Dismal Swamp State Park - Ecology

Ecology

Dismal Swamp State Park is much drier than it was in the past. The efforts of man in the last 200 years to drain the swamp have left it drastically altered. Ditches and logging trails have cut off the normal flow of the swamp and created a series of stagnant pools and patches of dry land where continuously water covered swamps once stood. The trees of the area have changed from various types of cypress and other water loving plants to red maple and white cedar.

The white cedar thrives in the peat that is common in the area. These trees provide a habitat for several rare species. Hessel's Hairstreak a species of butterfly that is dependent on the white cedar has been spotted at the park. Black-throated Green Warblers make their nests in the white cedars.

The drained swamp lands have converted to hardwood forests of red maple, Black Walnut, Pawpaw and several species of oak. White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite and marsh rabbits live in the areas along the trails. Blackberry and blueberry patches line the trails. These berries attract a large number of American Black Bears to the area. Other common animals include the Raccoon, Opossum and Gray Fox as well as the occasional Bobcat.

Butterflies are plentiful at Dismal Swamp State Park. Forty-three species have been found in the park, including large numbers of Palamedes, zebra swallowtails, tiger swallowtails and Atlantic holy azures. Several varieties of warbler and vireo are common. Woodpeckers and hawks nest here as do Barred Owls.