Latest posts
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Ask SIB – What’s going on with all the white birds around the lake?
“Some of the residents are curious about those beautiful white birds that flock to the trees around the lakes. What are they? Why do they roost there? Is it a seasonal thing, etc?” They noticed that recently, large numbers of the egrets (Great and Snowy Egrets) and White Ibis pour into the trees and shrubs…
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Ask SIB: Why are there so many Wood Storks?
If you’ve driven past the Lake House lately, you’ve probably noticed a large number of big, white birds gathering on the banks of the little lagoon across the street. These are Wood Storks, one of several species of stork, and the only stork native to North America. Wood Storks are a common sight on Seabrook…
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Ask SIB: Where did all the birds go?
Question: Up until recently our feeders have been busy, with birds coming and going all day. Now we see only a few regulars, but not the number we had a couple of weeks ago. What changed? Response: There are many reasons, but since this question was posed in June, let’s concentrate on potential reasons you…
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Ask SIB – Why do so many birds have white bellies?
If you pay close attention, you will see this general color pattern in not just birds, but in a wide array of species, in everything from insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. There must be an evolutionary advantage! Back in 1896, Abbott H. Thayer wrote a paper describing the dark top, light underneath as a…
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Ask SIB: Do you have any recommendations for birding clothes?
Question: I see lots of different clothes when I go on SIB activities. Do you have any you especially like and would recommend to me? Answer: Variations of this question are often asked during our activities. Even the “trip leaders” ask this question of others. So the suggestions below are just some opinions and not…
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Ask SIB: Reddish Egrets on North Beach
For the past two months, there have been occasional reports of Reddish Egrets on our Island. Recently, as many as three birds have been seen at one time. Several people have wondered, are they a family unit? Is it two young birds and an adult “Mom?” Let us break down those questions. First, scientifically, this…
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Ask SIB: What are those small birds on the beach?
Question: I was at the beach near Boardwalk 1 yesterday around noon and there were hundreds of small birds gathering from the west and flying over the inlet. They looked like swallows or something of that type. Can anyone tell me what kind of bird they might be? Meg Kaufmann Answer: A similar question has…
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Ask SIB: What kind of hawk?
Question: This guy was taking a bath in our driveway this morning. We are thinking a Cooper’s Hawk, can you confirm? Lisa and Jeff Caporossi Answer: It is really nice to have a clear video to study! Let us work through the mental steps to sort out the identification. The two most common types of…
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Ask SIB: Brown-headed Cowbirds – Brood Parasite
In a recent email, Joleen Ardaiola said: Jackie Brooks replied: This brings up two questions. First, why do Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nest of other birds? Second, why don’t those other birds recognize the imposter and continue to feed a baby bird that may be twice the size of the parent like…
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Ask SIB: Why are these bluebird eggs white?
Seabrook Island is fortunate to have many nesting opportunities for Eastern Bluebirds. The golf courses have graciously provided space for nest boxes and they support the maintenance and replacement of the boxes. Individual Seabrookers also provide and monitor boxes. Recently, Glen Cox photographed some fresh eggs in one of his boxes. The eggs being white…