2024 Palmetto Bluff - Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Blue-winged teal

Golden-crowned Kinglet

The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) at Palmetto Bluff took place on Monday, December 16. Dense fog obscured viewing during dawn at the impoundments, but that also worked against the ducks with many of them pitching in to land on the water right in front of our count team. Wood ducks, green-winged teal and blue-winged teal were all in very close proximity. Birding by ear revealed the presence of a Wilson' Snipe and a host of wading birds were roosted nearby and as the fog lifted just a bit, we were able to tally their numbers.

CBC team in early morning Fog

We went on to spot 1,638-individual birds, encompassing 71 different species of birds. This data is included in the Hilton Head Audubon count circle. Birds of note include the blue-headed vireo and the golden-crowned kinglet, both spotted after lunch. The afternoon birding session took place under sunny skies and unseasonably mild temperatures. To view the results from the 124th CBC in SC click Audubon. 

To read my feature article in the Post and Courier about the 125th Christmas Bird Count click on Tideline.

To view past CBC counts at Palmetto Bluff click on 2023 - 2022 - 2021

To view past birding trips from 2024 click on Stono Preserve - Beidler Forest - Carolina Bird Club -  Earth Day / Kiawah - Spring Island - Southeast Shorebird Festival - Hammock Coast Birding Festival - Huntington Beach State Park - Yawkey Center - Yemassee CBC - Edisto CBC