Hickory Top WMA Clean-up 14-April-2026

       On April 14th it was back to Hickory Top Wildlife Management Area. This time it was going to be a more enjoyable clean-up. I love being out on the water and going this route turns a chore into something fun. I was still trying to formulate a plan, which at this point I don't think I will be coming up with. This task is just going to be repetition and continually doing clean-ups like this to get as much of Hickory Top done as possible. I could start at one end and work my way down the shore to the other, but due to limited access points this isn't really possible. 

      This like the previous day would give me an idea of access points for the shore along the lake. Much of this area is a Cypress-tupelo edge and there are only limited spots where I can paddle through the trees. Water depth also will play a role in future clean-ups here. Higher water will allow me to access more areas by canoe and extreme low water will allow access by foot at least is some areas. 

 

       The first piece of trash picked up was a floater. Still sealed, still floating after more than 30 years. Plastics do degrade into smaller plastics, but it does take a long time. I hope that at least a few parents see these photos of old soda bottles and use them to explain to their kids what they were like back in the day. Even now I think, why did the bottles have an extra plastic bottom to them and why weren't they just molded?

       This shows the accessibility issue. That cooler I couldn't get on this trip, but could be an easy grab if the water was higher or lower. 

      At the start this trip wasn't very productive. I was limited to the floating trash on the edge, like this Cook Out hot dog container. 
 

        This piece of insulation was the first larger object I was able to reach. 

     Picked from the cypress and put in the boat.

       At places where the cypress was too thick to paddle through I went back out on the lake. From a distance I saw more than one Osprey nest atop trees out in the lake. If you are out on a boat please observe these nests from a distance during late winter and spring. 

     When I had talked to the DNR, I let them know that there are at least two buoys back in this area and I offered to get them out for them. I had seen them previous trips out and I remembered them being in better condition than this. The DNR didn't want them and an officer did say I can remove them. I thought they were going to be too big for my car, but I think this one will fit. I am not sure if I can get it out, it may still be attached to a line that could be caught up and prevent its removal. I did not find the second one I know I had seen before. 

Throughout the paddle I ran into a couple mixed species flocks. Birds of different species that forage together as a group. This Swamp Sparrow was in one of these patches of birds. 

      Right after photographing the Swamp Sparrow, I saw my first Prothonotary Warbler of the year. When you enter their territory they will often come in relatively close to check you out. At this time of year they are arriving to the area and establishing their territories. In several instances I had one come in and another immediately chase it off. 

      Yellow-crowned Night Herons also like to forage in these Cypress-tupleo edges. This one just watched as I paddled by. 

      At a few spots I was able to find dry land next to the edge and get out. Here it looked like someone else did the same thing, but to drink and just left beer cans. They did not look washed up. I got out a bag and started picking up. 
 

      If you see these areas from a distance, from out on the lake or even satellite images on google maps, you might have a perception that they are pristine and they certainly are not. All these plastics were removed. 

      It is always a mystery as to what might be under trash items when you pick them up. This plastic shell was large enough there could be a watersnake or cottonmouth underneath it, so it was removed with caution. It was just mud underneath. 

 

       After the first land stop the front was starting to fill up. The goal for the day was two bags, so I was about half way there. 

      A gator in the distance taking a look at me. Anywhere on the lake you need to be mindful that they may be in the water. Each individual is different, but most will stay away from you. I have had a couple times when I have been out and they do follow the canoe, but always at a distance. 

      Like the trash, dead fish and animals will wash up in these areas. This Turkey Vulture was checking something out along the edge. 

      From a distance I spotted this emergency paddle. These will float for awhile, but often fill with water over time and will sink. This will not go to the dump and I will try to find a new home for it, I don't have any use myself for a tiny paddle.

      At this point I turned around. I had one place I wanted to stop on the way back where I thought I could easily get out and did see a lot of trash. 

       This is what greeted me at the final land stop. Right away I got to work making a pile to be bagged. 

It looks like someone was happy I was doing this clean-up.

       After this was bagged up it was time to call it a day and head back to the launch. I got my goal for the day and found a few access points I can further explore for future clean-ups. 

        If you ever paddle through one of these Cypress-tupelo areas, be mindfull of the overhanging Spanish Moss and Cypress branches. I have learned the hard way that there are paper wasps that will make nests in them. If you hit brush into them, you will be stung. I did see a couple of these nests on the trip, next time I am out I will try to get a photo of them. It is something that can ruin a nice day on the water. 

Nearing the end.

      Close to the launch I hit another mixed species flock. This Red-eyed Vireo came in to take a look. Sometimes birds seem as interested in looking a people as some people are at looking at them. 

Northern Parula.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Female Red-winged Blackbird.

        This Prothonotary Warbler coming in above me and giving me a close look ended this clean-up on a high note. Trash was removed and I got to see a good amount of wildlife along the paddle. 

Everything from both bags removed.

Bag #1.

Bag #2

      I am almost caught up and once I am I will be out for more clean-ups and will start putting up more current content. I hope you enjoyed the post.