Fauna: Centronyx henslowii

Centronyx henslowii
Henslow’s Sparrow

These adorable little birds can be hard to spot. Not only are the small in stature, they tend to stay hidden, down in grassy areas rather than fly to escape predators. You might not hear them either – they have the shortest call of any North American songbird. It is only two syllables and has been described by some as a “weak hiccup.”

Henslow’s sparrows are migratory, spending their winters in the southeastern United States, including the Ogeechee watershed. They enjoy the marshy lowlands with tall grass and pine flatwoods that dot the area. They feed on the insects-like grasshoppers and beetles-that frequent the same habitat as well as seeds.


Adults stand about 4-5 inches tall and weigh just about half and ounce. There are shades of tan with black stripes, but one way to distinguish them from their cousins is a distinctive olive green patch on their faces. They seem to be monogamous, returning to the same location with the same partner in consecutive years.

This spunky, tiny creature was described and named by J. J. Audubon after his friend John Stevens Henslow (Henslow himself was a teacher and close friend of Charles Darwin).

I obtained the bird represented in this plate opposite Cincinnati, in the State of Kentucky, in the year 1820, whilst in the company of Mr. ROBERT BEST, then Curator of the Western Museum. It was on the ground, amongst tall grass, and exhibited the usual habits of its tribe. … In naming it after the Rev. Professor HENSLOW of Cambridge, a gentleman so well known to the scientific world, my object has been to manifest my gratitude for the many kind attentions which he has shewn towards me. – Plate 70, J.J. Aububon

View: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/henslows-bunting

Henslow’s sparrow faces significant habitat loss, but is not listed as a endangered species, despite it being submitted in 1984. Georgia DNR lists it as “SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need.” Both the midwest prairies that provide breeding grounds and the lowlands that form its winter home are disappearing rapidly. The bird has managed to adapt to some kinds of row crops, like hayfields, but other agricultural and lumbering practices can make things difficult for the bird to find a quiet place to nest and feed. Georgia DNR is also finding some success with managed mowing and prescribed burning practices.

Henslow’s Sparrow – Photo by Dan Vickers via GADNR

RELEASE: GORA Request Reveals Hyundai Trucking Wastewater Offsite

03/06/25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

GORA REQUEST REVEALS HYUNDAI TRUCKING WASTEWATER OFFSITE
Wastewater created by industrial processes failed to meet pretreatment standards

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has been notified that wastewater created by the Hyundai Megasite’s industrial processes has been hauled away via tanker trucks since September 2024. Documents obtained through Georgia Open Records Act (GORA) requests reveal at least four months of trucking wastewater off-site.

The original plan – agreed to by the City of Savannah, Hyundai, JDA, and state and local regulators – was to send the industrial wastewater via miles of purpose-laid pipe to the City of Savannah’s wastewater treatment plant. This process quickly ceased when the wastewater did not meet the agreed-upon pretreatment standards needed for the City’s facilities to be able to effectively receive and safely treat it. The wastewater exceeded acceptable standards for pH, solids, and metals including copper and zinc. As a result, the City rejected further acceptance of the wastewater until it met standards. 

Additionally, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) also became aware of a potential issue with Hyundai’s alternative approach. EPD sent a letter of concern, outlining potential issues with having this wastewater hauled away in tanker trucks, including the need for the wastewater to still meet the pretreatment standards at each individual public treatment facility within the State of Georgia. 

It is unclear where the trucks are taking the wastewater, what pretreatment standards those locations may require, and whether Hyundai can meet those standards or have received the necessary pretreatment permits. However, EPD did issue a Notice of Violation following its initial inquiries with Hyundai. 

Hyundai confirmed that its industrial wastewater was taken away by a number of third-party haulers. Hyundai has also since acknowledged that one hauler was taking the wastewater to a treatment plant that did not have the required permits for industrial wastewater. Hyundai said they ceased using that hauler when they learned of the issue.

Meanwhile, the City of Savannah and Hyundai corresponded on the problems and how to fix them. As of mid-February 2025, it is unclear if the City of Savannah’s pretreatment standards have been met by Hyundai or if the City has begun receiving the wastewater again.

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 20 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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Download PDF of release

Download documents from GORA request (Batch 1)

Download additional documents from GORA request (Batch 2)

Fauna: Platalea ajaja

Platalea ajaja
Roseate spoonbill

The roseate spoonbill is Coastal Georgia’s own flamingo. With its striking pink plumage, distinctive spoon-shaped bill, and graceful demeanor, this elegant bird stands out. Found in coastal marshes, swamps, and other shallow-water environments, they are considered medium-sized wading birds, standing about 2.5 to 3 feet tall with a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet.

Roseate Spoonbill. Darren Clark / Macaulay Library

The roseate spoonbill is a master of subtlety when it comes to its behavior and feeding habits. Somewhat like a pelican, it uses its bill as a specialized tool, and slowly wades through shallow waters. It sweeps its bill from side to side to sift through mud and silt in search of small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. This technique, known as “tactile foraging,” allows the spoonbill to thrive in its habitat, even in areas with murky or tidal waters. Like the flamingo, they get their pink color from the carotenoid pigments in their diet, primarily from crustaceans.

Roseate Spoonbill – Tammy Pick / Audubon Photography Awards

These birds are social creatures, often found in flocks with other wading birds like herons and egrets. They tend to nest in colonies with other birds as well. Their nests can be up to 16 feet high in trees in marshy areas. They lay between 1 to 5 eggs which will hatch in less than a month. The baby birds are white and won’t get their pink color until they start eating wild crustaceans.

Juvenile Roseate Spoonbill – James Rieman / Macaulay Library

By feeding on various aquatic organisms, spoonbills control the populations of various species, which balance the overall health of the ecosystem. Their foraging activities also contribute to the aeration of the water and sediment, promoting nutrient cycling and supporting plant growth.

STATEMENT: Settlement agreement reached between Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Savannah JDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/06/2025
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

STATEMENT: Settlement agreement reached between Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority

On Friday, December 27, 2024, the Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) agreed to dismiss its challenge to the groundwater withdrawal permits issued to Bryan and Bulloch counties on October 7, 2024, after reaching a settlement agreement with the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority (“Savannah JDA”).

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Savannah JDA agreed to facilitate a reduction in a long-term surface water or alternative water solution for the Bryan County Industrial Megasite and associated developments from 25 years to 15 years and to provide for additional water quality sampling from the permitted groundwater wells.

The Ogeechee Riverkeeper and the Savannah JDA remain committed to being responsible stewards of the region’s natural resources while ensuring industrial water needs are met to sustain southeast Georgia’s dynamic economic development climate.

“The Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority will continue to bring better opportunities to those that live in the Savannah region. This includes well-paying jobs and preserving the natural resources that make our region such a wonderful place to live,” said Trip Tollison, Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO and Savannah JDA Secretary/Treasurer.

“This Agreement demonstrates that environmental protection and smart growth are not mutually exclusive,” said ORK Executive Director and Riverkeeper Damon Mullis. “Indeed, this Agreement is a critical first step in ensuring safe and secure water supplies for people, agriculture and industry. Specifically, the shortened timeline and increased monitoring are important first steps in responsible management of our pristine aquifer and prioritizing drinking water and agricultural needs. ORK will continue to work with all regional stakeholders on responsible long range regional water planning.”

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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PDF of release

Winners of the 2024 Annual Photography Contest

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has chosen the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed submitted for the annual photography contest. Judges sorted through images that highlighted what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, ecologically and aesthetically remarkable.

The 2024 winners are: 

Black and White: Timeless Tunnel, Paula Johns
Funny Wildlife: Ride On, Janet Anderson
Landscape: Sunrise on the Vernon, Wanda Turner
Wildlife: Afternoon Snack, Janet Anderson
Portrait: Sunset Paddle, Don Howe
Aerial: Foggy Daybreak, Sydney Warren
Honorable Mention: Morning Dew Dockside Web, Sydney Warren

2024 Annual Photography Contest

All winners and entries are available to view at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or via the Flickr album. ORK has permission from the photographers to share their work. Contact ORK for files to reprint or share in publications.