Join the Seabrook Island Birders Shorebird Stewards Program
Why?
To help birds at risk: Seabrook Island sits at a critical junction for a number of shorebird species! During the spring, birds like Piping Plovers and Red Knots need our beaches to pack on weight in preparation for migration. Banding records have demonstrated that some of the Red Knots visiting Seabrook Island are stopping as part of their annual migration of 9,300 miles from South America to the Arctic. For the past few years, SCDNR staff has attached special transmitters or satellite tags to Red Knots captured on Seabrook Island and other locations in South Carolina. The transmitter data documented how some Red Knots leave South Carolina and fly non-stop to the Hudson Bay in northern Canada over 1,200 miles away before flying even higher into the Canadian arctic to nest.
Other birds like Least Tern, Wilson’s Plover, Willets and American Oystercatchers use the beach area for nesting and food. (Learn more about the birds here.)
To honor Seabrook’s promise to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR): The USFWS and SCDNR allowed our town to relocate the inlet in part because we agreed to protect the birds that needed sustenance from our beaches.
The Purpose
To educate: Shorebird species have seen dramatic declines over the last few decades. Shorebird Stewards educate people about the significance of Seabrook Island for shorebirds and how their actions can help protect shorebirds from further declines. It is not about enforcement, but about education.
Your Commitment
No special bird identification skills are required, just a willingness to interact with beachgoers to teach them about the birds and their protection. We welcome volunteers who might only be here for part of the season and others who live off island as well. Our spring season starts March 1 and lasts until nesting activity continues, usually ending by July 15. We may also have a fall session depending on the number of Piping Plover wintering on our beaches
The Seabrook Island Birders Shorebird Stewards Program asks you to volunteer for two-hour shifts, usually between the hours of 10am – 2pm, signing up for as many or as few as your schedule allows. You will use an online sign up to pick and choose the times you want to give. Ideally, at least two people will be working together for each shift. Please honor your commitment to the times you choose. Be friendly and open. Encourage people to approach you with questions but limit your answers to the depth of their curiosity.
The Seabrook Island Birders Stewards Program’s Commitment to You
Prior to accepting a commitment of your time, we will train you. You will learn about the key shorebird species, how they use our beach for migration or nesting and how to identify them. You will also learn how human disturbance affects shorebird survival, the behaviors that reduce disturbance and key ways to interact with the public. We will provide educational material to enhance your understanding of the birds, and you will have a professional spotting scope provided by SCDNR to show folks these miraculous birds. You can use these tools to help educate our friends and neighbors as to how to interact with the birds while on the beach. You will also be provided a station containing a chair, an umbrella, some signs for people to read, and some information to share. You will be kept informed as to what birds are currently on the Island and, if known, where they are from.
Learn more
The 2025 Seabrook Island Birders Shorebird Steward Program training session will be held on Saturday, March 8 starting from 10:00 am to 12 noon at the Oyster Catcher Community Center, 2241 Oyster Catcher Ln, Seabrook Island, SC. Additional trainings can be added as necessary, but please try to make the March 8 session.
Because we are introducing another option for participation on beach sessions, ALL stewards, new & returning, Stewards are required to attend. (An alternative date may be scheduled depending on need).
All Stewards are required to participate each year in equipment training to improve their knowledge and skills with accessing, using and caring for the equipment. Times for this field training will be posted. North Beach bird walks to learn shorebird identification and additional training opportunities will be offered as well. New stewards will be paired with an experienced mentor for their first beach sessions. Shorebird steward t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats will be available to order at the training session. If you wish to join as a steward or just want more information, please use the registration link at the top of this page or email us at sibstewards@gmail.com.