WILDLIFE ON KIAWAH ISLAND

In 2011, we started trapping and banding Painted Buntings for a long-term project studying their movements, distribution, and site fidelity.  The eastern population of Painted Buntings have shown steady, long-term declines over the past several decades.  Much of these declines can be attibuted to the loss of coastal habitat for development.  Painted Buntings readily come to feeders offering white millet and the birds are easily captured in a specially designed cage with a feeder placed inside.  Banding occurs from May-September at Kiawah Island's resident's homes.  If you are a resident of Kiawah Island and want to participate in this study please contact Town Biologist, Aaron Given.