January is a busy month for SI birders – many opportunities to improve your birding skills regardless of your level of interest, including several chances to learn about the many shorebirds that are on North Beach.
Learning Together at North Beach
When: Saturday January 8, 2022 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Meet at Boardwalk # 1 Parking lot
Max: None
Cost: Free for members; $5 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. 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.
Register here.
January Movie – “Bird Brain”
When: Tuesday January 11, 2022 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Watch astonishing tests of avian aptitude: parrots that can plan for the future, jackdaws that can “read” human faces, and crows that can solve multi-step puzzles with tools like pebbles, sticks, and hooks. Could these just be clever tricks, based on instinct or triggered by subtle cues from their human handlers?
Watch the trailer here.
Please sign up to join us for an afternoon at the movies!
Learning Together at Palmetto Lake
When: Wednesday, January 12, 2022 from 4:00 pm to sunset
Location: Meet at equestrian end of The Lake House parking lot
Max: 15
Cost: Free for 2022 members, $5 for guests
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 probably only a quarter of a mile. As we walk along Seabrook Island Road, we hope to see some of our resident winter warblers such as Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers and Black and White Warblers. 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.
Register here.
Beyond Our Backyard at Kiawah River Development
When: Sunday, January 16, 2022 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Meet at the “bridge” entering the property
Cost: None for members; $5 donation for guests
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. 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.
As always, be sure to bring your binoculars, hats, water and sunscreen.
Please register no later than Friday, January 14, 2022. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the day prior to the event.
Register here
In-person Evening Program, January 19, 2022
SIB Presents the Center for Birds of Prey
Date: Wednesday January 19, 2022
Registration starts 7:00 pm. Program starts 7:30 pm
Location: Live Oak Hall, The Lake House
Program Fee: Members $5.00
Attendance: Limited to 100 members
Stephen Schabel, Center for Birds of Prey Director of Education, once again brings the Center’s amazing raptors to The Lake House. We’ll witness the interesting and important world of raptors through this unique indoor program. Stephen’s engaging discussion, along with watching the birds in action, will give us a wonderful education of these majestic creatures and the significant role they play as apex avian predators.
The program is limited to 100 SIB members. SIPOA COVID protocol will be followed – masks required in Live Oak Hall, masks and physical distancing recommended while traversing other indoor space. No refreshments will be served. If COVID conditions change prior to January 19, the program could be canceled.
Register here.
Learning Together at North Beach
When: Sunday, January 23, 2022 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Meet at Boardwalk # 1 parking lot
Max: None
Cost: Free for members; $5 donation for guests
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. 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.
Register here.
Workshop on Favorite Birding Apps
When: Tuesday January 25, 2022 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: The Lake House Osprey 2
Max: 12
Cost: None for members; $5 donation for guests
Do you have a smart phone or a tablet? Are you interested in learning more about birds or trying to identify a bird? Why carry a heavy paper guidebook into the field or even around the house when you probably have a smart phone or tablet nearby!?! Like with everything, there is an app for anything and birding is no different. For many people, using a smart phone is the best way to easily identify birds and even track sightings.
Getting started using these various apps sometimes requires help. Others may have “tricks” they have learned while using the apps. SIB will offer a workshop to share and learn from each other. If you don’t already have the desired app on your device, we’ll even help you download it.
Bring your device, questions and tips to our workshop. If you want to load new apps, you will also need your account information for the App Store. If you want more information about possible apps, read prior blogs to give you ideas:
Click here for apps for your device.
Click here for birding app recommendations.
SIPOA rules for masks will be followed.
Register here.
Beyond our Backyard at Pitt Street Causeway and Fort Moultrie
When: Friday, January 28, 2022 from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (roundtrip from Seabrook Island) Location: Meet at Real Estate Parking lot at 8:30 am to carpool to Pitt St. in Mount Pleasant
Max: 12
Cost: None for members; $5 donation for guests
Bird Pitt Street Causeway: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Bird Fort Moultrie and Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Pitt Street Causeway in Mount Pleasant is a small park with limited parking and no facilities, but it is worth a visit during any season. Almost any species of shorebird occurring along the South Carolina coast might be present on the mud flats here (especially at low tide). The marshes and salt creeks on the north side of the causeway are good for any salt marsh species, including all of the marsh-loving sparrows. You also have a good view of Charleston Harbor.
When SIB visited this site in 2019, we observed 41 species. The causeway is accessible for those with mobility issues. Once we are done at Pitt Street, those who are interested will go for lunch at The Co-op at 2019 Middle Street.
After lunch, SIB will return to Fort Moultrie and the Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail. In September, we saw 62 species on our visit. The season will be different, offering a different variety of birds. This portion of the walk will include walks over uneven paths.
Participants may opt to participate in only the morning at Pitt Street or both. If you wish to only do Fort Moultrie, we ask you just let us know and provide your own transportation.
Be sure to bring binoculars, camera, hats, sunscreen, bug repellant, snacks and water.
Register here.
Learning Together at North Beach
When: Saturday, January 29, 2022, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Meet at Boardwalk # 1 parking lot
Max: None
Cost: Free for members; $5 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. 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.
Register here.
Learning Together on Golf Course – Ocean Winds
When: Monday January 31, 2022, 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Location: Meet at The 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 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.
Register here.
-Submitted by SIB
(Image credit: PBS, The Center for Birds of Prey)