National Trail Day

Lagoon Access Recreation Trail

I have been on the Atlantic Coast for about a week, taking a much needed break away from work. St. Helena Island, SC is my regular destination (near Beaufort and Port Royal), and this decision is easily arrived at due to my folks owning a small home about seven miles from the beach. Without them, and the free lodging, I couldn't afford to spend a week in the Low Country if I had to pay for a hotel room. Of course, there's camping that would be a cheaper alternative to a hotel, but this area is rife with biting insects and oppressively hot and humid air, if the breeze isn't blowing.

The time I spend here is filled with more walking than normal. With no dog door here, it is necessary to take them out a few times during the day so that they may do their business. They are so excited to be here as well as their walks are obviously filled with a buffet of "other dog" smells that are new; every tree, bush and spot of grass has been a stopping point for the others where they, like my dogs, engage in marking territory. This urge must come from some left-over,  pre-historic DNA from when they were wolves that actually had territory. I find it all very annoying as they have to stop and sniff every little thing they come across. It makes for a herky-jerky, stop and go walk.

St. Helena Island is a place with a rich and storied history. It was the area where the Spanish and French colonists tried to establish a foothold in the Americas, long before the English arrived. When the English did arrive, they brought with them slaves from West Africa. It was the slaves that performed the back-breaking labor, and died by the thousands in the malaria-ridden fields growing sea cotton, indigo, and rice. Their descendents are the Gullah people that still live in this area. Every trip I try to make it a point to find or learn something new about Beaufort County.

Yesterday was National Trail so I decided to take part by taking on one of the trails in the Hunting Island State Park trail system.  I had heard that there was a pair of Bald Eagles hanging out on the south end of the island and decided to try to catch a glimpse if I could. The south end of the island is disappearing due to the normal shifting of the sand that occurs on barrier islands. Having been coming here since I was a kid ('79 or '80) it is sad to see the cabins eroded away, along with hundreds of trees, all being battered and swept away with each high tide.

Old Cabin Road

As I made my way from the fishing pier parking lot through the Maritime Forest, I was thankful for the slight breeze that kept away the biting midges (also known as No-see Ums) and mosquitoes. I walked the foot bridge that crosses over the lagoon and headed into the area where the last remnants of the cabins exists. I found several nesting Ospreys, but no Bald Eagle was to be seen.  

 Walking north on the shoreline always makes me feel like I am in the last scene on the beach from the 1968 version of Planet of the Apes. So much destruction and desolation being buried in the sand, soon to be lost to the water.

Completing the trek north along the shore and over the head of the lagoon, I cross out of the burning sun and back into the much needed shade of the maritime forest. From here it's simply back south along the western side of the lagoon, along the way spotting a couple of white-tailed deer, some squirrels, and plenty of wading birds, among others that I have already listed. The forest with its mixture of flora, from Live Oaks draped with Spanish Moss, to the Wax Myrtle, and abundant Palmetto trees, is a feast for the eyes. Certainly much different from the Hardwood Forest in which I normally hike.

About 5 1/2 miles later, I arrive back at the car, soaked with sweat, and feel the tightness of my skin from it's exposure to the sun and salt air. It may not be as challenging as an Appalachian Mountain trail, but is every bit as enjoyable. Go out and find a trail near you, and do some head clearing!

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/files/State%20Parks%20Files/Hunting%20Island/HI_trailmap.pdf.
 

Birding in 2010

2010 ended up being a pretty good year for adding birds to my list. In January I added the Song Sparrow and Red-bellied Woodpecker.

A February trip to the Alabama coast found me spotting a Cedar Waxwing and a Royal Tern at Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan, respectively. In Spanish Fort, AL a Boat-tailed Grackle was seen perching on the reeds next to Ed's Seafood on the Battleship Parkway. I really expected to add more species during this trip, but forgetfulness got the best of me. During a day trip from Mobile to Dauphin Island, across Mobile Bay on the ferry, and a drive through the Bon Secour Wildlife Area, I discovered that I left my binoculars and bird book where I was staying in Mobile. I will make a return trip to this area and it's wonderful Alabama Coastal Birding Trail stops.

In between the Alabama trip and a May visit to Washington, D.C. (where a Ring-billed Gull was seen at the U.S. Capitol reflection pool), I spotted a Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Augusta Canal, and made acquaintance with a Great Horned Owl that I have been hearing for months in the woods near my home. Also spotted here in North GA was a Northern Flicker (yellow shafted variety), a Brown-headed Cowbird and a House Finch.

My greatest haul occurred during an August trip to Hunting Island and Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge in coastal SC. At Hunting Island I spotted a Black Skimmer, Willet, Tri-colored Heron, Sandwich Tern, and  Ruddy Turnstone. Pinckney Island sightings included a White Ibis (or hundred), Common Moorhen, Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Wood Stork, Black-crowned Night Heron and American Bittern.  Pinckney Island is a fantastic place to bird watch, but it was damn hot! I strongly recommend taking a bicycle, an ample supply of water, and sunscreen.

After that trip, almost four months of nothing new until a snow storm in December brought a Pine Siskin and a Purple Finch to my deck to munch on some sunflower seeds. My final sighting for 2010 goes to a Northern Harrier spotted near Washington, GA, swooping and gliding along a pine forest near Hwy 17. The white patch above its tail gave it away.   

All of that made for a total of 26 birds for 2010.

I already have 2011 kicked off by sighting a Red-tailed Hawk munching on some varmint by the side of Hwy 180 near Vogel State Park (GA). I can't believe it has taken me a year and a half to finally spot one. This brings my list total to 66 birds since May 2009.