Latest posts
“Leave This Wondrous Island to the Birds”
The New York Times published this piece about the migrating Whimbrel’s use of Deveaux Bank as their nocternal roost by Deborah Cramer with photographs by Damon Winter. Deborah Cramer is a visiting scholar at M.I.T.’s Environmental Solutions Initiative and the author of “The Narrow Edge. A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab, and an Epic Journey.” The…
Free Webinar featuring Scientific Illustrator Liz Clayton Fuller
In the Studio with Scientific Illustrator Liz Clayton FullerJuly 9, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern Join a virtual visit to the studio of Liz Clayton Fuller, a friend of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and a professional artist. Liz is known for her ornithological illustrations along with her sketchbook-style studies of bird species. Spend an hour with Liz…
Free Webinar – Who’s Singing?
Cornell Lab recently updated their popular free bird identification app to include song identification. Below is more information from their web site. The webinar promises to be informational but several SIB members have successfully started using this new feature without the webinar. Who’s Singing? How to Use Merlin Bird ID to Identify Bird CallsJuly 27,…
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…
John’s Island Hawk Wars
When you are doing a mundane task, like refilling a birdbath, you don’t expect to witness a hawk brawl in your backyard. And yet, as I rounded the corner of my house on Johns Island there were two beautiful Red-shouldered Hawks rolling around on the ground in what, I can only assume, was a territorial…
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…
Celebrate Migration With Fascinating Free Webinars from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology!
Each fall billions of birds take flight, streaming through the air on their far-flung journeys. And each year, we hold our Migration Celebration to pause and marvel at this stunning natural spectacle. Join us September 13-24 for two weeks of special live events, family-friendly programs, and resources to help you enjoy the wonders of migration happening right…