Latest posts
Ask SIB – Why do so many birds have white bellies?
If you pay close attention, you will see this general color pattern in not just birds, but in a wide array of species, in everything from insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. There must be an evolutionary advantage! Back in 1896, Abbott H. Thayer wrote a paper describing the dark top, light underneath as a…
New Experiences at Ocean Winds
Spring has sprung on Seabrook Island and at the Rookery on the Ocean Winds golf course. Every Spring, the Rookery, which is located on hole four at this course comes alive with nesting activity. We scheduled the Seabrook Island Birders Golf Course Learning Together outing, for the March and April months, on Ocean Winds so…
Did you know: Birds molt changing their appearance
I forgot I’d written this in 2023 so when I recently asked myself the question again, I thought it was time to republish. – Judy Morr In mid-February, I saw a bird for the first time on Seabrook Island – an Indigo Bunting. I didn’t recognize it initially with it’s brown plumage with just a…
Trivia: What is a collective of birds called?
Birders have many words not often found in common English conversations. A trick trivia question could be “What is a collective of birds called?” It’s a trick question because the answer varies by species. Even one species could have multiple “correct” answers….It could be “A cauldron of Crows” or “A murder of Crows.” But first…
Why You Should Become a Shorebird Steward Like Me
By Deanna Forsythe During my 30 years of teaching elementary students, one of my favorite subjects to teach was science. Whether I was teaching children about animals, trees, flowers, weather, or rocks, I always found my students excited to learn. It was the hands-on projects that taught them the most. Like me, you probably have…
Christmas Bird Count – January 2025
If you noticed birders out and about around the island with their binoculars and cameras on Friday, January 3rd, you most likely witnessed some of our very own Seabrook Island Birders in action for our Sea Island Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The CBC is a census of birds administered by the National Audubon Society, performed…
Our feathered friends and snow!
Apparently the birds heard the National Weather Service’s advisory of a Winter Storm Warning and Cold Weather Advisory. On Tuesday, the birds emptied my and many others’ feeders and anxiously awaited refills. My informal feeder watch had a record 20 species on Tuesday. Even though no snow was forecasted for Greenville, the Northern Cardinals swarmed…
Presentation of Live Owls
CANCELED Due to hazardous weather, road conditions, and cancellations, we are canceling the Birds of Prey program for Friday, January 24th. This program is important to our club, so we want as many members as possible to attend. We have tentatively rescheduled it for Friday, March 21, 2025, thanks to the Avian team and SIPOA.…
SIB Reports: Falcons being used to discourage neighborhood birds
Everyone with bird feeders at sometime complains about certain birds that seem to keep others away from the feeders. The flurry of birds can be a nuisance for residents living near the Bees Ferry Landfill. Their squawks dominate the soundscape. They fly over the neighborhood in droves, perch on homes, defecate on cars and drop…
SIB “Bird of the week”-Brown-headed Cowbird
Brown-headed cowbirds are found in grasslands, woodland edges and residential areas. They are native to North America. They will roost along with blackbirds numbering in large amounts. It is a stocky blackbird with brown head. Smaller and shorter tale than a blackbird. The females are unmarked brown with faint streaks on the breast and pale throats.…
