Deadman Island/Long Reef

Dredge spoil island consisting of dredge material and oyster shell. Vegetation consists mainly of annual forbs including sunflower and halophytes.

Ornithological Summary

Important colony island for many ground-nesting birds icluding Sandwich Tern, Gull-billed Tern, and Black Skimmer. Also usually has several breeding pairs of American Oystercatcher.

Conservation Issues

Primary threats are disturbance of nesting birds, erosion and subsidence, tropical storms

Ownership

Leased by Audubon Texas for habitat protection and enhancement for colonial waterbirds. Owned by Texas General Land Office.

Habitat

Dredge spoil island consisting of dredge material and oyster shell. Vegetation consists mainly of annual forbs including sunflower and halophytes. Important for ground-nesting colonial waterbirds, especially terns and skimmers.