Forsyth Audubon Spring Trip
May 10 - May 13
SPRING FIELD TRIP TO THE LOWCOUNTRY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
led by Chris Marsh
This four-day, three-night tour of the Lowcountry of South Carolina will give you exposure to all the major habitats found in this region. This trip is for those who love all aspects of nature, as well as birds. Highlights will include visiting two nesting rookeries, seeing migratory shorebirds and plovers in breeding plumage, observing species typically found in Florida, and visiting one of the iconic cypress swamps in the United States. The itinerary may be adjusted slightly based on last-minute information about unexpected bird species being present in the area.
NOTE: Mosquitos and chiggers likely will be encountered on this trip. Light-weight long pants are a must. A light weight long sleeve shirt and insect repellent are recommended for the mosquitos and a pair of rubber boots for the visit to Spring Island is recommended to prevent chigger bites.
Fee: $45 per person; space limited to 14 people
Contact Chris Marsh at [email protected] to sign up
ITINERARY
Saturday, May 10
8 AM departure from WS
11 AM arrival at Congaree NP Visitor’s Center
11 AM- 2:30 PM explore Congaree NP (hooded warbler, yellow-throated vireo, prothonotary warbler; national champion loblolly pine)
5:00 PM arrive in Beaufort
5:00 -7:00 PM check-in and get dinner
Optional: 7:30-8:30 PM, visit the Sands for clapper rails
Sunday, May 11
8 AM departure from Beaufort
9 AM meet at Savannah NWR Visitor Center
9:00-12:00 PM Bird Laurel Hill Nature Drive (purple gallinule, least bittern, swallow-tailed kite, black-bellied whistling-duck, roseate spoonbill, gray-headed swamphen (?))
12:00 – 1:30 PM lunch and travel
2:00-5:00 PM: carpool from PRSF Maritime Center; tour of Spring Island (painted bunting, wood stork rookery viewed at close range, other songbirds, historic tabby ruins)
Optional late day stop:Visit rookery at Port Royal Cypress Wetlands Boardwalk
Monday, May 12
Check out and depart by 7:30 AM :
8:15 AM: Arrive at Hunting Island SP
8:15 -9:00 AM walk to north end of island (high tide @ 8:30)
9:00-11:00 AM bird the falling tide (migrating sandpipers and plovers in breeding plumage; nesting Wilson’s plovers and oystercatchers )
11:00-11:30 AM return to cars and leave park
11:30 -2:30 get lunch and travel to office at Donnelley (1 hour, 15 minutes travel time)
2:30-5:00 PM birds Donnelley and Bear Island WMA’s (stilt sandpipers, etc in breeding plumage; roseate spoonbills)
5:00-6:30 PM travel from Bear Island to Summerville and check in.
Tuesday, May 13
8:30 AM depart Summerville
9:00 AM arrive at Beidler Forest Audubon Sanctuary
9:00 -12PM explore 2 mile long boardwalk through ancient cypress swamp forest (prothonotary warblers, yellow-crowned night-herons, very photogenic)
12 PM head home*
• may stop briefly at turf farm near Orangeburg if conditions are right