Latest posts
Ask SIB: What Bird of Prey is This?
Patricia’s Question: On Monday, January 31, 2022, this is the scene found by Patricia and Page Schaefer in their driveway on Seabrook Island, SC. Identifying hawks can be confusing, so we asked our resident naturalist Bob Mercer for his opinion. Bob’s Response: “I would say it is an adult female Cooper’s Hawk. Why do I…
Bluebird Visit Starts New Year on a Good Note
My sister writes a weekly column for the Berkshire Eagle paper of Pittsfield, MA. Lots of subjects, but she is an ardent birder (much better than I). I thought you and others would be interested in this one! George Haskings, founding member of Seabrook Island Birders, now residing in Webster, NY
Loons of Mount Desert Island, Maine
For me, summer normally means traveling to Maine to see family, friends and nature! Growing up, one of my most favorite birds to hear and see was the Common Loon. The sound of a Common Loon can instantly transport me to a lake in Maine. Although I won’t be visiting Maine this summer, I surely…
Bird of the Week: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Have you seen this bird on Seabrook Island this summer? If not in person, you might have seen the photos that appeared in the July 2020 edition of The Seabrooker (page 13). This is a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and they have been seen this summer at SeaLoft’s Lagoon and at Camp St. Christopher, and as in…
Feeding Birds on Seabrook Island
Recently a question was asked on our neighborhood social media site about if it is safe to feed our wild birds. Earlier this spring there was an outbreak of avian salmonellosis in the southeast that affected pine siskin, purple finch, and American goldfinch. People in our area were asked to remove their feeders until the…
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Nesting on Seabrook Island
In late July, a friend called asking if Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nest on Seabrook Island. She was pouring a glass of wine and saw a hummingbird hovering near a tree outside her kitchen window then spotted the nest in easy view. So the obvious answer is yes….Ruby-throated Hummingbirds breed between March and July. The female lays…
Fall Migration has started!
When it’s 90 degrees in the shade, it’s hard to remember the birds are already preparing for winter and have started their migrations south. For those of us on Seabrook Island, this means we loose our summer residents, Painted Buntings, Great Crested Flycatchers, and Green Herons to name a few. Amoung those arriving will be…
What’s to See on North Beach…and Beyond?
Aija and I spent a week at Seabrook in August, and despite the heat, we birded and shot photographs on North Beach. Of course! So, what’s to see on North Beach mid-August – through Aija’s binoculars and my camera lens? Like any time of the year, always interesting sightings! The striking American Oystercatchers are wonderful…
Birdacious Hot Pepper Bark Butter
Thanks to Seabrook Island Birder (SIB) member Ralph Secoy for submitting this idea! What is (1) the absolutely lowest cost feeder, (2) the absolutely squirrel proof feeder, and (3) feed that birds love? It’s “Birdacious Hot Pepper Bark Butter”. This is a paste that is pressed right on to tree bark. That’s right – just scoop…
More Photos of Hawks
This beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk was sitting on the railing to our deck at our Sealoft. Enjoy! David Woodman, SIB Member