Nature| Birds

1. November 10th, 2009

   Eagles Come to Kiawah

   

   Throughout the year, Kiawah’s resident bald eagles are spotted across the Island and usually settle around Willet Pond and Summer Islands. As winter approaches and the northern lakes and streams begin to freeze, many eagles make their way south for the season. Soon our eagles may have company from their northern counterparts as the fall migration takes place across the country.

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2. July 8th, 2009

   Seasonal Birding

   Kiawah is excited to welcome some annual summer guests. Painted Buntings, Orchard Orioles, and Northern Parulas are some of the most colorful birds that breed in Kiawah’s maritime forest. Meanwhile, Least Terns and Wilson's Plovers nest on the Island’s eastern beaches. The Kiawah Island Nature Program conducts weekly birding excursions, sighting 40 plus species of birds on every trip. To find out about the most recent sightings check out Feather Reports at http://www.KiawahWildlife.com.

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3. June 23rd, 2009

   Red-Winged Blackbirds

   Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are one of the more conspicuous and vocal birds in our area. Males are identified by glossy black plumage and a bright red shoulder patch with a yellow stripe. Females are less showy, with dark brown plumage and a pink-reddish tinge on chin and neck. Young are similar in appearance to females with heavy, dusky brown streaks.

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4. June 23rd, 2009

   Osprey Nesting

   Ospreys are large, fish-eating raptors, that typically nest high in trees, but will readily nest atop manmade structures, such as telephone poles, channel markers, and nesting platforms. Ninety-nine percent of an osprey’s diet consists of fish, thus nests are always located very close to water. Osprey lay 3 – 4 eggs that are incubated by both the male and female for approximately 5 – 6 weeks. Young are able to fly about eight weeks after hatching and begin to hunt for themselves. Kiawah Island has quite a few osprey nests that are readily visible from roadways. Two great locations to view these birds are the nesting platform near Pintail Pond and a large pine tree adjacent to Willet Pond. Please enjoy the nesting process but always from a sufficient distance, so that the birds are not disturbed.

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5. June 23rd, 2009

   Winter with the Hooded Merganser

   The Hooded Merganser is the most common waterfowl species on Kiawah Island during winter. They can be found in almost all of the many ponds on the Island. These small to medium-sized ducks have long narrow bills that they use to capture and eat fish. The bold black and white head crest makes males especially easy to spot.

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6. June 23rd, 2009

   In Search of Herons with Ruby Red Eyes

   When one is asked to name a heron found on Kiawah Island, often the first bird that comes to mind is the Great Blue Heron. Its large size and frequent appearances make it the obvious first choice. However, on the Island, we are fortunate to have many species of herons, including the Black-crowned Night Heron.

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7. June 23rd, 2009

   Migratory Birds Arrive

   Migratory birds show up on Kiawah Island in large numbers during the winter months as they move south to avoid freezing weather. Beautifully colored cedar waxwings can be seen in large flocks feeding on berries throughout the Island. Yellow-rumped warblers are very abundant during winter, feeding primarily on wax myrtle berries, and are in fact the only warbler species capable of digesting these berries.

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8. June 23rd, 2009

   Waterfowl Start Heading South

   As the weather cools down in the fall, waterfowl action heats up in the Lowcountry. After spending the warm summer months in breeding areas to the north, migratory waterfowl head back down the coast to spend the winter in our island ponds and salt marshes. Common species include Hooded and Red-Breasted Mergansers, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, and Black Scoters.

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