| Resembling jewels dancing in the wind, our state's | | | | with a look at The Audubon Society which offers |
| colorful wild birds swirl in the airstreams, play among | | | | consumers a search vehicle for birds of South |
| the trees, and fill the atmosphere with their music. | | | | Carolina, yielding information about board walk tours, |
| Their beauty, their habits, and their songs are only a | | | | monthly night walks, trail rides, stork watching, and |
| few of their distinctive qualities that enrich our lives. | | | | great birding opportunities. |
| Science tells us that birds are one of nature's | | | | Growing in popularity over the years, birding in the |
| barometers for our global condition. | | | | Grand Strand area has become a rich part of many |
| As observers, we participate in sighting them or | | | | people's lives. From December 14, 2008, through |
| make broader attempts at saving specific species | | | | January 5, 2009, tens of thousands of volunteers |
| from habitat destruction. Every effort helps. | | | | throughout America, as well as the Grand Strand, |
| Binoculars and a good field guide are really the only | | | | plan to take part in an adventure that has become a |
| equipment necessary. In North and South Carolina, | | | | family tradition among generations, the Christmas Bird |
| many bird organizations have sprung up, primarily | | | | Count (CBC). Grandparents and students, soccer |
| because the eastern seaboard is on the migratory | | | | moms and scientists, even hunters armed with |
| path of so many species. Sometimes birding groups | | | | binoculars, bird guides, and checklists will head out on |
| stay at seaside resorts along the beaches of the | | | | an annual mission-often before dawn-to look for and |
| Grand Strand and arrange outings to observe these | | | | count birds. Scientists rely on these public findings to |
| marvelous local and migratory species. | | | | track species, and for over one hundred years, |
| As interest in birding grows among all age groups and | | | | people have contributed by their strong desire to |
| economic levels, people are discovering plentiful | | | | both make a difference and to experience the |
| resources for birding information. Interest can be as | | | | beauty of nature. |
| basic as having just one feed station in the back | | | | By participating in Audubon's Christmas Bird Count, |
| yard. Suddenly bird watchers find themselves with a | | | | young and old alike can help scientists understand |
| need to know...what is THAT bird and WHERE did it | | | | how birds are faring in our precarious environment |
| come from? One source of information is The North | | | | with the unprecedented environmental challenges that |
| Carolina Birding Trail which has a useful web link to | | | | we all are living with. So, here is a thought. If you are |
| sites across the state, as well as to businesses and | | | | still looking for a holiday present for someone, |
| local historical and educational attractions. With many | | | | consider a bird feed station with food and a bird |
| South Carolina and national web sites about birding, | | | | book. Not only with the recipient enjoy watching the |
| interested birders would do well to start their hobby | | | | visitors to the station, the wild birds will thank you. |