State Not
Ranked
37
Appendix D - Survey of Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands
38
Appendix E - Bird List for Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands Natural Area. Data gathered from eBird in April
2021. 158 species have been recorded on eBird checklists. Scientific names presented from
Clements/eBird Checklist v2019.

Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors
Gadwall Mareca strepera
American Wigeon Mareca americana
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Greater Scaup Aythya marila
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi
Black Scoter Melanitta americana
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Clapper Rail Rallus crepitans
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola
American Coot Fulica americana
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Red Knot Calidris canutus
39
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Sanderling Calidris alba
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Willet Tringa semipalmata
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus
Least Tern Sternula antillarum
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata
Common Loon Gavia immer
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
Anhinga Anhinga Anhinga
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
40
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
White Ibis Eudocimus albus
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Merlin Falco columbarius
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor
Purple Martin Progne subis
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Bank Swallow Riparia
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
41
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
American Robin Turdus migratorius
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza maritima
Nelson's Sparrow Ammospiza nelsoni
Saltmarsh Sparrow Ammospiza caudacuta
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula
Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum
Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica
Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
42
Appendix F - Mid-winter Shorebird Count results for Little Tybee & Cabbage Islands Natural Area.
Winter Waterbird Summary Little Tybee Island

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Mean
2006-2010
American Oystercatcher 10 64 2 53 6 16 21 7 4 96 115 86 45 2 50 105 10 7 2 16 100 5 23 11 15 13 34

Piping Plover 17 8 5 12 17 9 3 18 13 20 31 11 8 15 8 27 21 11 9 7 2 10 9 11
Wilson's Plover 9 0 9 5 1 6 10 11 13 11 13 0 12 1 35 20 9 51 7 24 17 10
Semipalmated Plover 102 136 37 280 970 795 732 450 383 904 1058 347 799 38 3304 1255 4233 452 4155 3130 1365 1081 110 545 1057 1066
Killdeer 10 0 0 5 2 1
Black-bellied Plover 94 318 64 90 57 377 542 56 250 345 360 581 437 265 170 205 576 792 206 141 314 379 764 201 279 277 313
Marbled Godwit 2 0 3 7 1 2 3 3 1 4 1
Whimbrel 0 0 1 1 0
Willet 15 50 10 17 17 70 37 8 22 20 43 102 49 30 44 23 43 29 79 22 35 26 4 11 45 33
Greater Yellowlegs 1 0 8 6 3 9 1 9 7 11 7 2 2 1 1 4 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 0 0 625 3 2 1 4 24
Yellowlegs Sp. 0 0 8 0
Dowitcher: Short-billed 441 921 87 46 180 663 2035 600 760 1471 1624 2912 1643 551 691 535 1100 303 126 1065 767 1036 227 598 621 808
Dowitcher Sp. 0 1830 0 382 85
Spotted Sandpiper 0 2 1 4 1 0
Ruddy Turnstone 16 67 35 21 8 23 44 33 3 9 123 106 62 70 30 105 44 116 37 13 154 20 55 5 13 35 48
Red Knot 0 438 42 74 20 5 226 192 131 37 21 1010 400 181 94 101 363 2004 60 430 224
Dunlin 1929 2207 529 1120 6722 3942 2600 500 1370 5348 7108 6950 5107 2811 7250 4052 4134 3522 2861 6775 909 2928 3185 3049 3380 3473
Sanderling 552 1898 51 34 3 704 214 247 150 507 326 625 40 173 90 15 189 110 97 160 251 236 687 70 294 276 308
Western Sandpiper 1911 377 12 21 650 304 241 110 120 342 450 509 432 376 184 516 672 256 51 662 193 478 55 20 344
Least Sandpiper 46 1 10 39 7 2 6 6 23 55 44 52 45 69 252 192 28 22 98 16 14 1 16 8 40
Total Number of Shorebirds 5152 6047 828 1699 271 11860 6643 6050 2102 3650 9282 12598 11622 8658 4219 12021 8477 11849 5144 7768 13095 4313 9150 3823 4971 6196 6826.5
43
Appendix G - List of all plants and animals mentioned in the plan, including common and scientific
name.
Type Common Name Scientific Name

Plant Beach Elder Iva imbricata
Plant Saltmeadow Cordgrass Spartina patens
Plant Broomsedge Andropogon sp.
Plant Beach Morning Glories Ipomea pes capre & Ipomea imperati
Plant Wax Myrtle Morella cerifera
Plant Beach Croton Croton punctatus
Plant Beach Panicgrass Panicum amarum
Plant Seashore Dropseed Sporobolus virginicus
Plant Sweetgrass Muhlenbergia sericea
Plant Catbrier Smilax sp.
Plant Pennywort Hydrocotyle bonariensis
Plant Adam's Needle Yucca filamentosa
Plant Prickly Pear Opuntia humifusa
Plant Jumping Cactus Opuntia pusilla
Plant Sea Purslane Sesuvium portulacastrum
Plant Live Oak Quercus virginiana
Plant Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria
Plant Sand Live Oak Quercus geminata

Plant Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens
Plant Carolina Cherry Laurel Prunus caroliniana
Plant Southern Red Cedar Juniperus silicicola
Plant Redbay Persea borbonia
Plant Hercules Club Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Plant Cabbage Palmetto Sabal palmetto
Plant Longleaf Woodoats Chasmanthium sessiliflorum
Plant Saltgrass Distichlis spicata
Plant Black Needlerush Juncus roemerianus
Plant Searocket Cakile endulenta
Plant Seaside Spurge Chamaesyce sp.
Plant Seaside Amaranth Amaranthus pumilus
Invasive Plant Russian Thistle Salsola kali
Plant Basketgrass Oplismenus hirtellus
Plant Whip Nutrush Scleria triglomerata
Plant Slender Woodoats Chasmanthium laxum
Plant Dew Berry Rubus trivialis
Plant Foxtail Grass Setaria sp.
Plant Florida Privet Forestiera segregata
44
Plant Climbing Buckthorn Sageretia minutiflora
Plant Sea Oats Uniola paniculate
Invasive Plant Chinese Tallow Triadica sebifera
Invasive Plant Sand Pine Pinus clausa
Invasive Plant Salt Cedar Tamarix cannariensis
Invasive Plant Common Reed Phragmites australis
Invasive Plant Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipies
Invasive Plant Climbing Fern Lygodium japonicum
Invasive Plant Deep-rooted Sedge Cyperus entrerianus
Invasive Plant Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus glabratus
Invasive Plant Laurel Wilt Raffaella lauricola
Invasive Plant Cogongrass Imperata cylindrica
Invasive
Feral Hog Sus scrofa
Mammal
Reptile American Alligator
Arthropod Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus
Bird Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Bird Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors
Bird Gadwall Mareca strepera
Bird American Wigeon Mareca americana
Bird Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Bird Greater Scaup Aythya marila
Bird Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Bird Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
Bird White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi
Bird Black Scoter Melanitta americana
Bird Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
Bird Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
Bird Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Bird Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Bird Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Bird Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
Bird Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Bird Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Bird Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina
Bird Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Bird Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus
Bird Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
Bird Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
Ruby-throated
Bird Archilochus colubris
Hummingbird
Bird Clapper Rail Rallus crepitans
45
Bird Virginia Rail Rallus limicola
Bird American Coot Fulica americana
Bird American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
Bird Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Bird Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus
Bird Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia
Bird Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Bird Piping Plover Charadrius melodus
Bird Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Bird Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Bird Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
Bird Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Bird Red Knot Calidris canutus
Bird Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Bird Sanderling Calidris alba
Bird Dunlin Calidris alpina
Bird Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Bird Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Bird Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
Bird Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
Bird Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
Bird Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius
Bird Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Bird Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Bird Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Bird Willet Tringa semipalmata
Bird Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Bird Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Bird Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla
Bird Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Bird Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Bird Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Bird Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus
Bird Least Tern Sternula antillarum
Bird Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Bird Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Bird Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Bird Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Bird Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri
Bird Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus
Bird Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Bird Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
46
Bird Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata
Bird Common Loon Gavia immer
Bird Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Bird Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
Bird Anhinga Anhinga anhinga
Bird Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Bird American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Bird Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Bird American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
Bird Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Bird Great Egret Ardea alba
Bird Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Bird Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Bird Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Bird Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens
Bird Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Bird Green Heron Butorides virescens
Bird Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-
Bird Nyctanassa violacea
Heron
Bird White Ibis Eudocimus albus
Bird Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Bird Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Bird Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Bird Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Bird Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius
Bird Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus
Bird Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii
Bird Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Bird Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
Bird Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Bird Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Bird Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
Bird Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Bird Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
Bird Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens
Bird Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
Bird Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Bird American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Bird Merlin Falco columbarius
Bird Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Bird Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens
47
Bird Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
Bird Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Bird Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
Bird Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis
Bird Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
Bird American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Bird Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus
Bird Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
Bird Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor
Bird Purple Martin Progne subis
Bird Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Bird Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Bird Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Bird Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Bird Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
Bird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Bird Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Bird House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Bird Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
Bird Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
Bird European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Bird Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Bird Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
Bird Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Bird Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
Bird American Robin Turdus migratorius
Bird House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Bird House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
Bird Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza maritima
Bird Nelson's Sparrow Ammospiza nelsoni
Bird Saltmarsh Sparrow Ammospiza caudacuta
Bird Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Bird Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Bird Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana
Bird Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Bird Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Bird Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Bird Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Bird Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula
Bird Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major
Bird Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Bird Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
48
Bird American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Bird Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum
Bird Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus
Bird Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
Bird Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica
Bird Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor
Bird Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Bird Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
49
Appendix H - Fishes of Little Tybee Island and Cabbage Island Natural Area

Fish
Species include:
American Eel Anguilla rostrata

American Shad Alosa sapidissima
Atlantic Bumper Chloroscrombrus chrysurus
Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus
Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus
Atlantic Moonfish Vomer setapinnis
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber
Atlantic Stingray Dasyatis sabina
Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus
Atlantic Tarpon Megalops atlantica
Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides
Black Drum Pogonias cromis
Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
Bonnethead Shark Sphyrna tiburo
Bull Shark Carcharhinus leucas
Finetooth Shark Aprionodon isodon
Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum
Harvestfish Peprilus alepidotus
Hickory Shad Alosa mediocris
Hogchoker Trinectes maculatus
Hybrid Striped Bass Morone chrysops x saxatilis
Jack Crevalle Caranx hippos
Ladyfish Elops saurus
Lesser Blue Crab Callinectes similus
Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus
Lookdown Selene vomer
Northern Sea Robin Prionotus carolinus
Oyster Toadfish Opsanus tau
Pinfish Lagadon rhomboides
Red Drum Sciaenops ocellata
Sea Catfish Arius felis
Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus
Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum
Silver Perch Bairdiella chrysoura
Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma
Southern Kingfish Menticirrhus americanus
Southern Stargazer Astroscopus y-graecum
Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus
Star Drum Stellifer lanceolatus
Striped Anchovy Anchoa hepsetus
Striped Bass Morone saxatilis
Striped Blenny Meiacanthus grammistes
Striped Burrfish Chilomycterus schoepfi
50
Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus
Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus
Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis
Weakfish Cynoscion regalis
White Catfish Ameiurus catus
51
Appendix I - Little Tybee Island and Cabbage Island Conservation Easement
52
53
54
55
56
57
Appendix J - Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands Natural Area Heritage Preserve Dedication
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Appendix K - Bird Island Rule
66
Appendix L - Example Prescribed Fire Burn
67
68
69
70
71
72
73

Little Tybee 50yr Management Plan Final

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Little Tybee 50yr Management Plan Final

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MARK WILLIAMS TED WILL

Little Tybee and Cabbage Islands Natural Area

50 Year Strategic Plan

Plan Approved By:

Contributors include the following Department staff:

Jason Lee, Wildlife Conservation Section, WRD, Program Manager

Additional editing and consultation was provided by the following:

Location and Area Significance

Vegetative Communities and Special Use Areas

Vegetation Type Acreage Percentage Land Cover

Wildlife and Fish

b) Waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds- Management of the vegetative community

Appendix A - Lidar based elevations of Little Tybee Island.

Common Name Scientific Name

Winter Waterbird Summary Little Tybee Island

American Oystercatcher 10 64 2 53 6 16 21 7 4 96 115 86 45 2 50 105 10 7 2 16 100 5 23 11 15 13 34

Type Common Name Scientific Name

Plant Sand Live Oak Quercus geminata

Common Name Scientific Name

American Eel Anguilla rostrata

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