Category: At Home

CCPR – Virtual Citizen Science Series: eBird

eBird is one of the world’s largest biodiversity related science projects, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed each year by eBirders around the world. Learn about best practices to ensure high quality submissions to eBird from Keith McCullough, local eBird Reviewer and Natural History Interpretation Coordinator for Charleston County Parks. Keith will also discuss the eBird Review Process. After the presentation, you are invited to stay for a virtual “happy hour” that will encourage open discussion on recent nature observations.

The event is this Friday, October 16, 2020 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

register Today

Don’t Miss SIB’s October Movie Matinees

SIB will continue our “Virtual Movie Matinee” series using Zoom through the end of 2020. Join us on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in October. And the best part is you don’t even have to be on Seabrook Island to join!

Once you register, we will send you a link the day prior to each event to allow you to access our Zoom live video. We will open each event with introductions and a little social time, watch the show together (generally an hour), and finish with a short discussion to get your feedback and answer questions.

Sign up for one or both here and then plan to get comfy in your favorite chair with snacks and beverages of your choice to enjoy our gathering!

  1. Tuesday October 13, 4:00 – 5:15 PM: Movie Matinee – Earthflight – North America
  2. Tuesday October 27, 4:00 – 5:15 PM: Movie Matinee – Earthflight – Africa
Register for movie matinee(s)
Movie Matinees:

Earthflight is a British nature documentary that shows a flight from the view of the wings of birds across six continents, showing some of the world’s greatest natural spectacles from a bird’s-eye view. The BBC series was created by John Downer and narrated by David Tennant with six episodes. We will show two each month for the remainder of the year.

 Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZSkitrLE34

Earthflight: North America on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 4:00 – 5:30 pm

A flock of snow geese flies north and is hunted by bald eagles. Pelicans are shown gliding under the Golden Gate Bridge. In California, pelicans reveal devil rays that perform astonishing somersaults and find bizarre grunion fish that wriggle ashore to spawn. In Alaska, bald eagles swoop among brown bears fishing for salmon. On the Great Plains, cowbirds duck and dive under the feet of fighting bison. Egrets follow a group of dolphins that strand themselves to feed; millions of shorebirds rendezvous with prehistoric horseshoe crabs emerging from the sea to lay eggs; and California gulls take us to Mono Lake, where they catch alkali flies by chasing them with open mouths.

Earthflight: Africa on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Arrow-dive with Cape gannets among sharks, dolphins and whales as they join the great sardine run. Soar with African fish eagles as they discover an S-shaped living island composed entirely of lesser flamingos, and join them on a spectacular hunt. Fly with kelp gulls as they study the hunting behaviour of the greatest underwater predator of all: the great white shark. On the wings of eagles, fly through the mist-filled Victoria Falls and dive for fish in the mighty Zambezi. Follow barn swallows and white storks on their annual voyage from south Africa to northern Europe. Circle with vultures high above the Serengeti as they watch the drama of the wildebeest migration below, and discover what happens when this canny scavenger suddenly becomes prey. Among toxic soda lakes, find out what it is like to be a flamingo, vulnerable to every predator on the continent, including baboons and hyenas. Join these flamingos as they take part in one of the most beautiful dances in the bird world.

Register for Movie matinee(s)

Register for “River of Raptors: Identification and Migration of South Carolina’s Birds of Prey”

Many species of raptors make their home in South Carolina for at least part of the year, and even more pass through during their perilous diurnal seasonal migration. Join Audubon South Carolina’s Emily Davis and Jen Tyrrell to learn how to identify South Carolina raptor species as well as explore their migration habits, behavior, and conservation issues they face. 

Date: Wednesday October 21, 2020
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 PM
Location: Zoom Virtual Video
Fee: FREE

Register today

Meet the Speakers:

Jennifer McCarthey Tyrrell, Bird-Friendly Communities Coordinator

Jen is a Master Bird Bander and an expert in bird biology, with a B.S. from Coastal Carolina and a Master’s degree from the College of Charleston. Before joining Audubon, Jen worked with Wild Birds Unlimited and the Center for Birds of Prey. Today, Jen spreads the word about bird-friendly communities and the benefits of native plants, and also manages bird banding and Painted Bunting research. 

Emily Davis, Beidler Forest Center Manager

As an artist, data enthusiast, traveler and passionate birder, Emily brings a rich and unique perspective to her role as center manager for the Audubon Center and Sanctuary at Francis Beidler Forest. With an undergraduate degree in creative writing and fine arts from Kent State, her experiences have ranged from shadowing contemporary artists in New York City to having her own work auctioned off in support of warbler research and studies. Her background with groups such as the Avian Conservation Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, combined with her drive for continued education, will serve her well in her role with Audubon.

Register for SIB’s October Virtual Events

Seabrook Island Birders will be hosting three virtual events during the month of October using Zoom, including two Movie Matinees and an evening lecture program.

  1. Tuesday October 13, 4:00 – 5:15 PM: Movie Matinee – Earthflight – North America
  2. Wednesday October 21, 7:00 – 8:15 PM: River of Raptors: Identification and Migration of South Carolina’s Birds of Prey
  3. Tuesday October 27, 4:00 – 5:15 PM: Movie Matinee – Earthflight – Africa

Learn more and register below:

Continue reading “Register for SIB’s October Virtual Events”

Watch: “Birding the Lewis & Clark Trail”

Aija & Ed Konrad – Crater Lake

What happens when an avid birdwatcher and her photographer, who’s also a history buff, go on a 28-day road trip from Atlanta to the Oregon coast…tracing, birding, photographing the route of the Lewis and Clark 1803-1806 Corps of Discovery Expedition … 8,900 miles, 17 states, 269000 hotel points, countless birding adventures, and incredible scenery and history!

Did you miss the Zoom meeting on September 23, 2020? You can still enjoy Aija and Ed Konrad’s roller coaster adventure with tales of birds, history and their glorious journey by watching the entire presentation on YouTube below!

Birding the Lewis & Clark Trail on September 23!

Birding the Lewis & Clark Trail
Guest Speakers: Ed & Aija Konrad
Date: Wednesday September 23, 2020
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 PM
Location: Zoom Virtual Video
Fee: FREE

REGISTER TODAY

REGISTER TODAY

Speaker Biographies

Aija and Ed Konrad have been birding at Seabrook for 12 years. Aija is the avid birdwatcher and Ed is the photographer. You have probably seen them at North Beach or around Palmetto Lake, the tall blonde with binoculars and the guy with the big lens camera. They’ve been SIB members for 5 years and Ed serves on the board.

Aija and Ed have been advocates for many years on protecting Seabrook’s shorebirds, with a focus on our endangered and threatened species. They’ve built strong partnerships with our SC DNR, USFWL, and SC Audubon biologists, as well as researchers in the Piping Plover breeding regions. You read their many birding articles and view Ed’s photos on the SIB website and the Seabrooker. In the last decade they’ve traveled extensively to bird and shoot photos in 49 US states and Canada, Central America, Europe, and the Far East.In 2018, Aija did a US Big Year, and they crisscrossed the country to see how many bird species they could identify in a calendar year. They wound up with a whopping 577 species, and Aija placed #15 on EBird’s Lower 48 states!

When 2019 rolled around it was quite a letdown after the Big Year, so they had to think of another goal. Ed, who is a history buff, had an idea on his bucket list for years…driving cross country and tracing the Lewis and Clark trail…with lots of birdwatching and photography. So, they set out on their 28-day journey of birds and history.

Aija and Ed are Penn State graduates. They live in Atlanta full time and Seabrook Island about 10 days a month. They have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Travel has become all about birds…if we could only do that again!

You can view Ed’s bird photos and their many travel adventures on Ed’s Flickr site. Just click or cut and paste this URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/edkon/

September Virtual Movie Matinee Series

Register Today

The weather is beginning to cool and fall is on its way. With the need to still social distance, SIB will continue our “Virtual Movie Matinee” series using Zoom through the fall! Join us on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in September. And the best part is you don’t even have to be on Seabrook Island to join!

Once you register, we will send you a link the day prior to each event to allow you to access our Zoom live video. We will open each event with introductions and a little social time, watch the show together (generally an hour), and finish with a short discussion to get your feedback and answer questions.

Sign up for one or both here and then plan to get comfy in your favorite chair with snacks and beverages of your choice to enjoy our gathering!

Plight of the Grassland Birds on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 4:00 – 5:30 pm

From the fields of New England and Canada to the vast plains of Montana to the deserts of Mexico, grassland birds are losing their habitats at an alarming rate.Host Will Lange explores efforts to protect the birds and their habitats. Watch the trailer here.

Journey of the Broad-winged Hawk on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Every year, thousands of broad-winged hawks embark on a treacherous flight from New Hampshire to South America. JOURNEY OF THE BROAD-WINGED HAWK follows the raptors’ two-month, 4,500-mile migration from New Hampshire, over an Appalachian flyway in Pennsylvania, over Corpus Christi, Texas, and ending in the rainforests of Ecuador and the Maquipucunu Reserve. Along the way, people and communities follow and celebrate the hawks’ journey. Host Willem Lange traces the migratory route of these magnificent birds from the White Mountains to the Andes of Ecuador, and shares the stories of those who witness this wonder of nature. Watch the trailer here.

Register Today

Zoom with SIB for our September Virtual Events

Fall is approaching, but we sure hope we can avoid the hurricanes this year! However, now with Seabrook Island Birder (SIB) virtual programs, not only can we still be active while social distancing, we might even be able to hold the events if we are visited by bad weather.

Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) has scheduled another two “Virtual Movie Matinees” and an Evening Program using Zoom during the month of September!  And the best part is you don’t even have to be on Seabrook Island to join!

Once you register, we will send you a link the day prior to each event to allow you to access our Zoom live video. We will open each event with introductions and a little social time, watch the  movie or presentation together (generally an hour), and finish with a short discussion to get your feedback and answer questions.

Sign up for one, two or all three of our events, then plan to get comfy in your favorite chair with snacks and beverages of your choice to enjoy our gathering!

Plight of the Grassland Birds
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 4:00 – 5:30 pm

From the fields of New England and Canada to the vast plains of Montana to the deserts of Mexico, grassland birds are losing their habitats at an alarming rate.Host Will Lange explores efforts to protect the birds and their habitats. Watch the trailer here.

Journey of the Broad-winged Hawk
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Every year, thousands of broad-winged hawks embark on a treacherous flight from New Hampshire to South America. JOURNEY OF THE BROAD-WINGED HAWK follows the raptors’ two-month, 4,500-mile migration from New Hampshire, over an Appalachian flyway in Pennsylvania, over Corpus Christi, Texas, and ending in the rainforests of Ecuador and the Maquipucunu Reserve. Along the way, people and communities follow and celebrate the hawks’ journey. Host Willem Lange traces the migratory route of these magnificent birds from the White Mountains to the Andes of Ecuador, and shares the stories of those who witness this wonder of nature. Watch the trailer here.

register for movies

Program: Birding the Lewis and Clark Trail
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 7:00 – 8:30 pm

What happens when an avid birdwatcher and her photographer, who’s also a history buff, go on a 28-day road trip from Atlanta to the Oregon coast…tracing, birding, photographing the route of the Lewis and Clark 1803-1806 Corps of Discovery Expedition … 8,900 miles, 17 states, 269000 hotel points, countless birding adventures, and incredible scenery and history!

Join us for Aija and Ed Konrad’s roller coaster adventure with tales of birds, history and their glorious journey.

register for 9/23 Lewis & Clark program

Painted Bunting Palooza

We received this note from Jennifer Hesterman this past week:

Hello, thought you would enjoy this photo, taken after the storm on August 26th at 6:30 PM – 3 males and 7 females and/or immature males. And two water-logged cardinals 🙂

Jenni
photo by Jennifer Hesterman

Watch the Replay: Seabrook Island Shorebirds

Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) hosted its second virtual Zoom Evening Program on Wednesday August 19, 2020, featuring naturalist Bob Mercer speaking on the Shorebirds of Seabrook Island.

More than 80 people registered for the event from ten states and one Canadian Province. Bob first explained which birds are NOT shorebirds … waterfowl, gulls, terns, herons, and more!

What characteristics do shorebirds have?

  • Generally thin billed and long-legged
  • Frequently found foraging along shoreline
  • Foraging by picking and probing

In learning to identify shorebirds, Bob recommends you focus on size and shape and NOT color, as the color changes through the year and can make it more confusing! Look at size and shape of the body, length of the legs, and size and shape of the bill, especially in relationship to the head!

After reviewing all of the common Seabrook Island Shorebirds and listing others not found on Seabrook, Bob gave a quiz so the participants could put their new found knowledge to use. Watch the replay to learn more, or refresh your memory!

The participants were asked if they liked this format and what other bird topics they would like SIB to present. The response was an overwhelming “YES” and below are the results of the topics people indicated they would enjoy.

SIB plans to continue holding evening programs virtually using Zoom each month. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for evening speakers or topics by sending us an email to SeabrookIslandBirders@gmail.com. Watch for announcements for future virtual events!