5/17/07

Celebrate spring and Migratory Bird Day at Santee Wildlife Refuge
By Cathy Gilbert

Submitted Photo

The painted bunting is a spectacular specimen that could be among the hundreds of species to be seen at the Santee Wildlife Refuge. Join the Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge’s birding tour next Saturday, May 19 at 8:15 a.m.

The public is invited to join naturalist Ann Shahid for a birding tour of the Cuddo Unit of Santee National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, May 19. Ann is the education director at the National Audubon Society’s Sanctuary at Beidler Forest near Harleyville, S.C. She is also the S.C. Coordinator of Audubon’s Important Bird Areas and a longtime Audubon member who has led numerous bird outings and conducted bird counts all over the state.

Hosted by the Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge, this event will kick off at 8:15 a.m. Participants should plan to assemble at the Refuge Visitor Center and carpool the 20 minute drive to the Cuddo Unit. Pre-registration is encouraged. Please call the refuge office at 478-2217, Monday through Saturday (8 a.m.- 4 p.m.) to register or obtain more information.

According to Refuge Park Ranger Kay McCutcheon, “spring bird migration is in full swing and we fully expect to see lots of interesting birds, including the spectacular painted bunting.” Recent bird outings on the refuge resulted in sightings of yellow warblers, black and white warblers, American redstarts, common yellow-throats, black throated blue warblers, and ruby throated hummingbirds, just to mention a few. You should also expect to see the regally clad prothonotary warblers and if luck is with the group, maybe even a yellow throated warbler. Birders may also get a look at several water bird species such as great blue and green herons, white ibis, anhinga, great egret and a variety of raptors (osprey, northern harrier, red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks, and perhaps even a bald eagle). Bring your binoculars and field guides for a great day of bird watching.

International Migratory Bird Day is a national event held annually to celebrate Spring and the return of millions of migratory neo-tropical birds to their breeding areas. Scientists have been noting serious declines in the numbers of migratory bird species during the last twenty years. Many research and educational efforts have been launched to help stop declines and increase populations. The two most common reasons cited for migratory bird population declines are the fragmentation of breeding ground habitat in the U. S. and Canada and the loss of wintering habitat in the Caribbean and Central and South America resulting from the extensive cutting of tropical rain forests. Although most of us can’t do anything to stop the wanton destruction of tropical rain forest habitat, we can become involved in other ways to help migratory bird conservation.

Some easy ways to help include:

• Build and maintain a bird feeder or bird house.
• Create and improve bird habitat near your home
• Reduce use of pesticides in yards and gardens
• Keep your cats indoors
• Drink bird-friendly, shade grown coffee
• Modify windows to eliminate bird-window collisions
• Join a wildlife preservation group
• Donate to a wildlife preservation fund or group
• Volunteer at a wildlife refuge or park
• Join a refuge support group
• Get involved in community land use planning
• Attend a bird watching walk
• Take a class on migratory birds
• Educate yourself on conservation issues

For more information on International Migratory Bird Day and ways you can help, visit their website at http://birds.fws.gov/imbd.birdwatch.

Call Santee National Wildlife Refuge at 478-2217 for more information or to learn about wildlife observation and public use opportunities on the refuge. National Wildlife Refuges protect some of our nation’s most unique, spectacular and truly wild places. Learn more about your National Wildlife Refuge System by visiting one of the eight refuges found in South Carolina.