Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) are residents, renters and guests of Seabrook Island who have an interest in learning, protecting and providing for the well-being of the incredible variety of birds that inhabit Seabrook Island throughout the year.
SIB’s mission is (1) to enlighten residents and others about the richness and diversity of Seabrook Island’s bird life; (2) to foster an appreciation for the unique habitats our island provides for these varied species: and (3) to emphasize the importance of protecting our wildlife and these natural habitats that are essential for the survival of our birds as well as the migratory birds we host.
You can also find SIB on Facebook and Twitter (@SIBirders)
Contact: seabrookislandbirders@gmail.com
Website
Events
Learning Together on North Beach
Saturday, April 1, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Meet at Boardwalk #1 Parking Lot
Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Join SIB to bird at Seabrook Island’s North Beach. This three-mile round trip walk travels from Boardwalk #1 to the tip of North Beach along Captain Sams Inlet as high tide approaches. Beginner to advanced birders will enjoy the variety of birds found on North Beach.
At this time, many different species of shorebirds rest and feed near the point or along the beach ridge near the beach’s pond. Along the way we will explore many different species that can be found in this unique area.
As always, bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. There should be spotting scopes available for viewing. Bring plenty to drink and a snack if desired. There are no facilities. We ask that all participants wear a mas when unable to socially distance if they are not vaccinated.
If you are not yet a 2023 SIB member, you must first become a member for only $15 by following the instructions on our website. You may bring the form and your dues to the event, or pay the $10 Guest Fee.
Register: Learning Together at North Beach
Learning Together at Palmetto Lake
Thursday, April 6, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Meet at Equestrian end of Lake House
Max: 15 People
Free for 2023 members; $10 for guests
Join the Seabrook Island Birders for a leisurely walk around Palmetto Lake. The path around Palmetto Lake is wheelchair navigable and for those walking it will be less than a half mile.
As we walk along the path going towards the Equestrian Center, we hope to see Cat Birds and Brown Thrashers hiding in the thicket. In this area we always see the Mockingbirds, Northern Cardinals, Carolina and House Wrens, Bluebirds and perhaps the last of the season Yellow Rumps and Palm Warblers.
Looking into Palmetto Lake, we are likely to see Anhingas, Double-crested Cormorants, Terns, Gulls, Night Herons and possibly Green Herons that might be beginning to nest in the shrubs around the lake.
At the back side of the path, we hope to see and hear Vieros, early arriving spring Warblers like the Northern Parula, and year-round resident Warblers like the Black and White Warbler and the Yellow-throated Warbler. If the “white birds” get the invitation, we can expect to see Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and White Ibis roosting for the evening. There’s also the possibility of a Roseate or Raptor flyover.
Dress in layers and bring your binoculars, hats and a beverage of choice. You may also wish to bring a chair to sit and enjoy your beverage while watching the birds coming in for their evening roost. Sunset it at 7:44pm so timing will hopefully e good for their sunset roost.
If you are not yet a 2023 SIB member, you must first become a member for only $15 by following the instructions on our website. You may bring the form and your dues to the event, or pay the $10 Guest Fee.
Please register no later than Tuesday, April 4th. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the Wednesday prior to the activity.
SIB Movie Matinee | Bringing Nature Home: The Importance of Native Plants
Tuesday, April 11, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
In Person & Zoom
Bringing Nature Home: The Importance of Native Plants, is one of a 6-session webinar series focused on the ecological roles of native plants and some of the creatures that depend on them. On this webinar, Doug Tallamy, author and professor, The University of Delaware will focus on the benefits of native plants to create a welcoming environment for the fauna it supports. This series was sponsored by The Ohio State University Department of Entomology and The Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, and is funded in part by a USDA/NIFA Integrated Pest Management Pollinator Health grant.
Watch the trailer
Beyond our Backyard | Congaree National Park
Friday, April 14, 6:30am – 4:00pm
Meet at SI Real Estate Office to Carpool at 6:30am or meet at Harry Hampton Visitor Center, Congaree Park at 9:00am, the Visitor Center
Max: 12 People
Free to members; $10 for guest (Park website indicates there are no entrance fees)
Congaree National Park is spread across 26,276 acres of central South Carolina land, located 18 miles southeast of Columbia. The park forms the largest expanse of intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States and has incredible biodiversity. The park’s river-floodplain ecosystem is lined by lakes, creeks, and swamps, providing wildlife with adequate food and shelter.
Congaree National Park is a recognized Important Bird Area (IBA). 76 species were identified in April 2022. eBird shows “high frequency” if mid-April for Prothonotary Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers and the arrival of Summer Tanagers. A personal visit in April 2021 also included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Worm-eating Warbler to our list.
Expect 3-4 miles walk over flat terrain with some being on boardwalks over the swamps. Bring plenty to drink, sunscreen and bug spray. Our 2021 visit found limited lunch options so a packed lunch is recommended.
If you are not yet a 2023 SIB member, you must first become a member for only $15 by following the instructions on our website. You may bring the form and your dues to the event, or pay the $10 Guest Fee.
Once you are a member, please register no later than April 12, 2023. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior the event.
Learning Together on Ocean Winds Golf Course
Monday, April 17, 8:30am – 10:30am
Meet at Island House (Golf Course Parking Lot next to Spinnaker Beach Houses) for ride along the golf course in golf carts.
Max: 24 people (if all golf cart seats are used)
Free for members; $10 donation for guests – Priority will be given to prior waitlisted and members.
The Seabrook Island Club closes one course a day each week and allows Seabrook Island Birders to use golf carts to travel the course with our members to bird. Join us for a morning of birding by RIDING in golf carts for at least 9-holes on Ocean Winds golf course.
We expect to see a large variety of birds including Egrets, Herons and birds of prey. We will also see and hear some of the smaller birds like Tufted Titmice, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens and some of the many warbler species. Since it is spring, we can also expect to see Eastern Kingbirds, Great-crested Flycatchers, Orchard Orioles, Summer Tanagers, Mississippi Kites and more!
As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen. Water will be provided. We ask that all participants wear a mask when unable to socially distance if they are not vaccinated.
If you are not yet a 2023 SIB member, you must first become a member for only $15 by following the instructions on our website. You may bring the form and your dues to the event, or pay the $10 Guest Fee.
Please register no later than Friday prior to the trip. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on the Sunday, the day prior to the trip. If you need to cancel, please let us know so we can invite people on the waitlist to attend.
Learning Together on North Beach
Saturday, April 22, 8:00am 0 10:00am
Meet at Boardwalk #1 parking lot
Free for members; $10 donation for guests
Join SIB to bird at Seabrook Island’s North Beach. This three-mile round-trip walk travels from Boardwalk #1 to the tip of North Beach along Captain Sams Inlet as high tide approaches. Beginner to advanced birders will enjoy the variety of birds found on North Beach. At this time, many different species of shorebirds rest and feed near the point or along the beach ridge near the beach’s pond. Along the way, we will explore the many different species that can be found in this unique area.
As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats and sunscreen. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. There should be spotting scopes available for viewing. Bring plenty to drink and a snack if desired. There are no facilities. We ask that all participants wear a mask when unable to socially distance if they are not vaccinated.
If you are not yet a 2023 SIB member, you must first become a member for only $15 by following the instructions on our website. You may bring the form and your dues to the event, or pay the $10 Guest Fee.
Please register no later than April 20th. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on April 21st, the day prior to the trip.
Backyard Birding at the Haulover
Monday, April 24, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
2445 The Haul Over
Max: 20 People
Free for members; $10 donation for guests
REGISTER
We are going back! Our visit last May to Annalee Regenburg’s backyard was a witness of a bumper crop of Egret and Heron nests. We lost count at 100 nests. Annalee’s house backs up to the Great White Egret Rookery. The females sit on their nests all day and the males come into the nests in the evenings. We plan on observing this wonderful, sometimes noisy event. I’m sure we will see some Snowy Egrets and Green Herons, plus some night herons and Wood Storks too. They are all tucked in there too. One year, we even saw Cattle Egrets. Walk around back when you arrive.
As always, be sure to bring your water, binoculars, hats and sunscreen. Please practice safe distancing and wear masks.
If you are not yet a 2023 SIB member, you must first become a member for only $15 by following the instructions on our website. You may bring the form and your dues to the event, or pay the $10 Guest Fee.
Please register no later than Tuesday, April 21st. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter on Sunday, April 23rd.
