Little St facts for kids
Little St. Simons Island is a special barrier island located off the coast of Georgia (U.S. state). It's one of the least developed places among Georgia's beautiful Golden Isles. This island is huge, covering about 10,000 acres (40 square kilometers) and boasting 7 miles (11 kilometers) of sandy beaches!
Little St. Simons Island sits just east and north of St. Simons Island and Sea Island. It's separated from them by the Hampton River. On the other side, Buttermilk Sound separates it from the mainland's marshes. The Altamaha River flows into the ocean right north of the island. Because the Altamaha River isn't dammed, it keeps bringing new sand and dirt, which helps the island keep growing!
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A Private Island's Story
Little St. Simons Island has been privately owned for a very long time, since 1760. For many years, starting in 1908, it was the private getaway for the Berolzheimer family. In the late 1970s, they decided to share its beauty by opening the Lodge on Little St. Simons.
Today, the island is still very private. You can only get there by boat, and you need to arrange your visit through the Lodge Office. The Lodge offers all-inclusive stays for up to 32 guests, meaning everything from meals to activities is included.
Exploring the Island
When you visit, naturalists (experts in nature) are there to guide you. They can take you on exciting tours like fishing, kayaking, hiking, and biking. You can also go birdwatching, learn about the island's history, or explore its amazing natural environments. If you don't want to stay overnight, you can even arrange a day trip!
Amazing Habitats
Most of Little St. Simons Island is made up of salt marsh. This is a special type of wetland where salty ocean water mixes with freshwater. It's a very important home for many animals.
The island also has a beautiful maritime forest. This forest is filled with trees like cabbage palms, Southern Live Oaks, Red Cedars, Red Bays, Southern Magnolias, and pines. Many of these trees are draped with Spanish Moss, which gives the forest a magical look.
Wonderful Wildlife
Little St. Simons Island is a paradise for birds! More than 334 different kinds of birds have been seen here. Some birds just stop by during their long migrations, while others live on the island all year round.
Birds of the Island
Some of the special birds you might spot include:
- Bald Eagles, which are very majestic.
- Red Knots, small shorebirds that travel long distances.
- Painted Buntings, known for their bright, colorful feathers.
- Roseate Spoonbills, with their unique spoon-shaped bills.
- Black-necked Stilts, with their very long legs.
- Wood Storks, large wading birds.
Beach Life and Sea Turtles
The beaches on the island have untouched sand dunes behind them. These dunes are important nesting spots for various shorebirds like Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers.
From May to September, the island's beaches are checked every day. This is to look for signs of Loggerhead Sea Turtles nesting. These amazing sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand.
Freshwater Ponds and Mammals
Several freshwater ponds on the island provide homes for tree frogs and alligators. These ponds also give drinking water to other animals, including the European Fallow Deer.
Fallow deer were brought to the island a long time ago, in the early 1900s, for hunting. You might see them in three different colors: solid white, dark chocolate, or tan with white spots.
Ocean and River Animals
If you enjoy fishing, the tidal creeks and ocean surf around the island are great places to catch fish like redfish, black drum, flounder, and speckled trout.
In the waters just off the shores, you might see otters playing, dolphins swimming, and even right whales in the inlets and open waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Who Owns the Island?
The very first owner of Little St. Simons Island was Samuel Ougspourger, who bought it from King George II in 1760. Later, the island was owned by Pierce Butler, who ran a rice plantation there.
Today, the island is owned by the relatives of Philip Berolzheimer, who bought the island in 1908. It is also partly owned by Henry Paulson, a former U.S. Treasury Secretary, and his wife Wendy.
