February 15, 2017

Great Backyard Bird Count
Friday February 17 – Monday February 20

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual event sponsored by the National Audubon Society and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is free and allows birders of all levels to participate. Learn more about the GBBC here, including results from the 2016 event, how to download helpful FREE apps like the Audubon’s Bird Guide, Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin to assist in identifying birds and eBird to track the birds you are seeing. If you missed it, the Post & Courier published an article you can read here.

The Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) has scheduled a “Big Bird Day” to coincide with the GBBC and the Owners Weekend on Seabrook Island on Sunday, February 19. Please register for one or all of the Learning Together walks scheduled below to participate in the fun.

Sunday February 19, 2017
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM:
Learning Together at Jenkins Point
Meet at the Lake House and car pool to Jenkins Point to check out the birds that frequent the lagoons along the way. This “walk” will be primarily by car with minimal walking. Gearge Haskins will lead this walk.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM:
Learning Together at Palmetto Lake

Marcia Hider and Judy Morr will lead a walk around the Palmetto Lake. The walk will begin at the Lake House parking lot and continue around the building then around the lake. A good variety of birds will hopefully be spotted.

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM:
Learning Together at North Beach

Aija Konrad will lead the group on a walk to see the numerous shore birds. The group will work together to identify those hard to distinquish plovers and sandpipers. The walk is scheduled around the 2:19 high tide when the birds will be consolidated on a narrower beach.

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM:
Learning Together at Horse Pastures

Judy Morr will lead a group meeting at the Equestrian Center. Starlings and Cowbirds plus numerous other birds can be expected. A large number of birds will likely be seen near the parking area but then a walk along the horse trail to the maintenance area may be added to see a different variety of birds.

Monday February 20, 2017
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM:
Learning Together at the Golf Course

An additional Learning Together has been scheduled on Crooked Oaks when the course is closed. Along the way we hope to see the fledging eaglets in their new nest.

Of course you can also participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count with your own observations from wherever you are on February 17 through 20. So don’t miss the fun and help scientists learn more about birds!