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Delaware Audubon adopted the Grass Dale Wetland in 1998, as part of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's "Adopt-a-Wetland" Program.
Grass Dale is a unique area where at least six major habitats are found within a 100-yard radius. Woods, tidal marsh, fresh water pond, hedgerows, meadow and scrub habitats can be observed by walking around the existing track. In combination, the variety and richness of these habitats make Grass Dale very attractive to wildlife. Such easy access to an abundance of wildlife makes Grass Dale an ideal teaching tool.
Data collected from 2002 are available on a CD in Excel or csv retrievable databases. Results can be searched in seven geographical sectors, ten categories of flora and fauna, twenty sub-habitats or any other criteria for information about species that occur at Grass Dale.
Special thanks are due to Peggy Jahn and Andy Urquhart for their time and perseverance, during all kinds of weather, to collect data for this project, and to Dave Brannan for his determination in getting such excellent pictures of the flora and fauna at Grass Dale.
In 2002, Delaware Audubon made 30 visits to Grass Dale for a total of 200+ person-hours.
The catalog of flora and fauna now stands at 134 bird, 84 plant, 47 insect, 16 mammal, 9 amphibian, 1 minnow, and 1 crustacean species.
The number of Purple Loosestrife plants has dwindled to 12 plants from over 100 in 2001.
Species or sub-species noted for the first time in 2002 are: Seashore Mallow, St. Johnswort, Maiden Pink, Dogbane, Indigobush, Red Mulberry tree, Summer Azure butterfly, Eastern Comma butterfly, American Copper butterfly, Ring-necked Pheasant, Blue-winged Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, Blackpol Warbler, Coastal Plan Swamp Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Pickerel Frog, Eastern Mud Turtle and River Otter. The highest number of bird species seen in one data-collecting period early in May was 54.
AmeriCorps personnel helped mark 1008 Bayberry bushes in Sector 4. Originally a field of Multiflora Rose and then a meadow of Goldenrod, more and more Bayberry bushes are appearing in the Sector 4 field. This native species, so beneficial to wildlife, should be preserved. A long-term plan for preserving this resource needs to be developed immediately. Special care must be taken for the duration of any construction at Grass Dale.
Notable events:
February
The fox den was active for a while, but the fox or kits were never observed around the den. A fox walking on the track was a familiar sight. Lots of scat on the track also indicates a healthy fox population continues at Grass Dale.April
An Eastern Mud Turtle was discovered lumbering along on the track. One morning there was a "gigantic muskrat" swimming in the pond. It turned out to be a River Otter.May
The Peregrine Falcon has returned to the Reedy Point Bridge. A Bald Eagle chased an Osprey for the fish it was carrying. A Snapping Turtle held us spellbound as she laboriously laid a batch of eggs.June
Unfortunately, the turtle eggs were dug up and eaten by a fox. The fox left his scat "calling card" so his presence would be known. Dave Brannan took excellent pictures of what we believe to be the Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow, a sub-species of Swamp Sparrow. Given the safe dates and evidence of their presence on subsequent dates, we believe this sub-species is nesting at Grass Dale.July
A fox, a skunk and three deer were observed within a 40-minute period. An amusing incident unfolded when an adult peregrine caught a fish and sat under Reedy Point Bridge to consume it. An immature peregrine chased after the adult throughout this process but knew enough to keep a safe distance while his elder had his meal. The immature objected loudly, screaming the entire time.September
As three deer moved out of the shrubbery, two foxes were playing at the far western end of the Sector 6 meadow. They 'chased mice' and generally cavorted with each other.December
Puzzled at first by hearing Bluebirds everywhere but unable to locate them, only to discover flocks of Bluebirds flying overhead. This made a beautiful symphony of calls.We greatly appreciate the cooperation of Superintendent Becky Webb and her staff at Fort Delaware-Fort DuPont State Park in giving us every possible assistance for this long-term project.
Wildlife continues to use this site at a very high level.
The area surrounding the Grass Dale Center in Fort DuPont State Park, Delaware City, DE, was adopted because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Delaware's Division of Natural Resources and Environmental Control are planning projects that will modify and restore this degraded tidal marsh area to a wetland area of greater biodiversity. The Habitat Suitability Index Models used are for Great Egret, Muskrat, juvenile Atlantic Croaker, Marsh Wren and Black Duck.
Our plans are to document the changes in the flora and fauna as the area changes over time and produce an annual report, which will contribute to existing information about the connections between wildlife and habitat.
– Ann Rydgren
Project Manager
Grass Dale Project
