The organization Seabrook Island Birders, or SIB as members know us, began in late 2015 when a few like-minded Seabrook Island birders gathered. A group of volunteers was active monitoring bluebird boxes and represented one example of an emerging group of folks with a significant interest in all bird populations. The need for an organization focused on birds was driven by both the diversity of species on the island and the wide range of migratory species that were dependent on Seabrook Island and the surrounding area during migration. The goal was to support and promote watching, learning, and protecting birds everywhere, particularly on this amazing island.
The planning meeting, a committee of about 12 people, was held in November of 2015. Soon after the website and blogs were launched and approximately 100 people attended that first in-person gathering, in January 2016.
By the end of 2016, Seabrook Island Birders was up and running with active committees on Programs, Activities, Hospitality, Bluebird Society, and Communications.
Relationships with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, US Fish and Wildlife Services and SC Audubon were strengthened. The young SIB organization partnered with them and the Town of Seabrook to protect the habitat areas used by the Piping Plover, Red Knot and other shorebird species.
SIB, now approximately 300 members strong, is coordinated and overseen by a Board of Directors who meet once per month using a hybrid meeting format, reviewing monthly reports from committees and dealing with any new and old business.
Active Seabrook Island Birders members oversee and participate in a full year-round calendar of activities and programs. The Seabrook Island Birders website, sibirders.com, provides access to important communications for all. It is where Sebrook Island Birders share information regularly in support of its mission, with multiple mechanisms for membership contact also occurring through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor. The Activities Committee schedules and administers small gatherings, the intent is to educate participants about the birds on Seabrook Island and elsewhere.
They coordinate Bird Walks, Backyard Birding, Golf Course Birding, and Bird Counts. Additionally, you can “Ask SIB” and get a professional response to any bird-related question or assist our program managing 70+ bluebird boxes found along the two golf courses, at the Lake House and Equestrian Center.
Members have contributed a Seabrook Island Birders dedicated article to the Seabrooker newspaper since 2019. We gather for evening speaker programs 4-5 times per year to expand our understanding of birds and their habitats. We have hosted talks on many bird species, yearly presentations on current shorebird research, and continued visits from the Birds of Prey Center. Our most recent project is at the Equestrian Center; Purple Martin houses were installed in 2025 and successfully housed a growing colony of residents.
Seabrook Island Birders also is a dynamic organization that responds when issues that impact birds and their habitat arise. The club has established itself as a voice on Seabrook Island speaking about the importance of protecting birds. The Shorebird Stewards program works to educate people, both residents, and visitors, on the importance of protecting the habitat required for our resident shorebird population and for those groups of birds who depend on our beaches during migration and for nesting. SIB has also taken policy positions publicly on issues related to beach restoration and habitat preservation, this advocacy role adds a bird focused narrative to discussions on Seabrook Island.
Author: Mary Wilde
Photos by: Jen Jerome, Charlie Moore, Gina Sanders and From SIB Media Library