Latest posts
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Yellow-breasted Chat
This week we look at a bird that can be hard to find, the Yellow-breasted Chat. Even though it’s widespread throughout our area during spring/summer breeding season, their habit of skulking in dense thickets makes it a challenge to locate. You’ll have the most success looking (or listening) for them when the male performs his…
SIB’s “Bird of the Week” – Yellow-throated Warbler
The Yellow-throated Warbler, Setophaga Dominica, is a common warbler in this area year round and breeds west to Texas and north as far as Illinois. They are part of the family of Wood Warblers, or Parulidae. If you are lucky enough to spot this stunning warbler, it is an easy bird to identify. It has…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Summer Tanager
The only completely red bird in North America, the strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager is an eye-catching sight against the green leaves of the forest canopy. Females, pictured at top, are bright yellow-green—yellower on the head and underparts and slightly greener on the back and wings. Molting immature males can be patchy yellow and red. Summer…
SIB Bird of the Week – Chuck-will’s widow
If you’re looking for a Chuck-will’s widow, go outside after dark this spring and simply listen. If you hear birdsong that sounds like the name “Chuck-will’s Widow” repeating itself, with short pauses in between, you have most likely found our bird of the week. At least by sound. Sometimes mistaken for the similar sounding Eastern…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat – Geothlypis trichasLength: 4.3–5.1”; Wingspan: 5.9 – 7.9″; Weight: 0.3–0.4 oz The Common Yellowthroat is one of the most easy-to-spot warblers during spring and summer on Seabrook Island, and in much of North America. These songbirds dwell in open habitats such as marshes, wetland edges and brushy fields. The male’s “witchety-witchety-witchety” song is…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Green Heron
Look along the banks of ponds and lagoons between April and October and you’ll most likely find this dark colored heron tucked into the vegetation along the bank, intently focused on the shallow water. Green Herons usually forage day and night among thick vegetation in water that’s less than 4 inches deep, avoiding the deeper…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Barn Swallow
The most widespread and abundant swallow in the world. Barn Swallows dart gracefully over fields, barnyards, and open water in search of flying insect prey, often cruising low, just a few inches above the ground or water. Blue above, tawny below, with a deeply forked tail that streams out behind this agile flyer and sets…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Northern Parula
If you read our recent blog about spring arriving birds, you already read a little bit about Northern Parulas. When we hear their distinctive song we know spring is here! This weekend, all around the island, I heard a few Northern Parulas – they have arrived! As Judy mentioned in the spring blog, these beautiful…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Northern Parula
If you read our recent blog about spring arriving birds, you already read a little bit about Northern Parulas. When we hear their distinctive song we know spring is here! This weekend, all around the island, I heard a few Northern Parulas – they have arrived! As Judy mentioned in the spring blog, these beautiful…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Barred Owl
My husband says he’s not a birder. However, he goes birding with me on a regular basis, comes with me on most of my Shorebird Steward shifts, attends a few SIB events, and carries my tripod and other gear when I’m out taking photos. And most importantly, he’s my spotter. He has a gift for…
