2025 Birding Journal Observations - November / December

Hooded mergansers on New Year's Eve

Warm and dry conditions translated into incipient drought by Thanksgiving and into the New Year. Anytime it gets dry a bird bath or water source can be an excellent place to watch for birds. No significant changes in migration were evident though, and seasonal sightings continued on par heading into the Christmas Bird Count season.

For past Birding Journal Observations from November / December click on 2024 -  2023- 2022- 2021 - 2020 - 2018-  2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013- 2012 - 2011 - 2010 

Yellow-bellied sapsucker on Dec. 6

New Year's Eve Toast to 2025

Lifelong Saltwater Angler at Work on Dec. 25

This is my 17th Annual Toast to following the outdoors trail and bringing my stories and photos to like-minded folks. The season cycle continues annually, but the whiplash weather cycles can make those seasons harder to identify so with all things in life we must adjust. This makes most serious outdoors people amateur weather watchers also. Besides, being out in the extreme cold or in some other inclement weather can also add flavor to your tale of outdoor adventure. 

I remain grateful to the publications and organizations that chose to work with this veteran writer and photographer in 2025. Hunting and Fishing subject matter is always fun, but Conservation stories may prove to be the most valuable as we fight to protect and save unspoiled outdoors places. Cheers to South Carolina Wildlife magazine and the SCDNR, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers magazine, Tideline (online) with the Post and Courier and Scuttlebutt SE boating magazine.

To view past blog entries from my New Year's Eve Toast click on 2024 - 2023 -

- 2022 - 2021 - 2020- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016 - 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Leading Master Naturalist group through Santee NWR

2025 Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center - Christmas Bird Count

This was an outing on December 18 that coincided with the 10th Winyah Bay Christmas Bird Count. 

Dunlin and Dowitchers come in for a landing

To view past blog entries from the Yawkey Center click on 2024 Winter Birding -  2023 Fall Birding -  2023 Formula For Success - 2023 Winter Photo Safari -  2018 Walk Through History - 2016 Birding Tour - 2015 Shorebirds with Manomet - 2015 Yawkey Legacy Story 

Looking for Sea Ducks on South Island

2025 Waterfowler's Wish List

 To view the feature article in the newspaper click on Post and Courier. 

Waterfowler with Benelli shotgun and Boykin Spaniel

Quickcoys motion decoys

CCA/SC Red Drum Acoustic Telemetry; Red Snapper Momentum

 To read the feature story in the newspaper click on Post and Courier.

2025 November Multiplies Hunting Options

 For the feature story in the newspaper click on Post and Courier. 

A limit of doves in November is
reason to be thankful

2025 Birding Journal Observations - September / October

Cardinal over Downy woodpecker on Nov. 2

Dry weather has been a theme for September and October, enough to cause most counties to drift into incipient drought, with some relief coming Mid-October due to a coastal rainfall event. Mild temperatures have eased the Lowcountry into Fall, and the dry conditions and lower temps have caused fall foliage to accelerate into red and yellow colors. The colors at the birds feeders have been depleted somewhat due to fall migration leaving the red of cardinals and the blue of jays in control. My ruby-throated hummingbirds left mid-October but in a nice surprise I have kept regular visits from two green painted buntings, with the most recent sighting the morning of November 2. Will they stay all winter?? We shall see.....

To view past Birding Journal Observations from September / October click on 2024 - 2023-  2022- 2021 - 2018- 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009  

Close encounter on Nov. 1 with a mature Bald Eagle