PEOPLE & 



PLACES 



Phoebe Wahab examines a plant in the swamp. 



"The marsh is important because it is a nursery area for ducks and 

 fish," says Kershner. "It also filters out pollutants." 



The trail ends at an elevated observation deck that overlooks the 

 Pamlico River and marsh. 



"This is my favorite spot in the park," says Kershner. "It is real 

 peaceful. You can see the marsh and the Pamlico River." 



During the winter months, you can see a variety of birds on their 

 migratory path. In late December, serious bird watchers come out for 

 the Christmas bird count. Last year, bird watchers spotted a bald eagle. 



"It is a big deal to see a bald eagle in the Christmas count," says 

 Kershner. "Usually they just see migratory bird fowl — duck, geese 

 and swan." 



Goose Creek also is a haven for other birds, including barred owls 

 and red-shouldered hawks and summer migrants like prothonotary 

 warblers. 



Along Goose Creek Trail, you can experience the mysterious 

 feeling of the cypress swamp where large cypress trees crowd the 

 muddy water. Sometimes, the swamp is not accessible because of large 

 amounts of rain. 



"The swamp is doing what it is supposed to," says Kershner. "It is 

 like the edge of a soup bowl and collects all the water around it." 



Large bald cypress trees dominate the swamp. Sweet and red bay, 

 swamp cyrilla and sweet pepperbush grow below the cypress trees. 



"The trees have a unique character because of 

 their large knees and flared base at the buttress," 

 says Kershner. 



Near the swamp entrance, a white-tailed deer 

 leaps through the forest. 



Visitors can fish from a beach on the Pamlico 

 River. A trail runs from the road to the beach. 



"This is one of the few public water accesses 

 in Beaufort County," he says. 



Not too far from the beach area, a tiny 

 cemetery commemorates 19th-century residents 

 who are believed to have died from yellow fever, 

 according to Kershner. 



The gravestones are made of both wood and 

 stone. Because the wooden markers have deterio- 

 rated, visitors can no longer read names of the dead. 



"The people were brought across the Pamlico 

 River and buried here to keep the disease from 

 spreading to other people," says Kershner. 



As you walk down a trail to the main park 

 road, you can see an open area where artificial 

 nesting boxes have been inserted in trees to 

 encourage nesting by the endangered red-cockaded 

 woodpecker. 



"It takes more than a year for a red-cockaded 

 woodpecker to create a cavity," says Kershner. 

 "Active nesting colonies are located beyond the park." 



Along the park road, you can spot other wildlife, including 

 snakes, frogs and turtles sunning in their wetland habitat. 



"Goose Creek is a great place to discover the wonderful 

 mysteries within wetlands," says Kershner. And, he adds, exhibits at 

 the Environmental Education Center help visitors interpret wetland 

 areas and understand the importance of wetlands to wildlife — 

 as well as to ourselves. □ 



You can paddle the waters of Goose Creek State Park 

 April 1 during Coastal Plain Waters 2001 . For more 

 information about the research conference, symposium and 

 field trips, visit the Web: www.coastalwaters2001.ecu.edul. 



Goose Creek State Park is in Beaufort County on the 

 north side of the Pamlico River. From Washington, follow 

 U.S. 264 for 10 miles, then turn onto Hwy. 1334 (Camp 

 Leach Road) for 2.5 miles to the park entrance. Park hours 

 vary by season. For more information, call 252/923-2191 

 or visit the Web wnw.ncsparks.net and follow the links to 

 coastal parks and Goose Creek. 



COASTWATCH 29 



