April means the arrival of Spring migrants and a variety of activities with Seabrook Island Birders. We have eight activities you won’t want to miss, including our evening meeting on Friday, April 26, 2024 with Rebecca Haynes, VP and Executive Director, Audubon South Carolina. Learn about the mission and impact of Audubon in the Palmetto State..
Learning Together on Ocean Winds Golf Course
When: Monday, April 8, 2024 8:30 – 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 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 spring, we can also expect to see Eastern Kingbirds, Great-crested Flycatchers, Orchard Orioles, Summer Tanagers, Mississippi Kites and more! A highlight will be the nesting activity at the rookery, as well as the chance to see two Osprey nests! Even though it’s the day of the eclipse, that shouldn’t impact our morning activities.
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.
April Movie, “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper ”
When: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Location: Zoom only
“Life-long birder, Christian Cooper, takes us on a journey to dive into and discover the wild, wonderful and unpredictable world of birds. S1 E3 · Hawaii (Jun 30, 2023) – Exploring the unique birdlife on Hawaii’s Big Island, Christian treks through rainforests and rocky terrain to meet a Hawaiian Hawk, feed adorable baby white terns, and join a wild goose chase.
To learn more about Christian Cooper, click here.
Register here.
Beyond Our Backyard – CawCaw Interpretive Center
When:Friday, April 12, 2024, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Location: Leave Seabrook Island Real Estate to carpool at 8:15 am. The drive is approximately 40 minutes.
Cost: Free to members, $10 for non- members (Park entrance fee is $2 per adult, or a gold pass)
Join SIB at Caw Caw County Park as we search for spring migrants and discover the resident nesting birds. The park is comprised of three colonial era rice fields, fresh, brackish, saltwater marshes, cypress-tupelo swamps, bottomland, and beech-holly forests. All told, these varied habitats comprise a total of 654 acres with six miles of trails. Over 250 bird species have been observed within the boundaries of Caw Caw.
Some of the bird species we may find during this time of the year include Painted Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow Throated Warbler, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Prairie Warbler, Pine Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Northern Paula, Hooded Warbler, Black-Throated Blue Warbler, Yellow Throated Vireo, White-Eyed Vireo, Summer Tanager, Mississippi Kite, Swallow-Tailed Kite, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Osprey, Bald Eagle, and the wide variety of wading birds present in the park year round.
Appropriate footwear is recommended as we will likely walk approximately two to three miles. Even during dry spells, wet trail conditions may be encountered. Participants should also consider these other items to maximize their comfort and enjoyment: binoculars, bug spray, sunscreen, hats, layered clothing to adjust to the morning’s weather, field guides if print is your preference, eyeglass – lens cleaner, water, snacks, camera, and a pack or shoulder bag for your needs.
For those who are interested, we’ll lunch at Angel Oaks Cafe after our walk.
Please register prior to April 11, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day before the event.
Learning Together – Six Ladies Trail/Bobcat
When: Monday, April 15, 2024, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Meet at Bobcat and Six Ladies Trails
Max: 12
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Let’s start the day with a visit to the areas near the beach. Some of our spring migrants may have come in or we may see remainders of our winter visitors. Painted Buntings should have begun to arrive. Eastern Towhee and Gulls and Egrets should also be seen. While on Six Ladies Trail, we can possibly see some raptors and egrets when we stop at the picnic table looking over the marsh towards Creek Watch .
As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen.
Please register no later than Saturday, April 13, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Beyond Our Backyard – James Island County Park
When: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 10;00 am – 12:00 noon
Location: Meet at SI real estate office at 9:15 am
Max: 12
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests (Park Admission $2 per person, free for Gold Pass members and guests.)
Join SIB for a morning birding a variety of diverse habitats in this lush, well maintained county park.
James Island County Park is a 643 acre park with an abundance of natural beauty, consisting of open meadows, miles of easy to navigate paved and unpaved trails, with ponds, marshland and views of the Stono River from the fishing dock.
We will explore approximately two miles of paved and unpaved sections looking for the over 100 potential species seen here in the past at this time of year, including Wood stork, Green Heron, Blue-headed Vireo, Purple Martin, Marsh Wren, to name a few. If we are lucky we might be able to catch a glimpse of our many overwintering Sparrows before they head up north for breeding, and possibly some early spring migrants and rarities making their way to or through the area.
There is a $2 per person entry fee unless you are a Gold Pass Member or ride with someone who has a Gold Pass.
There will be restrooms available as well as picnic tables and water fountains along our route.
As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats, water bottle, snack, sunscreen and bug spray.
For those who are interested, we are planning to visit one of James Islands’ nearby restaurants (TBD) following the morning activity.
Please register no later than April 15, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter 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 – Edisto Nature Trail
When: Sunday, April 21, 2024, 7:00 am – 12:00 noon (The walk starts at Edisto Nature Trail at 8:00 am). An optional (weather permitting) drive down Hyde Park Road is planned for the return drive.
Location:Meet at SI Real Estate office to carpool to Edisto Nature Trail (approximately a 50 minute drive)
Edisto Nature Trail: 17038 Ace Basin Pkwy Jacksonboro, SC
Max: 15
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Come join us for spring migration at the Edisto Nature Trail. This park, within the ACE Basin on Highway 17, is both a migrant hot spot and a known nesting area for a number of sought after bird species. The park, adjacent to the Edisto River, has a variety of habitats along its one point five mile looped trail.
Some of the bird species we hope to see, and have encountered in prior years, include such Warbler Species as Prothonotary, Worm-Eating, Black and White, Swainson’s, Kentucky, and Hooded. Other possible bird species include Veery, Scarlet Tanager, Blackburnian Warbler, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Blackpoll Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Blue-Winged Warbler, Warbling Vireos, and a variety of raptors.
This nature trail has a number of boardwalk crossovers to assist in traversing potentially wet areas. Appropriate footwear is recommended, even during dry spells. Participants should also consider these other items to maximize their comfort and enjoyment: binoculars, bug spray, sunscreen, hats, layered clothing to adjust to the morning’s weather, field guides if print is your preference, eyeglass – lens cleaner, water, snacks, camera, and a pack or shoulder bag for your needs.
Weather permitting, for those looking to extend their day, we will drive Hyde Park Rd on our return home. Hyde is a productive corridor for spring migrants that parallels Savannah Highway.
Please register no later than Friday, April 19, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the day prior to the event.
Register here.
Beyond Our Backyard: Beidler Forest
When: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 7:30 am – 2:00 pm (Tour starts at Beidler at 9:30 am)
Location: Meet at SI Real Estate office to carpool to Francis Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary (approximately a one and a half hour drive)
Max: 15
Cost: $12 for members; $10 fee for guests.
If you have never been to Francis Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary, you won’t want to miss this opportunity – it’s well worth the 70-mile one-way trip! We observed 32 species of birds on our last visit, including Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Swallow-tailed Kite, Barred Owl, and of course, Prothonotary Warbler!
The walk ends between 12:00 and 12:30. Participants may want to bring a lunch, snacks and beverages to “picnic” at the Center prior to their return to Seabrook Island as there are limited number of restaurants in the area. Also, be sure to bring sun block, bug spray, a hat, binoculars, camera and a scope if you have one.
Please register no later than no later than Tuesday, April 23. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on Wednesday, April 24.
Register here.
SIB Presents: Audubon SC – A Presentation on the Future Vision of This Important SIB Partner
Speaker: Rebecca Haynes, Executive Director Audubon South Carolina
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024, 7:00 pm
Location: The Lake House Live Oak Hall
- 7:00 pm: Registration & Refreshments
- 7:30 pm: Program
- 8:45 pm: Program ends
Program Description:
Rebecca will speak about Audubon South Carolina and the vision for the future of the organization. This will include how and where they are growing their impact such as coastal stewardship work, resilience planning with the state and communities, and improvements at their sanctuaries which are both turning 50 this year and next.
South Carolina Audubon is an important partner to Seabrook Island Birders. One of the most important outcomes of this partnership is our Shorebird Steward program. Click the link below to learn more about Audubon’s Stewardship effort, featuring our own Shorebird Stewards program.
How Audubon South Carolina Protects Their Coastal Birds and the Places They Need
Speaker Bio:
Rebecca Haynes has over 20 years of experience working in conservation. Rebecca spent her early career as a Watershed Manager at South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control working in the Savannah and Saluda River Basins. She later became the Associate Director of Southeast Conservation for American Rivers working on water supply issues as well as working with State and Federal agencies on hydropower dam proceedings in Alabama and South Carolina.
Rebecca most recently served as Government Relations Director and then Deputy Director for Conservations Voters of South Carolina for ten years. In addition to helping double the size of the organization and tripling its operating budget during her tenure, Rebecca was pivotal in the development and success of the South Carolina Conservation Coalition, a formal dues-paying coalition comprising over 40 environmental organizations from across the state.
Rebecca now serves as the Vice President and Executive Director of National Audubon Society South Carolina, bringing a deep understanding of conservation, environmental politics and policy in South Carolina to the team.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a certificate in Environmental Ethics, and a Master of Science degree in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development from the University of Georgia. When not at work, you can find Rebecca volunteering and mentoring in her community including serving in leadership roles in her historic downtown neighborhood, as a City of Columbia Commissioner for the Bull St District, and on the Alumni Board for the UGA Odum School of Ecology. She loves spending time with her husband and son and their dog and cat at their home in Columbia.
Register here.
Backyard Birding at the Haulover Rookery
When: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Location: 2445 The Haul Over
Max: 20
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests.
We are going back! Our visit last May to Annalee Regenburg’s backyard was a success as we saw a bumper crop of Egret and Heron nests. We lost count at 100 nests. Annalee’s house backs up to the Great White Egret Rookery. The females sit on their nests all day and the males come into the nests in the evenings. We plan on observing this wonderful, sometimes noisy event. We will likely see some snowy egrets and green herons, plus some night herons and Wood Storks too. One year, we even saw Cattle Egrets. Please walk around back when you arrive.
As always, be sure to bring your water, binoculars, hats and sunscreen.
Please register no later than Friday, April 26. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on Saturday, April 27.
Register here.
-Submitted by SIB
(Image credit: SIB, National Geographic, Audubon South Carolina)