On January 3, 2025 the 14th Sea Island Christmas Bird Count (SICBC) commenced with 66 participants (including 9 backyard bird feeder watchers) located throughout Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, John’s Island, Wadmalaw Island, and Deveaux Bank. The day had clear skies and calm winds with an early morning chill of 31 degrees followed by an afternoon high of 58 degrees.
The Sea Islands Christmas Bird Count participants recorded 25,677 individual birds. The overall individual average bird count was average and can vary year to year. Kiawah Island had large roosting flocks of 6,400 shorebirds and seabirds reported. There were 161 total species counted which is the 2nd highest in the history of the SICBC with the highest count of 162 recorded in 2023. Species diversity for this year’s count was consistent and fell within the average of 154-159 recorded in past years. This year it was reported that the time spent counting birds and the distance traveled during the SICBC was above average.
On Seabrook this year, 50 unique species and 2057 total individual birds were reported. A group of 20 covered over 61 miles and spent a combined 58 hours counting the birds on the island. The field teams covered North Beach, Camp St. Christopher, Seabrook Island Equestrian Center, the garden, maintenance center and water treatment pond, Jenkin’s Point, Palmetto Lake, and Crooked Oaks/Ocean Winds golf courses. In addition, 7 individual birders counted birds at their backyard feeders.
Special thanks to all of the participants who joined the 14th Sea Island Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count is a census of birds administered by the National Audubon Society, and is performed each winter throughout the Northern hemisphere by volunteer birdwatchers like you. The Audubon and other organizations use the data collected to access the health of bird populations and guide conservation actions. We look forward to having more volunteers join in on the efforts of the SICBC next year on either January 2nd or 3rd, 2026.
For more detailed information on past counts and specific species and highlights of the 14th SICBC and counts, please refer to the official report by Aaron Given, Wildlife Biologist, Town of Kiawah.
Data provided by Aaron Given, Wildlife Biologist, Town of Kiawah
Submitted by Deanna Forsythe