SIB is starting 2025 off with a lot of exciting birding opportunities. Mark your calendars and make sure your dues are up to date so you can join us for our most popular evening program. On January 24, 2025, Center for Birds of Prey Director Stephen Schabel and some feathered friends will present a program on owls.
Backyard Birding at Privateer Creek Road
When: Thursday, January 9, 2025, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Location: 3274 Privateer Creek Road
Max: 12
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation to SIB for guests
Join SIB members Mary & Mark Wilde at their address, 3274 Privateer Creek Road. The birds love the Wildes’ bird feeders in their backyard. You can step out of the yard onto the golf course (hole #14, Crooked Oaks) or walk through the bike path to the stream that connects St. Christopher’s property at the end of Privateer Creek Road. This is an afternoon activity, so we may see some owls or other birds who come out at dusk. Please come around back when you arrive.
Be sure to bring binoculars and bug repellant.
Please register no later than January 7. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on January 8.
Register here.
Beyond Our Backyard at Kiawah River
When: Sunday, January 12, 2025, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Meet at the “bridge” entering the property
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Here is another 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 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, bring your binoculars, hats, water, and sunscreen.
Please register no later than Friday, January 10, 2025. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior to the event.
Register here.
Beyond our Backyard – Botany Bay WMA
When: Thursday, January 16, 2025, 7:30 am – 2:30 pm (roundtrip from Seabrook Island)
Leave Seabrook Real Estate: 7:30 am
Botany Bay: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:15 – 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Real Estate parking lot at 7:30 am to carpool to Botany Bay
Max: 12
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Enjoy the diverse bird population of Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA). We will meet at the kiosk at the entrance to Botany Bay and then caravan around the area. We will stop at various locations and walk to see birds not visible from the dirt roads. The event is timed to allow a walk on the raised path through the marsh. The WMA also has woods, marshes, and fields allowing for many species to be seen. Please note that this is a very remote area and there are no facilities such as restrooms.
You may pack a lunch to eat at either Botany Bay or you can join the group to eat at Roxbury Mercantile . This country store now has both inside and outside dining offering “Lowcountry cuisine”.
Participants may opt to only participate in the morning at Botany Bay. If you wish to only do Botany Bay, we ask you to let us know and provide your own transportation.
Bring binoculars, a camera, hats, sunscreen, bug repellant, snacks, and water.
Please register no later than Monday, January 13, 2025. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior to the event.
Register here.
Learning Together on Crooked Oaks Golf Course
When: Monday, January 20, 2025, 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 and 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 Egrets, Herons, and birds of prey. We will also see and hear some smaller birds like Tufted Titmice, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and some of the many warbler species. Since it’s 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, 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.
Learning Together at North Beach
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 9:00 – 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 of year, 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, 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.
Please register no later than Thursday, January 16, 2025. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on January 17, 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: Thursday, January 23, 2025, 8:30 am– 3:00 pm
Location: Meet at SI Real Estate office to carpool at 8:30 am
(Meet at Pitt Street Causeway at 9:30 am)
Max: 10
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
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 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, a camera, and a scope if you have one.
Please register no later than January 21, 2025. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior to the event.
Register here.
-Submitted by SIB