Keep South Carolina Wild
Day of the Week: Saturday
Event Date: February 15, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM
$100
Location: ACE Basin
This winter module will take us to the “ends of the earth”-well almost–at least as far as South Carolina is concerned! We will visit the Palmetto State’s ACE Basin where birds abound in one of the east coast’s premiere birding areas. We’ll concentrate on wintering waterfowl and the wetlands they require. The Bear Island and Donnelley WMAs are featherful destinations that should not be missed!
287 bird species have been recorded on eBird at Bear Island, with Donnelley close behind at 264. Along with waterfowl, many types of songbirds, birds of prey, shorebirds, herons, ibis, and even Tundra Swans should be seen. Come join us for these spectacular days in the field at two of the birdiest properties in our state!
Where: Bear Island Wildlife Management Area off of Bennetts Point Road. Specific directions will be sent to participants after registration.
When: Saturday, February 15th from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. This training will count for one day toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total). For SC Master Naturalists, this event can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification if you need a Coastal component. Lunch will last 30 minutes on Saturday, so depending on when we finish, this class will count for approximately 7.5 hours of training. If you are not a Pro Birder or Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us.
This class will be led by Irvin Pitts, SCWF Outdoor Academy Instructor, and Jay Keck, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager.
Irvin retired from a career with the South Carolina State Park Service where he served as Parks Biologist and Chief of Resource Management. Prior to that, he worked at Table Rock and Caesars Head State Parks as park naturalist. Irvin retired from a career with the South Carolina State Park Service where he served as Parks Biologist and Chief of Resource Management. Prior to that, he worked at Table Rock and Caesars Head State Parks as park naturalist.
Jay has been a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens. He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two boys, and has identified 95 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 160 species in Lexington county since moving back in September of 2013. He has viewed birds in Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as many areas in SC from the mountains to the coast. Being inspired by SCWF’s mission, he earned his Palmetto Pro Birder certification, and has led bird walks for SCWF as well as Saluda Shoals park, Columbia Audubon, and private organizations. Even when he is golfing, hunting, or fishing, he is secretly birding. At SCWF, Jay coordinates the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program as well as leading birding classes for the Palmetto Pro Birder & Midlands Master Naturalist programs.
Other Important Notes:
• If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.
• Restrooms are available, and pink and blue bushes are along the trail…
• Participants should bring a bag lunch for Saturday, plenty of water and be prepared for a day in the field. Entire event will be held outdoors.
• There is no rain date for this event. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If it looks like a deluge, we’ll notify you of cancellation and refund your money.
• After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.
Cost: The cost is $100.00 per person and limited to the first 20 people that register.
IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. Birding involves a lot of standing, and we may cover some distance in our field work.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN YOU CAN HANDLE THESE CONDITIONS.
