Author: Matthew Humphrey

A Cottage Colony Christmas

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Patrick Carmody, JIA Museum Educator

Have you experienced the festivities and fun of Holly Jolly Jekyll during the Christmas season? Over the years, the exhibits have become more elaborately decorated across the Island, from the sparkling lights of the beach village to the twelve days of Christmas on Shell Road to the awe-inspiring light displays on the unique buildings in the National Historic Landmark District, there’s so much to see and experience on Jekyll for the holidays!

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum is the launching point for several holiday themed events. For Mosaic’s daytime offerings, check out Holidays in History, where a tour of the Historic District is adorned with holiday cheer, sprinkled with amusing Christmas facts, and you will have the opportunity to stroll through a cottage with halls decked out in glorious Gilded Age tradition. These experiences are offered daily starting November 29th through January 5th.

Once the sun sets, the excitement of Christmas time comes to life. The colorful lights of Jekyll Island brighten everyone’s winter. The displays across the island are incredibly vibrant with colorful lights greeting you as soon as you turn onto the causeway where the towers  are newly garlanded in ornamental decor. Within the comfort of your car, there are several fantastic displays to see from the roads of Jekyll, with one of the standouts in several areas being the Live Oaks covered in a spectacular amount of soft white lights.

In the National Historic Landmark District, park your car and explore the nightly lights in a more intimate fashion. One of the best ways to explore the cottages across the District is on board the Holly Jolly Trolley! A classic of any visit in December, ride onboard one of Mosaic’s iconic Trolleys to see the gilded-age cottages decorated in their season’s best. These tours will be running on select nights of the season, starting the day after Thanksgiving and running through January 5th. 

If you’ve enjoyed the classics before and want to try something new and different, why not try the new Holly Jolly Scavenger Hunt? The Holly Jolly Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided walking tour that you complete at your own pace, with fun to be had for the whole family! Starting from Mosaic, the Scavenger Hunt will take you across the Historic District. There are fun clues to solve at some of the most iconic sites, highlighted by Christmas décor.  Those who triumph will earn the 1st annual Holly Jolly Collector’s pin! There are ticket options for individuals or for the whole family to join in the excitement.

With all these great offerings and so much to see, Jekyll Island truly is a winter wonderland for every member of the family! Have a Holly Jolly Christmas on Jekyll Island.

Birding for Beginners

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Yank Moore, JIA Director of Conservation

Birding on Jekyll Island: A Beginner’s Guide

Birding is a rewarding and enriching hobby that connects individuals with nature. For beginners, diving into the world of birding can be both exciting and overwhelming. Jekyll Island is a birder’s paradise offering over 300 documented species. From tiny Northern Parulas to majestic American White Pelicans, this barrier island is teeming with avian life. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting out, Jekyll provides a diverse and accessible environment for observing these fascinating creatures.

Where to Spot Birds

  • Viewing Platform: Located behind Guest Information at the entrance to the gate.
  • St. Andrews Beach Viewing Platform: Located at the end of the Wanderer Memorial Trail, this platform offers stunning views of the beach and its birdlife.
  • Horton Pond Viewing Platform: A great spot for observing waterfowl and other water-loving birds.
  • ME Thompson Memorial Bridge Deck: This elevated walkway provides opportunities to see birds in the surrounding marsh and woodland habitats.
  • Bike Trails: Jekyll Island’s extensive network of bike trails offers many opportunities for birdwatching as you explore the island.

Tips for Beginner Birders

  • Start with the Basics: Familiarize yourself with common bird species in your area by investing in field guides or downloading birding apps. These resources can help you identify birds based on their appearance, habitat, and behaviors.
  • Practice Patience: Birding requires patience and attentiveness. Spend time quietly observing your surroundings, listen for bird calls, and scan the area with your binoculars. Remember, birds may not always be immediately visible, so patience is key.
  • Choose the Right Time and Place: Birds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Plan your birding expeditions during these times for the best chance of spotting a variety of species. Visit a variety of habitats, such as forests, wetlands, and coastlines, to encounter different species.
  • Respect Wildlife and Habitat: Observe birds from a distance to avoid disturbing them or their habitats. Stay on designated trails, refrain from making loud noises, and follow local regulations for wildlife observation. Jekyll is a State Park with a goal for visitors and wildlife to coexist without conflict.
  • Embrace the Adventure: Birding is more than just checking off a list of species. It’s about immersing yourself in nature and appreciating its beauty. Approach with a sense of curiosity, enjoy the journey, and discover the wonders of the natural world.

Supporting Bird Conservation on Jekyll

The Jekyll Island Authority’s Conservation team has been dedicated to bird conservation for over a decade through research, monitoring, and habitat restoration. The Jekyll Island Foundation has been a vital partner in supporting these efforts. If you’d like to contribute to bird conservation on Jekyll, click here.

Meet Our Donors: The Olsons

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Louise and Scott Olson traveled 1,100 miles from their home in northern Illinois to Jekyll Island, leaving behind their fast-paced suburban lifestyle. In 2018, during a rain-soaked trip to the north Georgia Mountains in their motor home, Louise did a Google search for a “coastal campground with a dog-friendly beach” and found sunny weather at Jekyll Island. They quickly packed up and by the end of the day, had crossed the causeway, the first of many, a moment that would define an important chapter in their lives.

They stayed at the campground for ten days, arriving during vintage camper weekend. The campground’s ambiance, despite the gnats, the friendliness of fellow campers, and the passion of those who restored vintage campers, immediately drew them in. It was a unique camping experience. The proximity to the beaches and the joy of enjoying them with their three Goldendoodles made for the perfect recipe for fun and relaxation.

Inspired by their experience, they returned in early 2019 with plans to purchase a second home nearby for retirement. Soon after, Scott retired, and they relocated permanently from their lifelong Midwestern home.

As a child, Louise’s family vacations focused on historical trips to the mid-Atlantic and northeast. Her mother meticulously researched historical sites and typed detailed day-by-day overviews of their visits. Louise still has these booklets and marvels at the time and effort her mother put into preparing them. This fueled Louise’s love for visiting historical sites.

Louise and Scott sought opportunities to learn about the history of Jekyll Island and began contributing to the Jekyll Island Foundation (JIF) to help with the island’s preservation. Louise’s employer, Discover Financial, matched their donations. The island’s rich historical significance, coupled with its natural beauty, soon drew Louise and Scott to visit regularly from their nearby home. They celebrated special occasions at the island’s restaurants and enjoyed live music venues.

In early 2023, Scott lost a brief, hard-fought battle with a recurrence of gastric cancer. They had married just seven years earlier and enjoyed many travel adventures, but none more frequently than to Jekyll Island.

To honor Scott, Louise reached out to JIF discuss a tribute and find an available bench. In late 2023, Louise, her family, and friends gathered to dedicate the bench. “I find great peace and energy at the bench and have met others who share their love for particular benches for various reasons. Each bench has a beautiful story to tell,” Louise said.

In this new chapter of her life, Louise finds comfort and safety on solo visits to the island whether dining out at the Wharf and enjoying live music, visiting the [Georgia Sea] Turtle Center and Horton Pond, joining ranger-led nature walks, or riding along on the [Landmark Trolley] history tour. The historical tours and the [Georgia Sea] Turtle Center are her passions. Now, newly retired, she hopes to one day become a volunteer.

Pumps Make the Water Go Round

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Rachel Overmeyer, GSTC Rehabilitation Program Manager    

When guests walk into the hospital pavilion at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC), not only will they find sea turtles, but also a massive amount of…water. Water may seem like a strange thing to notice, but water, and more importantly the quality of that water, is essential to the care of the patients. Proper nutrition and medical care go hand in hand with water quality to give patients the best care that they need.

The GSTC places a strong emphasis on water quality to ensure the health and recovery of its sea turtle patients. The water in the tanks is meticulously monitored and maintained, with key parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ozone, and chlorine levels being crucial for the well-being of the turtles. These parameters are part of the marine nitrogen cycle, and their buildup can be harmful to the animals.

To manage water quality, the GSTC uses a sophisticated system of pumps and filtration loops. Each tank system has four pumps that continuously move water through three different filtration loops, ensuring it is clean and safe before returning to the tank. These pumps are essential for maintaining the water’s cleanliness but are subject to wear and tear, similar to car engines.

Additionally, the GSTC uses a heat exchanger to regulate the water temperature, which is vital for sea turtles as they are ectotherms, or cold-blooded animals, and cannot regulate their own body temperature. This system helps in gradually warming up cold-stunned turtles or maintaining the optimal temperature for other patients.

The recent purchase of new centrifugal pumps, seal kits, and a heat exchanger, funded by the Jekyll Island Foundation, highlights the vital importance of donor contributions.

If you’re interested in supporting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click HERE, or learning more about the Jekyll Island Foundation, visit jekyllislandfoundation.org.

Meet Our Board: Nancy Coggins Seymour

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

In 2015, I reached out to my friends Jones Hooks and Woody Woodside with exciting news: Joel and I were on the hunt for a second home on the coast, and Jekyll Island was at the top of our list. My connection with Jones goes way back to our days on Capitol Hill—Jones with Congressman Bo Ginn and me with Senator Herman Talmadge. Fast forward nearly fifty years, and it’s thanks to Jones, his wife Stephanie, and the late Woody Woodside that Joel and I decided to make Jekyll our part-time home. Their friendship has been a treasure over the years. 

In 2017, Joel and I found our dream home at The Cottages at Jekyll Island and began living there part-time. The community at The Cottages welcomed us with open arms, and I’ve made lifelong friends who have shown me a few of the island’s hidden gems: the oldest tree, the grandmother’s tree, the tree you can stand under, the Silo, and the bird sanctuary in the Jekyll Island Campground. 

Once settled, I asked Jones, then the Executive Director of the Jekyll Island Authority, if there were any special projects he was passionate about that hadn’t made it through the budget. He mentioned several, and I was immediately on board: preserving the Chichota Cottage ruins, building a bioswale along Beachview Drive at Tortuga Jacks to prevent flooding, planting wildflowers on the Downing Musgrove Causeway to beautify the drive and promote pollination, and refurbishing the Captain Wylly Pond for beautification and as a haven for turtles and birds.  

Joel retired in 2020 and, sadly, passed away at the end of 2023. I retired in June 2024 and look forward to spending more time on Jekyll. Our favorite memories were our beach walks at sunrise and sunset. My favorite routes are from The Cottages north to Driftwood Beach, north to the Fishing Pier, and west from Driftwood Beach to the bike trail through the marsh to the Fishing Pier, all while enjoying the birds and their songs. 

On June 8, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, we dedicated a bench in Joel’s and my honor. Though Joel was no longer with us, his spirit was present. I chose a beautiful spot under a large oak canopy with hanging Spanish moss near the entrance to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The plaque reads: 

Supporting various JIF projects has been a source of pride, but my true passion lies with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC). Turtle season is my favorite time of year. There’s nothing more thrilling than tracking nesting sea turtles, watching a turtle lay her eggs, observing GSTC staff take nest inventories, and witnessing a ‘Turtle Boil’—when hundreds of hatchlings emerge from their nest and make their way to the ocean.

Meeting the dedicated GSTC staff, including director Michelle Kaylor, veterinarian Dr. Sean Boylan, and the entire hospital and education team, especially the Night and Day Ride with Patrol teams, has been a joy. 

Giving back brings me immense pleasure, whether it’s to my local Elberton community, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Elbert Memorial Hospital where I worked for 25 years, or enhancing the beauty of Jekyll. I’m thrilled to support the Jekyll Island Foundation and work with new-found friends like JIF executive director Dion Davis and executive assistant Matt Humphrey. They do an incredible job, and JIF and its Board Members have made a significant impact on Jekyll Island over the years. 

The Foundation and Board are truly dedicated to their mission of conservation, preservation and education on and for Jekyll Island. I am honored to be part of this exceptional group of people from across Georgia and beyond. I encourage you to get involved with the Foundation and support the fantastic work they do. 

The campaign to rescue Jekyll Island’s Muhly Grass Meadows Continues!

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Joseph Colbert, JIA Wildlife Biologist & Yank Moore, JIA Director of Conservation 

The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) Conservation team is very excited to share that by the end of 2024, through a partnership with Birds Georgia (formerly Georgia Audubon), Jekyll Island’s restored Muhly Grass Meadows is expanding! 

Beginning in 2022, Birds Georgia planted 7.4 acres of Muhly Grass Meadows between Tortuga Jacks and the Holiday Inn Resort (see blue section of map). By the end of 2024, additional plugs will be planted adjacent to the Holiday Inn Resort, just east of the bike path (see orange section of map). During the second leg of the restoration project, 4.2 acres turf grass will be replaced with 24,000 muhly grass plugs and other flowering plants, benefitting a wide variety of wildlife species. This will complete the grassland restoration project for this section of the island, allowing the conservation team to focus their attention on natural areas. Funding for the natural areas phase will be provided through the Jekyll Island Foundation’s ongoing Acres and Acres of Muhly Grass campaign.  

Muhly Grass Meadows occur naturally in dunes just beyond the beach and are considered a globally imperiled plant community, declining significantly across their range in the past several decades. This is especially true on Jekyll where there remains less than one acre of naturally occurring Muhly Grass Meadow. These meadows are threatened by increased coastal flooding events and succession or transition into less desirable habitats, making restoration an urgent and timely activity for JIA to address.  

This recent restoration project, implemented through Birds Georgia, has been very successful so far, but this is only the beginning of an expansive, island-wide restoration campaign focused on this habitat type. In the years to come, using the funds from the Acres and Acres of Muhly campaign, the conservation team will continue expanding Muhly Grass Meadows in naturally occurring dunes across the island where they would have been found historically. Forty acres of space on the southern section of Jekyll Island has been identified as a high priority to rescue, restore, and establish Muhly Grass Meadows. With your help and financial support, the Conservation team will turn this dream into a reality!  

We’re very grateful for funding support from donors like you, that will make this restoration campaign a major conservation success story by rescuing this beautiful and productive globally imperiled habitat from going extinct on Jekyll Island.  

Living in History

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Patrick Carmody, Museum Educator

The staff of Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum live and breathe history every day. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that some tour guides have stepped into the role of the very historical figures they speak about. Mosaic has offered several dynamic living history programs over the years that have seen a growing interest from visitors. The roles are varied in style and charisma, with interpreters finding a personal connection to these historical figures. Perhaps a similarity in life story, a fascination with that person’s life, or maybe an appreciation for what they accomplished in life, each guide finds a way to bring that character to life.

One of the most vibrant living history characters portrayed has been Ernest Grob, Club Superintendent for the Jekyll Island Club for 42 years beginning in 1889. In tours surrounding his life, the stories told by Mr. Grob would refer often to the work being done in and around the district under his watchful eye.  Ernest Grob may seem niche as a historic figure, but his impact on Jekyll Island in the Club era was immense.  Letters regarding daily life, operational needs, and complaints paint life on the Island in a very colorful manner. The character has been portrayed by Will Story, Museum Manager as part of the Gilded Age Ghosts and Ghouls program offered each Fall.

Women’s history month in March depicts another unique perspective showcasing Jean Struthers of Moss Cottage. Emily Robertson, former Lead Interpreter of Mosaic, brought Jean to life and entertained guests in Moss Cottage with tales of life at the Club. She shared gossip surrounding herself, friends she had on Jekyll Island, what was happening out in the world of the early turn of the century, and her family’s personal history at this world-renowned vacation destination.  Mrs. Struthers also appeared most recently in an after-hours program where she is having a conversation about current events with her neighbor Joseph Pulitzer.

Under the guise of checking in on the Indian Mound Cottage, Mr. J.P. Morgan Jr., or Jack as he preferred to those who knew him well, strutted the lawn of the Sans Souci once again. J.P. Morgan Jr. was after all, President of the Club in that time period, so it made sense for him to be browsing about and checking on the furniture and buildings progress. Jack’s history was particularly a strong fascination as the result of tour guide Tim Maki, who conducted extensive research into the role as well as shaved his beard to match the accuracy of Jack’s appearance. Jack’s history was celebrated with a program as a part of the lobby exhibit at that time, the Morgan Family Spotlight which you can read about more here.

The support of the Jekyll Island Foundation and Friends of Coastal Georgia History allow us to step back into the ages that came before our own.  For the tour guides at Mosaic, the past comes to life from the pages of history. Visitors to the Island are able to experience the rich history when guides don their period attire and take on these larger-than-life roles. To partner with the historic resources team to bring history to life, click HERE.

Diamondback Terrapin Nesting Season – Coming to a Close

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Information provided by Davide Zailo, GSTC Research Program Manager

Final Update – July 26, 2024

  • First Terrapin Encounter: May 1, 2024
  • Most recent terrapin encounter: July 21, 2024 – 10:19 am
  • Total encounters: 492
  • Number of Unique Individual Terrapins:  ~ 393
    • Terrapins can nest multiple times per year. GSTC teams recaptured two terrapins, four times this season, and 27 individuals were captured at least twice this season.
  • Terrapins alive, uninjured: 388 (79%)
  • Terrapins hit by car: 104 (21%)
    • 10 undergoing rehabilitation at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
    • 248 eggs saved from 50 hit-by-car terrapins. These eggs are currently being incubated. 70 have hatched.

* Remember that swerving to miss terrapins and/or exiting a vehicle to assist a terrapin are both significant hazards, and you should prioritize your own safety on the road. Should you see a terrapin, or have a concern, please alert GSTC staff directly using the Terrapin Hotline at 912-270-8865.

GIVE NOW

Thank you for your support and assistance during this busy season!

With the overwhelming majority of terrapin nesting complete, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) is calling an official end to a successful 2024 Diamondback terrapin nesting season. In the coming weeks, an occasional nesting female may be found, and hatching will be occurring in nests along the causeway. Some of the hatchlings will dig their way out immediately; others will remain approximately six inches underground and emerge as winter is ending.

Since 2007, GSTC has worked to quantify and mitigate terrapin road mortality. Throughout the nesting season of May through July, GSTC staff regularly monitor the causeway to perform a census of the terrapins.

Injured animals receive treatment at the GSTC Hospital, while uninjured individuals are uniquely marked and released away from the road. These marked terrapins are key to understanding the proportion of the nesting population which succumbs to road mortality, and the information is used to assess whether the population is growing, stable, or declining.

A little history about Davide Zailo….

Between 2014-2016 Davide was awarded a student assistantship at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center while working towards a master’s degree in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development at the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology. During his assistantship, which was funded by JIF and a Coastal Incentive Grant from GDNR via NOAA, Zailo studied the movements and behavior of priority turtle species on Jekyll. Support from JIF donors funded the purchase of much-needed research equipment including a drone and GPS tracking equipment. The drone and GPS methods Zailo produced have been utilized by researchers studying a variety of wildlife throughout North America. After a brief stint with the Georgia DNR in winter 2020-2021 working with North Atlantic Right Whales, Davide returned to the GSTC and is currently the Center’s Research Program Manager, leading a staff of eight research technicians.

Flora and Fauna

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Joseph Colbert CWB®, Wildlife Biologist & Yank Moore, Director of Conservation

As spring moves into summer, plant growth is in full swing and sun-loving flowers are in bloom. The causeway pollinator plantings are no exception. Careful planning of species selection by Jekyll Island Authority’s (JIA) conservation staff gives an array of color combinations that will continue to change, flourish, and bloom. Throughout the year, these beauties provide a fresh and unique color palette for every season along with different flower shapes, heights, and sizes.

Spring has enjoyed a great production of spiderworts, phlox, primroses, and blanket flowers which provide an appealing medley of rich blue, white, red, and pink flowers. Moving into warmer months, plains coreopsis, black and brown-eyed susans, and a second flush of blanket flowers will yield various shapes and sizes of yellow and orange.   

Visitors and residents have expressed positive feedback and gratitude for the attractive and colorful native plants that grow and bloom along the causeway. Of course, no one is more grateful than the bees, beetles, butterflies, and a variety of other pollinators who gather nectar, pollen, and other critical resources for their survival. These seemingly insignificant ‘bugs’ play a critical role in plant life survival along with helping to provide summer favorites such as berries, summer vegetables, and melons. JIA’s conservation staff is pleased to help nurture such a valuable resource that appeals both to people and the diverse wildlife that call Jekyll Island home.

This project supports JIA’s mission of responsible preservation, maintenance, and care of wildlife diversity. We are grateful to the generous donors of the Jekyll Island Foundation for helping to make this possible.

To give to conservation projects that help restore habitats and contribute to the ecological enhancement of wildlife diversity on Jekyll Island, click HERE.