I am from Clemson and have been renting here on Seabrook since November. I have a specific question I wanted to ask someone in the birding community here. In the Upstate I’ve been very involved with 3 different environmental groups, including our Upstate Master Naturalists & at least half our 200 members are serious birdwatchers so we have a lot of programs on birding. A good friend who is a very good bird photographer is coming down to spend a day with me in mid-March and he’s never been to Seabrook Island, although he’s been down here in years past for the Pro Birder Series. I wanted to ask someone on Seabrook ‘where’ I should take him for the day where he’ll be able to photograph LOTS of shorebirds. In recent years we’ve been to programs on Deveaux Bank, Edisto Beach, Botany Bay, Spring Island and the Birds of Prey Center, but he wants to know ‘where’ ON Seabrook/Kiawah he could find a larger number of shorebirds this time of year. He doesn’t want to spend half the day driving around & wondered if there are “hot spots” on this island, Kiawah or some place nearby. Would you be able to make a recommendation or refer me to someone in the group who might be helpful concerning this issue?
Thank you!
Jennifer Bausman
Answer:
During March and April, both Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island offer great opportunities to see shorebirds. Both islands are private, and people cannot just visit any time they want. Someone from either of those islands needs to create a pass for the visitor. Beachwalker Park is a Charleston County Park with a parking fee, but accessible to anyone. All three are beach locations, which means conditions of the beach and access changes constantly. The best time to go is for the several hours on either side of high tide.
Shorebirds are best viewed through a spotting scope. This allows the observer to watch them at a distance and to enjoy the view and the behavior of undisturbed birds. You mention the desire to photograph birds. One must be very careful. The birds are at these locations for the express purpose of packing on grams in preparation for the arduous flight back north. Every disturbance forces them to burn energy. Those of us who take photographs of shorebirds do so using long lens cameras (minimum 400mm). This allows us to get a decent picture without disturbing the birds thanks to the ability to zoom in with digital photography. This is really important whether the birds are roosting or feeding. A good photographer will monitor the birds carefully, watching for any telltale sign that they are nervous and approach no closer. When the birds are feeding, a strategy that works for Red Knots, Sanderlings, Piping Plovers, and Ruddy Turnstones is to quietly watch which direction the birds are moving and then setting up where you hope they will walk right past you. Sitting in one spot as the birds walk past, you can get some really nice pictures. Those of us who monitor the shorebirds on these beaches have legitimate concerns that an excess of visitors and photographers will create an undesirable condition for the birds, and they may leave or worse yet, the birds may not be able to complete their migration. We ask all visitors to respect the needs of the birds and to “give them space.” Yes, a good photograph or experience is desirable, but should not be at the expense of the birds’ health.
On Seabrook Island, the best location is North Beach, which is at the Captain Sams Inlet. It is a 1.5 mile walk from the parking lot to the point. Along the way, there are a number of great places to see shorebirds. Please respect any signage. North Beach has eroded significantly and may not be as attractive to shorebirds this year. We do not know yet.
On Kiawah Island, historically the best spot is accessed by parking at the Ocean Course Clubhouse and walking to the beach and turning north. From the parking lot it is a very short distance (.25 miles) to a great shorebird observing location, a sometimes-tidal pond and mudflats. Then by walking up the beach as far as you want (a mile or more possible) there will continue to be shorebirds. Kiawah Beach is occasionally cut off by a runnel draining the pond.
A walk to the south on Beachwalker Park takes you to Captain Sams Inlet and is great for shorebirds. This is a 1.25-mile walk. Beachwalker is growing, so we expect more birds to hang out there this year.
If you decide to bird Seabrook Island’s North Beach, you may meet some of our Seabrook Island Shorebird Stewards. They spend time on the beach educating people about our shorebirds and how to behave around shorebirds. Stop by and say hi! Or better yet, ask us about how you can become a volunteer!
