Latest posts
New Experiences at Ocean Winds
Spring has sprung on Seabrook Island and at the Rookery on the Ocean Winds golf course. Every Spring, the Rookery, which is located on hole four at this course comes alive with nesting activity. We scheduled the Seabrook Island Birders Golf Course Learning Together outing, for the March and April months, on Ocean Winds so…
The Confusing American Goldfinch
Last year, one of my friends said to me, “I can’t wait for the goldfinches to come back, they’re my favorite bird!” “What do you mean?” I asked. “I see them all summer, then one day they’re gone! After a few months they suddenly show up again!” she said. This confused me for a minute,…
Happy Valentine’s Day, Lovebirds!
Lovebirds. We’ve heard, and used, this term many times in our lives. But who are the real Lovebirds, where do they come from, and are they really more affectionate than other birds? Valentine’s Day prompted a little research on the subject and turned up an interesting article by Kenn Kaufman (birder extraordinaire), published by Audubon…
Purple Martin Gourd Raising and Opening Ceremony
It’s February and you might have noticed a new structure at the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center! The new Purple Martin Housing has been installed, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Purple Martin “Scouts”. Purple Martins (PUMAs) are a unique bird with a past that is tied to humans so much so that…
Trivia: What is a collective of birds called?
Birders have many words not often found in common English conversations. A trick trivia question could be “What is a collective of birds called?” It’s a trick question because the answer varies by species. Even one species could have multiple “correct” answers….It could be “A cauldron of Crows” or “A murder of Crows.” But first…
Christmas Bird Count – January 2025
If you noticed birders out and about around the island with their binoculars and cameras on Friday, January 3rd, you most likely witnessed some of our very own Seabrook Island Birders in action for our Sea Island Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The CBC is a census of birds administered by the National Audubon Society, performed…
Our feathered friends and snow!
Apparently the birds heard the National Weather Service’s advisory of a Winter Storm Warning and Cold Weather Advisory. On Tuesday, the birds emptied my and many others’ feeders and anxiously awaited refills. My informal feeder watch had a record 20 species on Tuesday. Even though no snow was forecasted for Greenville, the Northern Cardinals swarmed…
Presentation of Live Owls
CANCELED Due to hazardous weather, road conditions, and cancellations, we are canceling the Birds of Prey program for Friday, January 24th. This program is important to our club, so we want as many members as possible to attend. We have tentatively rescheduled it for Friday, March 21, 2025, thanks to the Avian team and SIPOA.…
Childhood Bird Memories
What are your first memories of birds and did those early memories shape your life in more ways than you know? In an article entitled “Autoethnographic Art and Essay: Ode to Bygone Birds of Childhood, Part 1-Drawings” from The AutoEthnographer- A Literary and Arts Magazine, illustrator Terry Graff tells of his childhood and his father’s…
What is a Bird Irruption?
It sounds like a volcano spewing out birds! Ah, but no. Each winter, birders and nature enthusiasts eagerly await the year’s “Bird Irruption” report. This is a prediction, based on certain ecological conditions, where birds will move en masse beyond their typical wintering range. Irruptions occur when food sources in the species’ native habitat –…