Do you have a home on Seabrook Island and enjoy watching birds? Would you like to learn more about them? Whether you live in a single family home or a villa, have bird feeders or not, Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) would like to assist. You may have views of lawn, trees, marsh, river or the beach and we’d like to help you identify the birds in your unique backyard!
It’s easy! Fill out this form and we will assign a SIB Ambassador to contact you to make arrangements for a home visit. These ambassadors are more experienced birders from our membership and will help you learn the names of the birds and answer your questions. They will bring bird ID guides and, if you like, can assist you with using free apps on your phone/tablet to help identify the birds in your backyard.
And best yet, this is FREE to all Seabrook Island residents! You do NOT have to be a member of SIB to request an SIB Ambassador visit (although we hope you’ll consider joining).
Several weeks ago four SIB Ambassadors visited the home of Valerie Doane on Deer Point Drive. During our 1 1/2 hour visit, we helped her identify ten bird species on her feeders and in her yard.
- 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
- 1 American Crow
- 4 Carolina Chickadee
- 3 Tufted Titmouse
- 1 Carolina Wren
- 1 Pine Warbler
- 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
- 1 Yellow-throated Warbler
- 4 Northern Cardinal
- 3 House Finch
Additionally, we provided her with a list of birds she can expect to see in her backyard including the marsh and beach. Valerie sent us the note below to provide us feedback on our visit:
“I’ll just cut to the chase and tell you that I was completely impressed with the new SIB Ambassador Program. Your visit provided a very good introduction for the newbie birder and that would definitely be me!
I appreciated the small group size and the one-on-one personal instruction which I believe is critical for the newbie birder. The protocol of observing and researching one bird at a time was integral in helping me stay focused. Although admittedly I can’t help getting excited over all those other birds flitting about! The overview and assistance with several bird ID apps was extremely helpful as well. Lastly, the post-visit report was a great follow-up and an invaluable source of information for me, the newbie birder.
During the visit I learned to:
- Exercise responsible use of bird song apps
- Look beyond the feeder to the surrounding trees, ground, marsh and to move between my upper and lower level decks
- Use several bird ID apps
- Narrow the search to current location when using bird ID apps
- Familiarize myself with common species in my specific area
Post visit I realize I need to:
- Invest in a set of binoculars
- Concentrate solely on bird ID rather than attempting to photograph. in-other-words, for the time being I can’t perform both simultaneously
- Practice a bit of patience
- Keep a list of bird sightings
- Learn to recognize bird calls
- Review the detailed post-visit report generated by SIB Ambassadors
The SIB Ambassador visit met my expectations and then some. What I learned unquestionably renewed my interest in birding and my commitment to continue birding. In other words, I’m hooked!
Thank you all so much.
Valerie Doane”
If you have additional questions about the program OR want to volunteer as a SIB Ambassador, please email us.
Submitted by: Nancy Brown
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