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Help Resight Banded Black Skimmers
SCDNR is looking for volunteers to resight and report banded Black Skimmers. Remember our motto – Shorebirds, Let them rest – so no cell phone photos please. If you have a long telephoto lens and a computer program to enhance the code on the band, you are encouraged to submit photos as outlined on this image. Thank…
Birds and Hurricanes
All eyes are on Hurricane Helene as she marches her way toward Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The forecast tells us we’ll be on the east side of the storm as it tracks through, which translates to the windy and rainy side. Up to 10″ of rain and wind gusts to 80 mph are being…
Did you Know: South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas are not just for birding
Seabrook Island Birders often schedules birding trips to Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in South Carolina: Bear Island, Donnelly, Botany Bay, Santee Coastal and Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin to name just a few. During these visits, various questions are raised about these areas.• How were these lands obtained?• What funds WMAs?• Why are some portions…
When will Hooded Mergansers return?
One of the first signs of “winter” on Seabrook Island is when the Hooded Mergansers return to Jenkins Point. SIB member Don Smith has tracked this over the years. His scientific report says: I have been recording when I first see them on Jenkins Point for ten years. They may have arrived earlier than when I saw…
Ask SIB: Aging Bald Eagles
Question: I recently photographed a Bald Eagle on North Beach, and while I know it’s not yet an adult, how can I tell the age of this eagle? Gina Sanders Answer: An adult Bald Eagle is unmistakable! They are big, fly with a flat wing (flying plank is how it is sometimes described), sport huge…
SIB Bird of the Week – Wood Stork
Large, white Wood Storks wade through southeastern swamps and wetlands. It is a good flier, soaring on thermals with neck and legs outstretched. This bald-headed wading bird stands just over 3 feet tall, which makes it one of the tallest wetland bird. A whooping crane beats out the Wood Stork as tallest. Wood Storks breed…
The Significance of Deveaux Bank Seabird Sanctuary
Most residents and visitors of Seabrook Island are very familiar with Deveaux Bank Seabird Sanctuary and its significance for our local seabirds and shorebirds. You’ve no doubt heard about the large number of Brown Pelicans that nest there, as well as the roosting grounds for Whimbrel and other migrating birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology released…
Knot your average net!
You’ve no doubt heard about “the net” by now! Between our evening program, social media posts, and SIB’s article in the June Seabrooker, we’ve had a front row seat to the process of donating the net. SCDNR’s Coastal Bird Program coordinators recently released the following article acknowledging the donation. All of us on Seabrook Island…
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…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-Bellied Woodpecker – Melanerpes carolinusLength: 9.25″; Wingspan: 16″; Weight: 2.2 oz. This bird is our most conspicuous woodpecker heard around the island (although the downy is more numerous). Its most common call is a shrill, rolling kwirr or churr given by both sexes. You might also hear a gruff, coughing cha cha cha sounding through the woods, usually a contact call between…