Living in a beach area gives you many ways to enjoy nature and see things you may have not been able to experience in your hometown. In addition to the ocean, rivers and inlets, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, we also share our beaches with shorebirds. You will hear a lot about sea turtles on the news during sea turtle nesting season (and you can find some information about sea turtles on my blog), but you do not hear as much about shorebirds.
Many migratory birds use the coast of South Carolina to rest or nest during their migration. Breeding and nesting season ranges from March 15 to October 15 each year. Keep in mind, this is an estimate as Mother Nature does not work on our calendar!
Their nests are on the ground and well camouflaged. People can easily disturb a nest and not mean to. For this reason, you will see signs indicating shorebirds could be nesting or possible fences blocking the nests.
At the North Beach Access at Huntington Beach State Park, for instance, you will notice roping at the dunes line indicating you cannot enter the area and dogs are not allowed. I see lots of birds beyond the signs during my beach walks.
Learning More about Shorebirds
The SC Department of Natural Resources site has some great information about shorebirds. If you are interested in seeing some of the beautiful and interesting birds that call our area home, a visit to Huntington Beach State Park is in order. The park has, among other things, some of the best bird-watching areas on the coast. You may also want to book a salt marsh kayak tour with Black River Outdoors to see the marsh, birds and other wildlife up close!
Being able to observe shorebirds complete their life cycle is only one of the great things you can witness by living at the beach. Let’s do our part to protect the beach and their environment. If you get a great (but safe for you and them) picture of shorebirds or any other wildlife while out and about during your day, send it to me. I would love to share it on my social media channels with your permission.
