The Cape Romain Bird Observatory is organizing two boat trips (11/7/2010 and 12/5/2010) to Raccoon Key and nearby portions of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Our goal is to see the Long-billed Curlews that winter there each year. The Cape Romain Curlew group are the only Long-billed Curlews that regularly winter in South Carolina, and one of a handful of such groups on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Long-billed Curlews are North America's largest shorebird and they are truly magnificent to behold.
Besides the Curlews, this area hosts Peregrine Falcons, Piping Plovers, Seaside and Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Red Knots and other sought-after bird species. If we are lucky, we might also see White Pelicans, Short-eared Owls, Lapland Longspurs or other rare birds. We also expect up-close encounters with Bottlenose Dolphins, and sightings of Mink are possible.
The trips will depart at 7:30am and 8:00am, respectively, from Jeremy Creek in McClellanville, SC. We will return to the dock around 2:00pm. Participants should dress for the forecast weather that day and bring snacks and something to drink. Cost is $35 per person.
We will be using a comfortable 30-passenger boat, with a roof and windows that lower in case of passing showers. There will be plenty of room on board for backpacks and small personal coolers.
As with all boat trips, space is limited. To sign up for the trip or for more information, email
info@crbo.net.
