has been compared to a turkey( many of which are also found on Kiawah) because of its wrinkled face. It also sports a long( nearly a foot in length) hooked beak. But ooh la la, when it takes to the skies it is simply magical. Its long white wings, which span up to six feet, are tipped with black flight feathers. A flock of wood storks flying in perfect synchronization overhead is as spiritual an experience as you are likely to have. Look for them in, around and over Kiawah’ s marshes.
Unlike the wood stork, piping plovers are both small and still on the threatened species list. They can be found on both the eastern and western ends of Kiawah’ s beach beginning in August and throughout the winter and early spring. Their chicks are vulnerable to predators like foxes, cats, raccoons and crows as well as storms and high tides. Adults often use a“ broken wing” distraction technique to protect their young until they are fully fledged. Beachgoers are always urged to walk carefully and watch as they go in these critical areas on both ends of Kiawah Island. Shorebirds are feeding and resting and need the time to recover as they migrate.
Large or small, wading or woodland, plentiful or rare, Kiawah offers an environment suitable for every avian need. So get out there and see how many of our feather friends you can find— and if you’ d like to keep track, be sure to take a copy of Kiawah’ s Bird Checklist, available at www. wildlifeatkiawah. com / linked / kiawahbirdchecklist3. pdf. NK
To see more of Tina’ Schell’ s photography visit https:// travelsandtrifles. wordpress. com /.
Town of Kiawah and Kiawah Conservancy combine efforts to study bird populations
During 2015, having logged over 15,000 hours, Kiawah’ s bird-banding station banded 7,140 birds including 94 different species. Capturing birds and banding them with a unique identifier gives biologists insight into the health and demographics of our island’ s bird population. Important information on the productivity, survivorship, and movements of many species can be attained through a banding program.
The Town of Kiawah in connection with the Kiawah Conservancy has initiated several projects that use banding as the primary tool to study populations of different birds, including bluebirds, painted buntings, and marsh sparrows. They have also worked extensively with other researchers to understand the 9,000-mile migration of the amazing red knots that include a stopover on Kiawah during their incredible journey.
SUMMER / FALL 2016 • VOLUME 36
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