I have been living and working here at the Eastern 4-H Center now for almost two years, over this time, I have adopted Tyrrell County as home. Because it reminds me a lot of where I grew up, in Gates County living in a swamp is nothing new to me, because my family homestead is within 500 yard of the Dismal Swamp Refuge. But Tyrrell County has one of the most unique ecosystems the - is a Pocosin Wetland.
The term Pocosin is an Algonquian Indian word meaning "swamp on a hill." Though there are no obvious hills, the land is slightly elevated compared to the surrounding landscape. Pocosin wetlands are extremely flat and the natural drainage is poor. The top layer of soil is comprised mostly of organic material, more commonly referred to as peat, varying in thickness throughout the refuge. This organic matter is made up of leaves, sticks and other organic debris that was once submerged in water and decomposed slowly. Once lost, it takes over 100 years to create one inch of peat soil. The pocosin habitat is unique in that it is a fire tolerant shrub/scrub complex with a pond pine over story growing on organic soils with depths up to 12 feet. A large portion of the land that is now refuge had been ditched and drained for farming and mining of the peat soils by previous owners.
The Pocosin is more than just a swamp - it is also habitat for many wildlife. Here are just a few examples of what you my see: Amphibians, Salamanders, Toads and Frogs. Reptiles, Alligators - yes, that's right - including snakes can be found throughout. Mammals that call the Pocosin home include Virginia Opossum. Southeastern Shrew, Least Shrew, Shorttail Shrew, Dismal Swamp Southeastern Shrew, Star-nosed Mole, and Eastern Mole. Bats like the Southeastern Myotis, Silver-haired Bat, Eastern Pipistrel, ect can be seen at dusk. The Carnivores you may get to see, this if you get lucky, are Black Bear, Red Wolf , and also a Raccoon. Rodents that call the Posocin home include Gray Squirrel, Southern Flying Squirrel, Golden Mouse, Rabbits like the Eastern Cottontail and Marsh Rabbit. Then there my favorite Mammals that call this place home - the White-tailed Deer.
Then there also the waterfowl the pocosin provides wintering habitat for - thousands of ducks, geese and swans. Throughout the year over 200 species of birds occur in the abundant habitats found in the Pocosin. For the tundra swan, 90% of their population winter in the eastern North Carolina so there is a large number that find there way to this area.
Enjoy the day...
The term Pocosin is an Algonquian Indian word meaning "swamp on a hill." Though there are no obvious hills, the land is slightly elevated compared to the surrounding landscape. Pocosin wetlands are extremely flat and the natural drainage is poor. The top layer of soil is comprised mostly of organic material, more commonly referred to as peat, varying in thickness throughout the refuge. This organic matter is made up of leaves, sticks and other organic debris that was once submerged in water and decomposed slowly. Once lost, it takes over 100 years to create one inch of peat soil. The pocosin habitat is unique in that it is a fire tolerant shrub/scrub complex with a pond pine over story growing on organic soils with depths up to 12 feet. A large portion of the land that is now refuge had been ditched and drained for farming and mining of the peat soils by previous owners.
The Pocosin is more than just a swamp - it is also habitat for many wildlife. Here are just a few examples of what you my see: Amphibians, Salamanders, Toads and Frogs. Reptiles, Alligators - yes, that's right - including snakes can be found throughout. Mammals that call the Pocosin home include Virginia Opossum. Southeastern Shrew, Least Shrew, Shorttail Shrew, Dismal Swamp Southeastern Shrew, Star-nosed Mole, and Eastern Mole. Bats like the Southeastern Myotis, Silver-haired Bat, Eastern Pipistrel, ect can be seen at dusk. The Carnivores you may get to see, this if you get lucky, are Black Bear, Red Wolf , and also a Raccoon. Rodents that call the Posocin home include Gray Squirrel, Southern Flying Squirrel, Golden Mouse, Rabbits like the Eastern Cottontail and Marsh Rabbit. Then there my favorite Mammals that call this place home - the White-tailed Deer.
Then there also the waterfowl the pocosin provides wintering habitat for - thousands of ducks, geese and swans. Throughout the year over 200 species of birds occur in the abundant habitats found in the Pocosin. For the tundra swan, 90% of their population winter in the eastern North Carolina so there is a large number that find there way to this area.
Enjoy the day...
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