December 2023 |
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Inside this issue:
- What's New
- Upcoming Events
- New & Noteworthy
- Audubon Newhall Preserve
- Feathers Through Our Lenses
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Member and friends of Hilton Head Audubon,
The annual Christmas Bird Count is just weeks away, a tradition that unites nature enthusiasts, families, and individuals alike in a harmonious celebration of biodiversity. The Christmas Bird Count, a global phenomenon where ordinary citizens transform into conservation heroes, armed not with capes, but with binoculars and a passion for the avian world. Let's unpack the extraordinary impact of this citizen-driven initiative on avian conservation, shedding light on how a simple observation can contribute to a monumental understanding of birds and the ecosystems they inhabit.
The data collected in the Annual Christmas Bird Count holds profound importance in the realm of ornithology and conservation. Here's a summary of its significance:
Biodiversity Monitoring: The Christmas Bird Count provides a comprehensive snapshot of bird species diversity in various regions. This data is invaluable for tracking changes in bird populations over time, identifying trends, and understanding the overall health of ecosystems.
Climate Change Indicators: Bird behavior, such as migration patterns and nesting times, can be influenced by climate change. The annual count helps scientists discern how climate variations may be impacting bird species, serving as an important indicator of broader environmental changes.
Conservation Planning: The information gathered during the count aids in the formulation of effective conservation strategies. By identifying which species may be declining or thriving, conservationists can prioritize efforts and allocate resources where they are most needed.
Community Engagement: Involving citizens in data collection fosters a sense of environmental stewardship and community engagement. It empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts, creating a network of passionate advocates for the protection of wildlife and their habitats.
Educational Opportunities: The Christmas Bird Count serves as an educational platform, offering schools, nature clubs, and communities a hands-on experience in bird identification and ecological awareness. It promotes a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of species and ecosystems.
Policy Influence: The robust, long-term dataset generated by the Christmas Bird Count is a valuable resource for policymakers. It provides evidence to support the creation or adjustment of policies aimed at protecting habitats, mitigating threats to bird populations, and addressing broader environmental issues.
In essence, the Annual Christmas Bird Count is not just a festive tradition but a vital scientific endeavor that empowers ordinary citizens to contribute to the understanding and conservation of avian life and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Join us at our next meeting on the evening of December 7, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head Island to learn more about this year's bird count and to sign up if you are interested. We will also have door prizes and raffle off birdy items.
Wishing you a season filled with wonder, gratitude, and the joy of birdwatching!
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Events |
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To view all upcoming events in a calendar format, click here.
Audubon Newhall Preserve Volunteer Work Days Saturday, December 9 at 8:30 AM-10 AM The Audubon Newhall Preserve is a 50 acre nature preserve located at 55 Palmetto Bay Road on the south end of Hilton Head Island. It is owned and operated by Hilton Head Audubon, and maintained by a flourishing team of dedicated volunteers. We welcome you to come and join us, and learn about our work. Unless otherwise noted, we meet the second Saturday morning of each month. Bring gloves and eye protection. Donuts, water, and bug spray will be provided. RSVPs are not necessary but helpful to RClemens318@gmail.com.
December Meeting Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head
2023 Christmas Bird Count Our annual Christmas Bird Count meeting is on Thursday, December 7th. Our social begins at 7:00 pm. The presentation, by Master Naturalist Bob Speare, begins at 7:30 pm. Bob is our science advisor for the CBC. He will preview some of the birds we might see on the count and offer ID tips!
You are welcome to bring cookies, etc., for the dessert table, as always. We will have door prizes and a raffle for birdy prizes -- please bring some small bills. We hope to see you there!
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is an early winter snapshot of bird populations. It is the nation’s longest-running citizen science survey, providing critical data on bird population trends. Each count is done in a 15-mile diameter circle. The count started in 1900 and has grown to include over 2,600 count circles in the Western Hemisphere.
Our Hilton Head count will be on Friday, December 15th, 2023. We identify and count all birds seen or heard in the 24-hour period. Birders of all levels are welcome to participate. For more information, go to https://hiltonheadaudubon.org/
2023 Christmas Bird Count - Hilton Head Count Circle Friday, December 15 This is the 124th year for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count! We are one of over 2,600 count circles in the Western Hemisphere. Our count area is a 15-mile diameter circle covering Hilton Head, Daufuskie and Pinckney Islands, parts of Bluffton and our waterways. On our one-day count, we identify species and count each bird we see or hear. This early winter snapshot of bird populations is the nation’s longest-running citizen science survey. Audubon and other organizations use data collected to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.
Count Day: The Hilton Head area count is on Friday, December 15th. Our 20 Area Captains are putting their teams together. We have received a great response this year, with many returning team members and new birders signing up! A few areas have spots available on field teams and Feeder Watchers are always welcome. If you are interested in being a part of this international effort, please e-mail Susan Murphy at HHICBC@gmail.com and she will have an Area Captain contact you.
January Meeting Tuesday, January 9, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Coastal Discovery Museum Free & Open to the Publlic
The Savannah Coastal Refuges Presenter: Russ Webb, Manager The Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges encompasses seven National Wildlife Refuges around Savannah, Georgia, including Pinckney Island (accessed before driving across the bridge to Hilton Head Island), Wolf Island, Blackbeard Island, Harris Neck, Wassaw and Tybee Island.
It includes the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, with over 30,000 acres of vital wildlife habitat.
Russ Webb, the Refuges Manager, will discuss changes to the Refuges, management practices for waterfowl and waterfowl that are wintering in the Refuge. Russ is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA, and currently resides in Richmond Hill, GA.
Documentary Film: Purple Haze Saturday, February 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Hilton Head Library Free & Public Welcome This film follows one man’s journey chasing America’s favorite backyard bird, the Purple Martin, halfway around the world and back.
After millions of years of evolution, treacherous migrations, and forming a unique relationship with humans, North America’s largest swallow species, the Purple Martin, has managed to become almost completely dependent on man-made nesting structures to nest & rear their young. Captain Zach Steinhauser has taken it upon himself, after spending years guiding folks to North America’s largest Purple Martin roost, to chase these birds across their range to understand exactly how this species put themselves in this position and discover a lost culture of bird-loving enthusiasts across the Purple Martin’s range. Zach’s journey takes him across the western hemisphere from the Great Lakes to the Amazon Rainforest all the way to the Sonoran Desert making unexpected connections at every turn.
March Meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Coastal Discovery Museum Free & Open to the Public
The State of Birds Presenter: Kay Grinnell, President of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society A landmark 2019 study showed the loss of 3 billion birds in the United States and Canada in 50 years. This study begged the questions of why what could be done, and led to the newly released State of The Birds Report, which reveals a tale of two trends: one hopeful, one dire. Published by 33 leading science and conservation organizations and agencies, this report reveals insights on trends for our nation’s birds. Kay Grinnell, President of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society, will present an overview of this report and what can and should be done as a result of this alarming environmental trend.
Wildlife Photography Class Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Coastal Discovery Museum Making Beautiful Wildlife Images – Essential Technical, Artistic and Behavioral Tools: Learn creative techniques that will enhance your wildlife photography skills as well as improve your knowledge of wildlife subjects in their natural environments. Experienced Wildlife Photographer, Mary Alice Tartler (shown here), will guide you through understanding your camera, necessary camera equipment, the importance of composition, animal behaviors and environments, and finding wildlife in the Lowcountry. No matter what level of expertise you possess, this class will help prepare you to take your photography to the next level. All nature and wildlife enthusiasts and all levels of photography expertise are welcome to attend. Please bring your camera! ($30 per person – ages 13+, please).
Registration is necessary, click here to sign up. |
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Bird Walks |
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Audubon Newhall Preserve Guided Walks Free guided tours every Tuesday led by Master Birders. Please gather in the parking lot by 8:30 a.m. No registration required.
Bird Walk: Wednesday, January 10 Nemours Plantation 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Please join Heather Kraus and Lynn Hodgson for what may be a chilly ride on an open wagon/trailer to explore Nemours Plantation.
Nemours is a former rice plantation within the ACE Basin. The property is managed by the Nemours Foundation, well known for its conservation education efforts, as well as scientific research and stewardship. The property contains a rich diversity of habitats including remnant rice fields, fresh and brackish water marshes, upland pine and hardwood forests, bottomland hardwoods, and cypress/tupelo forests. As birders, we are especially hopeful to see some wintering ducks. But Nemours is a beautiful property to explore, whatever it shows us in January! There may be a few spots where people can get off the trailer, but only limited walking is required. Warm clothing is advised. (and Lynn will be bringing a small cushion to sit on!) Restroom facilities will be available at the start and end of the tour.
Consider making a donation to the Nemours Wildlife Foundation to support their important work. Nemourswildlifefoundation.org
Reservations are necessary and attendees are limited to 15 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
Bird Walk: Saturday, January 27 Winter on Pinckney Island NWR 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. We all know that Pinckney Island is a “happening place” for birds in spring, but it is surprising how many bird species winter there. Join Master Birder Stephen Dickson to find them. We will bird the parking lot for woodpeckers, then proceed to Ibis Pond and vicinity for gallinules, coots, visiting ducks, etc. We will then proceed to Starr Pond, which has fewer birds, but surprises us sometimes. At this point, the group will probably split. Those who have had enough or have other commitments (or if the weather is nasty) will head back to the parking lot, but the hardiest may follow Stephen behind Starr for the back trail to Osprey Pond.
Dress for the weather and wear shoes/boots for a walk of 2-3 miles. There are no facilities at Pinckney so prepare. Definitely bring water and binoculars.
Reservations are necessary and attendees are limited to 12 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
Bird Walk: Monday, February 12 Bird Walk for Beginners at Jarvis Creek Park 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Feel like you need some help with the basics? New to Birding? New to the Area? Please join experienced birder Sarah Gustafson at Jarvis Park on Hilton Head, Sarah will discuss and demonstrate some basic birding skills, such as purchasing, adjusting, and practicing with binoculars, clues for identification, introduction to Hilton Head Audubon.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Basic beginner binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Dress for the weather. Facilities available at Jarvis, and most walking will be on the paved paths – less than a mile total.
Reservations are necessary and attendees are limited to 12 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
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What's in a Name? By Lynn Hodgson
What’s in a Name? What do you think when you hear the name, John James Audubon? Are you reminded of the extraordinary artist and lover of birds who helped spark the nation’s conservation movement in the 1800’s? Or, do you think of him as the enslaver who argued against abolition? While John James Audubon certainly contributed greatly to our nation’s knowledge and appreciation of birds, awareness of details of his life have caused dissent within the National Audubon Society (NAS) and its chapters, prompting some groups to drop the Audubon name.
John James Audubon Background: Jean Rabin was born in 1785, the son of Captain Jean Audubon and his chambermaid Jeanne Rabin, on his father’s sugar plantation in Saint Domingue (now Haiti). His mother died that same year. In 1793, his father sent his young son to his wife, Anne Boynet, in France. She raised him as her own. These facts were to remain a secret because France did not allow bastard children to inherit, and because there was general societal disapproval of children born out of wedlock.
In 1803, this now well-grown and energetic young man boarded a ship for America. He left behind several name changes and came to America as John James Audubon, to live on property owned by his father. During the voyage he became very ill and was put into the care of Quaker women who ran a Philadelphia boardinghouse. They nursed him back to health and also taught him English.
For details of Audubon’s growth as a marginally successful business man, budding artist, and proud husband and father, we recommend the biographies by Rhodes and by Nobles, listed in the citations below. Audubon worked steadily at his art throughout his life, sometimes selling portraits and other art to earn money, as he advanced his skills. However, his passion was for birds, and he pioneered painting them in lifelike poses. Between 1827 and 1838, he published The Birds of America, his seminal collection of American bird paintings.
Audubon was an enslaver and anti-abolitionist. On one occasion he returned a man and his family, who had escaped slavery, to their previous owner. Audubon also sometimes collected skulls of Native Americans, thus desecrating their gravesites, although he was friendly with some living members of nearby tribes. In addition to hunting birds for the table, Audubon killed many birds for use as models for his art. These and other details of Audubon’s personal history have come to public consciousness only relatively recently, and have led to some tarnishing of his image. Many of his actions have become illegal or are considered immoral today.
The question is: Should those actions sully our concept of him as an important American artist, bird proponent, and budding conservationist? Should those actions impact our decision whether or not to use his name for our bird organizations?
The following two simplified versions represent our current understanding of the debate:
In Favor of Changing Names: John James Audubon carried out actions currently deemed immoral, illegal, or unacceptable, such as buying and selling humans, desecrating Native American graves, etc. Because of these behaviors, his name has become offensive to some people, who may avoid membership or association with organizations bearing his name. Thus, bird clubs should dissociate themselves from his name.
Opposed to Changing Names: John James Audubon was an extraordinary artist and lover of birds. His paintings were a major spark for the nascent conservation movement and later in life he argued for preservation of birds and their habitats. He died half a century before the founding of the National Audubon Society. His name was chosen because of the influence of his art, and it has since become synonymous with bird conservation for most people. Erasing the name will not erase his history, and will not substitute for increased outreach and diversification. Therefore, bird clubs should recognize John James Audubon’s faults, but should not eliminate “Audubon” from their names.
Recent Studies by “Audubon” societies: National Audubon Society (NAS) spent more than a year studying the issue, listening to its members and others. They decided that, for most people, the name “Audubon” is more associated with bird conservation than with John James Audubon the man. Use of the “Audubon” name was deemed important to maintaining the momentum and reputation for conservation which the society has garnered over the last hundred years. Thus, they will continue to be the National Audubon Society. They have also re-committed to endeavors that increase the diversity and equity of their membership and staff. For further information, see National Audubon Society Announces Decision to Retain Current Name | Audubon.
“Seattle Audubon Society” underwent a similar extended study of this issue, but decided differently, and became “Birds Connect Seattle” (BCS). Claire Catania, executive director of the Seattle chapter has said that “Knowing what we now know and hearing from community members how the Audubon name is harmful to our cause, there is no other choice but to change.” A New Name for an Inclusive Future - Birds Connect Seattle
Several other Audubon Societies have for similar reasons changed their names. Madison Audubon is now the Badgerland Bird Alliance. Read their summary at The Audubon Name — Madison Audubon. Chicago Audubon Society is now considering changing to a “more welcoming” name. joining Madison in using “bird alliance” instead of Audubon. UPDATE - Chicago Audubon Society calls for a name change — Chicago Bird Alliance.
Georgia Audubon, formerly “Atlanta Audubon”, conducted a process beginning with a series of listening webinars. Several members of the Hilton Head Audubon Board of Directors are also members of Georgia Audubon, and followed their efforts closely. On Dec 1, 2023, their name will officially change to Birds Georgia. This choice puts “birds” up front in announcing what the organization is all about
Any organizational name change involves complex legal and logistical efforts. All of the above organizations, unlike Hilton Head Audubon, have professional paid staff and resources to devote to carrying out the extensive process of determining the will of their members and their communities.
Relevance to Hilton Head Audubon? The Board of Hilton Head Audubon is following these issues carefully, but plans no action regarding our name at this time. This is a complex ethical, political, practical and sometimes emotional issue. These arguments will not affect our work to protect and enjoy birds, nor our work to reach out to groups under-represented in our organization.
Citations: The Audubon Name — Madison Audubon
A New Name for an Inclusive Future - Birds Connect Seattle
National Audubon Society Announces Decision to Retain Current Name | Audubon
Nobles, Gregory. July, 2020. “The Myth of John James Audubon”. Audubon Magazine. Audubon.org
Nobles, Gregory. 2017. John James Audubon: The Nature of the American Woodsman. Univ. of Pennsylvania Press. 352 ps.
Rhodes, Richard. 2004. John James Audubon: The Making of an American. Vintage Books, Random House, NY. 534 ps. |
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Barry Lowes Scholarship Winners By Lois Lewis
Hilton Head Audubon is grateful to Palmetto Dunes Cares for funding to sponsor this year’s Barry Lowes Scholarship winners. The lucky teachers were selected by a drawing from a pool of qualified applicants at Hilton Head Audubon's November Board meeting.
The results were as follows: Winner: Corry Thompson- Bluffton Middle School Winner: Maryann Castrilli- McCracken Middle School
These middle school science teachers and up to 50 of their students will engage in a field day at Port Royal Sound Foundation’s Maritime Center on the Chechessee River during this school year. This exciting opportunity honors one of the founding members of Hilton Head Audubon, Barry Lowes, a great educator of young and old who devoted his life to instilling the love of nature and the natural world to everyone with whom he came in contact.
Teachers will choose from a wide variety of hands-on laboratory investigations and tours that match their students’ learning standards. Moreover, the Maritime Center has generously offered to cover the cost of a boat trip on Port Royal Sound aboard The Salty Dog vessel, rounding out this special learning experience for kids and chaperones alike.
We are proud to be able to provide local students with the opportunity to enhance their environmental awareness of our precious, local watershed. |
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Kingfisher Pond Field Trip Report By Lynn Hodgson
To enjoy each other’s company and work off some of our Thanksgiving dinners, 7 HHA members joined Lynn Hodgson at Kingfisher Pond Recreation Area of the Savannah NWR, in Hardeeville SC. It was a chilly 45 degrees at the start, but clear, sunny, and only a mild breeze. Kingfisher Pond has a lot of vegetation in it – both submerged and emergent – so birds must be located in peekaboo hole views between the plants on the pond and trees along the shoreline. A spotting scope was ideal for this. There was the usual talkative group of about 25 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, accompanied by 10 Gadwalls, 5 Wood Ducks, a few American Coots, Common Gallinules, Pied-billed Grebes, and a lone Blue-winged Teal. A Green Heron was an unexpected delight, as were 2 Hermit Thrushes. We also found several Eastern Phoebes, various woodpeckers, an Orange-crowned Warbler, 5 chatty Ruby-crowned Kinglets, as well as a few other typical woodland species for a total of 27.
We left our spotting scope at the junction of the Kingfisher Pond trail and the Tupelo trail to take an unburdened walk out to the bald cypress swamp. Just before the swamp proper, we admired some huge ancient live oaks that are a wonder to behold. There were few birds along the trail at this time of year, but what a beautiful day to be walking through the woods! |
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Mitchelville Birding and History Field Trip Report By Rosemary Staples
A friendly mix of twelve area birders bundled up for a chilly, two-hour tour at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, (HMFP) Saturday, November 11. We explored the square-mile grounds of HMFP, the first freedmen’s village established in America in 1862. During the Civil War. HMFP was home to 3,000 enslaved people, mostly descended from West Africa. Known as Gullah-Geechee, their language, traditions and food reflected their African heritage, and their culture is widely celebrated today.
After touring HMFP we trundled to a blustery beach, where hundreds of black skimmers ducked behind brown pelicans for warmth. Perhaps 50 semipalmated plovers drilled into the sand, while a solitary black-bellied plover kept running them off. An estimated 400 tree swallows swarmed above, and snowy egrets, white ibis, gulls, sanderlings, terns and ruddy turnstones strutted and stabbed the mud. Two, maybe three eagles patrolled overhead, a red-shouldered hawk shrieked his frantic call. Notably silent were the vireos, but woodpeckers, wrens and cardinals announced their presence throughout. A total count of 29 species - not bad for a chilled and blustery day. |
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Newhall Work Day by Bob Clemens
Undeterred by a forecast of rain (which never materialized!) nine dedicated volunteers pitched in for the November 11th Veterans Day Work Day at the Audubon Newhall Preserve. See our group photo below. Jim Reynolds and John Grobe tackled a “log realignment project” in the parking lot, and then joined the balance of the crew working at the Audubon Pond.
Most of our time was spent removing downed logs, limbs and branches from the adjacent forest. We hauled at least three full truckloads of debris back to the parking lot where it will ultimately be removed and ground into mulch by Sea Pines CSA. David and Julia Buzzard, and Fearless Leader Clemens created a new “meditation space” on the north side of the pond as shown in the photo.
We have an absolutely beautiful large magnolia tree just off the path but it was screened by wax myrtle and other shrubs. By removing the competing vegetation and transplanting a memorial bench, we created a nice little“alcove” with a great view of the Audubon Pond. Finally, we hauled a log from the South Woods Trail to invite turtles to enjoy the sun off the Pond deck. We had added a smaller “turtle log” last work day, and it had become so popular with the turtles, we wanted to add another. Thank you Rita Kernan for the suggestion. (Questions and suggestions are always welcome to rclemens318@gmail.com.)
Thank you to our many volunteers who contribute to work days, trail monitoring, data collection, plant care and labeling, and so many of the tasks necessary to maintain this lovely space.
Our next work day will be on Saturday, December 9 from 8:30 to 10 AM. As always, Donuts will be provided. Bring gloves, water, and eye protection. RSVPs are helpful, but not necessary to Rclemens318@gmail.com.
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My Shorebird Diary by Patty Kappmeyer
As the sun gently rises over the tidal expanses of the Port Royal mudflats, I find myself immersed in this captivating shorebird haven. Armed with my camera, I embark on a journey through my shorebird diary, capturing the vibrant mosaic of overwintering migrants and tireless travelers making pit stops on their way to southern winter grounds.
Semipalmated Plovers: These charming, petite shorebirds have become the heartbeats of the mudflats. With their distinctive black necklaces and delicate appearance, they scurry along the water's edge, expertly dodging incoming waves as they hunt for tiny crustaceans buried in the sand. It's a joy to capture their fleeting elegance against the backdrop of the changing tides. Semipalmated Plover
Sanderlings: Small, agile, and ceaselessly in motion, the sanderlings bring a dynamic energy to the scene. Their synchronized dance with the waves creates a mesmerizing ballet on the mudflats. Photographing them is a lesson in patience and precision, as they weave through the wet sand, leaving delicate footprints behind. Sanderling
Dunlins: Enter the dunlins, small in stature but grand in character. Their mottled plumage provides a camouflage against the mudflat backdrop, and their swift, synchronized movements add a dynamic element to the avian ensemble. Watching dunlins in action, one can appreciate their role as agile foragers, probing the mud for invertebrates with great precision. Dunlin
Marbled Godwits: Stately and statuesque, marbled godwits grace the mudflats with their long, upturned bills. These overwintering migrants bring a touch of elegance to the scene, their cinnamon-colored plumage a striking contrast against the muted tones of the coastal landscape. Marbled Godwit
Black-Bellied Plovers: As they forage for marine worms and small crustaceans, their distinctive calls fill the air. Capturing their beauty in the soft morning light is a photographic endeavor filled with anticipation and wonder. Black-bellied Plover
Least Sandpipers: In the company of their larger counterparts, the least sandpipers flit about, showcasing their remarkable agility. With their dainty size and rapid movements, photographing these tiny migrants becomes a delightful challenge. Their presence reminds me of the intricate web of life that exists in the intertidal zone. Least Sandpiper
Western Sandpipers and Red Knots: The mudflats become a bustling airport for these long-distance travelers. Pausing to refuel on their migratory journey, western sandpipers and red knots bring a sense of urgency and purpose. Each click of the shutter captures not only their graceful forms but also the essence of endurance and resilience ingrained in their migratory instincts. Western Sandpiper
As I flip through the images of my shorebird diary, each photograph tells a story of the delicate balance between the tranquility of overwintering and the relentless rhythm of migration. The mudflats of Port Royal, with their avian inhabitants, stand as a testament to the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the perpetual ebb and flow of life along the water's edge. In the silent language of feathers and flight, I find inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the wonders that unfold on these coastal shores.
Note: Shorebirds and seabirds can be challenging to identify. To aid in identification the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources created a bookmark lineup of common seabirds and shorebirds. Click on the links to download a copy.
Shorebird bookmark
Seabird bookmark
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Joining HHIAS or renewing your membership is easy, click here to complete the online forms. Please consider a contribution beyond the basic annual membership level to support our mission. A reminder that Gift memberships are available for purchase, click here.
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DonationsHilton Head Audubon accepts donations online, using Venmo, or by mailing a check. Donations can also be made in honor or memory of someone by following the instruction on the form. Donate online. Donate by mail.Donate by Venmo. If you have Venmo, scan the Venmo QR code or go onto the Venmo app and find us by typing “HHI Audubon Society” or “@HHIAudubon”. We use our donations to support: advocacy regarding conservation/birding in our region, providing birding education programs to area schools, maintaining and interpreting through signage and tours of the Audubon Newhall Preserve, managing the annual Christmas Bird Count, actively participating in regional Citizen Science programs, and increasing awareness about local conservation projects or concerns.
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