Category: Membership

In 2020, 259 Seabrook Island Birder(SIB) members enjoyed the various in person and virtual SIB events.  Given the absence of many in person events in 2020, SIB Executive Committee elected to waive renewal fees for 2021.  If you were a member in 2020, you are automatically paid for 2021.  People not 2020 members may join for 2021 for the low $10 annual membership fee.

We also accept gifts to help fund programs like the Seabrook Island Shorebird Steward program, Bluebird Box Trail, our Speakers Series and other activities approved by the Board.  Just follow the instructions on the SIB membership form.

Do you love birding but don’t own or rent on Seabrook Island?  Off Island Guests are invited to join SIB too!

Just visit our Join SIB website page to learn more about sending a gift or membership payment.

ORDER YOUR SEABROOK ISLAND BIRDERS T-SHIRT TODAY

ONLY 9 Remain!

SIB T-SHIRT ORDERS may be made today by emailing SIB and indicating the number, color and size. We will then make arrangements for payment and delivery.

These 100% cotton T-shirts (Anvil) are available in three remaining colors:

• Silver:  1 small, 1 XXL
• Spring Yellow:  1 medium, 1 XXL
• Teal ice: 1 small, 2 large and 2 XL
• Terracotta:  SOLD OUT 

The cost is only $15/shirt $10/shirt.

Any remaining SIB T-shirts will be available to purchase at our evening program this Wednesday, January 22, 2020. If you haven’t registered for this event, an evening with the Center for Birds of Prey, and plan to attend, please sign up ASAP! Space is limited.

The Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) is entering its third year of operation. The group’s mission is “watching, learning and protecting” the incredible variety of birds that inhabit SI throughout the year.  Your responses to the survey below will help us better serve you in fulfilling this mission.  The questions will help determine what programs and activities SI residents would like to see made available in the future.

PLEASE complete the SURVEY now!

Thank you!

SIB Executive Committee

Patrick McMillan – photo by Ed Konrad

It was a full house in the Live Oak Hall at the Lake House with more than 130 SIB members and guests – Ed Konrad

Thanks to the SIB Hospitality Committee for providing beverages and goodies! – Ed Konrad

Patrick McMillan captivated more than 130 SIB members and guests on Wednesday February 22 with his talk on the Life and Biology of Hummingbirds.  His presentation included beautiful photos and unbelievable video of hummingbirds from his travels throughout the Americas and in his backyard at the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson, SC.  Did you know …

• Hummingbirds are New World birds found only in the Americas, mainly South America.  There are more than 340 species of hummingbirds.
• Depending on the species a hummingbird’s wings can flap on average around 50 times per second, and can reach as high as 200 times per second.
• The hummingbird can hover, fly forwards, backwards and even upside down.
• Hummingbirds drink the nectar of flowers which gives them a good source of glucose energy. They will catch insects every now and again for a protein boost.
• A hummingbird’s bill varies dramatically depending on the species. Most have a fairly long, thin bill that allows them to reach down to the nectar of a flower. With the bill slightly open they use their tongue to quickly lap up the nectar inside.
• Apart from insects, hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all animals due to the need to keep their wings rapidly beating. Because of this the hummingbird visits hundreds of flowers each day and consuming more than their own weight in nectar each day.
• Because they need to conserve energy hummingbirds do not spend all day flying, they spend the majority of their time perched digesting their food. To conserve energy overnight a hummingbird enters a hibernation-like sleep state called torpor.
• Depending on the species hummingbirds live on average 3 to 5 years. But have been known to live as long as 12 years.
• Most hummingbirds of the United States and Canada migrate over 3000km south in fall to spend winter in Mexico or Central America. Some South American species also move north to these areas during the southern winter.
• Before migrating, the hummingbird will store up a layer of fat equal to half its body weight in order to slowly use up this energy source while flying.

Patrick provided a review of excellent food plants which would do well to attract and provide nectar for hummingbirds.  All of the plants he mentioned in his talk do very, very well in common garden conditions in the SC Lowcountry and are easy to grow. Here is his list of ten favorite for our area and the information about each, many of which are local and none are considered invasive. Also remember that any red, tubular flower is bird-pollinated and it’s fine to experiment with others you might find in your garden center locally.

Note: Move your cursor over each photo to identify the plant or click to enlarge photo. The full list with links are below the photos.

Lonicera sempervirens – Scarlet Honeysuckle – native to SC – flowers in the early spring and sporadically throughout the year.

Aesculus pavia – Red Buckeye – native to SC – flowers in spring. A small tree that is perfect for a shady yard.

Erythrina herbacea – Coral Bean – native to SC – flowers in spring.

Erythrina x bidwillii – Bidwill’s Coral Bean – a hybrid that flowers throughout the year. Sterile so it is not invasive.

Lobelia cardinalis – Cardinal Flower – native to SC – flowers in late summer.

Ipomopsis rubra – Scarlet Gillia – native to SC and throughout the southern portions of the US. An annual or biennial that reseeds itself. Flowers in summer.

Silene subcilliata – Smooth Scarlet Catchfly – native to east Texas. Not invasive. This species is one of the only reliably perennial red-flowered catchflies. Flowers in the fall. (Not commonly commercially available but is available from Plant Delights -https://www.plantdelights.com/products/silene-subciliata).

Malvaviscus drummondii – Texas Turkscap – perennial bush that flowers throughout the summer well into the fall. Native to Texas and across the Gulf Coast.

Anisacanthus wrightii – Hummingbird Bush – perennial bush that flowers throughout the year. Attractive to hummers as well as Sulphur butterflies.

Salvia greggii – Gregg’s Salvia – A short-statured bush that flowers throughout the season, is not invasive and is native to Texas.

• Lonicera sempervirens – Scarlet Honeysuckle – native to SC – flowers in the early spring and sporadically throughout the year.
• Aesculus pavia – Red Buckeye – native to SC – flowers in spring. A small tree that is perfect for a shady yard.
• Erythrina herbacea – Coral Bean – native to SC – flowers in spring.
• Erythrina x bidwillii – Bidwill’s Coral Bean – a hybrid that flowers throughout the year. Sterile so it is not invasive.
• Lobelia cardinalis – Cardinal Flower – native to SC – flowers in late summer.
• Ipomopsis rubra – Scarlet Gillia – native to SC and throughout the southern portions of the US. An annual or biennial that reseeds itself. Flowers in summer.
• Silene subcilliata – Smooth Scarlet Catchfly – native to east Texas. Not invasive. This species is one of the only reliably perennial red-flowered catchflies.  Flowers in the fall. (Not commonly commercially available but is available from Plant Delights –https://www.plantdelights.com/products/silene-subciliata).
• Malvaviscus drummondii – Texas Turkscap – perennial bush that flowers throughout the summer well into the fall.  Native to Texas and across the Gulf Coast.
• Anisacanthus wrightii – Hummingbird Bush – perennial bush that flowers throughout the year. Attractive to hummers as well as Sulphur butterflies.
• Salvia greggii – Gregg’s Salvia – A short-statured bush that flowers throughout the season, is not invasive and is native to Texas.

According to Seabrook Island resident Don Smith, “I am not familiar with Ipomopsis rubra, Silene subcilliata, or Anisacanthus, nor can I find them on any of several “deer lists” I have. Furthermore, I don’t ever recall seeing any of these plants at our nurseries, so I doubt folks will find them except perhaps on line. Deer do nibble on my Texas Turkscap. All of the rest of the species on the list are on the “deer generally don’t eat” list.”

Article submitted by Nancy Brown, SIB Communication Chair
Photos contributed by Ed Konrad and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center