Birdwatching, Bingo and Billfish on The Front Porch

You can catch the Edisto Billfish tourney again in 2021 

Springtime in the Lowcountry is the absolute best time to be a birder, whether an amateur or a lifelong veteran. Taking up a position almost anywhere and watching for anything out of the ordinary can bring you a bird sighting worth sharing with others. As the doctrine of social distancing continues to settle in, when we are not at work or in search of essential supplies, sitting on the front porch remains a safe bet. With social events like the I Love Edisto auction going virtual in 2020, and Edisto Bingo and Edisto Billfish now canceled, the front porch Wifi connection is going to be vital. 

            

The Marina at Edisto Beach announced on May 8 that the 2020 Edisto Billfish Tournament is now canceled. The reasons for cancellation are outlined on the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Series FaceBook page and includes issues with their usual labor force due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first shake-up for the 2020 Gov. Cup Series came on April 30 when the Georgetown tourney postponed their event from Memorial Day until August, due to similar concerns. Whenever the S.C. billfish events get underway, fishing enthusiasts will likely be able to stream daily weigh-ins at home to view the offshore action. The Big Rock tournament in North Carolina has been using the online format for years, and will do so again this year too.

            

The 2020 summer season of Edisto Bingo at the Lions Club is another casualty of social distancing. Their announcement on April 22 stating they are saddened to not be conducting Bingo, resonated with shock and awe, for both island residents and the summertime folks who cherish this family fun tradition. The Edisto Island Open Land Trust announced on May 9 that their annual I Love Edisto auction will now be held entirely online June 18 – 20. Since ticket sales usually raise funds, and no tickets are required in 2020, they are hopeful to have higher participation and bidding to fund their conservation work. Innovative contests like best decorated porch and the porch party with the greatest distance from Edisto should make this fun to watch. 

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries from 2019 at Edisto click on Billfish Tournament -  ACE Basin Appreciation- Dolphin Slam - Jim Bost Memorial - Sea Turtle Nesting

To view past blog entries from 2018 at Edisto click on Thirsty Whale Tours - I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Coastal Geology - Grits Cook Off

To view past blog entries from 2017 at Edisto click on Holiday Business After Hours - EIOLT Oyster Roast - Billfish Tourney - Bingo - Tomato Open- I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Shark Tourney

To view past blog entries from 2016 at Edisto click on Serpentarium - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Cobia Tourney - Spring Shorebird Synergy - Bovine Bones on Beach - Edisto River book

2020 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins with High Drama

Lynne Sager with the First Nest of 2020 on May 4 at Kiawah Island

The Sea Turtle nesting season officially starts on May 1, and just like clockwork the first loggerhead turtle nest of 2020 arrived before dawn on May 1. This first sea turtle nest was located on Lighthouse Island in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. The second sea turtle nest located in South Carolina was found on Hilton Head Island on May 3, with a third sea turtle nest at Kiawah Island on May 4. After a record number of sea turtle nests found in South Carolina for 2019, hopes are high for another successful season in 2020.

The sea turtle patrol volunteers up and down the entire South Carolina coast were not officially permitted to monitor for sea turtle nests until less than 48 hours before the sun rise on May 1. Executive orders from Governor Henry McMaster related to the coronavirus pandemic, included a reduction of operations at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. With SCDNR staff sequestered and working from home, they were not able to grant the permit necessary to begin sea turtle nest monitoring. 

Fresh sea turtle tracks are now appearing in May 2020 in S.C.

The morning of April 29 arrived and many volunteers began posting comments on FaceBook to raise awareness about the issue. Comments stating that volunteers were not able to even mark the location of an obvious sea turtle nest without a permit seemed contrary to common sense and the proven good intentions and positive results from this type of conservation work. The first sea turtle nest found in Georgia came on April 25, demonstrating that our neighboring state had no permit restrictions in place.

Given that understanding that the response to the coronavirus will continue to evolve as it concerns outdoor activities, with social distancing being the main requirement, sea turtle monitoring activities seem like a safe option. A team of two volunteers can walk a certain section of beach, are always able to maintain a 6-foot distance apart when on patrol and during the marking of any sea turtle nest. The army of turtle ladies (and men) who volunteer to walk the beach at dawn each day were naturally relieved to learn the news on the afternoon of April 29 that the SCDNR permit for 2020 would now be granted.

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about sea turtles click on 2019 Kiawah Record Nesting Totals -  2019 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins- SCDNR Sea Turtle Trawl - TurtleFest at Edisto Beach State Park - Seabrook Turtle Patrol - Leatherback Sighting - World Sea Turtle Day - SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Release 

2020 S.C. Mahi Series Begins May 4

The S.C. Mahi Series is new for 2020,
aided by innovative rules

Brand new for 2020 is the S.C. Mahi Series, and it will likely be the first fishing tournament of the year due to their innovative format including a virtual Captain’s Meeting on May 2. The S.C. Mahi Series sets the tournament dates from May 4 – 30 and then tells fishing teams that they can pick any two days they want to go fishing, 

Offshore anglers are already willing to try for dolphin due to their high value as table fare, and for those with a competitive drive, they can now also compete for a cash prize. The entry fee for the S.C. Mahi Series is $350 and the heaviest two-fish aggregate weight will win the tournament. Teams can weigh two fish each day they fish, and the tournament will not count a team’s two smallest dolphin, and  will record the weights from a team’s heaviest two mahi. 

The online Captain’s Meeting on May 2 will be in lieu of the originally scheduled May 3 meeting at Hilton Head Harbor Marina. Despite missing out on the fellowship and meal that is usually a part of any Captain’s meeting, participants can still purchase a tourney t-shirt and get the positive feeling from group participation. Anglers can weigh-in their fish at three locations including Hilton Head, Toler’s Cove in Mount Pleasant and Georgetown Landing Marina. Pioneer Boats in Colleton County is a major sponsor of the S.C. Mahi Series, along with Tailwalker Marine and Black Dog Marine. Good Luck Fishing!

To read the feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries from the Edisto Dolphin Slam click 2019 - 2018 - 2016 

To view past blog entries on Migratory dolphin off S.C. click 2016 - 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2007 

S.C. State Parks Reopen May 1

Edisto Beach State Park beach remains closed to the public on May 1

As the Covid-19 response in South Carolina continues to evolve, the first signs of post-quarantine outdoors living are on the calendar for May. South Carolina State Parks plan to reopen on a limited basis beginning May 1, while their group facilities at each site will remain closed. The cancellations for normal gatherings during May are considerable, but for those that want to get outside and visit a park, these options will have to suffice.

            

The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is responsible for the gradual reopening of S.C. State Parks, and they will monitor visitor usage as needed to ensure compliance with CDC guidelines. The best news is for those with existing state park camping and cabin reservations on May 1, since they will be allowed to check-in on schedule. New reservations for camping and cabins can now be made, with new check-ins starting on May 11. State Park visitor centers are also scheduled to reopen on May 11, with staffing levels ramping up towards a May 15 target date to reopen state park retail stores. State Parks will be assigned a daily carrying capacity, and the gates to any park will be closed at that time, until the number of visitors inside decreases.

Group facilities like picnic shelters, playgrounds and community buildings will remain closed for the time being. Existing reservations for group rental facilities will be cancelled through June 1, with no fees for rescheduling. Until further notice, state parks will not conduct park programs or tours. However, Facebook Live interpretive programming is ongoing and will continue on a limited basis. State Park Passports are good for 12-months of visits, and every passport holder affected by the closures during the month of April will have an extra month of availability added to the end of their passport ending date. 

To read the feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about S.C. State Parks click Cheraw State Park -  Hickory Knob State Park - Edisto Beach - Huntington Beach - Myrtle Beach - Hampton Plantation - Barnwell / Tornado - Hunting Island

To view past blog entires on managed properties click  Congaree National Park - Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Botany Bay WMA / Coastal Geology - Donnelly WMA / Night Sounds - Belfast WMA / Benefit - Bear Island WMA / Birding

2020 Tornado Outbreak Impacts Edisto, Seabrook and Kiawah

In the early morning hours of April 13, 2020 a severe weather system brought multiple tornados to South Carolina and the Lowcountry, right after Easter Sunday. The long-track path of some of those tornadoes are historical in nature for coastal South Carolina. Colletonians in the vicinity of Walterboro can see first-hand the power of the long-track twister that passed through, running from Nixville to Murrells Inlet. Another supercell skirted the coast, touching down in St. Helena Sound before coming ashore at Edisto Beach near the 3300 block of Palmetto Blvd. before skipping across to Seabrook and Kiawah.

            

Approximate track of tornado that hit Edisto Beach,
coming ashore from St. Helena Sound

The National Weather Service office in Charleston conducts damage surveys after severe weather outbreaks in order to confirm the existence and strength of tornadoes. The tornado at Edisto Beach was confirmed as an EF-2 category with wind speeds around 125 miles per hour, traveling 1.16-miles. The same storm that produced a tornado at Edisto Beach also produced a tornado on Seabrook Island near Camp St. Christopher Lane in the EF-1 category with winds around 105 miles per hour, traveling 1.25-miles. The same storm produced a tornado on Kiawah Island in the EF-1 category with winds around 105 miles per hour, travelling .30-miles. The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale lists EF-1 tornadoes in the Weak category and EF-2 tornadoes in the Strong category.

            

Data from April 13, 2020 severe weather outbreak

An outdoors correspondent learns over time to be weather-wise in order to stay safe, and today keeping an eye to the sky is made easier with the application of modern technology and smart phones. Longtime readers of the Colletonian may recall when Storm Team 2 came to Walterboro on March 28, 2012 to conduct their Weather 101 class and to broadcast the weather news live with Mayor Bill Young. Anchorman Rob Fowler talked about the upcoming hurricane season and meteorologist Kyle Dennis spoke about the 2012 tornado that hit Islandton. In more recent years Western Colleton County saw an EF-1 tornado on May 4, 2017 and a severe weather storm on April 19, 2019 which was Good Friday. 

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about weather click 2019 Good Friday Severe Weather - 2018 May Rainfall Record - 2018 Cold Saltwater Temps - 2017 Tornado Colleton County - 2017 Tornado / Barnwell State Park - 2016 Hurricane Matthew - 2015 Flooding -  2014 Ice Storm Story - 2014 Ice Storm Photos - 2014 Drought - 2013 Wet Weather - 2012 T.S. Alberto - 2012 Storm Team 2 - 2011 Drought - 2009 Drought 

2020 Shell Ring Dig on Pockoy Island Delayed

Fig Island is featured in The Ring People documentary

 The archaeology excavation that was scheduled during the month of May at Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve is now delayed. The dig was scheduled to be open to the public to attend, but social distancing amid the current coronavirus pandemic makes that scenario unwise. Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. While the study of history is being delayed by the current events making history today, an in-depth documentary video by the South Carolina Humanities Program is now available.

            

Never heard of Pockoy Island? It is more commonly known as the barrier island with the beach frontage at Botany Bay WMA on Edisto Island. Never heard of a shell ring? It’s nothing more than an aggregation of oyster shells that were put in a circular pattern by native Americans that inhabited the Lowcountry. Just what they were up to with this unique design is at the heart the debate which drives this archaeology dig. Never heard of the S.C. Humanities program? Their mission is to increase public understanding of and support for the humanities by telling the human story of the past, and bringing these perspectives to bear on contemporary issues.

Two shell rings were mapped on Pockoy Island in 2017 using a new radar process called Lydar which is able to map elevation changes in areas where visual access is limited due to vegetation growth. Waterfowl enthusiasts recall that Lydar is also being used to identify historic ricefields that are no longer visible from the air. The early native Americans were hunters and gatherers that relied on oysters for food, and then used the shells for other purposes. Anyone that goes for a walk on the beach or shucks open an oyster shell to eat, instantly touches on a shared cultural history with have with the Ring People.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries from Edisto in 2019 click on ACE Basin Appreciation - Dolphin Slam - Jim Bost Memorial - Sea Turtle Nesting - Billfish Tourney 

 To view past blog entries from 2018 at Edisto click on Thirsty Whale Tours - I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Coastal Geology - Grits Cook Off - Billfish Tourney 

To view past blog entries from 2017 at Edisto click on Holiday Business After Hours - EIOLT Oyster Roast - Billfish Tourney - Bingo - Tomato Open- I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Shark Tourney

To view past blog entries from 2016 at Edisto click on Serpentarium - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Cobia Tourney - Spring Shorebird Synergy - Bovine Bones on Beach - Edisto River book - Billfish Tourney  

2020 National Wildlife Week - Ideas to Combat Stress

With the first week of April now in the rearview mirror, the transformation of daily life in the Lowcountry continues. Farmers are busy prepping and planting their fields pretty much on schedule. Golf fans looking to watch every minute of the annual pageantry of The Masters tournament this week are out of luck. For most folks, looking out into your backyard is becoming the new norm, and National Wildlife Week from April 6 – 10 is a great way to participate in social distancing and embrace the outdoors.

            

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) sponsors this week long event for anyone to enjoy, especially by making photos and sharing. Upload your photos on FaceBook at #MyWildlifeChallenge to join the fun and perhaps to win a prize. If you get a particularly pretty picture, anyone can enter their annual wildlife photo contest. NWF offers an online wildlife quiz regarding migratory birds that I find to be filled with good knowledge, especially since it encompasses birds from all across North America. Other topics they cover include everything from gardening tips to creating living shorelines to protect habitat from sea level rise.

Monarch Butterfly Photo By National Wildlife Federation

New for 2020, Kershaw County democratic senator Vincent Sheheen introduced the South Carolina Thirty-By-Thirty Conservation Act. Only about 15-percent of S.C. land is currently protected by state ownership, or by land trusts and other conservation tools. The new bill sets a goal of raising that stake to 30-percent of S.C. lands by the year 2030, and is currently pending in the Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. 

Also new for 2020, Georgetown County republican senator Stephen Goldfinch introduced the S.C. Resiliency Revolving Fund Act to address the problem of repeat flooding events in low-lying areas. This bill would create funds to purchase flood-prone properties from homeowners willing to relocate, thus ending the cycle. This bill will dovetail with the concept of disaster relief assistance, hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvements that already has the support of senate Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith of Sumter County.

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past Field Notes and Photos click on 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