Keep South Carolina Wild
Day of the Week: Monday
Event Date: May 05, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM
$60
Location: Wateree River Heritage Preserve - 15001 Goodwill Rd, Eastover, SC 29044
Are you ready to bird at the peak of spring migration? Are you ready to explore a 3,674 acre preserve right outside of Columbia? If so, reserve your place for this high-energy bird walk that will begin at Cook’s Mountain, which is positioned 372 feet above sea level, giving us a unique view of the landscape. Ibis, herons, egrets, birds of prey, and songbirds can be seen from this vantage point.
We will then travel down the “mountain” to fields and floodplain in search of warblers, tanagers, buntings, and if we’re lucky a noisy flock of bobolink. This will be a more intense birding walk, focusing on getting the participants views of as many bird species as possible, which might create some perspiration, but it will also create lifelong memories, and hopefully new birds on your life-list. If you would like to pack your lunch, we can all eat together at the tables at the top of the mountain after the class concludes.
Who: This walk is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. This event will count for one day toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total). For SC Master Naturalists, this can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification if you need a Sandhills component. Lunch will last thirty minutes, so depending on when we finish, this class will count for approximately 4.5 hours of training. If you are not a Pro Birder or Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us.
When: Monday, May 5th from 7:00 am – 11:00 am. Rain Date is Tuesday, May 6th.
Where: Wateree Heritage Preserve, Eastover, SC
Instructor: This class will be led by Jay Keck, SCWF Habitat Education Manager. 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 108 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 187 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 water and be prepared for a day in the field.
• The rain date for this event is Tuesday, May 6th.
• 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 $60.00 per person and limited to the first 10 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.
