On August 20, 2011, the Ohio Young Birders Club (OYBC) went outside the realm of ornithology to experience another field: herpetology. Gathering at the Catawba Island ferry dock, the group proceeded to South Bass Island (SBI). After disembarking from the ferryboat, the band of birders, led by club advisors Ken Keffer, Gerry Brevoort, John Sawvel, Tim Daniel, Darlene Sillick, and Susan Setterlin, took the OYBC bus to SBI State Park. Once the unit had assembled at the park shelter house, Kristin Stanford (of “Dirty Jobs” television fame), the Recovery Plan Coordinator of the Lake Erie Water Snake at OSU’s Stone Laboratory, presented an interactive lecture on the snakes found on the Lake Erie islands, as well as data about snakes in general. She also shared the exciting news that the Lake Erie Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon insularum) was taken off the federal endangered species list, as she showed us native snakes, including Brown Snake, Rat Snake, Fox Snake, Blue Racer, and, of course, the Lake Erie Water Snake (LEWS).
Once Kristin laid down a few basic rules about snake catching, the troupe broke into two groups; one following her, and the other following Lisa Brohl, Chair for the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of Black Swamp Conservancy. Following the bagging of the LEWS, the snakes were then “read” for a tag number and, if there was none, one was implanted within the snake. Measuring the length and mass of each snake followed. Upon completion, the herps were put in a closed pillowcase to await release. When all the reptiles had been released, the group went to the Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve for a bird walk led by Lisa Brohl.
LEWS like to lie on, and especially under, large rocks in order to maximize their body temperatures because they are poikilotherms. Poikilothermic organisms are more traditionally known by the terms “cold-blooded” and “ectothermic”, and use external heat sources (like a sunny rock) to warm themselves. The LEWS, having hybridized over the years with their close relative the Northern Water Snake, vary in coloration from the classical full-body gray (termed as “unbanded”), banded, and intermediate. For more information on LEWS, check out the Lake Erie Watersnake Web site (“respectthesnake”).
On behalf of all the OYBC members, I’d like to thank the Island Snake Lady, Kirstin Stanford, for an awesome day spent with snakes and all her work with and on behalf of the conservation of LEWS and their habitat. Thanks also go out to Lisa Brohl, for leading a wonderful island bird walk and helping with the snakes. Lastly, thanks belong to those who make OYBC trips such as these possible: Ken, John, Gerry, Sue, Darlene, Tim, and of course the parents and others who support OYBC members.
Kat Seeley is an OYBC Member. All photos by John Sawvel.
You can check out photos of this event and watch a video about the Lake Erie watersnake.