Eight SIB members traveled to the Center for Birds of Prey on Friday September 23rd, to volunteer as observers during the annual South Carolina Coastal Raptor Migration Survey. They joined shift leader Stephen Schabel to count migrating hawks from the observation platform on site. During the three hour observation period, the group documented the following migrating raptors:
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Unidentified 1
Although we didn’t see the volume of raptors as can be seen at places like Hawk Mountain in PA, the group was thrilled to spend time assisting Stephen and learning from his extensive knowledge of Accipiters, Buteos, Falcons and Ospreys. And of course we enjoyed the resident Vultures – both Black and Turkey.
The annual survey runs September 1st through November 30th and SIB has arranged for its members to volunteer on two additional dates. Please sign up and see additional details using the links below:
- Saturday October 22, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Volunteer at Hawk Watch
- Thursday November 17, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Volunteer at Hawk Watch
Additional Bird Sightings during our morning Hawk Watch:
Wild Turkey 4
Wood Stork 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Anhinga 6
Great Egret 2
Cattle Egret 5
White Ibis 1
Black Vulture 11
Turkey Vulture 37
Forster’s Tern 1
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Painted Bunting 4
