Last Thursday I had the privilege of spending the day on Little St. Simons Island. Scot Coleman and Abby Sterling were doing a survey of Black-necked Stilts and I joined them. It was fascinating to watch the family units of stilts. Chicks were close to each other with parents nearby and watchful. We counted over 60 stilts. Then we went to the north beach area called Sancho Panza. Now this was at noon low tide and HOT, the shorebirds were way off. We did see a few. In the afternoon because I had never seen the north end of the island, I joined Abby for some history. The area is a shell midden. While standing listening to Abby tell us about middens I heard a Tufted Titmouse. Now I love Tufted Titmice so I quietly called to the bird who flew right over our head. What a day! Thanks guys for having me over.
Location: Little St. Simons Island
Observation date: 7/22/10
Notes: The morning was a Black-neck Stilt survey. Also not able to record was at least one Long-billed Curlew and one Marbled Godwit at north end of Little St. Simons Island.
Number of species: 43
Mottled Duck 10
Brown Pelican 10
Anhinga 1
Least Bittern 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 15
Tricolored Heron 6
Reddish Egret 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
White Ibis 10
Glossy Ibis 15
Roseate Spoonbill 27
Wood Stork 6
Black Vulture x
Turkey Vulture x
Osprey 2
Common Moorhen 7
Black-necked Stilt 64
Willet 10
Marbled Godwit
Long-billed Curlew
Least Sandpiper 10
Laughing Gull 25
Gull-billed Tern 2
Royal Tern 7
Black Skimmer 3
Mourning Dove 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 4
Fish Crow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin 4
Barn Swallow 20
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Seaside Sparrow 2
Painted Bunting 6
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 4
Boat-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Stopped birders on the causeway
Today when I was driving over the Jekyll Island Causeway to go to work at Wild Birds, I saw a group of birders. They were pulled off the road looking at a flock of White Ibis. This flock has been there in that same spot for a week. It was heart warming to see the group of maybe six people some huddled around the scope others looking through binoculars. Since coming off the road all those many years ago I miss seeing clusters of birders. For the last decade I have been trying to encourage birders to come see this little corner of the world. If you are birding in the Golden Isles please stop by and say hello. If I am not there just leave me a note tell me what birds you are seeing. Good birding.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Birdy Friday Report
Oh it just not as much fun with out photos but today was a wonderful bird day on Jekyll. Yes, it is very hot and humid out there. First, I was sitting on bench in the shade looking up thinking I sure would like to see a Yellow-throated Warbler and a Yellow-throated Warbler flew in. It didn't stay long but what a pretty bird. I did have the pleasure of the company JR and his dad for a short Amble. JR and his group won his division of the Youth birding team competition last April. It is a pleasure to be in the company of a young talent. His Raven 8x32 Binoculars were perfect for his hands. He got a life bird. There was a Gull-billed Tern working the river. At the campground where we saw Painted Buntings, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and North Parula.
They left and I have been in the Wild Birds Unlimited Store. All day a female hummingbird has been looking for food all around the shops gardens. It would be feeding on tiny flower and people would walk right by.
Gene Keferl just stopped by and reported that the Wilson's Plovers are doing ok at the south end. He saw two chicks and three adults. He also reported lots of Royal Terns, Laughing Gulls and skimmers. There were also a few Least Terns.
It is just a birdy Friday
They left and I have been in the Wild Birds Unlimited Store. All day a female hummingbird has been looking for food all around the shops gardens. It would be feeding on tiny flower and people would walk right by.
Gene Keferl just stopped by and reported that the Wilson's Plovers are doing ok at the south end. He saw two chicks and three adults. He also reported lots of Royal Terns, Laughing Gulls and skimmers. There were also a few Least Terns.
It is just a birdy Friday
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Indian Mound Golf Cart Nature Tour
Last night was the second Golf Cart Nature Tour of the season. Paula and Garry came along to explore Indian Mound golf course. This is an amazing place. Thanks for sharing your photos, Garry.
The tour started before we left the club house. There were ibis and three Wood Storks feeding on something by the pond. As we watched the Wood Storks, an Osprey flew by carrying a fish back to the nest across the street on a cell phone tower.
The birds on this course were very active therefore we got to have good looks at the tiny creatures. Time flew by as we watched, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-eyed Vireo, Northern Parulas, Brown-headed Nuthatches and one stunning look at a Yellow-throated Warbler.
Look at this picture…WOW! 
We were having such a good time with these little birds I had to rush to get in the Rookery at Hole #4.
Still it was wild all the noise and commotion with a large alligator lurking. At one point a juvenile Snowy Egret got too deep in the lake. It was hard to watch it struggle but it made it out without becoming dinner. Drama is a common occurrence in a rookery. Look at these Anhingas. 
On the way back to the club house, I scoped the new martin house on Pine Lakes Golf course hole # 17. This house was donated by the Jekyll Island Ladies Golf League. Don Bailey found the best location and Jekyll Island Golf Course Staff put it up. Good job guys for there was at least one pair using it!
Time just went too fast. When I tallied up the birds we saw and heard, we had forty species of birds plus other wildlife like this fawn.
It reminds me to tell you that at the Georgia Coast Birding and Nature Festival October 7-10 we are going to be doing the Golf Course Nature Tours. Mark your calendar and join us for a great time.
The tour started before we left the club house. There were ibis and three Wood Storks feeding on something by the pond. As we watched the Wood Storks, an Osprey flew by carrying a fish back to the nest across the street on a cell phone tower.
The birds on this course were very active therefore we got to have good looks at the tiny creatures. Time flew by as we watched, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-eyed Vireo, Northern Parulas, Brown-headed Nuthatches and one stunning look at a Yellow-throated Warbler.
Look at this picture…WOW! 
We were having such a good time with these little birds I had to rush to get in the Rookery at Hole #4.
Still it was wild all the noise and commotion with a large alligator lurking. At one point a juvenile Snowy Egret got too deep in the lake. It was hard to watch it struggle but it made it out without becoming dinner. Drama is a common occurrence in a rookery. Look at these Anhingas. 
On the way back to the club house, I scoped the new martin house on Pine Lakes Golf course hole # 17. This house was donated by the Jekyll Island Ladies Golf League. Don Bailey found the best location and Jekyll Island Golf Course Staff put it up. Good job guys for there was at least one pair using it!
Time just went too fast. When I tallied up the birds we saw and heard, we had forty species of birds plus other wildlife like this fawn.
It reminds me to tell you that at the Georgia Coast Birding and Nature Festival October 7-10 we are going to be doing the Golf Course Nature Tours. Mark your calendar and join us for a great time.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Little Simons Island Blog
I was surfing the web for bat information for our Georgia Coast Birding & Nature Festival, October 7-10, 2010.
Yes, I want everyone to know that the Jekyll Island Authority has taken on the birding and nature festival for the Georgia coast. This year’s festival is going to have a wide range of appeal. Yes, birds are a big part of the festival. Hey, I am a birder after all. We are adding trips for beginners birders. These trips will have great tips on how to improve birding skills. Also we are planning family activities with field trips. There will be sessions on birds, turtles, marsh and beach. Of course, there is going to be an evening field trip to learn about bats and owls.
So there I was surfing the net for bats and found this blog:
www.naturelssi.com Little St. Simons Island Naturalists are working on some wonderful conservation projects. It is going on my blog log. Check it out.
Yes, I want everyone to know that the Jekyll Island Authority has taken on the birding and nature festival for the Georgia coast. This year’s festival is going to have a wide range of appeal. Yes, birds are a big part of the festival. Hey, I am a birder after all. We are adding trips for beginners birders. These trips will have great tips on how to improve birding skills. Also we are planning family activities with field trips. There will be sessions on birds, turtles, marsh and beach. Of course, there is going to be an evening field trip to learn about bats and owls.
So there I was surfing the net for bats and found this blog:
www.naturelssi.com Little St. Simons Island Naturalists are working on some wonderful conservation projects. It is going on my blog log. Check it out.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, I made a quick trip down to Jekyll Point to check on the Wilson’s Plovers. The female plover was just passed the path out to the beach. She was standing at the edge of a clump of beach grass. I looked around her & hidden behind her were two chicks. 
They were running around catching insects. She gave one little “wheet” and they ran for cover under a sea rocket plant. The adult male was there and to insure their safety. Sea rocket is one of the common beach plants. It has broad succulent leaves, which are perfect little hiding place for the flightless chicks. Those leaves make great umbrellas to shield the chicks from the hot sun. As soon as the all clear whistle was called the chicks once again started racing around. Man those babies can run.
They were running around catching insects. She gave one little “wheet” and they ran for cover under a sea rocket plant. The adult male was there and to insure their safety. Sea rocket is one of the common beach plants. It has broad succulent leaves, which are perfect little hiding place for the flightless chicks. Those leaves make great umbrellas to shield the chicks from the hot sun. As soon as the all clear whistle was called the chicks once again started racing around. Man those babies can run. Saturday, June 12, 2010
Wilson's Plover update
For the last couple of weeks I have been looking for nesting Wilson's Plovers on Jekyll Island. All I have been able to find so far is one Wilson's Plover nest. Yesterday, the female was sitting tight. 
Once she got up to chase off a ghost crab then she settled back. Here is a drawing I did.
I moved down the beach to look for any others but no luck. I will not say that there are no others. There may be a pair or two tucked up out of sight. Time will tell so I will keep watch.
Once she got up to chase off a ghost crab then she settled back. Here is a drawing I did.I moved down the beach to look for any others but no luck. I will not say that there are no others. There may be a pair or two tucked up out of sight. Time will tell so I will keep watch.
I reported to Tim Keyes a Georgia Department of Nature Resources research scientist. He wrote back that it has been hard on the Wilson's on Egg Island Bar & Wolf Island. But the ones on south end of Cumberland Island are doing well so far. I am waiting and watching. Here one more drawing I did yesterday.
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