Beyond Our Backyard-Fort Lamar Preserve (James Island)
When: Monday, October 4, 2021, 6:30 am
Location: Meet at SI Real Estate Office to carpool
Meet at Fort Lamar: 7:15 am (Cathy Miller to meet everyone there)
Max: 12
Cost: Free for members, $5 per guest
Fort Lamar is a small SC Department of Natural Resources preserve that was the location of one of the most significant battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Secessionville. This site is highly favored by fall migrants so be prepared for warbler necks. Some advance preparation in the form of neck stretches and review of fall plumage of warblers is recommended as all eyes are needed when these birds bounce around the canopy above us.
October Big Day
When: Saturday October 9, 2021 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Location: Various locations around Seabrook Island
Max: 10
Cost: No cost for members, $5 for non-members
Join us for eBird’s October Big Day. The event will involve walks at various locations throughout the day. The schedule below allows for individuals to sign up for a portion of the day if you do not wish to participate in the full day. We request you register for all sections you will be attending so we know if we should wait for you at any individual location.
We will limit attendance for each activity to ten people due to COVID restrictions. We will also ask that masks be worn if social distancing cannot be maintained. Unfortunately, use of scopes will also be limited.
We have added a “virtual” activity this year when people can bird in the comfort of their own homes and share their findings with the group.
– Bird my backyard Bird your own property for as long as you want, as many times as you want, throughout the day. Keep a list and share your findings with SIB.
– Equestrian Center / Maintenance Area – 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Starlings and Cowbirds plus numerous other birds can be expected. A large number of birds will likely be seen near the parking area. A walk along the horse trail to the maintenance and garden area may be added to see a different variety of birds.
– North Beach – (High tide 11:05 am) – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
The group will walk the two miles to Captain Sam’s Inlet. (tides permitting). Those unable to walk the entire distance may turn around at any time.The group will work together to identify those hard to distinguish plovers and sandpipers. The walk is scheduled around the falling tide when the birds will be consolidated on a narrower beach while avoiding the worst of the tides. Meet at the Owners Beach Access Parking Lot at Boardwalk 1.
– Jenkin’s Point – 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
We will be exploring the birds seen along Jenkins Point lagoons and streets, including ducks, wading birds and shorebirds. We will go from location to location via car or bike. Since this event can be done primarily by car, it is appropriate for members with mobility issues. Meet at Jenkins Point Ct, (the street after the first pond on the left).
– Palmetto Lake – 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Sunset 6:54 pm)
Join us to explore the birds around The Lake House and the walks of Palmetto Lake. This is less than one mile of flat, paved walk around the lake. Recently, White Ibis, Cattle Egret, Little Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets have come to roost at dusk so we hope they continue to provide a show. Meet at The Lake House parking lot.
October Movie
Join us as we continue our Zoom movie matinees.
Tuesday October 12, 2021 from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
“The Legend of Pale Male”
In 1991, when a wild red-tailed hawk is seen for the first time in Central Park, New Yorkers wonder if and how this bold ambassador from the wild could make it in their city. One of them decides to buy a video camera and starts following the newcomer. He will… for twenty years! This is the true remarkable story of how Pale Male won the heart of New York City and became a living legend. Watch the trailer of the movie.
Learning Together-Crooked Oaks Golf Course
When: Monday October 18, 2021 8:30 am – 10:30 am
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; $5 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.
Learning Together on North Beach
When: Monday October 25, 2021 8:00 am -11:00 am
Where: Meet at Oyster Catcher Community Parking Lot (boardwalk #1)
We hope to spot a nice variety of shorebirds as we work our way to the North Beach inlet. We will meet in the Property Owners’ beach parking lot at 8:00 am. Be sure to bring binoculars, camera, hats, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Of course, you can head back at any time. We ask that all participants wear a mask when unable to social distance if you are not vaccinated.
Beyond Our Backyard-Bear Island and Donnelly WMA
Road Trip!! Join us as we explore one of our local resources.
When: Saturday October 30, 2021 6:00 am– 4:00 pm (sunrise 7:30 am)
Location: Meet at SI Real Estate Office to carpool
Max: 12
Cost: Free for members, $5 per guest
If you have never been to Bear Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or to Donnelly WMA, you won’t want to miss this opportunity – it’s well worth the 60-mile one-way trip! Part of the ACE Basin, this area is the perfect habitat for birds with ponds, rivers, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, mudflats mixed pine-hardwood forest and farmland. Most of the birding is done by car with stops to get out and take short walks for viewing. Bear Island closes for hunting from November 1 – February 9 each year, so this is the last chance to visit before spring. We hope the winter waterfowl will have returned including the Tundra Swan.
–Submitted by Seabrook Island Birders
(Image credit: audobon.org)