February is the month of love. You are going to love all the great activities we have planned for this month. There are four wonderful opportunities to bird off-island as well as several of our on-island favorites. Engage in one of the many chances to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count and add your bird sightings to Audubon’s list.
Be sure to attend our February 22 evening meeting to learn about the important role that Seabrook plays in the survival of our amazing Red Knots.
Learning Together – Kiawah Preserve
When: Thursday, February 1, 2024, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Meet at the parking lot by The Station at Freshfields at 8:00 am.
There is a limit of only 12 people, in three cars. Passes for Kiawah will be obtained the night before.
Cost: Free for members, $10 per guest
We will walk through a well maintained trail through a variety of habitats including wetlands, a maritime forest, ponds and a waterway. There’s an observation tower for those who would like to do some climbing, and get a better view. Hopefully, we will see both full time residents such as Red-headed Woodpeckers and over wintering birds. In previous visits, we’ve seen the normal suspects plus Dark-eyed Juncos and Common Gallinules. For those interested, the day can be extended with a visit to Kiawah’s beach near the Ocean Course.
As always, be sure to bring your binoculars, hats, water and sunscreen.
All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on Wednesday, January 31.
Register here.
Beyond the Backyard to Mingo Point
When: Thursday, Feb. 8, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Meet at The Lake House parking lot, nearest to the lake.
Max: 10
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Join SIB for Birding and Biking to Mingo Point. This is a six mile round trip biking trip from The Lakehouse parking lot. It is very casual with many spots for birding. If you would like to meet us at Mingo Point instead of riding, just let us know. Birders from beginners to advanced birders will enjoy the variety of birds found on this trip.
As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen. Bring plenty to drink and a snack if desired.
Please register no later than Feb.7, 2024. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior to the event. If you need to cancel, please let us know so we can invite people on the waitlist.
Register here.
Beyond Our Backyard – Bear Island/Donnelly WMA
When: Saturday, Feb. 10, 5:30 am– 4:00 pm
Location: Meet at SI real estate office to carpool at 5:30 am
(Meet at Mary’s pond at 7:00 am)
Max: None
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests
If you have never been to Bear Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or to Donnelly WMA, you will not want to miss this opportunity – it’s well worth the 60-mile one-way trip! Part of the ACE Basin, this area is perfect habitat for birds with ponds, rivers, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, mudflats, mixed pine-hardwood forest and farmland. Most of the birding is done by car with stops to get out and take short walks for viewing. Bear Island closes for hunting from November 1 – February 9 each year, so this is an early chance to visit for spring. We hope the winter waterfowl will still be present including the Tundra Swan.
Each person should bring their own lunch, snacks and beverages, as there are no restaurants (nor restrooms) in the area. Also, be sure to bring sunblock, bug spray, a hat, binoculars, camera and a scope if you have one.
Please register no later than February 8. 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.
February Movie, “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper ”
When: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Location: In person at Oyster Catcher Community Center (if there are at least five people) and virtually via Zoom
“Life-long birder, Christian Cooper, takes us on a journey to dive into and discover the wild, wonderful and unpredictable world of birds. S1 E1 · Puerto Rico (Jun 17, 2023) Christian Cooper discovers the rare and colorful birdlife of Puerto Rico.”
To learn more about Christian Cooper, click here.
Register here.
Learning Together at North Beach
When: Friday, February 16, 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
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 February 14. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on February 15, 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.
Great Backyard Bird Count
When: Sunday, February 18, 2024, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Various locations around Seabrook Island
Max: 20
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests.
Connect to birds, nature, and each other! Birds are everywhere, all the time, doing fascinating things. Join Audubon and SIB, February 16–19, 2024, when the world comes together for the love of birds.
You can also do your own birding and submit your findings. This birding can be any time (and as many times) between 12:01 am, February 16 through 11:59 pm, February 19.
Audubon gives the following steps:
Step 1 – Decide where you will watch birds.
Step 2 – Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 16-19, 2024.
Step 3 – Count all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings (either Merlin or eBird). If you use eBird, “share” your eBird list with SIB eBird so we can compile a list for all of Seabrook. If you don’t use eBird, please submit your list to SIB, and SIB will enter into your information into eBird.
SIB’s organized GBBC activities are on Sunday:
When: Sunday, February 18, 2024, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Various locations around Seabrook Island
Max: 20
Cost: No cost to members, $10 to non-members
Join us in participating in Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird Count. The day will involve walks at various locations throughout the day. The schedule below allows for individuals to sign up for a portion of the day if the whole day is not of interest. We request you register for all sections you will be attending so we know if we should wait for you at any individual location.
Between locations listed below and as time permits, we will stop by members’ yards to see what they have at their feeders. Unfortunately, these will be unscheduled visits since the duration of each location below needs to be somewhat flexible based upon what’s being seen. We do provide you with an opportunity to enter your address if you’d like us to include you on our list.
– Maintenance Area /Equestrian Center, 8:00 – 9:30 am
We’ll start at the garden parking lot. We will walk through the club maintenance area and look over the fence to the retention ponds of the water treatment facility. In this area, we hope to see Hooded Mergansers, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks and songbirds and sparrows. From there, we will walk along the horse trail (or drive) to the equestrian center to see Starlings and Cowbirds plus numerous other birds that can be expected there.
– Palmetto Lake, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Join us to explore the birds around The Lake House and Palmetto Lake. This is less than one mile of flat, paved walk around the lake.
– Bobcat Trail and Six Ladies Trail, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
We will meet at the owners parking lot near boardwalk 1 and proceed to Bobcat Trail then Six Ladies Trail and back to the parking lot. This walk provides a variety of habitats for our viewing pleasure. The Six Ladies Trail is over uneven terrain but those uncomfortable with that portion can return to the parking lot upon the completion of the Bobcat Trail portion.
– Jenkin’s Point, 3:00-5:00 pm
We will be exploring the birds seen along Jenkins Point lagoons and streets, including ducks, wading birds and shorebirds. Since this event will be primarily by car, it is appropriate for members with mobility issues. You could join us on your bicycle if you wish.
As we finish Jenkin’s Point, Deanna and Dan Forsythe will host a gathering with drinks and snacks where we can recap our day.
For all walk events, bring sunblock, bug spray, a hat, water, snacks and binoculars.
Please register no later than Thursday, February 15. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on Friday, February 16. 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,February 19, 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 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.
South Carolina’s Critical Role in the Survival of Arctic Nesting Shorebirds with a focus on Red Knots
Speaker: Felicia Sanders, Supervisor Coastal Bird Conservation Project, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
When: February 22, 7:00 pm
Location: The Lake House, Live Oak Hall
- 7:00 pm – Registration & Refreshments
- 7:30 pm - Program
- 8:45 pm - Program ends
Register here.
Backyard Birding at Treeloft Trace
When: Sunday, February 25, 2024, 8:00 – 10:00 am
Location: 813 Treeloft Trace
Max: 12
Cost: Free for members; $10 donation for guests.
Join SIB members Gina and Jeff Sanders at their address 813 Treeloft Trace, Sunday, February 25. from 8:00-10:00 am. They have a mix of songbirds, wading birds and currently hooded mergansers and cormorants. Frequently, hawks, eagles and osprey can be seen over Tarpon Pond. Their backyard backs up to Tarpon Pond and overlooks the 16 fairway of Ocean Winds. Dress warm and come join us for morning birding.
Bring binoculars and bug spray.
Register here.
-Submitted by SIB
(Image credit: SIB, National Geographic, SC Dept. of Natural Resources)
