Hilton Head Audubon upcoming events

Presentation: Origin and Lore of Bird Names (10/22/2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

EVENT IS FREE BUT YOU MUST RSVP!

This presentation by Chip Walker explores the history, origins, and evolution of bird names, including the influence of Old World and New World species on modern bird nomenclature. It also examines how bird names have become woven into popular culture through sports teams, literature, cartoons, and everyday language.

Class: Introduction to Lowcountry Bird Identification with Kay Grinnell (10/24/2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Member tickets: $20.00; Nonmembers $35.00. Capacity limited to 20 people.

This beginner-friendly class introduces simple bird identification techniques and helps you put them into practice with many of our Lowcountry birds. Learn how to notice field marks, behavior, shape, habitat and more so you can start identifying birds with confidence. A separate field trip is recommended but not required

. Instructor Kay Grinnell

Fall Shorebird Walk and Wildlife Beach Area Tour at Fish Haul (10/26/2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

REGISTRATION CLOSED: EVENT IS FULL.

Where to Meet/Park:

Fish Haul Beach Park, 124 Mitchelville Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. Meet near the beach access at the end of the parking lot. Parking is available onsite. For current parking information, visit the Town of Hilton Head Island’s parking page.

What to Expect:

Join Allie Hayser, shorebird biologist with Manomet’s Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, to learn why Fish Haul Beach and Port Royal Sound are so important to shorebirds throughout the year. These areas provide critical places for migrating birds to rest and refuel, as well as habitat for species that spend the winter along our coast.

The walk will highlight the creation of Fish Haul’s new Wildlife Beach Area and the partnerships working to protect this habitat while keeping the surrounding shoreline open for the community to enjoy. This small section of shoreline, about the size of two football fields, was created to provide shorebirds with a safer and quieter place to feed and roost. Visitors and their dogs can continue to enjoy the rest of the shoreline while helping protect this important area for threatened and endangered species. Participants will learn how to be good hosts and neighbors to migrating and wintering birds and how to get involved in local shorebird conservation.

Endangered Piping Plovers winter on Hilton Head Island from late summer through early spring. Birds from all three breeding populations use Fish Haul Beach Park and the Mitchellville mudflats, relying on quiet beaches to rest and feed before returning north to nest. Threatened shorebirds such as Red Knots also use this area to feed at lower tides during spring and fall migration as they travel between South America and the Arctic.

Birders of all experience levels are welcome! Open to public, but please register!

Distance: Up to 1.5 miles. We will be walking on sand and may encounter muddy or wet areas, so please wear comfortable shoes that can get sandy or wet.

What to Bring: Water, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a notebook if you would like one. We will provide a spotting scope for the group to use.

Biography:
Allie Hayser is a shorebird biologist with Manomet Conservation Science’s Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, where she works along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts to support shorebird conservation through research, outreach, and community partnerships. Her work focuses on reducing disturbance to migrating shorebirds, understanding the connection between shorebirds and horseshoe crab populations, supporting ecotourism through science-based education, and developing stewardship programs that build local pride and engagement.

She leads monitoring and disturbance surveys at key coastal sites, including Fish Haul Beach, collaborates with researchers studying Red Knots, Whimbrels, and other migrants, and creates educational materials and signage to help communities better understand the birds that rely on these beaches. Allie also coordinates volunteer programs and partners with schools, nonprofits, and ecotourism guides to strengthen awareness and support for coastal conservation.

A Tybee Island native, she has worked with sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, and coastal wildlife programs across the United States and is passionate about helping communities feel connected to shorebirds and the habitats we all share.

Field Trip: Laurel Hill Drive, SavNatWildlife Refuge (11/01/2026)

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Member tickets: $12.00; Nonmembers $14.00. Capacity limited to 15 people.

Join Master Birders Rachel Green and Karen Seminary for an exciting morning on the 4 mile Laurel Hill Drive at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.

Meet at the entrance on Rte 170, for car-pooling. More eyes looking from fewer cars generally mean more birds spotted! Cars will drive slowly with frequent stops in favorite places to get out and look into the impoundments, along the dikes, and in the hammocks. Most of the drive is open, so prepare for windy, chilly weather.

Directions: Take Rte 170 (Okatie Hwy) west from Bluffton toward Savannah (about 6 miles or so). Rte 170 curves and turns, but Just stay on it! It will eventually join Rte 17, then in about a mile split off again, so keep right to stay on Rte 170. In about 2 more miles, you will see the entrance to the Laurel Hill Drive on your left, on a curve. Signal your turn well ahead of time and be CAREFUL. Rte 170 can be dangerous with logging and other large trucks. [Note that the Visitor Center is on Rte 17, so do not use that in your GPS.]

Member Mtg and Presentation: Life on the Edge: Shorebirds and the Rhythm of the Tides (11/19/2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Event is FREE but YOU MUST RSVP!

Discover the extraordinary lives of the birds that inhabit the ever-changing boundary between land and sea with Mary Alice Tartler, an accomplished wildlife photographer, Audubon Master Birder and a Member of the International Shorebird Survey Team. This presentation takes you on a journey to the water’s edge to meet the diverse array of shorebirds—from the iconic American Oystercatcher to the delicate Piping Plover—that rely on our coastal beaches and mudflats for survival. You will explore the incredible stamina and specialized adaptations that allow these birds to navigate thousands of miles along the Atlantic Flyway, making Hilton Head a vital sanctuary for their rest and refueling.

Central to this exploration is an understanding of the powerful influence of the tides, the true heartbeat of the Lowcountry coastline. Mary Alice will reveal how the daily ebb and flow dictates the lives of shorebirds, creating a high-stakes race for survival as they follow the retreating waterline to uncover hidden treasures. From the high energy of low-tide foraging to the strategic huddling at high-tide roosts, you will gain a new perspective on how these birds synchronize their entire existence with the lunar cycle.

Through the lens of Mary Alice’s stunning photography, you will witness the fascinating "dance" of the shoreline and learn to identify often-confusing species by their silhouettes and rhythmic movements. She will also share expert insights into the hidden challenges shorebirds face in our dynamic coastal environment and the critical importance of protecting their habitat. Whether you are a casual beachgoer or a seasoned enthusiast, this session offers an enlightening and memorable experience, leaving you with a renewed appreciation for the resilient masters of the coast and the rhythmic tides that sustain them.

Christmas Bird Count Meeting (12/07/2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

(Event is free but YOU MUST RSVP!)

7:00pm Social; 7:30pm Presentation

Pre-count meeting with social and presentation. Speaker is Andy Jones, Executive Director, Spring Island Trust and Lowcountry Institute. He will discuss the principles of bird identification and review our local birds to help with accurate CBC bird identifications and bird counts.

Dr. Andy Jones is a lifelong naturalist, with a passion for the biodiversity of the southeastern United States. He has been the Executive Director of the Spring Island Trust and Lowcountry Institute since 2022. From 2006 until early 2022, he worked as curator of ornithology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society for his contributions to ornithology.

We invite you to bring cookies for the snack table; coffee will be provided.

Dr Andy Jones

2026 Christmas Bird Count! (12/14/2026)

Mon, 14 Dec 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Details: Area Captains will contact their team members. Contact HHICBC@gmail.com if you are new to the count.

Field Trip: New Years Birds and Nature Walk with Ken Adams (01/02/2027)

Sat, 02 Jan 2027 15:00:00 GMT

( Member registration opens 12/6; Nonmembers 12/13)

Member tickets: $12.00; Nonmembers $14.00. Capacity limited to 15 people.

Join Ken Adams, Emeritus Professor of Biology and expert birder for This one-mile walk will include a salt marsh, open field, and the Nan LLoyd Nature Trail through a maritime forest.

Ken Adams

Film Screening: African Oystercatchers (01/07/2027)

Thu, 07 Jan 2027 22:00:00 GMT

( Member registration opens 12/6; nonmembers 12/13)

Tickets for Members and nonmembers are $0. Registration required.

Join us for a special screening of African Oystercatcher, a film that follows a grandfather and his grandson as they track African Black Oystercatchers (locally known as Tobie) through the hope, loss, and triumph of their breeding season in Betty's Bay, South Africa. Introduction by Robert Rommel, an award-winning fine art nature and wildlife photographer.

• Title / Subject: A personal, visually striking documentary about the African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini).

• Filmed By: Local Betty's Bay residents Van As and Jacques Jordaan.

• Length & Language: Roughly 65 minutes long, filmed in Afrikaans with English subtitles.

Class: Introduction to Merlin Bird ID App with Ken Adams (01/20/2027)

Wed, 20 Jan 2027 14:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 12/6; Nonmembers 12/13)

Member tickets: $20.00; Nonmembers $35.00. Capacity limited to 12 people.

This class is for novice birders who want to learn how to use the Merlin ID app. The Merlin app is your personal, digital field guide for identifying birds by sight and sound. Birds identified using the Merlin app can be saved to your Life List. The “Explore” option is very useful for getting bird descriptions. Handouts will be provided with step-by-step procedures for making full use of the Merlin app. The class will end with a practice session.

Prior to class, please download the free Merlin Bird ID by Cornell App to your phone and under the app settings, install the US: Southeast Bird Pack. Note: This class is for iPhone users.

Ken Adams

Member Meeting & Presentation: Effective Land Stewardship and the Audubon Newhall Preserve (01/21/2027)

Thu, 21 Jan 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Member Registration opens 12/6; nonmembers 12/13.

(Tickets are free but you must register)

Folk Land Management will discuss effective stewardship and forest management plans for the Audubon Newhall Preserve.

Field Trip: Sterling Creek Park Field Trip with Pam Smith (01/23/2027)

Sat, 23 Jan 2027 13:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 12/6; Nonmembers 12/13)

Member tickets: $12.00; Nonmember $14.00. Capacity limited to 15 people.

Come explore this relatively undeveloped park with Ogeechee Audubon Master Birder, Pam Smith.

Meet Pam at the end of the gravel driveway leading into the park.

The area of the park which we will explore consists mostly of impoundments which were once part of a sewage treatment operation, but are now left to birds and wildlife. In winter, we should find several species of sparrows and possibly up to 4 resident wrens (including Sedge wren) and raptors. Sometimes we see snipes, too!

We plan to walk the 3-mile mowed trail around and through the impoundments. There is a restroom in the parking lot. Most of the walk is open to the weather, so dress accordingly.

Directions: Sterling Creek Park is at 1700 Elbow Swamp Road Richmond Hill, GA 31324. The entrance is off Harris Trail in the back of the Sterling Creek Park Subdivision, adjacent to the water treatment facility.

Field Trip: Onslow Island with Pam Smith (01/27/2027)

Wed, 27 Jan 2027 13:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 12/6; Nonmembers 12/13)

Member tickets: $12.00; Nonmembers $14.00. Capacity limited to 15 people.

Join Ogeechee Audubon Master Birder Pam Smith for a field trip to Onslow Island.

Onslow Island is a section of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of an elevated area of dikes and water impoundments immediately adjacent to the Savannah River. For several years its impoundments have been nearly dry and so rarely used that many now have shrubs and small trees in them. However, in October 2024, some were being used as dredge spoils sites. So we hope there will be more nutrients and water, which we also hope will attract our wintering ducks and shorebirds. This is a hike of 2 -3 miles, to and around the impoundments. No facilities. Footing is uneven on the only occasionally mowed grassy dikes.

Onslow is only open on Wednesdays. This property is very exposed, with no protection from the weather. If the weather looks really nasty, especially if very windy, we will postpone until

Directions: From north of Bluffton take Rte 170 west (Okatie Hwy). Follow Rte 170 the WHOLE way. It turns here and there, so you have to pay attention. At one point it joins Rte 17, then in about a mile, exits right. Follow Rte 170 right, pass the entrance to the Laurel Hill Drive (which your GPS can probably find). Cross over 1 bridge, then look for a small dirt parking lot on the left. At that turn, you will be able to see the Savannah River bridge ahead of you (which has been under construction and may still be so). If you cross the river into Port Wentworth, turn around!

Pam Snmith

Class: Introduction to eBird Mobile App with Ken Adams (01/27/2027)

Wed, 27 Jan 2027 14:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 12/6; Nonmembers 12/13)

Member tickets: $20.00; Nonmembers $35.00. Capacity limited to 12 people.

This class is for novice birders who want to learn how to use the eBird Mobile App. The eBird app will help you explore nearby hotspots, submit species you have identified, review your checklists, and organize your Life List of birds. Handouts will be provided with step-by-step procedures for making full use of the app. A separate field trip is recommended but not required.

Prior to the class, please download the free eBird Mobile by Cornell App to your phone and in the app settings install the South Carolina Bird Pack. Note: this class is for iPhone users.

Ken Adams

Presentation: Meet Your Backyard Neighbors: The Joys of Backyard Birding (01/28/2027)

Thu, 28 Jan 2027 15:30:00 GMT

Member registration opens 12/6; nonmembers 12/13.

Event is free but you must register.

Discover the delight of transforming your own outdoor space into a thriving bird sanctuary with Mary Alice Tartler, an experienced Hilton Head Island wildlife photographer and Audubon Master Birder. This immersive presentation invites you to unlock the many rewards of birding right from your doorstep—from the immediate benefits of relaxation and stress relief to the deeper fulfillment of connecting with the natural world and contributing to vital citizen science efforts. By observing the vibrant life in your own backyard, you gain a unique vantage point to witness the beauty and complexity of the avian species that share our local environment.

Throughout this engaging session, Mary Alice draws upon her dual expertise as an Audubon Master Birder and photographer to introduce you to your feathered neighbors, sharing expert advice on how to identify the diverse birds that frequent Lowcountry feeders. Whether you are a newcomer eager to hang your first feeder or a seasoned enthusiast looking to sharpen your observational skills, this informative presentation offers a wealth of inspiration. Join Mary Alice for a memorable journey that turns your backyard into a living classroom, providing you with the tools and confidence to fully appreciate the remarkable wildlife just outside your window.

Class: Exploring the Power of eBird Website with Ken Adams (02/03/2027)

Wed, 03 Feb 2027 14:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 1/2/2027; Nonmembers 1/10)

In addition to submitting observations to an eBird checklist, the eBird website is the resource to explore species and regions; review your species observed and completed checklists; manage your checklists and locations; see your Sightings Lists (Life Lists); and learn how eBird science is used for research and conservation.

Field Trip: Bear Island with Karen Penale (02/06/2027)

Sat, 06 Feb 2027 13:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 1/3/2027; Nonmembers 1/10.)

Bear is always one of the highlights of the Lowcountry year. We gather at the entrance, on Titi Road, which faces Mary’s House Pond, where we will set up spotting scopes. Depending on water levels, this pond may have lots of waders and/or ducks, and possibly White Pelicans or Tundra Swans. Then we will drive into the WMA, stopping frequently to look and listen. Bear Island consists of 12,021 acres of brackish water marshes, maritime forests, bottomland hardwoods, upland fields, and water-controlled impoundments, lagoons, etc. From the Bear Island WMA website: “Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, owned by the SC Department of Natural Resources, is managed to provide quality habitat for wintering waterfowl and other wetland wildlife including threatened and endangered species such as wood storks and bald eagles; to provide habitat for upland game and nongame species; and to provide recreational opportunities for the hunting and nonhunting public.

Directions: From Savannah or Bluffton, take either 170 or I-95 to Hwy 17 heading east toward Charleston. Turn right onto Bennett’s Point Rd (if familiar with Donnelly, this turn-off is a few miles beyond it). Continue on Bennett’s Point Rd 13 miles. Entrance is on the left, on Titi Rd, about a mile after crossing the Ashepoo River. No facilities once you turn onto Bennett’s Point Road. The last chance for gas, snacks, bathrooms is a small gas station/store on Rte 17, shortly after the Donnelley entrance. And once at Bear, we often lose cell service, so warn Folks who might worry about you!

Optional Extension: Karen Penale will lead this trip, and afterwards expects to continue for an unofficial afternoon of birding in Donnelley WMA. Participants are welcome to follow along. If interested, bring lunch! And plan to keep busy until 3 or later.

Presentation: How Do They Do It? (02/13/2027)

Sat, 13 Feb 2027 16:00:00 GMT

Member registration opens 1/3/2027; nonmembers 1/10.

Event is Free but you must register!

Presentation: "How Do They Do It? “ Learn all about the dating and mating of Lowcountry animals and how they parent and adapt in today's world. Presented by Jill Moore.

Jill Moore is an experienced naturalist providing fun, unique, personalized excursions in the Lowcountry. As owner and creator of Moore to Life, she has a background in education as well as being a certified Naturalist. She loves to share what she has learned and experienced in this area that she describes as “like no other place on earth.”

Presentation: Flying In & Out of Hilton Head - The Wonders of Lowcountry Migration (03/04/2027)

Thu, 04 Mar 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Member registration opens 2/7; nonmembers 2/14.

Event is free but you must register!

Experienced Hilton Head Island wildlife photographer, Mary Alice Tartler, will present over 63 species of birds who visit our area during Fall and Spring Migrations. Learn special techniques in determining the dates of arrival and departure of specific birds and the locations of where you are most likely to find your favorite birds. Also, learn the identifications, behaviors, and songs that will help you better prepare and increase your chances of spotting these beautiful birds on their journey south via Hilton Head Island.

Please join Mary Alice for a memorable and informative photography presentation in which you will gain the confidence you need to recognize migrating birds and more fully appreciate our Fall and Spring Migrations on Hilton Head Island.

For new birders and all birding enthusiasts!

Field Trip:Palmetto Bluff Woods Tour with Aaron Palmieri (03/08/2027)

Mon, 08 Mar 2027 14:00:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 2/7; Nonmembers 2/14)

Aaron Palmieri, Outreach & Education Manager for the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, will lead us on a two-and-a-half-hour stroll through River Road Preserve located in Palmetto Bluff. We will explore roughly 3 miles of trails in the Preserve in search of residential and seasonal songbirds.

Meet at the Conservancy Classroom located in Moreland Village (655 Old Moreland Road). Parking available along the edge of the facility and in a small parking lot located past the classroom.

Located in Palmetto Bluff, River Road Preserve is a 133-acre tract of land that is owned and managed by the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. 5.2 miles of trails weave through this maritime forest ecosystem nestled between saltmarsh and the freshwater Inland Waterway. Restrooms are located at the northern end of the Preserve and near the Conservancy classroom where people are encouraged to park.

Class: Introduction to Bird Photography with Patty Kappmeyer (03/13/2027)

Sat, 13 Mar 2027 13:00:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 2/7; Nonmembers 2/14)

Join us for a relaxed, hands-on bird photography workshop designed specifically for beginners! Whether you have a cell phone, point-and-shoot camera, or entry-level DSLR, this class will help you get started with bird photography in a fun and supportive environment. We’ll meet at a local birding spot and focus on composition, lighting, and how to ethically photograph birds without disturbing them. Based on the principles of Flight Through the Seasons, this session will emphasize finding birds, understanding their behavior, and capturing their beauty–no technical jargon, just practical tips to help you take better bird photos. Perfect for anyone who loves birds and wants to capture the moment!

Member Meeting and Presentation: Friends of the Savannah Coastal Refuges (03/18/2027)

Thu, 18 Mar 2027 17:00:00 GMT

Member registration opens 2/7; nonmembers 2/14.

Event is Free but you must register.

The Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges is a nonprofit dedicated to serving all seven National Wildlife Refuges near Savannah. From Pinckney Island, Savannah, Tybee, Wassaw, Harris Neck, Blackbeard Island and Wolf Island - the Savannah Coastal Complex is a rich set of lands with a diverse collection of wildlife that call it home. Matthew will discuss the importance of these public spaces, the challenges they face in an ever changing world and how you can get involved and enjoy our wilderness backyard!

Matthew Emmer holds a Master’s in Film and Television from SCAD and a Bachelor’s in Audio Engineering from Clemson University. Passionate about storytelling and conservation, he brings creative vision to promoting the National Wildlife Refuge System. He twice served as artist-in-residence at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (2018 and 2023), where he documented park rangers and captured oral histories.

Field Trip: Nemours Plantation Tour with Heather Krauss (03/23/2027)

Tue, 23 Mar 2027 12:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 2/7; Nonmembers 2/14)

Nemours Wildlife Foundation is an action-focused conservation organization. They conduct scientific research, carry out sound land management, provide experiential education, and empower conservationists throughout our region and beyond. Please join Nemours’ Education Coordinator Heather Krauss for a tour of the woods and impoundments of this former rice plantation now under conservation management. After a brief introduction, we will all pile into their open-air trailer with cushioned bench seats, which allows for many eyes looking in all directions and allows us to keep spotting scopes at the ready. We will stop to look and listen in key locations. Please do not wander around on your own before or after the tour. But also ask Heather lots of questions!

Bring the usual: binoculars, water, snack. Dress in layers as it may be chilly on the trailer and will be exposed to the wind.

Directions: Take I-95 North to exit 33 Charleston/Beaufort, onto Rte 17 east. OR, take Rte 170 east from Bluffton and Rte 21 north from Beaufort then exit onto Rte 17 at Gardens Corner. Nemours will be on your right about 5.5 – 6 miles east of Gardens Corner intersection of 17 & 21.

Special note: If you register for this Hilton Head Audubon field trip to Nemours, you must ALSO register yourself (no additional charge) on the Nemours site. That url will be provided upon your HHA registration.

Class: Backyard Birding by Ear- Chip Walker and Lucia Rosenblatt (03/27/2027)

Sat, 27 Mar 2027 13:30:00 GMT

(Member registration opens 2/7; Nonmembers 2/14)

Topics include: Why birds vocalize; How birds vocalize; Bird calls vs bird songs; How to interpret sonograms; Techniques for memorizing bird songs; Mobile apps for learning bird songs. This class is a prerequisite for “How to Record High-quality Bird Sounds.” A separate field trip is recommended but not required.

Presentation: The Greatest Illustrated Book Ever Made: John James Audubon and The Birds of America (04/01/2027)

Thu, 01 Apr 2027 04:00:00 GMT

Member registration opens 3/7; nonmembers 3/14.

Event is Free but you must register.

Learn about the life of celebrated naturalist and artist John James Audubon with an emphasis on his revolutionary book The Birds of America, often called the finest illustrated book ever produced. We’ll discuss his life and artistic process and then take a deep dive into his bird paintings. This talk is customized to discuss birds in your area.