Walks & Events

Final Reminder – Register for “Red Knots in the Southeast US” on March 23rd

Red Knots in the Southeast US:
Acting Locally, Thinking Globally

Speaker: Fletcher Smith, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

DATE: March 23, 2023,
LOCATION: Lake House Live Oak Hall (Max: 100)
SCHEDULE:
7:00pm Registration & Refreshments
7:30pm Program
8:30pm Q&A and Program Close
COST: Free for 2023 SIB Member; $10/guest
(Learn How to join SIB)

Program Description:

For years we’ve told the remarkable story of the 9000 mile Red Knot migration, flying from Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America to the Arctic to breed, and making an important stop at Seabrook to rest and fatten up. But did you know that many Red Knots spend entire winters in the southeastern United States along the Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina coasts, including Seabrook Island?

Please join us to hear Fletcher Smith discuss this subspecies of Red Knots that rely on the Southeast coast’s developed beaches for most of the year before flying to the Arctic, like their more famous brethren, to breed. Fletcher has been a migratory shorebird researcher for more than 20 years, working from the high Arctic to the South American wintering grounds. He is currently a wildlife biologist with Georgia Department of Natural Resources, researching and monitoring shorebird populations along the Georgia coastal islands. Through this work, he is very familiar with the Red Knots at Seabrook and Kiawah Islands.

Fletcher will review the life cycle of Red Knots, and their breeding season and wintering ecology. His focus will be the critical linkage that Seabrook and Kiawah provide as a stopover during all Red Knot migration, and why this is so important to this threatened species.

Speaker Biography:Fletcher Smith has worked with a diversity of bird species throughout the western hemisphere, following migrants from their breeding to winter grounds. His research projects include work with Whimbrels, Red Knots, Marsh Sparrows, and neo-tropical migrants. Fletcher currently is a wildlife biologist with Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Northland College in Wisconsin, a private liberal arts college with a progressive focus on the environment and sustainability.

Be sure to register so you won’t miss this exciting event!

Also, it is not too late to join or learn more about the Seabrook Island Shorebird Steward Program! We invite you to visit the Seabrook Island Birders webpage (www.seabrookislandbirders.org) and visit the Shorebird Stewards tab. Sign up with your spouse or a friend, or meet new friends during the upcoming training sessions. Send an email to SIBStewards@gmail.com to join the group or ask for more information. It is a rewarding experience that you will surely come to cherish.

Join SIB for Learning Together on Golf Course-Crooked Oaks

Birding the Ocean Winds Golf Course – Jackie Brooks

Monday March 20, 2023 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Birding on Crooked Oaks 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 Crooked Oaks 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.

If you are not yet a 2023 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 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.

Join SIB: Beyond our Backyard at Kiawah River

Sunday, March 12, 2023 8:00am-11:00am
Learning Together at Kiawah River
Location: Meet at the “bridge” entering the property
Max: 12 people
Cost None for members; $10 donation for guests

Welcome in the time change with another chance to check out birds that can be found on this varied habitat property. We expect to see a large variety of birds including Double-crested Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Osprey and other birds of prey. If we are lucky, we will see an eagle and osprey duel over a fish. As we enter the property, we hope to catch a glimpse of the resident American Coots and Loggerhead Shrikes. We should also see and hear some of the smaller birds like Tufted Titmice, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals. We will drive to various locations on the property and then walk for better birding observations. Of course, this also gives us a chance to see this neighboring development. Low tide is at 6:05am so our chance for shorebirds along the Kiawah River are limited….but we can hope.

As always, be sure to bring your binoculars, hats, water and sunscreen.

Please register no later than Friday, March 10, 2023. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the day prior to the event.

Join SIB: Learning Together on North Beach

Saturday, March 11, 2023, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Birding at North Beach
Location: Meet at Boardwalk # 1 Parking lot
Max: none
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests

Join SIB to bird at Seabrook Island’s North Beach. This three-mile round trip walk travels from Board Walk #1 to the tip of North Beach along Captain Sams Inlet as high tide approaches. Birders from beginners to advanced birders will enjoy the variety of birds found on North Beach. At this time, many different species of shorebirds rest and feed near the point or along the beach ridge near the beach’s pond. Along the way, we will explore the many different species that can be found in this unique area.

As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. There should be spotting scopes available for viewing. Bring plenty to drink and a snack if desired. There are no facilities. We ask that all participants wear a mask when unable to social distance if they are not vaccinated.

Please register no later than March 9th. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on March 10th, the day prior to the trip.

Learn about “Red Knots in the Southeast US” on March 23rd

Red Knots in the Southeast US:
Acting Locally, Thinking Globally

Speaker: Fletcher Smith, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

DATE: March 23, 2023,
LOCATION: Lake House Live Oak Hall (Max: 100)
SCHEDULE:
7:00pm Registration & Refreshments
7:30pm Program
8:30pm Q&A and Program Close
COST: Free for 2023 SIB Member; $10/guest
(Learn How to join SIB)

Program Description:

Be sure to register so you won’t miss this exciting event!

Join SIB: Learning Together at Palmetto Lake

Wednesday, March 08, 2023-4:00pm -6:00pm
Location: Meet at Equestrian end of Lake House parking lot
Max: 15
Cost: Free for 2023 members, $10 for guests

Description: Join the Seabrook Island Birders for a leisurely walk around Palmetto Lake. We plan to walk part way along the path towards the Equestrian Center then hopefully see the “white birds” come in to roost for the evening. The path around Palmetto Lake is wheelchair navigable and for those walking it will be less than a half a mile. As we walk along Seabrook Island Road, we hope to see some of our resident winter warblers (an maybe some early arriving spring warblers) such as Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers and my favorite Black and White Warbler. We also expect to see a large variety of birds including Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, Herons and birds of prey. If the “white birds” get the invitation, we hope to see Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and White Ibis roosting for the evening. Hooded Mergansers, Pie-billed Grebes and Buffleheads may be seen swimming in the lake.

Dress in layers and bring your binoculars, hats, and a beverage of choice. You may also wish to bring a chair to sit and enjoy your beverage while watching the birds coming in for their evening roost. Sunset is 6:22 so timing will hopefully be good before the coming time change.

Please register no later than Monday March 6. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the Tuesday, the day prior to the activity.

Join SIB: Beyond Our Backyard – Bluff Unit National Wildlife Refuge

Sunday, March 5, 2023 7:00am– 4:00 pm
Trip to Bluff Unit National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Meet at SI Real Estate Office to Carpool at 7:00 am
(Meet at 2125 Fort Watson Road, Summerton at 9:00am, the Visitor Center)
Max: 12
Cost: free to members, $10 per guest

Bluff Unit is part of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge located just north of I-95 on Lake Marion. The visitors center is closed but there is a Johnny on the Spot. After birding at the visitor’s center we will head to Wright’s Bluff Nature Trail. There is an overlook on Cantey Bay from which we may see a variety of wintering waterfowl including American Wigeon, Gadwall and Northern Pintail. During our walk through the woods we could see Black and White warblers, Orange-crown warblers and Brown Creepers. In the large open field we may see a variety of sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks as well as raptors. In the small ponds we should see a variety of ducks.

Expect 3 to 4 miles walk over flat terrain. Bring lunch, plenty to drink, sunscreen and bug spray. You may also want to bring a scope.

If you are not yet a 2023 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 March 3, 2023. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior the event.

Trip report: SIB visits Bear Island and Donnelly

On February 16, a small group from SIB visited these wonderful Wildlife Management areas. Bob Mercer provided a wonderful trip report of the day we thought you would like to see.

Tundra Swans at Bear Island – Bob Mercer

Getting started at 5:30 AM is not everyone’s idea of a good time. The three people who made the effort to set out for Bear Island Wildlife Management Area were rewarded with a stunning sunrise over a foggy almost dry pond. Seeing Tundra Swans before they left the pond at dawn set the early departure time from Seabrook Island. With the pond almost dry, the only swans seen was a family unit of five birds on the far side of the road in excellent morning light. On the other hand, the herons, egrets, and ibis passed by or landed in the mudflats in large numbers. The mudflats also provided space for hundreds of shorebirds, most either backlit or far away. Those we could identify included both yellowlegs, Dunlin, and Killdeer. We would see another family unit of seven Tundra Swans later in the morning.

In the first few ponds, we spied a few Mottled Ducks and numerous Pied-billed Grebes. A pair of Bald Eagles sat close together in a tree close to the road. In the wooded sections we saw or heard many of the expected birds like the very vocal Pine Warblers.

Lesser Yellowlegs at Bear Island – Bob Mercer

As we rounded the corner of one pond, Ann and Shelly called out in unison, spoonbill! One lone individual in perfect light graced us with a good view. Also there, a flock of 140 American Coots clustered together slowly moved away from us. Here we found another Bald Eagle and our first Northern Shovelers.

After leaving the Pecan Grove, the pond contained our first large collection of duck—Northern Shovelers by the score. One hundred and forty or so American Avocets waded around swishing their bill back and forth feeding. Farther back were rafts of ducks too far for even the spotting scope to sort out the species.

Everywhere we stopped, we added new species. By the time we left about 11:30 AM, the list of species stood at 71 species. Nothing super rare, but still a respectable count.

The next stop—Donnelly Wildlife Management Area for a much-needed lunch and rest stop. During lunch an Eastern Meadowlark gave all a good view. We eventually saw 35 Eastern Meadowlarks rise up out of one of the fields and fly past, exciting, but not as good an opportunity to study the bird. Pine Warblers were singing everywhere in both WMAs, but we heard our first Yellow-throated Warbler in Donnelly. In the big pond, we found more Roseate Spoonbills and American White Pelicans (and at least 10 impressively large alligators).

White Pelicans at Bear Island – Bob Mercer

On the way out of Donnelly, we stopped at the last big lake where a couple of Red-headed Woodpeckers gave a show.

Tallying up the list, we had 51 species at Donnelly and ended the day with a total of 81 species of birds.

Text and photos by Bob Mercer

Join SIB: Beyond our Backyard – West Ashley Park

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 with morning only (8 am – 11 am)
Location: Meet at Seabrook Island Real Estate to carpool at 7:15am
Meet trip leader Cathy Miller at the West Ashley Park (3601 Mary Ader Avenue) at first large parking lot past the soccer fields.
Max: 8
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests

Join SIB to bird in the beautiful woodlands of the West Ashley Park on Church Creek. This lovely city park provides amenities for sports and nature lovers alike. Here we will explore the wooded wetlands. All birding will be on foot and we will cover about 3.5 – 4 miles. The terrain can be muddy and rooted. Some trails may have standing water so wear comfortable hiking shoes that you can get wet. We will not wade through anything deeper than an inch. And, if it has not rained in a while, we may not splash through any puddles at all!

We can expect to see a large variety of waders including Egrets, Herons, Ibis, and Anhinga. Ducks such as Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and Mallards are possible and we will definitely hear and perhaps see Red-shouldered Hawks, Turkey Vultures, our usual winter resident species like Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Carolina Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, Cedar Waxwings, Yellow-Rumped Warblers will be here in abundance. Hopefully, we will also get to see Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, Rusty Blackbirds, Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-throated Warblers, Black-and-White Warblers, Orange Warbler, Gray Catbird, House Wrens and Palm Warblers. Though the species count may not be super high, this site is fabulously birdy. It will be a great place for a beginning birder to practice birding by ear as you will hear our local species non-stop in the morning. If you have not yet done so, I recommend downloading the free Merlin app to your phones to help you train your ears as you listen. As you become familiar with the trails in the park on this trip, you will be better prepared for exploring this area in peak migration season (Fall especially) when these woods pull in some
great migratory warbler species.

As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, bug spray, hats and sunscreen. Bring plenty to drink and snacks. There are many good restaurants close-by at which to eat lunch afterwards, if you wish. Restroom facilities are available at the different athletic fields in the park.

If you are not yet a 2023 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 register no later than February 26. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the February 27, 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.

Join SIB for Learning Together on Golf Course-Ocean Winds

Monday February 20, 2023 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.