Check back soon for the report and photos....
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024
2024 Southeast Shorebird Festival - Kiawah Island Events
2024 Logo |
Beachwalker Park Shorebird Walk March 28 on Kiawah |
To read my feature article on the 2024 SE Shorebird Festival click on Tideline.
To view past blog entries on shorebirds click 2023 Tom Yawkey Center - 2023 Wings Over Beaufort Festival - 2023 Hunting Island State Park - 2022 Harbor Island Shorebird Walk- 2020 Shorebird Protection on Botany Bay WMA - 2018 Shorebirds Talk at Seabrook Island Birders - 2017 Shorebird Symposium by Kiawah Conservancy - 2016 Spring Shorebird Synergy - 2016 The Narrow Edge Book Review - 2015 Manomet Workshop at Yawkey Preserve - 2015 World Shorebird Day - 2014 Moon Bird Book Review - 2014 / Inaugural World Shorebird Day
To view past blog entries from Kiawah Island click 2023 Bird Banding Program - Roots Magazine - 2023 Sea Islands Shorebird Festival - 2023 Earth Day - 2019 Record Turtle Nests - 2018 2.0 Expansion Plan - 2017 Shorebird Symposium - 2012 PGA Championship - 2011 Sea Turtle Release with S.C. Aquarium
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
2024 Hammock Coast Birding Festival
Bonaparte's Gull blending in with Hooded Mergansers |
Western Kingbird at Brookgreen Garden |
“I am a botanist, but I appreciate the birding and charm of the Hammock Coast,” said McMillan. “I stand at 2642 Life Birds all time. Once I saw a bird with a leg band in the Lowcountry, and then when I was filming the TV show in Chile, I saw the same bird after its remarkable migration.” McMillan went on to state that S.C. is a weigh station for migrating shorebirds, and that he also marvels at hummingbirds. He implored birders to promote conservation when they can, and cited how native Americans created shell rings with oyster shells 5000-years ago that are still creating botanical and birding habitat today.
White Pelicans jockey for position |
Great Blue Heron with Siren and shorebirds |
Later that afternoon the Center for Birds of Prey came to Atalaya Castle to give a flight demonstration with their captive raptors. A Mississippi Kite and a Red-tailed hawk thrilled the birders, as staffer Addie Cater answered any questions about the birds. Saving the best for last, Carter surprised organizers and birders by releasing a rehabilitated Barred Owl into the woods besides the castle, saying that this was a great place for that bird to restart living in the wild after a brief hospital stay with them. Surely, this was the best sighting of the entire weekend.
Day Two at Brookgreen Gardens began at dawn, so it’s a good thing I was staying nearby at the Brookwood Inn. I saw a wood duck fly over, and heard its cry, which was immediately answered by a loud gobble by an unseen turkey nearby in the woods. Our grounp would later see that turkey strutting in a sure sign that Spring is nearing. A visit to their Zoo allowed for close up looks at waterfowl and wading birds for photographers. Besides the bird statues at the Brookgreen Zoo, the Red Wolf Ridge enclosure is a must see, but then its time to get back to birding!
To view the entire story in Trilogy Outdoors click on the March Issue.
To view past stories from Trilogy Outdoors click on Pheasant Tower Shoot - Release Over 20 - 2023 Hawk Watch - Kiawah Bird Banding - 2023 Crappie Camp - Early Birds of September - SCDNR Salt Fishing Clinics - Silver King Makes Big Splash - S.C. Mahi Series - 2023 Yawkey Wildlife Center - 2023 Hammock Coast Birding Festival - 2023 Lowcountry Oyster Festival - 2022 Sea Turtle Season - Navigating an S.C. Public Draw Deer Hunt - Crappie Camp - Blessings of a Sporting Father
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
2024 Santee Big Cat Brawl Week - Hill's Landing
Catfish Whiskers up close |
Scott and Gauge Peavy with heaviest Catfish at Hill's Landing March 13 |
To read my Big Cat Brawl Preview story click on Tideline.
To view past stories in Tideline click on Marsh Tacky Horses - Five Birding Hotspots
Blue Cat on left and Channel Cat on Right |
Catfish Boats at Hill's Landing |
Saturday, March 9, 2024
2024 Carolina Marsh Tacky Association - Pigs and Pearls Benefit
Shannon Hawkins enjoys CMTA oysters |
CMTA Horse Blanket on Auction |
To read my feature article on CMTA click on Tideline.
To view past blog entries on CMTA click on 2022 Pigs and Pearls
Lots more CMTA events in '24 |
Nice venue for Pigs and Pearls Benefit |
Friday, March 1, 2024
2024 Birding Journal Observations - January / February
Hen wood duck on nest box in Feb. 2024 |
In other observations, waterfowl sightings in the Lowcountry were plentiful in general, especially in known locations such as Tom Yawkey Center. Roseate spoonbill sightings were a little less this winter in my opinion, but not alarming in any way. Perhaps a few less tundra swans at Bear Island this year too, but in general the ACE Basin still stands as a welcoming station for swans, spoonbills and other avian life that might want (or need) to find a safe place to visit.
To view my article about 5 Fun Birding Destinations click on Tideline.
To view reports from 2024 Christmas Bird Counts click on Yemassee - Edisto - Palmetto Bluff
To view the most recent Birding Journal Observations click on November / December 2023
To view past Birding Journal Observations from January / February click on 2023 - 2022 - 2021- 2017- 2016- 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Pheasant Tower Shoot Aims for Fellowship
Pheasants in the morning sun on Jan. 20 |
D and G Outdoors in Holly Hill, S.C. holds a pheasant tower shoot most Saturday’s in January and February. They have a staff that cleans the pheasants so that you leave with some protein in a Ziploc bag ready for some sporting supper. They also provide several dog handlers and retrievers that will collect and bring any wayward pheasants to hand. At the end of their morning shoot, a hot meal of barbecue, hash and rice is served so that the shooters might enjoy some fellowship and reflect on the hunt. After the January 20 pheasant tower shoot host Tommy Dantzler gave the blessing before lunch and was glad to answer any questions about future hunts.
The bottom-line on price for a blind at a pheasant tower shoot will vary, and is likely tied to the number of shooters allowed in a blind at any site. First timers can do well at pheasant tower shoots because the day’s format is repetitive, and easy to grasp. A strong wind in a certain direction can affect the flight of the birds, but in general it pays to watch every bird in flight, staying ready when your next chance to shoot comes winging by.
To view the entire story in Trilogy Outdoors click on February Issue.
To view past stories from Trilogy Outdoors click on Release Over 20 - 2023 Hawk Watch - Kiawah Bird Banding - 2023 Crappie Camp - Early Birds of September - SCDNR Salt Fishing Clinics - Silver King Makes Big Splash - S.C. Mahi Series - 2023 Yawkey Wildlife Center - 2023 Hammock Coast Birding Festival - 2023 Lowcountry Oyster Festival - 2022 Sea Turtle Season - Navigating an S.C. Public Draw Deer Hunt - Crappie Camp - Blessings of a Sporting Father