WILDLIFE ON KIAWAH ISLAND

*  April 14, 2010  -  The number of red knots on Kiawah's beach has swelled to 1300 or more.  Town Biologists were able to read numbered flags from 62 individuals today, a record high. View video of foraging red knots on Kiawah. View flagged red knot locations.

 *  April 12, 2010  -  A large group of red knots (800+) were seen along the western end of Kiawah's beach.  Town Biologists were able to read numbered flags from 26 individuals.  This information will be useful in tracking migration patterns and survival of this declining species.

 *  April 6, 2010  -  The first bobcat den of the season was found today along Flyway Drive.  Female Bobcat 220 had 3 kittens, 2 males and 1 female.  View video of kitten from den.

 *  April 1, 2010  -  Three least terns were seen on the eastern end of Kiawah's beach today.  This is the first least tern sighting of the year.  These birds will be going through courtship rituals and initiating nests in the coming weeks.  View video of least tern courtship.

*  March 22, 2010  -  Three black-necked stilts were seen at the back end of Willet Pond today.  These are the first stilts seen so far this spring.

 *  March 17, 2010  -  Seven banded  red knots were seen along the beachfront today.  Most of the birds were originally banded in the northeast though several were banded in South Florida.  Let us know if you see any "flagged" red knots along the beach.

 *  March 16, 2010  -  A banded piping plover was seen today along Kiawah's beachfront.  The bird was banded at Barbary Beach on Grand Bahama island this winter and is on his way north to the breeding grounds.  57 piping plovers were banded in the Bahamas this winter as part of a research project conducted through Environment Canada to see the migration routes and stopover points of these birds.  This is only the second report of one of these birds from the United States so far this spring.

 *  March 10, 2010  -  A large flock of 15,000 plus ducks was seen about 3/4 mile offshore of the Beach Club today.  The birds were too far out to positively identify but were likely scaup and black scoters. 

*  February 25, 2010  -  A single hen wild turkey was seen today near the entrance to the Ocean Course golf course.  Turkeys are relatively rare on Kiawah (seen only every few years).  This hen has been in this area for close to a year.

*  January 29, 2010  -  The flock ofredheads continues to be seen daily at Ibis Pond.  The flock has swelled to 50-60 birds and they have been joined by 20-25 ruddy ducks in recent weeks.  A group of ruddy ducks is also present at Willet Pond.

*  December 17, 2009  -  A flock of 40 redheads was seen in Ibis pond today.  This is the largest group of redheads we have seen on the island in more than 6-8 years.  Stop by and take a look if you get a chance. 

 *  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  -  A banded red knot was sighted on Kiawah's beach today.  The numbered flag on the bird determined that it was originally banded in Stone Harbor Point, NJ on November 21, 2006.  Keep an eye out for flagged red knots and other shorebirds.  Sightings can be reported and resighting information can be viewed by clicking here.

 *  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.