Shorebird identification workshop - Saturday April 29, 2006

The first annual CRBO Shorebird Identification Workshop encountered large numbers of shorebirds, including some rarities. The Santee Coastal Reserve in northern Charleston County provided a perfect (but windy) setting for learning about shorebirds and managed wetlands.

Workshop leaders were Nathan Dias, Dr. Christopher Snook, Dr. Dennis Forsythe, Craig Richards and Willy Hutcheson.


some images taken during the workshop:
(click a thumbnail image below to see a larger version)

Immature female Ruff (Reeve) discovered at the Santee Coastal Reserve during CRBO's Shorebird Identification Workshop on 4-29-2006.

Solitary Sandpiper at Santee Coastal Reserve 4-29-2006.

Spotted Sandpiper at Santee Coastal Reserve 4-29-2006.

Shorebird species observed during the workshop: (18 species)

Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover (100s)
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt (dozens)
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs (several 100s)
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper (dozens)
Dunlin (dozens)
Pectoral Sandpiper
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (2)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (dozens)
Least Sandpiper (hundreds)
RUFF (Reeve)
STILT SANDPIPER (60+)
Short-billed Dowitcher (1000s)
Long-billed Dowitcher


After the workshop and a seafood lunch in McClellanville, we visited the Honey Hill area in the Francis Marion National Forest.
In about an hour we saw several good birds. Highlights:

Wild Turkey (and her brood)
Northern Bobwhite
Red-headed Woodpecker
Acadian Flycatcher
Ovenbird
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler

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