Lowcountry outdoors: 2021 Botany Bay WMA

Sunday, December 12, 2021

2021 Botany Bay WMA - Winter Birding Trip

Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing

The SCDNR Birding by Trailer Series continues to roll onward, and the Saturday December 11outing featured another trailer load of birders. Ornithologist Craig Watson, SCDNR guide Bess Kellett and birder Pam Ford served to set the agenda for the three-hour tour to visit birding hotspots and share info about what birds are encountered. The bird of the day was only briefly seen overhead, but Watson was quick to declare this was a Merlin and a member of the Falcon family. He went on to discuss how the Kestrel is smaller, and the Peregrine is much larger, and that all three are falcons. Birding tips teach others to better decide identification when they are on their own in the future.

Trailer Load of Birders

With a familiar Indian summer weather pattern in place, the day started out with dense fog, but then gave way to sunny and mild conditions. Much of Fall migration is complete, and the birding this day was not spectacular, except for the lovely flocks of resident bluebirds and such. But my oh my the Botany Bay WMA property showcased a variety of wildlife from saltwater fish to upland game, all without the hustle and bustle of the summertime traffic pattern. Our stop at Mrs. Pepper's Oak and pond revealed waterfowl, wading birds, turtles and alligators. An immature Little Blue Heron reminded me that they are white in coloration, until they turn blue when mature, and are easily confused size-wise with the Snowy egret. The Snowy egret has the 'Golden Slippers' or yellow feet, and that is a good way to determine their ID. To view my most recent Birding Journal Observations click on September / October.