WILDLIFE ON KIAWAH ISLAND
2009 WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS AND INFORMATION ARCHIVE
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
(843) 768-9166
* December
14, 2009 - A flock of 6 northern shovelers was spotted on the east end of Kiawah's beach in the saltwater lagoon.
Shovelers are relatively common winter visitors to South Carolina though this is the first sighting on Kiawah Island in a number of
years. Shovelers are often called "spoonbills" for their large, rounded bill that resembles a spoon. They feed mainly
on invertebrates.
* December 14, 2009 - The scaup have finally arrived in large numbers. Several thousand
scaup were seen in the ocean today between the Beach Club and Sanctuary Hotel.
* November 4, 2009 - Several
flocks of ducks were spotted over the ocean today. A flock of ruddy ducks was seen about mid-island and 4-5 flocks of sea ducks
(most likely black scoters) were seen moving up and down the island about 1/2 mile offshore. These are the first sightings
of the fall for these species. Numbers of sea ducks will slowly increase during the fall and typically peak in December-February.
Keep an eye to the ocean and a pair of binoculars handy to see these birds.
* October 26, 2009 - A single roseate
spoonbill was seen at Willet pond on October 26 and 27. Spoonbills are rare visitors to Kiawah Island during summer and fall.
This bird will not likely stay around too long so get out to see it while you can. The best viewing opportunity has been from
the gazebo on the right side of Ocean Course Dr.
* October 12, 2009 - An adult bald eagle was seen sitting
in the vacant osprey nest located across from Willet Pond. It will be interesting to see if these eagles establish a nest in
the coming weeks. Check back for updates.
* September 30, 2009 - Approximately 40 white pelicans were
seen on the east end of Kiawah's beach roosting on a sandbar. White pelicans are uncommon visitors to Kiawah Island each fall
and winter.
* September 11, 2009 - 2 buff-breasted sandpipers were seen at the east end of the Ocean Course
Driving Range. These birds are uncommon visitors to Kiawah Island during their migration south during the fall.
*
September 8 and 10, 2009 - 2 bird banding sessions were conducted, one at Cougar Island and one at Captain Sam's spit.
A total of 64 birds were captured, banded, and released during these 2 sessions. The most common bird was the common yellowthroat,
with other highlights including: red- and white-eyed vireos, a common ground dove, a downy woodpecker, and a northern waterthrush.
*
August 26, 2009 - 18 birds were captured and banded on Captain Sam's spit as part of the the Bird Monitoring Program. A
total of 8 species were captured included 2 Carolina wrens that were previously banded. Highlights also included acommon ground dove and a "Traill's" flycatcher.
* August 17, 2009 - 11 piping plovers were
observed along the beachfront on the eastern end of Kiawah Island. Most of the birds were located east of the Ocean Course
Clubhouse.
* August 14, 2009 - 3 blue-winged teal (BWT) were seen on the East End of Kiawah
Island in the tidal lagoon adjacent to the Ocean Course golf course. These were the first BWT of the season.
*
August 14, 2009 - 1 hen wild turkey was seen along Ocean Course Drive near Ocean Course Golf Course entrance. This
is a rare sighting on the island as turkeys are only seen every few years.
* May 12, 2009 - 51 Wilson's plovers were
observed during this survey of the entire Kiawah Island beachfront. The survey was conducted as part of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources statewide Wilson's Plover Survey. View the survey report, including maps and location
information.
