October 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, WOW! Hilton Head Audubon's Board, Committee Members and Volunteers have been incredibly busy putting together an educational and engaging calendar of events for our members and friends. Read on for a sampling of what we have planned. Learn more about the Gullah-Geechee and their connection to birds and nature. Sign up for the "Birding and History" bird walk at Historic Mitchelville in November. Come socialize with fellow birdlovers at the Hilton Head Brewery Company at the November Social and learn about the work of the Conservation Voters of South Carolina. Participate in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count taking place on Hilton Head Island in December. Are you a beginning birder looking to improve your skills? Master Naturalist Bob Speare is teaching Birding 101 in January. Join us in February for a screening of the documentary film Purple Haze which follows one man's journey chasing Purple Martins halfway around the world and back. Scroll down to see our full schedule of events and bird walks. We also want to share a unique volunteer opportunity with the Kids in Kayaks (KIK) Program sponsored by the Outside Foundation. Susan Dee is in charge of the program and she is seeking volunteers to help with some kid-friendly bird-watching. The goal of KIK is to get every 7th grade student in Beaufort County out in a kayak on a local river or salt-marsh creek. Part of the experience includes small group shore activities like "Birding 101 for Kids." Binoculars are provided. Volunteers meet with 6 - 10 students & at least one adult chaperone at a time. For 30 minutes or so, the volunteer leads a short bird watching walk. The exercise is repeated 2 X before lunch and 2 X after lunch. The trips happen each year in October - mid November and again in April - mid-May. The venues include Palmetto Bluff, Shelter Cove and St Helena Island. If you are interested please contact Susan at kidsinkayaks1@gmail.com.Hope to see you all along the way!
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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 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 (like for this one), 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.
Thursday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. Hilton Head Island Public Library Free & Open to the Public
Birdwatching and the Christmas Bird Count Presenters: Kay Grinnell and Patty Kappmeyer Join us for a presentation sponsored by the Hilton Head Island public library.
November Social with Conservation Voters of South Carolina Thursday, November 9, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Hilton Head Brewing Company It’s our annual fall social event: an inside/outside venue filled with bird-lovers sipping their favorite craft beers! Drop by between 3 – 6 pm at this relaxed afternoon event at The Hilton Head Brewing Company, 1 Cardinal Rd #13 on Hilton Head Island. The event is free. Guests will be responsible for their beverages and any accompanying bites. Look for some delicious BBQ!
This social is an opportunity to refresh your love of birding, rekindle your friendships (and start new ones), and renew your interest in Audubon’s mission to conserve.
Amidst our socializing Hilton Head Audubon President Kay Grinnell will introduce John Tynan of Conservation Voters of South Carolina, who will highlight recent on S.C.’s conservation successes
December Meeting Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head
2023 Christmas Bird Count Join us for a free presentation about the upcoming 2023 Bird Count for the Hilton Head area count circle. On Thursday, December 7th, we will convene at the First Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, 540 William Hilton Parkway, with a reception at 7:00 pm, followed by a presentation at 7:30 pm by Bob Speare about the birds we might see on the count.
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 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. The count started in 1900 and has grown to include many locations in the Western Hemisphere. Each count is done in a 15-mile diameter circle. There are now over 2,600 count circles! Counts must be scheduled on one day between December 14 and January 5.
The next Hilton Head count is Friday, December 15, 2023. We welcome birders for field teams as well as feeder watchers who count from their homes. If you participated in the count last year, your Area Captain will be contacting you in the fall. If you are new to our count and 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.
Birding 101 Coastal Discovery Museum Presenter: Master Naturalist Bob Speare Master Naturalist Bob Speare has been leading birding and photography tours for over 20 years. He moved to the Lowcountry in 2015 and has continued these programs both locally and abroad.
This introductory course to birding will include four classes at the Coastal Discovery Museum and one field trip on these dates:
January 6 Classroom January 20 Classroom February 3 Classroom February 10 Field Trip February 17 Classroom Birding 101 costs $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Registration is required, please click here to sign up.
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. |
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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, October 21 Fish Haul Beach Park, 8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Naturalist Lynn Hodgson will lead this tour of Fish Haul Beach, located at 120 Mitchellville Road on Hilton Head Island. Nestled in Bay Gall, one of Hilton Head Island's historic Gullah neighborhoods, Fish Haul is considered one of Hilton Head’s hidden gems. It has four major natural habitats—a maritime forest, salt marsh and creeks, beach dunes and scrub, and tidal flats.
Over 230 species of birds have been seen at Fish Haul, including American Oystercatchers, Bald Eagles, Black Skimmers, Clapper Rails, Little Blue Herons, Ruddy Turnstones, White Ibis and others. The flats provide feeding and loafing habitat for most of the herons, shorebirds, gulls, and terns of the South Carolina coast, and this is a particularly good spot for other shorebirds, gulls, and terns.
Reservations are necessary and attendees are limited to 12 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
Meet in the parking lot near the sidewalk leading to the beach. This venue has restrooms at the parking lot.
Bird Walk: Saturday, November 11 "Birding and History" at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park 9:00 a.m. - 11:00am Tour Historic Mitchelville, America’s first freedmen’s village, with long-time resident, Master Naturalist, writer and storyteller Rosemary Staples. Learn how the former slaves incorporated their African traditions into their newfound freedom. Hear about their unique Gullah culture and connection with nature along with their symbolic relationship with birds. Explore the maritime forest, marsh, and beach. You’ll see songbirds, shorebirds and perhaps an eagle soaring overhead. Boots or close-toed shoes recommended.
Reservations are necessary and attendees are limited to 20. The cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
Bird Walk: Saturday, November 25 Kingfisher Pond Recreation, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Want to work off a little of that Thanksgiving meal? Naturalist Lynn Hodgson will lead a field trip to Kingfisher Pond, with an extension down the Tupelo Trail on Nov 25. We will look for wintering ducks and occasional shorebirds on the Pond, then walk about 1 1/2 miles down the Tupelo Trail through the floodplain forest, returning the same way. Birds may be few along the trail, but it is a beautiful walk and we will do some botanizing along the way. Total distance will be 3 1/2 to 4 miles. Most of the trail is solid and dry with only a few wet spots, most with short boardwalks. While there is little hunting at Kingfisher, winter is hunting season so your leader, at least, will be wearing an orange vest. There are no facilities. Bring water, dress for the weather in layers, and don’t forget your binoculars!
Reservations are necessary and attendees are limited to 12 people. Cost of field trip is $12. Register here.
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Mid-Island Tract Field Trip Report By Terri Cerisoles
Despite a gloomy forecast, the rain held off on Saturday September 9th for the first HHA field trip of the season. The location was the Mid Island Tract, formerly the Planters Row Golf Course, a 100+ acre park on Hilton Head with easy walking trails, fairways and cart paths.
Our small but intrepid group started off with good activity around the parking area…lots of Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and both Brown Headed and White Breasted Nuthatches. Just down from the parking area, the Red Headed Woodpeckers were busy at the snags. One lagoon had 3 Blue Winged Teal, along with an Anhinga and a stealthy Green Heron.
Photo: Red-headed Woodpecker by R. Storey
Woodpeckers were the birds of the day – with Pileated, Red-Bellied, Downy and Red Heads making quite a racket. A Great Crested Flycatcher was very cooperative and perched giving us good looks and was a ‘life bird’ for one person. An Eastern Kingbird and a female Painted Bunting were good sightings also. Just as we were being chased out by the rain, we got a great look at a Great Blue Heron with a snake- making a great end to a terrific birding morning.
Photo: Great Blue Heron with snake by R. Storey
The park has recently been mowed so it’s a great place to see the resident Red Headed Woodpeckers. |
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An Exciting New Bird For Hilton Head Island By Bob Speare
The avian world is full of wonder and surprises, and in this part of the world we’re especially fortunate with the sheer number of species found here. Hilton Head Island boasts 227 species (via eBird), while Beaufort County reports 336!
As birders, we’re always on the lookout for a rare sighting, jumping in the car for a long ride and long shot of seeing a bird out of place. But as the name implies, rare birds rarely show up. But that’s exactly what occurred on the morning of February 25. And even better, it didn’t involve a five-hour drive, but took place right in our yard, just outside our window!
While enjoying a cup of coffee, watching the feeders that morning, my wife Martha and I noticed a rusty-orange blur streak by the hummingbird feeder, scaring off a wintering female ruby-throated hummingbird. We got pretty excited, knowing there’s always a slight chance that a rufous hummingbird, a western bird that normally winters in Mexico, but which shows up occasionally along the east coast, could settle in for a spell. The bird circled around and landed on the feeder, just outside our window. Wow, it was a beautiful young male. Terrific! I ran and got my camera and carefully took a few shots. The bird remained throughout the morning on the feeder for about a minute, then flying off, but returning every 8-15 minutes.
In order to verify this sighting, I sent off my notes and a couple pictures to Susan Campbell, one of the region’s top hummingbird experts. I was expecting to get confirmation that we’ve joined the ranks of those in South Carolina fortunate enough to have hosted a rufous hummingbird. But that wasn’t the case. Susan replied to say that this bird was in fact, a young male Allen’s Hummingbird, molting into adult plumage. The Allen’s Hummingbird has never been reported on Hilton Head or in Beaufort County, and reported only twice in South Carolina (probably the same bird seen twice).
Rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds, especially in this young male plumage, are virtually identical, with the Allen’s often showing a bit of green on the back, and it’s tail feathers (known as rectrices) are more narrow than on the rufous (technically, R2 and R5). Fortunately, the photos I sent showed this clearly enough.
Over the next two days, the bird completed its molt and moved on, as Susan correctly predicted, ending our excited encampment at the window. However, there is a possibility that this bird may return again next year, and we will certainly be on the lookout for this distinctly beautiful western visitor. How fortunate and honored we felt to host this bird at our feeder, and add yet another bird to the diversity of the region. You too should be on the lookout for this and other birds that may pass through over the coming months, you may just get a nice surprise as well!
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The "New" Newhall Trail by Bob Clemens
The Audubon Newhall Preserve celebrates the completion of our Newhall Trail Resurfacing Project! Over a period of four days in September, MAJ Enterprises resurfaced the trail from the welcome kiosk to the Newhall Monument with a beautiful permeable white stone material.
First the surface was cut down 6 to 8 inches to remove roots, then fabric was laid down. Finally graduated layers of white stone were put down to improve trafficability and accessibility.
Photo: Cleaning up roots
Photo: Resurfacing the trail
All of this was accomplished with grants from the local Rotary, the District Rotary, and the Nature Conservancy. Several volunteers from the local Rotary assisted MAJ in the project and the Audubon Society and the Newhall Committee are truly appreciative of the time, talent, and treasure which made this possible!
Photo: Newhall Trail Project volunteers
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Exploring Boundaries in Bird Migration by Patty Kappmeyer
In September, the Hilton Head Island chapter of the International Shorebird Survey conducted its monthly count. Team member and photographer Mary Alice Tartler spotted an American Golden Plover among the shorebirds, a first for the team and a rare sighting for Hilton Head.
What sets the American Golden-Plover apart is its extraordinary migratory journey. They undertake one of the longest migratory routes of any bird in the Western Hemisphere. In the fall, they leave their breeding grounds in the Arctic and migrate southward. Their migration takes them across North and South America, covering thousands of miles. They typically pass through the central United States during their southbound migration, often using the Great Plains as a stopover site to rest and refuel. Their ultimate destination is the southern tip of South America, particularly in Argentina and Chile, where they spend the austral summer.
Photo: American Golden Plover by Patty Kappmeyer
Hilton Head Island sits on the Atlantic Flyway. The Atlantic Flyway serves as a crucial ecological bridge for numerous bird species, connecting their breeding habitats in the northern reaches of North America, such as the Arctic tundra and boreal forests, to their wintering areas in the southern regions, including Central and South America. This vast migratory route spans a diverse range of ecosystems, from coastal wetlands and estuaries to grasslands and tropical rainforests. The birds that utilize the Atlantic Flyway encompass a wide variety of species, from waterfowl like ducks and geese to songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this migration is its scale. Millions of birds undertake this epic journey each year, relying on specific stopover sites to rest and refuel along the way. These stopover sites are distributed across numerous countries, underscoring the international nature of the Atlantic Flyway's ecological importance. Birds depend on these stopovers to replenish their energy reserves, making them critical for successful migration.
So please be mindful of our migrating and overwintering shorebirds, give them space, let them feed undisturbed by humans or unleashed dogs, and view and photograph them from a respectful distance. |
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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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