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the Soque River -
Fauna
The Soque River
provides a home for various species of wildlife. From insects to
mammals, all the creatures of the watershed play an important role.
Here we provide some information regarding those creatures and pictures taken by wildlife enthusiasts.
 If you have a picture of a native Soque animal, please
feel free to email it to us and provide your information so we can credit
you as the photographer.
srwa@soque.org |
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Adult Dragonfly |
American Salmonfly Pteronarcys dorsata
Stoneflies like the American Salmonfly
are indicators of excellent water quality. They require
clean, cold water with high levels of dissolved oxygen and little
to no pollution. The health of streams and rivers may be
evaluated by examining the diversity, abundance, and pollution
tolerance of aquatic insects like this one. |
Bachman's Sparrow
Aimophila aestivalis
The Bachman Sparrow is the only
sparrow found exclusively in the United States. Most
populations are found in a pine woods/wiregrass environment.
Our watershed is at the northern end of this bird's range.
These ground nesters have suffered from habitat loss due to
development as well as fire suppression. The decline in
their numbers and secretive nature makes encounters with these
birds rare. Photo by James F. Flynn Jr. |
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Damselfly |
| Dragonfly Nymph |
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Grey Squirrel
Photo by Lane Gresham |
Shovel Nose Salamander Desmognathus marmoratus
The Shovel Nose Salamander is
one of Georgia's only fully aquatic salamander species. It
is found in headwater streams in our watershed like Baker Branch
and the three prongs of the Left Fork Soque River. These
creatures are nocturnal feeders and seek refuge under rocks in
fast-moving water during the day. |
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis
The Brook Trout
is
Georgia's only native trout species. It is found primarily
in small, headwater streams in our watershed (tributaries to the
Right Fork and Left Fork Soque River and Raper Creek). Brook
trout populations have suffered from human activities that have
affected their habitat. They also declined due to
competition for food and habitat with introduced sport fish
species like rainbow and brown trout. A collaborative effort
between GA Department of Natural Resources, the US Forest Service
and Trout Unlimited is underway to maintain and restore
populations and habitat for these native Georgians. For more
information on how to support these efforts, see
www.georgiatu.org and help
"Back the Brookie". |
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