Image Credit: Indigo Bunting by Teresa Kopec.
Spring birds and mountain views at the beautiful Hotel Domestique!
Come explore the lively grounds of the hotel with Jay Keck, SCWF's on-staff bird enthusiast, to find many of the eye-catching migratory birds arriving to SC from their wintering grounds in Central and South America! Birds like the scarlet tanager, yellow-billed cuckoo, and the indigo bunting will be singing to attract mates, making it a great time to practice your birding-by-ear skills with Jay. But bring your binoculars too because we'll find many of the brilliantly colored birds as we walk the edges of the property where field meets forest. Come with us to bird at this magnificent hotel and treat yourself to a glass of wine, and possibly a cheese plate, after the outdoor adventure. If you are interested, purchase your tickets as soon as possible, as we expect this event to sell out quickly! Enhance your day by having lunch at the hotel’s Bar 17!
Image Credits L to R: Yellow-billed cuckoo by Savannah Jordan; yellow-billed cuckoo feeding young by Savannah Jordan.
Where: Hotel Domestique
Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. This training will count for 4 hours toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total). For SC Master Naturalists, this event can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification. If you are not a Pro Birder or Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us.
This class will be led by Jay Keck, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager. Jay has been a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens. He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two boys, and has identified 95 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 160 species in Lexington county since moving back in September of 2013. He has viewed birds in Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as many areas in SC from the mountains to the coast. Being inspired by SCWF's mission, he earned his Palmetto Pro Birder certification, and has led bird walks for SCWF as well as Saluda Shoals park, Columbia Audubon, and private organizations. Even when he is golfing, hunting, or fishing, he is secretly birding. At SCWF, Jay coordinates the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program as well as leading birding classes for the Palmetto Pro Birder & Midlands Master Naturalist programs.
To ensure a quality experience for all, space is strictly limited to 12 participants. Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with directions, and any other details pertinent to the class.
Other Important Notes:
• If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.
• Restrooms are available at the hotel.
• After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.
Cost: The cost is $60.00 per person and limited to the first 12 people that register.
IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. Birding involves a lot of standing, and we may cover some distance in our field work.
SCWF reserves the right to cancel any event, due to unforeseen circumstances, extreme weather, low registration, or pandemic-related guidance from local/state officials. Any cancellation by SCWF will result in a full refund for all registrants.