Registration has closed for this event.
Roseatte Spoonbills By Vance Solseth
This winter module will take us to the "ends of the earth"-well almost--at least as far as South Carolina is concerned! We will visit the Palmetto State's ACE basin where birds abound in one of the east coast's premiere birding areas. We'll concentrate on wintering waterfowl and the wetlands they require. Bear Island and Donnelley WMA are featherful destinations that should not be missed! Join one of the best birders in the Southeast (and all-around great guy), Irvin Pitts for a FULL day of wandering and winter birds!
287 bird species have been recorded on eBird at Bear Island, with Donnelley close behind at 264. Along with waterfowl, many types of songbirds, birds of prey, shorebirds, herons, ibis, and even Tundra Swans should be seen. Come join us for these spectacular days in the field at two of the birdiest properties in our state!
American Avocet by Vance Solseth
Where: Bear Island Wildlife Management Area off of Bennetts Point Road. Specific directions will be sent to participants after registration.
When: Saturday, February 24th from 7:00am to 2:00pm.
Wood Stork by Vance Solseth
Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. This training will count for one day 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 need a Coastal component. Lunch will last 30 minutes on Saturday, so depending on when we finish, this class will count for approximately 7.5 hours of training. If you are not a Pro Birder or Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us. Participants will also receive contact info of other participants to allow for carpooling to the class.
This class will be led by Irvin Pitts. Irvin retired from a career with the South Carolina State Park Service where he served as Parks Biologist and Chief of Resource Management. Prior to that, he worked at Table Rock and Caesars Head State Parks as park naturalist. Current member and former president of the Carolina Bird Club. He currently serves on the South Carolina Bird Records Committee and is a e-bird reviewer for South Carolina's Piedmont region. He lives in Lexington, SC.
To ensure a quality experience for all, space is strictly limited to 20 participants. Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with lodging recommendations, directions, and any other details pertinent to the class.
Entire event will be held outdoors. 100% of fees will be refunded at any point due to suspected COVID-19 exposure and/or presence of symptoms.
Other Important Notes:
• If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.
• Restrooms are available, and pink and blue bushes are along the trail…
• Participants should bring a bag lunch for Saturday, plenty of water and be prepared for a day in the field.
• There is no rain date for this event. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If it looks like a deluge, we'll notify you of cancellation and refund your money.
• 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 $100.00 per person and limited to the first 20 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.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN YOU CAN HANDLE THESE CONDITIONS.
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.
Registration has closed for this event.
Photo by Pam Tuten.