Huntington Beach State Park, SC
2009 Winter Field Trip
January 16-19

On January 16, 2009 Forsyth Audubon ventured south to Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina for its annual winter trip.  On the way down some participants birded in the Conway area and were greatly assisted by Gary Phillips, who acted as a local guide.  Ponds in the Conway area were checked out as well as Gary’s yard and several species were added to our bird list right away.

Ready to bird!

After a social hour and planning session that night the 19 birders gathered at the park on a frigid Saturday morning (it was about 19º F) to meet our local guide, Phil Turner.  Exploring the salt water and fresh ponds around the Education Center the birders quickly identified many species, including a Clapper Rail that posed for all.  Check out the photo taken by Dennis Burnette. 

Clapper Rail

During the afternoon some of us walked along the beach to Murrells Inlet Jetty with another local birder, Jack Peachey, in an effort to find a Purple Sandpiper.  We found it, Red Knots, and many other species.  It was a cold and windy day but sunny and all had a great experience.  Thanks, Phil and Jack, for sharing your expertise and time!  See Ken Bennett’s photo.

Purple Sandpiper with Ruddy Turnstones

Phil Turner and his wife Sharon opened their home and yard to several of our birders and it was a real treat to bird there.  In a short while we counted up to 17 species, including quite a number of Baltimore Orioles.

The next day, Sunday, a windy and rainy day, was open to birding at the many other possible sites in the area, including Litchfield Beach, Pawley’s Island, and Myrtle Beach State Park.  Some also checked out the oyster beds near the intersection of Business 17 and Bypass 17 as well as Waccamaw Middle School where we found the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. 

Great Egrets

By the end of the day the group was down to 11 intrepid birders.  At a “count dinner” that night a tally of 124 species was taken, not bad for a few days. All returned home on Monday but several stopped at the North 2d Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach on the way to check out the Long-tailed Ducks and Black and White-winged Scoters swimming close to the beach.  It was a good ending to a great trip.