December 2022

Let’s make 2023 a “Big Year” for SIB!

We want to try a new fun “activity” for 2023. As you know, a big year is a personal challenge or an informal competition among birders who attempt to identify as many species of birds as possible by sight or sound, within a single calendar year and within a specific geographic area. Rather than have a competition among members, let’s see how many different species the group as a whole can see for the year. We already know members’ plans for the year include trips to Costa Rico, Panama, Yellowstone, Maine, Portugal and Northwest Washington. With our normal birding activities, we should have a good count for the year.

To facilitate this activity, I created a new eBird account with a user name as SIBBig. This account’s profile is set to not appear in any rare bird lists, Top 100, or other public lists. This is to avoid misrepresenting the account as a personal account.

Anytime you go birding, just enter your sightings in eBird as usual. Then when you “submit”, you have the option in eBird to Share your checklist with other members of your party. Just include SIBBig as one of those you Share with. The “share” button isn’t available if there is only one observer so you would then need to go into eBird later to share.

You can also share a previously submitted list by going in to eBird and once you view a checklist, you can share, using the button on the left side. You would use this option if you were the only observer or if you choose to share all lists periodically rather than as you enter. I plan to periodically share using this method as I’m not likely to remember as I enter the checklist.

If you don’t have or want an eBird account, you can share your sightings by sending an email to SeabrookIslandBirders@gmail.com. That email needs to give the date, start and stop time, where you did the birding, the number of birds for each species. We’ll then enter directly into SIBBig for you. We strongly encourage you to participate in citizen science yourself by submitting to eBird but we don’t want to miss great sightings.

Some rules on your reports (similar to eBird’s rules):

Birds must be identified between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
Birds recorded must be wild and unrestrained. Oh, and alive. No pets, no feral stuff, no road kill. Unless you hit it.
Location is not restricted to SC, the Lowcountry, or any other region. As an example, if you go to Costa Rico, all birds identified count. Of course those identified in your backyard also count.
Birds must have been ethically found. No trespassing, harassing birds, kidnapping better birders, etc.
Birds can be identified by sight or sound. For a bird to count, a majority of the birders who observed it must agree on its identification.
Score will be kept with the SIBBig eBird account. As described above, the easiest way to add to the list will be to share an eBird checklist to that account. If you don’t use eBird, just send a list to SeabrookIslandBirders@gmail as described above and we’ll see that it gets added.

I look forward to seeing our list grow. Remember, you can start sharing your lists at 12:01am on January 1. We’ll periodically report our status.

Submitted by: Judy Morr

Reminder: Volunteer to Assist with the 123rd Christmas Bird Count on Seabrook Island

Do you plan to be at your home on Seabrook Island on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, and do you have backyard feeders? Seabrook Island Birders is still looking for volunteers to participate in the backyard feeder count to support the Sea Island’s Christmas Bird Count !

Last year, our backyard feeder team consisted of nine feeder watch homes sighting 39 species and 275 individual birds during 22.5 people hours of watching. Our feeder watch observers saw 7 species missed by the field team so the total species on Seabrook Island was 105.

If you are interested to participate in the 123rd Christmas Bird Count at your home on Seabrook Island on Tuesday January 3, 2023, by reporting the birds that visit your feeder, please register or send an email (SeabrookIslandBirders@gmail.com).

If you missed it, you can read the full article about the Annual Christmas Bird Count published by SIB a few weeks ago at this link.

Happy Holidays!

Northern Cardinal from Wingscapes 12 Birds of Christmas

Happy Holidays from Seabrook Island Birders! May the season bring you many joys and maybe even a few wonderous feathered finds.

Pictures of Northern Cardinals, American Robins, Canada Geese and ducks are often seen on holiday cards. A little research shows how many different birds are in the popular song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. (Information provided by sites noted below.)

A Partridge in a Pear tree – The “partridge in a pear tree” is probably the Red-legged Partridge, a rotund seed-eater native to continental Europe.

A red-legged partridge surveys the Midlands of England in winter. (Photo: Erni/Shutterstock)

It was introduced to England as a game bird in the 1770s, and it’s still common in the U.K. today. Another candidate might be the Grey Partridge. This small, chicken-like bird, also known as the Hungarian partridge, is native to Eurasia but now makes its home in agricultural grasslands along the United States–Canadian border. Gray Partridge hens produce a clutch of up to 22 eggs—one of the largest clutches of any bird species—meaning you’ll usually find more than just one partridge in a pear tree.

Two Turtle Doves -Were probably originally European turtle doves, native birds that were widespread in the U.K. when “The 12 Days of Christmas” was introduced. In the U.S. it would more likely be mourning doves. Male and female mourning doves work together to feed their babies “crop milk” or “pigeon milk” that’s secreted by their crop lining. These adult pairs tend to mate for life, which may be why the song’s composer reserved this bird for the second slot in the holiday countdown.

Three French Hens – The “French hen” referenced in this Christmas classic could be any chicken breed (as chickens are native to France). Unfortunately, if you spot a domesticated chicken, you can’t post in eBird as domesticated birds aren’t counted.

Four Calling Birds – Although recent renditions refer to them as “calling birds,” the original version uses “colly birds”—a colloquial British term that means “black as coal”—to describe this bird. Therefore, the common blackbird is widely considered the lover’s intended gift.

Five Golden Rings – A birder’s interpretation of this gift could be Ring-Necked Pheasants. The males’ bright copper and gold plumage makes it the perfect “gift”. Another site suggest five gold rings could refer to five “gold spinks” or Goldfinches.

A greylag goose trudges through snow in central England. (Photo: Erni/Shutterstock)

Six Geese a laying – As a British Christmas carol, the reference is likely to the British bird, the Greylag goose. We of course are more likely to think of a Canada Goose.

One mute swam goes a-swimming at Forfar Loch in Angus, Scotland. (Photo: Mark Caunt/Shutterstock)

Seven Swans a swimming – the seven swimming waterfowl are most likely mute swans. These large birds were long kept in semi-domesticity in England, where they were considered property of the Crown.

The remaining gifts are not as obvious birding gifts.

Eight Maids-a-milking – Two sites stretched it to be Magpies. They chose the black-billed magpie for its milky white belly.

Nine Ladies dancing – One site said the Parotia, “ballet dancing bird,” is the perfect choice to replace the Christmas carol’s “nine ladies dancing.” Male Parotias learn their unique dance moves from their fathers who use this display to attract a mate. Their decorative, six-quill plumes are dramatic and dazzling. These birds of paradise aren’t native to the song’s country of origin, but you can spot them in New Guinea, a former British territory.

Ten Lords-a-leaping – We sing the song with the ten lords a-leaping, but in the earliest known variant found in North America, on the Tenth Day of Christmas, the true love sent ten Cocks A-Crowing.

Eleven Pipers piping – Sandpipers could be the easy bird interpretation.

Drummers drumming – The most common drumming bird is said to be the Snipe but another site suggested the Ruffed Grouse is the drumming bird. When displaying for females or defending its territory, the male Ruffed Grouse beats its wings in the air to create a drumming sound that scares off potential threats. Another interesting Ruffed Grouse fact: the bird’s toes grow projections that act as snowshoes in the winter months.

Sites used in submitting this article:

12 Birds of Christmas

The bird songs behind ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’

The 12 Birds of Christmas by John R. Henderson

January: A World on the Wing and other activities

As a look ahead, January will be a busy month for Seabrook Island Birders. If you haven’t already renewed for 2023, do so now via this link: https://seabrookislandbirders.org/join-sib/

January activities are highlighted with a book read and two events featuring Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Weidensaul, author of “A World on the Wing.” For the book read, you can obtain a copy of “A World on the Wing” at Indigo Books, John’s Island Library, Amazon or your favorite place to obtain books (written & audio).

On Sunday, January 22, we’ll have a short “book read.” The discussion/social hour will begin at 4:00 pm. Then at 5:00 pm, Scott Weidensaul will join us on Zoom to talk about his enlightening book. Those who opt to attend in person will meet at the Oyster Catcher Community Center and watch the Zoom presentation together. Others can watch the Zoom at home at 5:00 pm. Register for both the in-person or the virtual event here.

Our Movie Matinee on January 10, at 4:00 pm will be A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds, also featuring Scott Weidensaul. You have the option of being in-person or virtual. The movie may interest you in reading the book, and then attending the January 22, program to hear from Scott live. You can register now. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Here’s a summary of what we’ll learn about from Scott:

Even as scientists make astounding discoveries about the navigational and physiological feats that enable migratory birds to cross immense oceans or fly above the highest mountains, go weeks without sleep or remain in unbroken flight for months at a stretch, humans have brought many migrants to the brink. Based on his newest book “A World on the Wing,” author and researcher Scott Weidensaul takes you around the globe — with researchers in the lab probing the limits of what migrating birds can do, to the shores of the Yellow Sea in China, the remote mountains of northeastern India where tribal villages saved the greatest gathering of falcons on the planet, and the Mediterranean, where activists and police are battling bird poachers — to learn how people are fighting to understand and save the world’s great bird migrations.

Other activities for January include:

Tuesday January 10: Backyard Birding on Loblolly Lane
Thursday January 12: Bike and Bird to Mingo Point
Monday January 16: Learning Together on Crooked Oaks Golf Course
Thursday January 19:Birding Beyond our Backyard at Pitt Street, Shem’s Creek, and Waterman Park
Saturday January 21: Learning together at Water Treatment Facility
Sunday January 29: Learning Together on North Beach
Tuesday January 31: Birding Beyond our Backyard at Nemours Plantation

We hope to see you at many of these activities. Be sure to visit our website for the latest information about our activities and programs.

Birding Lingo

Every hobby has its own slang and unique terms. Birding has more than most. I thought it would be fun to share some I use or like:

Terms I commonly use:

BINS (or Binos): Binoculars.
Butter Butt: Yellow-rumped Warbler
CBC: Christmas Bird Count
LBJ: Little Brown Job – Any small, brownish bird that you have not been able to identify is often referred to as a LBJ. Many LBJ’s are sparrows, as the female or immature sparrows can be difficult to identify, even for the experts.
LIFER (or Life Bird): A bird species you have never seen before in your life. A lifer allows a birdwatcher to add a tick to their life list.

SIB “Bird of the Week” – Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse – Baeolophus bicolor
Length: 6.5″; Wingspan: 9.75″; Weight: 0.75 oz.

Aside from the Carolina Chickadee, this is probably the most likely visitor to a backyard feeder on Seabrook Island. It is silvery gray with a soft-colored orange just below its wing. It is a small bird but appears considerably bigger than a chickadee when they are next to one another, which they often are. Its crest is a good field mark.

During the summer months, titmice feed on insects but in the winter, they are particularly fond of sunflower seeds, and the bigger the better. If you have a feeder in your yard, you can watch as the titmouse picks out a large seed, holds it between its feet and pecks on it vigorously until the seed cracks open to release the tender heart inside. They are quite brave and will come to a feeder that is placed on a window providing a wonderful view for the homeowner.

The titmouse has a big sound for such a small bird. His main song sounds as though he is calling in a two-note descending minor third (for you musical folks) which is repeated usually three to four times: Peter Peter Peter. It’s a full, rich sound and quite distinguishable once you are familiar with it.

As the map below indicates, the Tufted Titmouse is here all year long. They build their nests in pre-existing tree cavities or sometimes in a bluebird box. They are quite territorial such that, even when breeding is finished, the male and female remain together and do not join with others as the chickadees do.

Tufted Titmouse pair nesting in a tree cavity.

Watch for these little guys. They are not the biggest or the brightest (color, that is) but they grow on you! View this short video from Cornell Lab of Ornithology to see the Tufted Titmouse.

If you would like to learn more about this bird visit:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology – All About Birders: Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse – Ed Konrad

Tufted Titmouse (yes he’s standing in snow!) Brrr – Ed Konrad

Tufted Titmouse

Range Map of Tufted Titmouse – Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Article submitted by: Marcia Hider/ resubmitted 2022
Photographs provided by: Ed Konrad and File Photos

This blog post is part of a series SIB will publish on a regular basis to feature birds seen in the area, both migratory and permanent residents. When possible we will use photographs taken by our members. Please let us know if you have any special requests of birds you would like to learn more about.

Learning Together at Water Treatment Plant and Maintenance Area

We have reached capacity for this walk.
Please sign up and you will be placed on the waitlist.

Saturday January 21, 2023 8:00 – 11:00 am
Learning Together at the Maintenance Area & Water Treatment Plant
Location: Meet at the Seabrook Island Garden
Max: 7

This activity provides the rare opportunity to bird the water treatment plant and the surrounding area. Due to the restricted access, participation is limited to 7 people and requires a separate release document to be signed prior to access.

By now the wintering birds have found their way back to Seabrook Island. We will tour around the ponds at the Water Treatment area. If time permits, we will continue on to the gardens and the horse pastures in search of wintering waterfowl, birds of prey and passerines. Dress in layers, wear study shoes and bring sun block, bug spray, a hat, water and binoculars.

If you are not yet a SIB member, you must first become a member by following the instructions on our website: https://seabrookislandbirders.org/contact/join-sib/.

Once you are a member, please register no later than Thursday, January 19, 2023. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter and a release form to sign on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Canceled: Learning Together-Ocean Winds Golf Course

Update 12/17/22: SIB has canceled this event due to forecast of 35 degrees.

Learning Together on Ocean Winds Golf Course

Monday, December 19, 2022 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Birding on Ocean Winds Golf Course
Location: Meet at Island House (Golf Course Parking Lot next to Spinnaker Beach Houses) for ride along the golf course in golf carts
Max: 24 (If all seats in golf carts are used)
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests – Priority will be given to prior waitlisted & members

The Seabrook Island Club closes one course a day each week and allows Seabrook Island Birders to use golf carts to travel the course with our members to bird. Join us for a morning of birding by RIDING in golf carts for at least 9-holes on Ocean Winds golf course. We expect to see a large variety of birds including Egrets, Herons and birds of prey. We will also see and hear some of the smaller birds like Tufted Titmice, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens and some of the many warbler species.

Since it is fall/winter, we can also expect to see Eastern Phoebes, Northern Flickers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Belted Kingfishers, Double-crested Cormorants, Bald Eagles, and more!

As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen. Water will be provided. We ask that all participants wear a mask when unable to social distance if they are not vaccinated.

If you are not yet a 2022 SIB member, you must first become a member for only $15 by following the instructions on our website: https://seabrookislandbirders.org/contact/join-sib/. You may bring the form and your dues to the event. Or you may pay the Guest Fee of $10.

Please complete the information below to REGISTER no later than Friday prior to the trip. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the Sunday, the day prior to the trip. If you need to cancel, please let us know so we can invite people on the waitlist to attend.

Learning Together-Ocean Winds Golf Course

Learning Together on Ocean Winds Golf Course

Monday, December 12, 2022 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Birding on Ocean Winds Golf Course
Location: Meet at Island House (Golf Course Parking Lot next to Spinnaker Beach Houses) for ride along the golf course in golf carts
Max: 24 (If all seats in golf carts are used)
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests – Priority will be given to prior waitlisted & members

Since it is fall/winter, we can also expect to see Eastern Phoebes, Northern Flickers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Belted Kingfishers, Double-crested Cormorants, Bald Eagles, and more!

As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen. Water will be provided. We ask that all participants wear a mask when unable to social distance if they are not vaccinated.

Volunteer to Assist with the 123rd Christmas Bird Count on Seabrook Island

Each year starting on December 14th and continuing through January 5th, people across the country are participating in the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Each count takes place on a specific day in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Seabrook Island is part of the Sea Island SC count organized by Aaron Given, Wildlife Biologist at Kiawah Island. Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) will again support this year’s 123rd annual CBC on the designated day of Tuesday January 3, 2023.

Count volunteers follow specified routes through their designated 15-mile diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day. The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

The first CBC was held on Christmas Day 1900 and was organized by ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the Audubon Society. His proposal was to create a new holiday tradition of a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holidays rather than the traditional Christmas “Side Hunt,” where teams of hunters competed to bring home the biggest pile of feathered or furred animals.

This past year, on January 4, 2022, 30 SIB members contributed to the 2021-2022 Sea Island Christmas Bird Count (CBC). We had 10 teams of birders hitting Seabrook Island “hotspots” of Jenkins Point, Palmetto Lake, North Beach, the Lake District, Camp St Christopher, SIPOA/Club horse pasture and maintenance area, Crooked Oaks and Ocean Winds golf courses, and Bobcat/Six Ladies Trail. These teams saw 98 species and 1914 individual birds. We walked 27 miles, drove 3.4 miles and rode in golf carts 9.8 miles for 34 people hours of effort! Amazing!

In addition our team consisted of nine feeder watch homes sighting 39 species and 275 individual birds during 22.5 people hours of watching. Our feeder watch observers saw 7 species missed by the field team so the total species on Seabrook Island was 105.

If you are interested to participate in the 123rd Christmas Bird Count on Seabrook Island on Tuesday January 3, 2020, please register or send an email (SeabrookIslandBirders@gmail.com). You can volunteer to stay at your home and report the birds that visit your feeder or even join experienced birders who will travel the island throughout the day.

SIB member, Kathy Woosley, took the initiative last year to create a new CBC circle centered on James Island which was considered a practice CBC. Last year’s practice count had 137 species which would put this new count circle in the top 5 in the state. She had 20 birders participate in the count last year and is sure with more birders this count could end up being in the top 3. If you would like to join the JI Count team please respond to Kathy Woolsey at Krwoolsey@gmail.com 843-670-6061

Article Submitted by: Judy Morr