2/15/07

Birders of Clarendon unite at Santee National Refuge
By Brian Jarvis

BRIAN JARVIS/Manning Times
Bird watchers keep a lookout for bald eagles and other sky-flyers at the Pine Island Unit of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.

Tired of backyard birds like cardinals and chickadees, enthusiasts signed on for a crash course last weekend at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge hoping to catch a red-tailed hawk or a ruby-crowned kinglet ambling about its business.

“There’s a good chance we’ll see some bald eagles,” predicted biologist Josh Arrants, who led the tour along with park ranger Kay McCutcheon. “Thanks to the habitat grouping, we’ve given them a chance to make a comeback.”

For novices, Arrants said, the list of necessities to get started is refreshingly short: a pair of binoculars, a field guide and a good dose of enthusiasm.

“We used to be strictly ‘bird-feeder’ watchers,” laughed Wyboo resident Mary Ritter, originally from Baltimore. “We thought this would be a cool thing to do.”

“I love all the different species,” added husband Jerry. “The water birds down here are just awesome.”

For some participants, the joy came simply in having the 1,050-acre Pine Island Unit of the refuge all to themselves.

“I just like being out with nature, kind of like with golf,” said Manning resident Jennifer Stoops. “I enjoy looking at the birds in peace and I hope the county stays pristine. It’s a little gem around here.”
“That’s why places like the refuge are so critical,” Arrants added. “So few people are trying to protect areas like this anymore, so it’s important that we step in. If this were developed, it would turn into a subdivision.”

For more information contact the Santee National Wildlife Refuge at 478-2217. To participate in the 10th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count held nationwide Feb. 16-19, visit www.birdsource. org/ gbbc.