SINHG 2016 Spring Trips Announced
The Seabrook Island Natural History Group sent trip descriptions and sign up materials for the 2016 spring trips to SINHG members on Thursday, November 19th. As always, the trip offerings include something for everyone. Continue reading “SINHG Spring 2016 Trip Sign Up Begins!”
Tracking mammals on Seabrook Island
On November 12, eight hardy and inquisitive SINHG members took part in a tracking class conducted by David Gardner, Director of Environmental Education, at Camp St. Christopher. The class started by spending some time in a classroom setting learning about common species of mammals on Seabrook Island, what is involved in the science of tracking and how to identify various tracks. The class then went outdoors and used this knowledge to discover and identify many of these mammals’ tracks in the sand dunes and surrounding woods. Such fun and so educational!!
Thanks David!!
Submitted by Trish Emstrom
This is an abridged version of the Environmental Committee minutes of the recent November 4, 2015 meeting. Complete minutes can be found on the SIPOA website in the property owners’ section.
The Greenery
The barren area to the right of the Pelicans Nest when facing the ocean at Seabrook Island Road will be sodded to control continuing erosion of the bank.
Wildlife Mapping
There were 12 sightings reported in October which included the first red fox seen for several years near Summerwinds Cottages.
Birding Group
Sixty people have indicated interest. The first meeting was held November 3. Preliminary suggestions are to meet quarterly to educate, plan outings and communicate information to residents.
Seabrook Island has received a Stage One of four of the Audubon International Sustainable Communities Program.
Lakes Management
Owners are responsible for maintaining trees and shrubs around lake banks on their property or that encroach into water adjacent to their property in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ARC. It is not a SIPOA responsibility to remove fallen trees.
Submitted by Jane Marvin
For those shut in by the storm and the king tide that are interested in the impact on our beach, here are two pictures taken from just south of Boardwalk #6 at 9:30 a.m. this morning. Several weeks ago we had 200-300 feet of dry sand beach in this area. Today it is more like 50-100 feet.
Submitted by Bill Nelson
On Monday, October 19th, seventeen Seabrook Island Natural History Group (SINHG) members visited the National Weather Center location at the airport. Given recent weather events in our area, the visit couldn’t have been more timely. In addition to a discussion of these events, the group learned how the Center handles public, marine and aviation forecasts including tornadoes, hurricanes, flashflood warnings, and severe thunderstorms. An explanation of the techniques employed to predict these climatic events and a tour of the facilities was followed by a lively question-and-answer period. The group consensus was that they had “a great trip experience”.
SINHG trip planners conduct 65 to 70 trips every year. For more information about Seabrook Island Natural History Group activities and membership please go to our web site, sinhg.org.
-Submitted by Gary Fansler
Printed tide charts are available at the Seabrook Island Town Hall located at 2001 Seabrook Island Road. The Town Hall is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Submitted by Faye Allbritton – Clerk/Treasurer, Town of Seabrook Island
We have had several requests to post the tide tables for Seabrook Island. Here is a link to a fishing site that, if you scroll to the bottom, shows the tide tables for each day of the October. If you want to see future months as well just click on the drop down menu at the top of the graphs and choose the month you wish to see. If someone has a better site to get the tide information for Seabrook Island, please let us know and we will post it.
http://www.ezfshn.com/tides/usa/south%20carolina/seabrook/October/2015
Submitted by Tidelines Staff
Fall brings out surprises in many gardens. We may not have an abundance of fall color in the Lowcountry, but we do have several plants that, although forgotten or overlooked during the warm blooming season, burst forth in all their beauty in the fall. Such is the case with two native plants I want to share with you, Beauty Berry ( Callicarpa americana) and Shepherds Needle (Bidens alba). Both plants adapt well to our Seabrook soils, have moderate water requirements, prefer sun or only part shade and are relatively disease and pest free. They are both moderately “deer tolerant,” being browsed upon only when more preferred foods are not available.
Beauty Berry, also know as French Mulberry, is a fast growing, 3’6’ tall and wide deciduous shrub having an open growing habit. The size and loose habit make it best suited for the back of a shrub border where it can be naturalized. In the fall, the insignificant summer blooms develop into showy, bright violet, berrylike drupes that encircle the stems. 
For you scholars, the botanical name Callicarpa comes from the Greek words callos (‘beauty’) and carpos (‘fruit’). The “berries” provide food for a more numerous and diverse group of mammals and birds than any other Lowcountry native plant I know.
Shepherds Needle is a true native annual wildflower found throughout Seabrook Island. It is completely carefree and selfsowing to the point that many would consider it a weed. As such, a location that can be naturalized should be selected for it and thinning helps to keep it in check. The picture below was taken beside the Lake House Trail where it is on display with another native whiteblooming wildflower, Boneset Plant (Eupatorium perfoliatum). Like many fall bloomers with daisylike flowers, this 2’4’ plant is a member of the aster family.
Shepherds Needle is very widespread because of its prolific production of seeds (around 3,000 per plant!) and the fact that the seeds remain viable for three to five years. The pitchforkshaped seeds have prongs that readily attach to wildlife (and humans!) for wide distribution. This characteristic is the foundation for two other common names for the plant, “Beggar Ticks” and “Tickseed.” Several species of birds relish the seeds, but the nectar and pollen are even more popular with a diverse number of insects. 
I see a greater number of different pollinators on Shepherds Needle than on any other plant in my garden, more than making up for any shortcomings it may have.
-Submitted by Don Smith
The next Full Moon Bonfire will be held on Tuesday October 27. Sunset – 6:34 pm;
Moonrise – 7:03 pm; This will be a Full Hunters Moon. We meet on the beach just north of boardwalk #6.
One of our piebald bucks died 2 weeks ago, but at least one other is alive and well. He was outside our house at 5 pm today, eating magnolia seeds for dinner.
-Submitted by Guy Gimson
Sue Lord reported that she saw the Piebald Buck on Tuesday evening (October 13th) just off Seabrook Island Road between The Haulover and Wood Duck Place. He is definitely alive and well.
-Submitted by Tidelines Editor
A large audience of Seabrook Natural History Group members and guests were entertained and informed on Thursday, October 8th by Brian Balmer, Phd. Brian is a scientist with the Oceans and Human Health Branch of the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston. Brian’s research is focused on bottlenose dolphins. His fascinating presentation explained the types of dolphin populations along the eastern coast of the United States, the impact of disease and pollution on these populations and the ramifications these have for humans. The scientific methodology used in measuring these phenomena included photographic identification of individual dolphins, brief capture and physical exams and tracking using transmitters. All in all a very interesting presentation on a topic of great interest to most Seabrookers.
Next month’s SINHG evening program shifts from nature to history featuring Katherine Saunders Pemberton, the Associate Director of Preservation at the Historic Charleston Foundation. Her presentation will provide information and insight into the continuing efforts to maintain Charleston’s historic nature. The program is scheduled for:
Thursday, November 12th. Refreshments – 7:00 PM Program – 7:30 PM Location – Lake House All Seabrook Island residents and guests are welcome. There is a $5 donation for non SINHG members. Information about future programs and SINHG membership can be found at the SINHG web site, sinhg.org.
Submitted by Gary Fansler