Keep South Carolina Wild
Day of the Week: Monday
Event Date: April 27, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
$100
Location: Prosperity (Crayne’s Landing)
Join Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, for a Pro Birder Paddle on a beautiful, secluded cove on the northwest side of Lake Murray! This trip is Jay’s favorite Pro Birder of the year! We will kayak under a bridge that is home to hundreds of breeding cliff swallows! We will get a good look at their clay nests that they have built directly onto the bridge. It’s one of Jay’s favorite things to see on any of our trips. We will be on the lookout for species such as the belted kingfisher, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-billed cuckoo, and black-throated blue warbler. On the fall paddle we saw a clapper rail at this location! This paddle is limited to six guests, so register early to secure your spot.
Where: Prosperity (Crayne’s Landing)
When: Monday, April 27th from 7 am -11 am. (Rain Date – April 28th.)
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).
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.
• 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 6 people that register.
IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape for this paddle.
Featured Image Credit: Black-throated blue warbler by Graham Norman.
