Participation wavier for all Activities, Activities refers to “Events”, “Programs”, “Field Trips”, “Birdathon”, “Lectures & Presentations”, “Christmas Bird Count [CBC]”, “Fundraisers”, but not exclusive to, conducted, hosted, or sponsored by, the Charleston Natural History Society (CNHS) and may be found here: Participation Wavier. By participating in any CNHS activity it is assumed that you have read and agreed to the wavier.
Participants shall also agree that the Charleston Natural History Society, Audubon, may use photographs, recordings, or videos taken during such activities with or without your name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and Web content.
Spring 2026
February
Bear Island & Donnelley WMA
Sunday, February 15th 7:00 AM (See below for travel instructions)
On Sunday, February 15 Andy Harrison will lead us on our annual birding tour of the Bear Island and Donnelley WMAs. Managed by the SC Department of Natural Resources, these two properties in the ACE Basin have a combined area of some 20,000 acres and include a wide range of habitats, including mixed pine-hardwoods forest, tidal creeks, freshwater impoundments, salt marsh and agricultural fields.
During the winter season they host numerous waterfowl and wading birds, in addition to various raptors and many wintering songbird species. We usually try to visit these WMAs soon after Bear Island reopens to the public, since by that time some ducks will already be starting to head north. There are often many Tundra Swans, American Avocets and American White Pelicans still on the water when we arrive at Mary’s House Pond! Last year at Bear Island we recorded 2 Snow Geese, 264 Tundra Swans, 2 Canvasbacks, 2 early Black-necked Stilts, and 14 American White Pelicans, while at Donnelley we were treated to great views of 5 Roseate Spoonbills and 3 Bald Eagles and heard a Red-breasted Nuthatch calling from the woods.
This trip is limited to 20 participants. If you feel unwell, or are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, loss of smell or taste, or fever, PLEASE STAY HOME!
This will be an all-day trip so bring water, snacks and a lunch in addition to your birding gear, including a scope if you have one. Restrooms and picnic areas are limited. Most of the birding will be done from the roadside so there will be a minimal amount of walking.
We will meet at 7:00 AM in the Food Lion parking lot at the intersection of US Hwy 17 South and SC 165 in Ravenel, SC (6323 Savannah Hwy, Ravenel SC 29470) and carpool from there. Please register with Andy prior to February 15 at parula23@aol.com or by phone at 843-327-3546.
March
Hatchery Waterfowl Management Area
Saturday, March 7th 7:00 AM (See below for travel instructions)
On Saturday, March 7 we’ll revisit the Hatchery Waterfowl Management Area, an under-birded eBird hotspot located on the shore of Lake Moultrie in Berkeley County, SC. This approximately 2200-acre WMA offers several miles of hiking trails along dikes that border the lake.
Some 155 bird species have been reported to eBird from the property, and as expected, waterfowl, wading birds and raptors are well represented on the site checklist. We may also see or hear some early spring migrants. Last spring we made our first ever CNHS field trip to the site and recorded 46 species, including 4 Common Loons, 15 Ospreys and 5 Bald Eagles.
We’ll spend the morning birding at the Hatchery, and then Bob and Monica Bradley have once again graciously invited us to join them at their home in Pineville to eat lunch (BYO) and bird from their second-story deck, which overlooks a small pond that connects to Lake Moultrie. After lunch, for those who are interested, we may continue our birding at the nearby Francis Marion (the famous Swamp Fox) gravesite and/or Sandy Beach WMA, both of which we’ve visited many times before.
This trip is limited to 20 participants. If you feel unwell, or are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, loss of smell or taste, or fever, PLEASE STAY HOME!
We will do a fair amount of walking on this trip, but restrooms have recently been installed at Hatchery WMA. Bring food and water, your birding gear (including a scope if you have one) and dress for the weather.
We’ll meet at 7:00 AM in the small parking lot next to the South State Bank in front of the Summerville Walmart, just off Hwy 17-A and not far from its intersection with I-26 (1315 N. Main St, Summerville SC 29483), and then carpool from there to the Hatchery. If you plan to attend, please register with Andy Harrison prior to March 7 at parula23@aol.com or 843-327-3546.
Charleston Natural History Society 