Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: Birding

Things that Flitter & Gorgeous Caterpillars at Stono Preserve in Charleston

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

Get ready for a fantastic class on caterpillars, butterflies, and other insects on Thursday, September 11th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at College of Charleston’s Stono Preserve.

 

 

 

 

Dr. David Coyle will talk about all things Lepidoptera (fancy talk for moths and butterflies) before we begin exploring the native trees, shrubs, and perennials in search of caterpillars. Some species we might find include: the Stinging Rose caterpillar, the Monkey Slug, and the Saddleback, among others. As fall migratory bird season will have just started, Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager and our in-house bird guy, will also be on site to identify any of the birds feasting on caterpillars during the class.

 

Dr. David Coyle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCWF Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time: September 11th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Rain date, Sept 12th.

Price: $75

There are only 12 spots available, so please sign up quickly if you are interested!

Things that Flitter & Gorgeous Caterpillars at SC Botanical Garden

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

Get ready for a fantastic class on caterpillars, butterflies, and other insects on Thursday, September 4th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Clemson Botanical Garden.

Dr. David Coyle will talk about all things Lepidoptera (fancy talk for moths and butterflies) before we begin exploring the native trees, shrubs, and perennials in search of caterpillars. Some species we might find include: the Stinging Rose caterpillar, the Monkey Slug, and the Saddleback, among others.

As fall migratory bird season will have just started, Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager and our in-house bird guy, will also be on site to identify any of the birds feasting on caterpillars during the class.

Dr. David Coyle
Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager

Location: SC Botanical Garden

Time: September 4th from 9am – 12pm. Rain date, Sept 5th.

Price: $75

There are only 12 spots, so please sign up quickly if you are interested!

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at Between the Antlers in Georgetown

Ticket sales have ended for this event. Thank you!

Join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation at Between the Antlers in Georgetown from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a six-course, wine-paired conservation dinner featuring dishes inspired by imperiled bird species created by Executive Chef Chelsea Cribb.

This year’s featured species include the cerulean warbler, American redstart, golden-crowned kinglet, belted kingfisher, Canada warbler, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. All of these species are depicted in Heather Deacon’s beautiful image above. Heather’s piece titled, Palmetto Feathers, is the winning image of the 2025 Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills art contest!  As each course is served during the dinner, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive.

This convivial evening will not disappoint! Purchase your tickets early to ensure that you can join us for this deliciously informative conservation dinner. All funds raised will benefit conservation and education programs at SCWF.

 

 

Menu

First Course, inspired by the American redstart

Chargrilled Blue Point oysters, mango pineapple coulis

Second Course, inspired by the cerulean warbler

Peruvian Chopped Salad: summer corn, radishes, lima beans, red onions, herb vinaigrette

Third Course, inspired by the roseate spoonbill

Tuna Carpaccio: thinly sliced tuna, shaved red onions, sliced avocado, cilantro lime drizzle

Fourth Course, inspired by the golden-crowned kinglet

Crispy Pan-Fried Red Snapper, saffron Santee Gold rice, salsa verde

Fifth Course, inspired by the belted kingfisher

Marinated & Stuffed Flank Steak: feta cheese & spinach, garlic smashed fingerling potatoes, chimichurri

Sixth Course, inspired by the Canada warbler

Lemon Cheesecake Mousse, local blueberries

Presenting Sponsor:

SCWF Friends:

Barbara & Clinch Heyward

Regina & John Jahrstofer

Elaine & Bill Miller

Natalie & Marty Kent

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for local wildlife. Please consider a sponsorship when you make your purchase below. For company sponsorships, you’ll receive two tickets at the $500 level, or four dinner tickets at the $1,000 level, and we’ll include your logo on all marketing materials sent out to our 40,000+ supporters and followers, press releases, website, and the event menu. For $300 SCWF Friend sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets and will be recognized by name on the same formats. Thank you for considering a philanthropic gift to support our mission!

FKS dinner refund policy: 90% of ticket price will be refunded for cancellation more than two weeks prior to the event; 75% refunded when less than two weeks before event. All refund requests must be made in writing or by email to mail@scwf.org.

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at The Hollow in Columbia

This event is sold out – thank you! 

Join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation at The Hollow in Columbia from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a five-course, wine-paired conservation dinner featuring dishes inspired by imperiled bird species created by Executive Chef Dante Serra.

This year’s featured species include the cerulean warbler, American redstart, golden-crowned kinglet, belted kingfisher, Canada warbler, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. All of these species are depicted in Heather Deacon’s beautiful image above. Heather’s piece titled, Palmetto Feathers, is the winning image of the 2025 Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills art contest!  As each course is served during the dinner, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive.

This convivial evening will not disappoint! Purchase your tickets early to ensure that you can join us for this deliciously informative conservation dinner. All funds raised will benefit conservation and education programs at SCWF.

Menu

Specialty cocktail/mocktail, inspired by the golden-crowned kinglet

First Course, inspired by the American redstart

Berry Salad

Blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, roasted sunflower seeds,

feta, strawberry vinaigrette

 

Second Course, inspired by the roseate spoonbill

Seafood Arancini

Lump blue crab, freshwater crawfish, freshwater prawn, creole sauce 

 

Third Course, inspired by the belted kingfisher

Scallop Crudo

Passion fruit reduction, lemon

 

Fourth Course, inspired by the Canada warbler

 Venison Tenderloin

Tri-colored cauliflower – two ways, red wine demi-glace 

 

Fifth Course, inspired by the cerulean warbler

Blue Marble Cheesecake

Blueberry reduction

 

Presenting Sponsor:

 

Event Sponsors:

BlueCross BlueShield of SC

National Land Realty/Jim Taylor

Goings Law Firm

SCWF Friends:

Jon Boguski and Jess Holm

Drs. Jackie and Alaric van Dam 

Tom and Jennifer Mancke 

Susan and Trey Boone

McKenzie and Tim Scott

Audubon SC – Rebecca Haynes & Merrill McGregor

 

 

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for local wildlife. Please consider a sponsorship when you make your purchase below.

For company sponsorships, you’ll receive two tickets at the $500 level, or four dinner tickets at the $1,000 level, and we’ll include your logo on all marketing materials sent out to our 40,000+ supporters and followers, press releases, website, and the event menu.

For SCWF Friend sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets at the $300 level and will be recognized by name on the same formats.

Thank you for considering a philanthropic gift to support our mission!

FKS dinner refund policy: 90% of ticket price will be refunded for cancellation more than two weeks prior to the event; 75% refunded when less than two weeks before event. All refund requests must be made in writing or by email to mail@scwf.org.

Habitat Workshop

Learn how to create a functioning ecosystem in your landscape in this interactive Habitat Workshop! This hands-on workshop will teach you how to create a thriving habitat for wildlife in your yard, garden, or greenspace using the right plants, foods, and other essential elements. The classroom portion of the workshop, which will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn of Anderson, includes an engaging presentation from SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan, where participants are encouraged to bring a picture of their own yard to evaluate habitat and develop a quick plan/design for improving their habitats.

Following the classroom portion, participants will drive over for a field trip excursion to nearby Green Pond Landing to observe and discuss habitat features at a nearby newly Certified Wildlife Habitat. After a cookout lunch provided by Visit Anderson, a group discussion in the field will involve concrete examples of how to improve habitat quality for a diversity of wildlife from bees and butterflies to birds and mammals. Participants will also enjoy planting native seeds in pots to take home and entering for the chance to win exciting door prizes! Space is limited for this immersive workshop, so register today!

*Please note that the workshop will start at the Hilton Garden Inn of Anderson and end at Green Pond Landing.*

 

Thank you to the Duke Energy Foundation for sponsoring this workshop.

Pollinator Program at the Lancaster County Library

Join us on Tuesday, May 20th, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at the Lancaster County Library to learn about the importance of pollinators, how to help them in your own yard, and pot your own native milkweed seeds to take home for your garden! Plus, take a tour of the library’s brand new pollinator garden to see what pollinators we can find buzzing around.

 

This event is free thanks to the sponsorship of Duke Energy! Registration is required.

 

 

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at Topsoil Restaurant in Travelers Rest

Ticket sales close on June 18th!

Join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation at Topsoil Restaurant in Travelers Rest near Greenville from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a six-course, wine-paired conservation dinner featuring dishes inspired by imperiled bird species created by Executive Chef Adam Cooke.

This year’s featured species include the cerulean warbler, American redstart, golden-crowned kinglet, belted kingfisher, Canada warbler, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. All of these species are depicted in Heather Deacon’s beautiful image above. Heather’s piece titled, Palmetto Feathers, is the winning image of the 2025 Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills art contest!  As each course is served during the dinner, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive.

This convivial evening will not disappoint! Purchase your tickets early to ensure that you can join us for this deliciously informative conservation dinner. All funds raised will benefit conservation and education programs at SCWF.

Menu 

Inspired by the Roseate Spoonbill:

Broadwater shrimp and daikon carpaccio

Inspired by the Cerulean Warbler:

Snow Camp goat cheese and beet salad with pickled blueberries

Inspired by the American Redstart:

Charred and pickled yellow carrots, fried fig and carrot mole, fresh figs and pumpkin seeds

Inspired by the Golden-Crowned Kinglet:

Golden tilefish, lemon vin jaune sauce

Inspired by the Belted Kingfisher:

Local guinea fowl, maitake mushroom, xo gastrique

Inspired by the Canada Warbler:

Lemon tahini tart, nigella pine nut brittle

 

(Please note this menu is subject to change based on availability. Vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options available.)

Presenting Sponsor:

Event Sponsor:

BlueCross BlueShield of SC

SCWF Friends:

Hazel Monteith and Burt Pardue

Hosana Nagasaka and Joel Chavez Ortiz

Rita and Robert Rao

Wine Sponsor:

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for local wildlife. Please consider a sponsorship when you make your purchase below.

For company sponsorships, you’ll receive two tickets at the $500 level, or four dinner tickets at the $1,000 level, and we’ll include your logo on all marketing materials sent out to our 40,000+ supporters and followers, press releases, website, and the event menu.

For SCWF Friend sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets at the $300 level and will be recognized by name on the same formats.

Thank you for considering a philanthropic gift to support our mission!

FKS dinner refund policy: 90% of ticket price will be refunded for cancellation more than two weeks prior to the event; 75% refunded when less than two weeks before event. All refund requests must be made in writing or by email to mail@scwf.org.

Palmetto Pro Birders: Wateree River Heritage Preserve

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.

Palmetto Pro Birders: Lake Murray Paddle

Have you ever seen hundreds of beautiful cliff swallows nesting under a bridge? What about red-headed woodpeckers, and possibly prothonotary warblers, nesting in natural cavities along the shores of Lake Murray?  If this sounds exciting to you, please join Jay Keck, as he leads a small group of kayakers along the shores of an undeveloped portion of Lake Murray. Along with birds previously mentioned, hooded warblers, summer tanagers, and other neo-tropical migrants could be seen as you kayak through the tree-lined coves and creeks of the lake. We’ll only be taking 6 participants so sign up quickly to reserve your spot on this special birding adventure.

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 are not a Pro Birder or Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us. After registration, you will receive an email with directions and any other details pertinent to the class.

When: This paddle is from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.

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.

  • Participants should bring water & snacks, and be prepared for a morning on the water. Bring a lunch if you would like to eat with us on the ramp afterwards.

  • In the event of rain, we will hold this class on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

  • After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

Cost: $100 per person – includes kayak, paddle, and life jacket.

IMPORTANT: Paddling is not difficult, but some previous experience in a kayak would be helpful.

SCWF reserves the right to cancel any event, due to unforeseen circumstances, extreme weather, low registration, or pandemic-related guidance from local/state officials. Any cancellation by SCWF will result in a full refund for all registrants.

Image credit for banner image: Red-headed woodpecker by Debra Partridge.

Palmetto Pro Birders: Blue Ridge Parkway

Road trip! Mid-May is peak breeding season for many of the birds that migrated through SC to the beautiful forests and fields of the Appalachian Mountains.  With a higher elevation, the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC are home to many neo-tropical species like the Canada warbler, cerulean warbler, and scarlet tanager during the breeding season. Other birds we only see in the winter, like the brown creeper, winter wren, and the hermit thrush, also breed there and sing their sweet songs, which we don’t get to hear during the non-breeding season.

Along with those spectacular birds, we will also have the chance to see an amazing bird called the red crossbill, a species only found in the Blue Ridge Mountains in our part of the country. Irvin Pitts and Jay Keck will be guiding a group of ten at various lookout spots and parks along the Blue Ridge Mountains. This will be a full day of birding in order to see as many as these special birds as possible while we’re in the mountains. We look forward to seeing you in higher elevations and cooler temperatures this May!


Where:  Meet up location is the Blue Ridge Parkway Folk Art Center. (382 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28805)

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 are not a Pro Birder or Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us. After registration, you will receive an email with directions and any other details pertinent to the class.

When:  Friday, May 16th from 7 am until 1 pm. Rain Date is Thursday, May 15th.

Instructors: This class will be led by Irvin Pitts, SCWF Outdoor Academy Instructor, and Jay Keck, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager.

Irvin Pitts

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 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.

Jay Keck

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 $100.00 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.

 

 

 

Banner Image Credit: Cerulean warbler by Craig Williams.