The S.C. Department of Natural Resources said it is OK to put bird feeders back up, as long as Pine Siskin are no longer visiting. Please be sure to carefully clean your bird feeders on a regular basis. “Cleaning feeders regularly helps prevent outbreaks. Bacteria and diseases are often shed by food or water contaminated with feces. Feeders that aren’t properly maintained can lead to the severe harm of local bird populations.” Humans can also contract these illnesses from feeders, so be sure to follow proper hygiene practices when cleaning bird feeders, houses, etc.
Over the years, data submitted to ebird documented Seabrook Island’s importance as a stopover for migratory shorebirds. In an effort to make that data meet the rigors of scientific scrutiny, a series of surveys will be conducted by either Bob Mercer or Mark Andrews. These surveys will follow the protocols of the International Shorebird Survey (ISS). One feature of the ISS is the surveys need to be conducted every ten days and at the same or similar tide. The survey can involve numerous volunteers and provides a golden opportunity to build the shorebird identification skills of SIB members. Beginners and advanced birders will enjoy this walk.
Participants need to bring their own binoculars and, if they have one, a spotting scope. Due to Covid, we will not be able to share equipment. According to the CDC, people are encouraged to wear a mask when they are unable to maintain social distance. We ask people to put on their masks when they get close to each other.
The count will be conducted over a two hour period starting from the boardwalk #1 beach and continuing up to the point, a distance of 1.5 miles each way. The walks should be about 2.5 hours long.
The schedule is tide driven. The official survey start on the beach one hour prior to high tide and end on the beach about one hour after high tide. The start time for the walk is set so participants can meet in the #1 parking lot and have 15 minutes to reach the beach and the start of the survey. The end times are, like any birding experience, approximates. People can leave whenever they wish.
Come prepared for the weather and natural conditions (bugs, sun, wind, hunger, thirst, etc.).
SIB 