February 2024 |
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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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Letter from the President
Members and friends of Hilton Head Audubon,
As we step into the new year, I am delighted to share with you the remarkable achievements and exciting plans that reflect Hilton Head Audubon's journey.
In 2023, our Audubon Newhall Preserve witnessed the footsteps of over 10,000 residents and visitors. The dedication of our Newhall volunteers, who diligently maintain the preserve, is truly commendable. The newly surfaced main trail stands testament to their hard work, ensuring our preserve remains a haven of pristine natural beauty.
Collaboration was the key to our success in partnering with various organizations to educate and advocate for birds and nature. Highlights include:
- Weekly tours during Mar, April and May at Pinckney Island for mobility challenged birders, which we accomplished by teaming with Friends of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuges. The tours were full every week!
- Our social event at the Hilton Head Brewery featuring John Tynan, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of South Carolina.
- A Master Birder class, offered in partnership with Birds Georgia and Ogeechee Audubon
- HHA’s participation in the Juneteenth celebration, in partnership with the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. We produced “Gullah Geechee of Mitchelville, Cultural Ties to Birds and Nature”, a booklet prepared in collaboration with a class at UCSB.
- 25 field trips, weekly Newhall tours, and 9 programs with speakers
- Presentations to hundreds of individuals at local clubs and organizations.
- As an end of year grand finale, our HHA Christmas Bird Count on December 16th was once again a considerable citizen science event, with 326 participants, 137 species and 28,858 birds reported!
Heartfelt thanks to our partners and dedicated HHA volunteers who contributed their time and expertise to make these events successful.
Looking forward to 2024, we are thrilled to improve our Audubon Newhall Preserve with a new welcome kiosk. Stay tuned for updates in our Ecobon newsletter.
Welcoming the first Chief Environmental Officer, T.J. Jett, to Hilton Head Island signifies "green progress." In 2024, HHA remains committed to advocating for birds and nature in the LowCountry by engaging with local, county, and state representatives and fellow conservation organizations.
Exciting events are happening in the first half of 2024, including:
- Various bird walks, including ones for beginners at Jarvis Creek and winter birds at Pinckney
- Two Birding 101 classes
- A wildlife photography class
- A screening of the documentary film about purple martins - “Purple Haze” with comments by Captain Zack himself
- My State of the Birds presentation
- A wine and light bites reception with a presentation by renowned ornithologist, conservationist, and author Bruce Beehler
- Our annual picnic in May
- A “B’hud and Naycha” day at Mitchellville on June 11th; this day is planned as part of the weeklong 2024 Juneteenth celebration.
As we plan for September 2024 thru May 2025, our program and education teams are gearing up to offer diverse events and classes. We'll continue to partner, advocate, and educate for the benefit of birds and nature.
Stay tuned, and thank you for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Kay Grinnell
President, Hilton Head Audubon
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Volunteers Sought for Human Disturbance Project
Hilton Head Audubon is seeking experienced birders to lead a survey at the Fish Haul Beach/Mitchellville Freedom Park beach. Volunteers need to be able to accurately identify Red Knot, Wilson’s Plovers, Piping Plovers, and American Oystercatchers, as well as carry and use a spotting scope on the beach for hours at a time. This is a part of the ongoing Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative Human Disturbance Project, now on its sixth year. We seek one volunteer to manage the project and three additional volunteers to assist. The project entails weekly, 2- to 3- hour monitoring of human and other types of disturbances shorebirds face. The commitment requires a minimum of three months starting on March 1st.. Audubon South Carolina staff will provide training. Why? Human disturbance is one of the leading causes of shorebird decline and this study will help us learn more about how to change human behaviors on the beach in a positive way. Every year shorebirds breed on the Canadian Arctic tundra and winter along the eastern shores of South America, stopping over in the US at a number of critical migratory sites in between. These migrations are thousands of miles round-trip. Photo of Red Knots by Gail DeterraFor example, the Red Knot (pictured above) flies nearly 20,000 miles a year for its annual migration. Thousands of those miles are non-stop over open ocean. When they stop on our beaches, they need undisturbed sections of beach to rest and refuel. Every beach plays a critical role in shorebird survival. With this collaborative flyway-scale approach along the coast, we aim to reverse the serious declines we are witnessing in many of our shorebird populations. Learn more about the project here: https://atlanticflywayshorebirds.org/about/
Please email us at HHIAudubon@hiltonheadaudubon.org if you are interested in volunteering and learning more.
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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, February 10 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 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.
Saturday, March 16 at 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Rather than our “second Saturday” work day in March, we will partner with the Rotary to host a service and work day on Saturday, March 16.
February Events Audubon South Carolina Lobby Day Tuesday, February 6, starting at 10:30 AM Please join Audubon South Carolina staff, supporters, and partners from more than 40 organizations in Columbia for the South Carolina Conservation Coalition’s Annual Lobby Day and Oyster Roast.
Whether you’re able to join us for the full day of events, or only have time to stop in, we encourage you to come when you can, for as long as you can, and bring who you can. Click here to view the agenda and to register.
Saturday, February 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Hilton Head LIbrary Free & Open to the Public but Registration Required. Click here to register. 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 Events 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. 5 SPOTS OPEN 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, 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: Saturday, March 9 Winter Shorebirds Fish Haul Beach Park 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Join Lynn Hodgson at Fish Haul Beach Park (120 Mitchelville Rd, Hilton Head) to work on Shorebird ID. Tide tables indicate a high tide around 8 a.m. We will set up on the beach with spotting scopes to start. Then we will follow the tide out, expecting to get our feet wet and sandy, as do the birds. Afterward, those interested can walk over the boardwalk toward Barker Field, and the extension over the marsh. There are restrooms in the parking lot.
Reservations are necessary, and attendees are limited to 12 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
Bird Walk: Monday, March 18 Palmetto Bluff 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Aaron Palmieri, educator for the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, will lead us on a stroll through the 133-acre River Road Preserve located in Palmetto Bluff. We will explore roughly 3 miles of trails in search of early spring residents, purely migratory species, and winter residents that have not begun their journey northward. The preserve has trails which weave through the maritime forest ecosystem nestled between saltmarsh and the Inland Waterway. Meet at the Conservancy Classroom located in Moreland Village (655 Old Moreland Road). The drive into the property is often longer than what people expect. Parking is available along the edge of the facility and in a small parking lot located past the classroom. Restrooms are located at the northern end of the Preserve and near the Conservancy classroom where people are encouraged to park.
Reservations are necessary, and attendees are limited to 12 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
Bird Walk: Saturday, March 23 Roxbury Park Field Trip, 4494 South Carolina Rte 174, Meggett, SC (on the way to Edisto Island). 9:00 a.m. - Noon Leaders Terry & Herve Cerisoles have a long history with this property, and have interesting stories about its beginnings. Roxbury Park includes 157 acres on Toogoodoo Creek. Habitats include wetlands, forests, fields and creek. We will see marsh birds, a variety of woodland birds, red-headed woodpeckers, and hopefully some early migrants.Directions: Head for Meggett SC on Rte 174. Then look for the turnoff sign almost immediately after you cross the bridge over Toogoodoo Creek. There is a port-a-john in the parking area, and a screened pavilion nearby if you want to bring lunch. However, there is also fine little restaurant (The Mercantile) with outdoor seating, just a few minutes down the road on Rte 174 toward Edisto Island. We will try to make reservations closer to that date.
Roxbury is nearly a 2-hour drive from HH, so we will be lazy and meet at 9. If the field trip lasts 3 hours, you can continue for an afternoon visit to Edisto Beach or Botany Bay or you can stop on the way home at any of several favorite birding spots. This park is only open on weekends. Look at the photos on the website.
Reservations are necessary, and attendees are limited to 12 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here. |
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Update on the Greater Island Council by Kay Grinnell In January, I had the privilege of representing Hilton Head Audubon before the Greater Island Council (GIC) of Hilton Head Island's Parks and Recreation committee. I am excited to extend our conversation beyond those walls and share with you the inspiring vision we have for bird conservation. During the presentation, I provided an overview of the challenges confronting birds in North America, delved into the unique circumstances in South Carolina and Hilton Head, and proposed actionable steps that can lead to a substantial and positive impact.
Overview of Recent Studies: In 2019, headlines echoed a sobering reality—3 billion birds lost in the last 50 years in North America. This alarming revelation prompted an in-depth study by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), resulting in the "State of the Birds Report" in the fall of 2022. Based on the results of this report, Hilton Head Audubon is actively engaged in educating and advocating for change in the trajectory of our bird populations.
South Carolina and HHI: Our state, with its rich history of rice plantations turned into wildlife habitats, has been a key contributor to wetland protection. Hilton Head, situated on the Atlantic Flyway, is a vital stopover for migrating birds, including endangered species like the red knot. However, habitat loss and human interference pose significant threats to both our resident and migrating birds.
Mid Island Tract: We have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Mid Island Tract—an essential 100 acre birding location on the island. Audubon envisions preserving this tract as open, undeveloped natural space with bird and wildlife trails. Notably, it houses the only breeding colony of red-headed woodpeckers on the island.
Expanding Educational Initiatives: Drawing inspiration from the success of the Audubon Newhall Preserve, we propose creating more birding and wildlife trails across the island. With over 10 thousand people exploring our Newhall trails annually, the potential for increased awareness and appreciation of our Lowcountry nature is immense.
Collaboration with Parks & Recreation: We invite the collaboration of Parks & Rec to design educational bird and wildlife trails on available land. Just as we have a poetry trail, we envision a network of birding trails intertwining with existing recreational spaces.
In summary, the loss of 3 billion birds is an urgent biodiversity crisis demanding action. Hilton Head Audubon is dedicated to advocating for habitat preservation, fostering awareness and reversing the dramatic trend of bird population decline. Bird conservation not only benefits our feathered friends but also extends to the well-being of our community and ecosystems.
As we embark on this journey together, let us recognize the unique position Hilton Head Island holds—an opportunity to be known not just for golf, tennis, and beaches but as a "green island" teeming with nature, birds, and wildlife.
Together, we strive to make a difference. Our island's future depends on it. |
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Flight Over Bomb Island: A Chronicle of the Largest Purple Martin Colony in North America and its Historic Legacy by Rosemary Staples South Carolina claims home to the largest Purple Martin colony in North America. Each summer, 750,000+ martins arrive in Columbia from around the country to Lake Murray, where they roost on a 12-acre sanctuary called Bomb Island. For two months, these martins feed, fatten and rest before continuing their 5000-mile journey back to the Amazon, and Lake Murray makes an ideal stopover. Between Bomb Island’s protective status and Lake Murray’s shoreline of martin condos, there is ample incentive for martins to return each year. In exchange the birds entertain boaters with their aerial acrobatics, swooping and swerving, diving high, low, and catching large dragonflies or small mosquitoes “on the wing.”
The best way to watch purple martins is to be on a boat on Lake Murray in July and August. Summertime sees hundreds of boaters ringed around Bomb Island, armed with cameras, binoculars and ample headcover. The shows are best at dawn and dusk. In the morning, birds rise slowly, a few at first, then more, till suddenly thousands lift to sky in unison. They blanket the horizon, leaving behind a haze of lavender and begin their hunt for protein-packed insects, often flying 160 miles in a single day. Returning to Bomb Island at sunset, viewers get to watch the martins spiral downward in a circular formation, each bird patiently waiting its turn to settle in for the night.
Readers might presume the island was named after this aviary bombardment, but a larger “bird” gets the credit. During WWII, B-25 bomber pilots dropped missiles filled with sand onto Bomb Island, target practice for the “Doolittle Raid,” the 1942 air strike against Tokyo. Several bombers crashed into the lake during those missions, but they were recovered. All except one. The last B-25 bomber was resurrected in 2005, sixty-two years after it slammed into the lake. Buried in 150 feet of clay sludge, the bomber was restored and is on display at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama.
Remnants of target practice are occasionally found at Bomb Island. Most notably is the white sand left by fake bombs, on which today’s purple martins roost. The white sand stands in stark contrast to Lake Murray’s red clay, a reminder of Bomb Island’s significance, both past and present. |
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Baltimore Oriole Winter Survey by Matt Lerow, SCDNR The dates for this year’s Baltimore Oriole Winter Surveys are February 16th-19th. We are hopeful that many of you are able to participate.
Surveys can be completed using the Survey123 form linked here. The form is fairly straight-forward and includes a series of location, survey and contact information questions. If you have any trouble with the form, please feel free to email me at LerowM@dnr.sc.gov
There are several ways that you can participate using the above Survey123 form:
- Count orioles on one or more days of the count period (Answering “Yes” to the question, “Were you able to participate in the Baltimore Oriole survey?” will open a February 16-19 specific survey form.)
- Report the number of orioles you have seen this winter, if you are unable to participate during the survey/count period (Answering “No” to the question, “Were you able to participate in the Baltimore Oriole Survey?” will open a form to input data from outside the February 16-19 survey period.
- Report the number of orioles you have seen earlier this winter, when no orioles are seen during the count period. (Please add this information to the “additional comments” section at the end of the survey form.)
- Report no orioles seen at all this winter, when you have had them in the past (Please add this information to the “additional comments” section at the end of the survey form.)
Please remember that zeros are just as important as other numbers. If you do not have orioles, but have had them in the past, please submit a survey form. Reporting the absence of orioles where they have been previously is just as important as reporting their presence. If you have oriole photos that you wouldn’t mind us using in press releases, please send them to me.
Please let me know if you have any questions and feel free to pass this information along to anyone that currently has orioles at their feeders or has had them during the winter, December – February, and is interested in participating.Thank you for your contribution to the project. Happy oriole counting!
Matt Lerow LerowM@dnr.sc.gov SC Department of Natural Resources |
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Newhall Work Day by Bob Clemens We had a stellar turnout of eleven volunteers for our January work day and we celebrated five NEW faces in addition to our "regulars." Shown in the group photo, from left to right, are Linda and Jim Butler, Karen Lucey, Ingrid Strelka, Wes Braun, Vice-Chair Lynn Hodgson, Denise Prichard, Ava Elizabeth Rios, and Newhall Committee Members Julia and David Buzzard. Notshown is camera-shy photographer, Fearless Leader and Co-Chair, Bob Clemens.
Julia and Ava were our "sign cleaning crew," and are shown in the photos scrubbing our interpretive panels and other signage.
Linda (photo) and Karen (photographer) trimmed the forest trails and made sure the recent storms had not felled any trees.
Shown with his bicycle is Wes, who with Jim helped Lynn relocate three birdhouses.
Bob blew accumulated leaves and pine straw from the Newhall trail and then helped haul vegetation with his beloved Jeep Gladiator truck. The balance of the crew (Ingrid, Denise, and David) gathered limbs from around the Audubon Pond, with two truckloads being hauled to the collection area near the parking lot. We are ever grateful to Sea Pines CSA, who helps by carrying away what would otherwise become a mountain of debris after our work days.
Our next work day will be on Saturday, February 10th. We gather at 8:30 AM in the parking lot and will be all done before 10 AM. RSVPs are not necessary, but helpful to Rclemens318@gmail.com.
(We know this date conflicts with a "Birding 101" class, but we'll make do with whomever can help.)
In other Newhall News: We are thrilled to report winning ATAX grants to build a new welcome kiosk and to reprint Newhall trail Guides for distribution to South Carolina Welcome Centers. (Today, South Carolina, Tomorrow the World!) We anticipate relocating our existing three bulletin boards to the new kiosk and will add in an enlarged map from the Trail Guide. The current Donation post and Trail Guide Box will be moved to be adjacent to the kiosk. The old kiosk will either be retired or relocated.
We are also pleased to welcome Kathy Shea to the Newhall Committee. Vice-Chair Emeritus Rita Kernan has trained Kathy to take undertake the task of maintaining the scores of plants, shrub, and tree labels in the Preserve.
We owe a boundless debt of gratitude to Rita for her years of dedication to Newhall!
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About Purple Martins by Patty Kappmeyer Purple Martins are migratory birds that belong to the swallow family. In fact, they are the largest swallow in North America. In honor of the documentary screening of the film Purple Haze, here is a primer on Purple Martins.
Migratory Birds: Purple Martins are known for their long migratory journeys. They spend their breeding season in North America and migrate to South America (usually Brazil) during the winter. Purple Martins start arriving in the Southeast in late winter or early spring and depart in late Summer.
You will only find Purple Martins in the Americas. You will not find them in Europe, Asia, or Africa.
Habitat: During the breeding season, Purple Martins are commonly found in open areas near water, such as lakes, rivers, or coastal regions. They are cavity-nesting birds and traditionally relied on natural tree cavities for nesting.
Purple Martins are insectivores, feeding on a variety of flying insects. This makes them beneficial for pest control in the areas where they nest.
Purple Martins have a unique relationship with humans. They have adapted to nesting in human-provided birdhouses, especially multi-compartment birdhouses set up on poles. The behavioral shift from living in natural cavities to human-made housing is rooted in Native American history. Tribes including the Choctaw and Chickasaw hung gourds on top of poles for purple martins to live in near their villages. This worked in both the people’s and the birds’ favors, as the birds provided Native Americans with insect control, while the proximity to Native American villages provided the martins with protection from predators such as owls and snakes. When Europeans colonized North America, they adopted the same practice, which has continued into the present day.
Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island is home to a small Purple Martin colony, contributing to our Island’s birding community.
Purple Martin Celebrations: Various areas in the Southeast host Purple Martin festivals to celebrate the arrival of these birds. These festivals often include educational programs, bird watching, and family-friendly activities.
- Attend the Purple Martin festival in St. Matthews, SC April 19-20 Purple Martin Festiva.
- Visit Rainsville Alabama, featured in the documentary film Purple Haze, during the Purple Martin Jamboree. Their just released numbers from the 2023 colony: 2,167 nesting sites available, with 1,249 pairs and nesting sites occupied, which is 58% of total capacity filled for the year! 2,448 birds with a safe estimate of 3 to 5 fledgling per nest equals anywhere between 9,792 to 14,688 Purple Martin's here at the colony for 2023!
- Visit Bomb Island, Lake Murrary, SC Purple Martin Phenomenon
- Attend Purple Martin Field Day, Louisa County, VA
- Visit downtown Nashville in the summer you may be able to witness the arrival of the purple martins.
- Visit Blue Ridge GA (downtown and see a small colony where the purple martins have returned for 17 consecutive years. Click here for video
Conservation Efforts: Conservation initiatives often focus on providing suitable nesting structures for Purple Martins, as they have become more dependent on man-made housing. Communities and bird enthusiasts actively engage in promoting Purple Martin conservation by maintaining and monitoring nesting structures.
How can you help? Learn more about understanding purple martins at the free viewing of Purple Haze, by Captain Zach Steinhauser, sponsored by Hilton Head Audubon. Bring family and friends to watch the story of one man’ journey chasing birds around the world. Film is followed by Q&A from producer, Captain Zach. Date is February 10, 1:30 to 3:30.
Visit Project Martin Roost: Project Martin Roost is a cooperative research project between the PMCA, its members, and bird enthusiasts everywhere. It is designed to protect and promote Purple Martin roosts in North and South America.
The first step in conserving Purple Martin roosts is documenting their occurrence. Radar images suggest that more than 250 migratory roosts occur in the eastern U.S. and Canada; however most of these locations are undocumented. Where exactly are these roost sites? How many exist in North and South America? Are there any issues with established roost sites? This is where you can help the most!
If you have visited a roost please submit a report. Keep in mind that roosts do occasionally move and knowing whether a roost is still active at the previous or new location is very important. Some roosts have been detected with radar, but it may not be known how many martins are there. Please consider visiting some of these roosts to help improve the roost database. With your help we can help to protect and improve roosting locations for martins throughout the range.
Visit Project MartinWatch: Project MartinWatch (PMW) is a continent-wide Citizen-Science project designed to help landlords better manage their colony as well as help the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA) track the reproductive biology of Purple Martins. Information collected includes nesting dates, number of eggs laid, how many eggs hatch, and how many nestlings survive. The data is used to study the current conditions of the Purple Martin population and determine how it may be changing over time as a result of habitat variations, climate change, and the introduction of non-native species. |
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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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