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| Sora showing tell-tale tail before slipping out of view |
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count has been held for more than 100 years, and December 15 is the date assigned to the Hilton Head Audubon Circle. I joined birders at Palmetto Bluff, a part of the HHI count. Palmetto Bluff Conservancy staff met the birders at 6:30 a.m. and set the birding agenda for the next eight hours, and the first stop was the most dramatic. Arriving at managed wetlands at dawn, we set up on the dike in time to watch at least 150 wood ducks rise up and fly out to their feeding grounds. Around 20 great white egrets stayed on the roost another ten minutes, allowing us to count other birds that were waking up and taking off.
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| Palmetto Bluff Conservancy staff and birding volunteers |
The sound of red-winged blackbirds in the distance gave us great anticipation, and after a short stroll down the dike, we witnessed something magical. Roughly 2300 blackbirds lifting off in successive waves of 100 birds strong, making their song and heading across the tree line. The next species of waterfowl encountered was blue-winged teal, and then a few hooded mergansers flew off. A mature bald eagle made an appearance, and eagles were a common them on this day, everywhere we went on Palmetto Bluff. For the entire story from our day of birding click Palmetto Bluff report. The final results will be recorded officially in the 2021 HHI Christmas Bird Count. To view my latest Birding Journal Observations click on September / October.
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| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet expressing emotion |
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| Loon on Cauley's Creek by Moreland Dock |
To view past blog entries about recent field trips click on 2021 Botany Bay WMA Birding - 2021 Tillman Sand Ridge- 2021 Nemours Plantation / Fall Birding - 2021 Coastal Exploration / South Fenwick Island - 2021 Hunting Island State Park / Lighthouse and Beach - 2021 Hunting Island State Park / Wildlife Sightings - 2021 Coastal Exploration / Bennett's Point- 2021 Edisto Canoe and Kayak Commission - 2021 Congaree / Swamp Plants - 2021 Congaree - Swamp Critters - 2021 Furman University - 2021 Givhans Ferry State Park - 2021 Spring Island - Reptiles and Amphibians - 2021 Spring Island / Plants and Insects - 2021 Fish Haul Beach / Wildlife - 2021 Fish Haul Beach / Vistas - 2021 Beidler Forest / Flora and Fauna - 2021 Beidler Forest - Name That Snake - 2021 Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary - 2021 Nemours Plantation Birding
To view past Field Notes and Photos click January 2021 - July 2020 - June 2020 - March 2020 - June 2019 - July 2018 - February 2018 - December 2017 - September 2017 - January 2017- December 2016 - June 2016 - February 2016- December 2015 - October 2015 - September 2015 - August 2015 - July 2015 - June 2015 - February 2105 - October 2014 - September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011
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