I conducted a winter bird population study (WBPS) in a commercial district of downtown Rockingham, NC. I recorded 44 avian species (40 native suburban adapters, 4 exotic urban invaders) over 10 surveys conducted 20 December 2021 to 19 January 2022 within a 42.4-ha plot containing 25 city blocks. Thirty-one species (including all exotic urban invaders) were residents (74% of observations), whereas 13 native species were winter visitors (26%). Average winter bird species richness was 22.8 and average abundance was 143.5/40 ha. The median difference in species richness and abundance of suburban adapters was greater than exotic urban invaders among all 25 blocks, except species richness in 1 block and abundance in 4 blocks. A vegetation index (measure of the amount of vegetation) was a positive predictor of species richness for all suburban adapters and abundance for 3 species of suburban adapters (Mimus polyglottos [Northern Mockingbird], Cardinalis cardinalis [Northern Cardinal], Thryothorus ludovicianus [Carolina Wren]). Building area was a negative predictor of species richness for all suburban adapters and abundance for Northern Mockingbird. Average abundance was lower than the number of blocks in which each species was detected, except for the 3 most abundant birds (Passer domesticus [House Sparrow], Sturnus vulgaris [European Starling], Zonotrichia albicollis [White-throated Sparrow]) and Bombycilla cedrorum (Cedar Waxwing), all flocking species. Two exotic urban invaders (House Sparrow, European Starling) and 4 suburban adapters (Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Wren, Zenaida macroura [Mourning Dove]) were also among the most abundant species (i.e., those whose average counts were ≥5 birds) and were resident species that nested within the plot the previous breeding season. The degree of compositional change of the avian community during early winter 2021–2022 compared to the last 3 decades was low in downtown Rockingham, NC.

Ctenosaura similis (Black Spiny-tailed Iguana) is native to Mexico and Central America, where it is a wide-ranging habitat-generalist that is well adapted to human-altered environments. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana is considered one of the larger, heavier iguanid species, identified by its coloration and a series of enlarged whorls of spiny scales on the tail. Despite harvest rates for human consumption and the pet trade, Black Spiny-tailed Iguana is currently considered a species of least concern in their native range. There have been several introductions outside of their native range, many of which have become established due to their generalist nature. In Florida, Black Spiny-tailed Iguana was first introduced in 1979 and has been reported in 24 counties. Early removal efforts of other introduced iguanids such as Ctenosaura pectinata (Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguana) and Iguana iguana (Green Iguana) could serve as case studies to develop and implement eradication and management plans for this species. We provide a comprehensive summary of natural history findings on Black Spiny-tailed Iguana, including management methods and potential ecological impacts as an invasive species in the southeastern United States.

Song-type sharing is common within populations of songbirds and often varies among individuals depending on the geographical distance between territories due to differences in song-learning strategies and natal dispersal behavior. Comparing spatial patterns of song-type sharing may allow us to infer song-learning strategies and dispersal behavior for any given species or population. Song learning and dispersal are unknown for Peucaea aestivalis (Bachman's Sparrow), an endemic songbird of the southeastern United States that is declining throughout much of its range and is considered to be near threatened. Our objective was to compare the number of song-types shared among male Bachman's Sparrows to make inferences about song development and dispersal. From 2016 to 2019, we recorded male sparrow songs in 3 different sites in South Florida, and determined song-type repertoires and song-type sharing among males within and between sites by visually comparing individual song spectrograms. Repertoire size varied among individuals and sites. Within sites, sharing did not decline with distance; between sites, sharing correlated with geographic distance between males, with song-type sharing greater at closer distances and lower at farther distances. These data suggest that Bachman's Sparrows may have an extended song-learning period and typically attempt short-distance dispersals from natal areas but disperse farther if suitable and vacant territories are not available nearby.

Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir) has a range that is restricted to high-elevation stands in the southern Appalachian Mountains with few suitable locations. Adelgid piceae (Balsam Wooly Adelgid) depredation that induced high mortality and chronic losses, and other anthropogenic causes, have led to Fraser Fir being designated as an endangered species by the IUCN Red List. There is great interest in restoring Fraser Fir through managed reforestation efforts, especially in protected areas such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To optimize Fraser Fir reestablishment in formerly forested sites, we designed a study to examine reforestation success by comparing survival and growth using treatments including mycorrhizal seedling transplants, local seedling transplants, local soil inocula, and mulching conditions to suppress surrounding vegetation. We found that while some treatments increased seedling survival and growth, any benefit was slight compared to local seedling transplants from adjacent mature Fraser Fir stands and/or local soil inocula. Greenhouse manipulations were more costly and time intensive for very little added benefit. We conclude that transplanting local seedlings with native soil to restore damaged sites provides the maximum return on investment and is a viable option for reforestation of Fraser Fir, but a sufficient local seedling bank may not always be available.

Spilogale interrupta (Plains Spotted Skunk) and other species within the Spilogale genus have often been documented as using burrows for cover; however, schematics of a Plains Spotted Skunk burrow have only been documented once in the literature. While recovering 2 GPS radio transmitters in the Katy Prairie region of Southeast Texas, we excavated 2 active Plains Spotted Skunk burrows. Herein, we describe the schematics of 1 system that likely was excavated initially by a Geomys breviceps (Baird's Pocket Gopher) and the general schematics of a second burrow system frequently used by a different radio-collared individual. Both systems contained an obstructed entrance and a detritus-filled central cavity and were in locations higher in elevation than the surrounding matrix. Our observations further confirm the 3 requirements for Plains Spotted Skunk diurnal rest-location usage—protection from predation, thermoregulatory benefits, and protection from inclement weather—while providing additional insight into the intricacies of the burrow system itself. Further research into the structure of Spilogale burrows is needed to improve future conservation and management efforts of the genus.

We surveyed the flora and fauna of Green Glades Ranches West, a private property located in Hendry County of south-central Florida, in August 2021 as part of a biodiversity field course in wildlife monitoring, ecological surveys, and data analysis. The objective was to establish baseline inventories on existing plants and wildlife including flora, herpetofauna, birds, invertebrates, and mammals for future monitoring of key wildlife species. Some of the general habitat types and vegetation zones that were surveyed included prairies, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, cypress swamp forest, hardwood swamps, and depression marshes. This survey was the first attempt to formally inventory the biodiversity of Green Glades Ranches West, where we documented over 275 different species, including several that are either endangered, threatened, invasive, endemic, or previously unknown to occur in Hendry County. These results highlight the important role of private land holdings, especially those adjacent to statutory protected areas and strategic wildlife corridors, in achieving and supporting regional conservation initiatives and wildlife-management goals.

Hailstorms capable of producing damaging hail ≥2.5 cm in size are rare but can have a significant impact on wildlife, with mortality events well documented with avian species. However, there is still a poor understanding of the impacts damaging hail can have on ungulate survival. We had a unique case study, when a hailstorm produced hailstones up to ∼7 cm in diameter in the area of Camp Hill, AL, and the nearby Auburn Captive Deer Facility (ACF) on 26 March 2023. With the ACF being completely enclosed with fencing, we were able to conduct extensive surveys for mortality cases of Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) shortly after the hailstorm. We detected no cases of mortality attributed to the storm. We speculate that no mortality occurred due to the ACF containing mature forests with adequate overstory that provided structural cover for deer from hailstone strikes. Further examination of the literature found that a substantial proportion of hail-induced mortality has occurred in agricultural areas, wetlands, and grasslands where there was limited to no canopy cover. This result may suggest that deer inhabiting forested regions are at less risk from hailstorms compared to conspecifics inhabiting open habitat.

In 2022, I repeated surveys for nest sites of Sayornis phoebe (Eastern Phoebe) at the same water-based anthropogenic structures (bridges, box culverts) that I had sampled in 2012 and 2016 to re-examine their breeding-range expansion in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. I also sampled additional bridges and box culverts within ∼20 km southeast of the lower boundary of a portion of the original study area. Eastern Phoebes continued to slowly expand their breeding range southeast in a step-wise manner (maximum rate to the breeding-range front of ∼1.9 km y^-1), usually at small concrete bridges without ledges, but only within the Little Pee Dee River sub-basin. This extension of the species range within the original study area included the Town of Dillon, but now reaches further to Lake View, at the confluence of the Middle and Lower Coastal Plain along the Surry Scarp.

For bird species that exhibit comprehensive parental care (e.g., incubation, brooding, and extended parental care post-fledging), protection of self, as well as juvenile offspring, requires parent birds to have separate but overlapping anti-predator strategies during reproductive phases of the annual cycle. Behavior of nesting hen Meleagris gallopavo (Wild Turkey) may vary due to landscape features (e.g., roads, water source, or pastureland), potentially influencing predator encounter rates at the nest and consequently affecting nest survival. We assessed factors affecting nest survival and hen survival during incubation, including temporal patterns of M. g. osceola (Osceola Wild Turkey) and M.g. silvestris (Eastern Wild Turkey) recess behaviors. We used data on recess bouts from 37 hens fitted with global positioning system (GPS) transmitters and 54 confirmed nest attempts in north and north-central Florida to determine the effect of nest attendance on nest survival. On average, hens took 0.89 incubation recess bouts between 0800 and 1800, usually in the afternoon. Hen survival increased with an increase in daily recess bouts, longer daily recess bouts, and later nest incubation-initiation dates, and the probability of nest survival increased when hens took longer afternoon recess bouts. Nest survival was greater in the north-central region. These results indicate increases in recess duration contribute to greater hen and nest survival, which may be due to reduced nest-predator activity in the afternoon at the study sites. We recommend additional research into the relationship between predator activity and nesting Wild Turkeys on managed lands similar to those in our study.

Currently found in less than 3% of its pre-European range, Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) ecosystems are increasingly important for forest-restoration initiatives in the southeastern US. Compared to other areas of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, sites in the Carolina Sandhills often have higher restoration potentials for Longleaf Pine habitat. Distinct sandhill ecology and prevailing biological legacies make Longleaf Pines competitive in this region. Spatial investigations into potential restoration sites are essential preliminary steps to optimize resource allocation for large-scale restoration objectives. This study aimed to illustrate the applicability of various modeling techniques while providing a framework for restoration-parcel identification and selection. We developed multiple weighted spatial multi-criteria decision models to identify Longleaf Pine-restoration sites in the South Carolina Sandhills Wiregrass Gap, an ecologically distinct and understudied region of Longleaf Pine occupancy. Using advanced spatial modeling and analysis tools, we developed a classification system that combined and weighted vegetation cover, land use, and soil property raster data. The models are designed to identify potential sites for restoration, which will ultimately improve resource allocation during the project planning process. We found significant (P < 0.001) spatial clustering of large parcels and 94.7–98.3% pixel similarity between predictive models. An ensemble model, developed by averaging the pixel values of each predictive model, found that Longleaf Pine-restoration potential was highest in large rural parcels primarily east of Kershaw County. Large-parcel clustering and ecological input factors applied to a decision-making model in this study provide a precedent for systematically allocating resources to improve and increase forest restoration and management in South Carolina.

In eastern deciduous forests, fire-disturbance and its ecological implications haven't been heavily studied. In Tennessee, an intensely burned plot of forest (2016) presented a unique opportunity to analyze successional habitat regrowth 2–3 years after a wildfire occurred. To examine post-fire recovery, we observed the diversity of avian species in 1 burned site (1-km transect) and 1 unburned site (690-m transect) during 2018–2019. We used line-transects to examine avian diversity and performed a vegetation analysis to compare the sites. Our results showed that though the unburned site was higher in avian diversity (mean Shannon diversity: 2.844 in unburned vs. 2.521 in burned), the burned site appeared to be suitable habitat for multiple disturbance-dependent avian species. Bird species associated with low to medium vegetation heights and overstory heights and low residual basal areas in early successional forests, such as Setophaga discolor (Prairie Warbler), Passerina cyanea (Indigo Bunting), and Icteria virens (Yellow-breasted Chat), were found only in the burned site, suggesting the fire created suitable habitat for these species, with its average canopy height of 3.55 m and canopy coverage of 18.75%.This study supports the need for greater fire research in Eastern deciduous forests. The results suggest regular fires could create patches of habitats that benefit struggling species of disturbance-dependent birds in this region.

Cetacean mixed-species groups are common around the world, but little is known about how and why they occur. Tursiops truncatus (Common Bottlenose Dolphin) and Stenella frontalis (Atlantic Spotted Dolphin) are delphinidae species that have been sighted, separately, along the southeast coast of Florida. Although these species are observed interacting together in other portions of their range, this is the first report of a known mixed-species group of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins and Common Bottlenose Dolphins off the southeast Florida coast. We observed both foraging and social behaviors using a DJI Mavic Pro 2 drone. The function of mixed-species groups is understudied, yet Florida may provide opportunities for future research.

We verified pre-settlement Sphoeroides spengleri (Bandtail Puffer) larvae by genetic sequencing and herein describe their morphology and pigmentation. The lead author collected the specimens on a North Carolina beach among stranded Sargassum, which may represent the first record of this species in the Sargassum community along the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Cleared and stained specimens exhibited a declivitous vertebral column that has been reported in few other members of the Tetraodontiformes.

Ursus americanus (American Black Bear) and Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator) are sympatric in areas of Florida. During summer, alligators build nest mounds for eggs on freshwater shores, shallow marshes, and tree islands. Biologists have speculated that bears might prey upon alligator nests because of their opportunistic and generalist diet, though such predation in Florida has not been documented in peer-reviewed literature. Herein, we report 3 photographed events of American Black Bear predation on American Alligator nests in Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area, FL. During each event, bears dug into alligator nests and consumed egg contents. The predation events varied in duration from 36 minutes to nearly 5 hours. During 1 event, a female bear consumed alligator eggs alongside 2 cubs of the year. Future research might explore the extent and effect of nest predation on American Alligator populations and the benefits to American Black Bears.