Start the new year with a bang. Join SIB as we begin 2024 with some interesting birding trips as well as our most popular evening meeting. Also, the Center for Birds of Prey is returning with their educational program. Make sure your dues are up to date as this program will be a members only event.
Beyond Our Backyard at Kiawah River
When: Sunday, January 7, 2024, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Meet at the “bridge” entering the property
Cost: Free for members, $10 per guest
Here is an opportunity 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, and 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 5, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the day prior to the event.
Register here.
January Movie, “Wild America – Season Two – Bird Watching”
(Episodes 9 and 10)
When: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Location: In person at Oyster Catcher Community Center (if there are at least five people) and virtually via Zoom
Birdwatching is one very popular way in which many people enjoy the wonder and fascination of our great American outdoors. More so than any other creatures, birds have captured the imagination of humans as they float on the wind, soar to great heights and make the world a more wonderful place.
Episode 9: “Woodies and Hoodies” – Two of the world’s most beautiful ducks are North American natives. The Wood Duck, or “Woody,” dabbles on plant life. The Hooded Merganser, or “Hoody”, dives for fish. Differences in lifestyles lead to amusing events when female Woodies and Hoodies lay eggs in each other’s nests. We watch as a mother Woody at Iroquois Wildlife Refuge tries to raise a mixed brood.
Episode 10: “Woodpeckers: Nature’s Hammerheads” – The ancients believed these birds were gods that could bring forth rain by tapping their bills. Woodpeckers cannot perform miracles, but they do know how to use their heads. Special adaptations enable them to whack away at tree trunks with extraordinary force in their quest for food and shelter. This high-powered hammering also benefits humans by destroying insect pests.
Register here.
Beyond Our Backyard – Botany Bay WMA Trailer Tour
When: Thursday, January 11, 2024, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Botany Bay Rd, Edisto Island, South Carolina
Max: 20
Carpool : Meet at Seabrook Island real estate office at 6:45 am. The drive is approximately 90 minutes to the nature trail’s parking lot
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Join SCDNR & ornithologist Craig Watson for a bird watching trailer tour throughout Botany Bay!
Enjoy the diverse bird population with SCDNR and renowned ornithologist Craig Watson for a bird watching trailer tour throughout the Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA). According to eBird, 108 species were seen here in January 2023…Hopefully we’ll see a significant subset of that. We had 54 species when we visited in March 2022.
Please note that this is a very remote area as it is a WMA and there are no facilities such as restrooms.
Details for the event:
• Trailer tour: The bird watching tour will take place on a trailer. If you cannot attend the entire length of the program, you can follow behind in your car. Due to limited space, all participants must RSVP.
• What to bring: Dress is casual. Check the weather report and dress appropriately as you will be outside. Other items to consider bringing include binoculars, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, bug spray and reusable water bottle.
• Weather: Tours are held rain or shine unless hazardous weather occurs.
• Parking: Once you enter into the gates of Botany Bay, please check your vehicle in at the front kiosk. Drive one mile up the road and meet at the “Check Station” (look for SCDNR truck & trailer)
Please register no later than January 8, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior to the event.
Register here.
Learning Together at North Beach
When: Saturday, January 13, 2024, 9:00 am – 11:30 am
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 Boardwalk #1 to the tip of North Beach along Captain Sams Inlet as high tide approaches. Birders from beginners to advanced 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. If you don’t 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 January 11. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on January 12, 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.
Register here.
Learning Together on Crooked Oaks Golf Course
When: Monday, January 15, 2024 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; $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 SIB to use golf carts to travel the course to bird. Join us for a morning of birding by riding in golf carts for at least nine 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 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.
Please register no later than Friday prior to the trip. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on 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.
Register here.
Beyond Our Backyard – Pitt Street Causeway to Watermark Lake
When: Monday, Jan. 22, 9:00 am– 4:00 pm
Location: Meet at SI real estate office to carpool at 9:00 am
(Meet at Pitt Street Causeway at 10:00 am)
Max: 10
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests. Priority will be given to prior waitlisted & members
We are trying something new. Pitt Street Causeway offers a good view of saltwater marsh in Charleston Harbor where we can see shorebirds and ducks. After spending time at Pitt Street, we will go to a local restaurant near Shem Creek for a warm lunch. After lunch, we will take a quick walk on the Shem Creek boardwalk before heading to Watermark Lake, a great spot to find ducks of many species like Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, and Ring-necked Duck. Bring binoculars, camera and a scope if you have one.
Please register no later than January 20, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior to the event.
Register here.
Save the Date – Birds of Prey
Presented by: Avian Conservation Center – Center for Birds of Prey
When: Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 7:00 pm
Where: Live Oak Room at The Lake House
-Submitted by SIB
(Image credit: SIB, Wild America, Center for Birds of Prey)