Waccamaw NWR and Samworth WMA, SC - 07 Dec 2024

Another chilly morning here in Georgetown, SC. But the winds have died so it is pleasantly cool. Jack has been wondering where all of the Eurasian Collared Doves have gone; he has been seeing a dozen or so just outside their house here on Pawleys Island. This morning they finally came back; roosting on the houses across the street. Meanwhile a House Wren was scolding me from the top of the garbage can at the foot of the stairs. 

605 Springs Ave, Pawleys Island US-SC 33.41215, -79.13196, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 7:32 AM
Protocol: Incidental
Checklist Comments:     Cool, clear, calm, 27F
5 species

Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)  3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  1
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  5
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204677782

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Our first stop this morning was back to Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex to look for the Western Kingbird. Though we dipped on it we saw the Loggerhead Shrike, a mix of White-throated and Song Sparrows, and this Sharp-shinned Hawk at digiscoping distance on the way out.

Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 8:21 AM - 8:41 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.255 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, calm, cool, 28F
11 species

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  13
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  19
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)  1
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  5
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  36
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  7
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  3
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  6

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204683216

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

From there we drove a short distance to the Vermillion Flycatcher, a large private development complex that is currently in probate but home to hundreds of acres of grassy habitat for Cattle Egrets and Eastern Meadowlarks (both of which we were able to snag after a short 15-minute walk).

Vermilion Flycatcher Stakeout,Georgetown (2017), Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 8:43 AM - 8:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.321 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, cool, 28F, calm
8 species

Western Cattle-Egret (Ardea ibis)  2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  64
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  4
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204684925

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

I was still hoping to find a Red-cockaded Woodpecker this trip so our next stop was several miles away at the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. A newer refuge, Jack stumbled upon it last year and found that it contained nesting Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (unbeknownst to most resident birders). Along the entrance drive to the refuge we stopped to listen for RCW's but had to settle for numerous Northern Flickers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Downy Woodpeckers and even a pair of PIleated Woodpeckers. But no Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. 

The road ahead of us did reveal a nice flock of Pine Warblers foraging in the gravel. A mini-fallout if you will...

Of interest about the place is the abandoned community of a gorgeous homes that is now part of the NWR; the government can't sell or rent them so they sit fully furnished until someone has an idea of what to do with them. Meanwhile we walked the property out to the edge of the Waccamaw River and walked the dike. Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets foraged along the river banks, while a Least Bittern called from from the far shore.

With the river to our left we had a nice open freshwater marsh to our right. Ribbons marked nesting territory for King Rails, so we were happy to hear a couple of King Rails answer to my recording.

We were soon befriended by the local Tom cat that seemed to take a liking to Jack. He followed us for a good quarter mile before turning back.

As we reached the end of the dike it turned back toward the edge of the marsh and entered a forested region where Jack was hoping to see a Blue-headed Vireo. Though we dipped on the vireo we managed a even rarer treat, an American Bittern fly-by!

I was happy to have gotten some flight shots as it landed in the tall grasses and disappeared from view.

We continued on and came across a pair of Palm Warblers foraging at the edge of some recent cuttings and (electric) fenced off areas.

Eastern Phoebes were foraging in the region, as well. 

My personal highlight was finally seeing a fly-by Barred Owl. After almost 30 years of not seeing one I was telling Jack and Janet that they don't exist, and that any sightings have been AI-generated. Then Janet alerted me to one flying by and disappearing into the woods. Good enough! I'm a believer again.

As we were heading back to the car Jack wanted to show me an old wagon wheel that had been abandoned so long ago that the trees have grown around it.

Our little feline buddy made another appearance. After some rubbings he plopped himself down near the trees and let us head back to the car.

Waccamaw NWR - Hasty Point, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 9:25 AM - 11:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.752 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, cool, 30F, calm
19 species

King Rail (Rallus elegans)  1     Old plantation trail next to Pee Dee River in marsh opposite. Responded to KIRA call. Responded with k-kerrr call. Near marked (blue ribbon) nest site.
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)  1
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis)  1     Heard soft cu-cu-cuuu calls across river. Verified w recording.
Barred Owl (Strix varia)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  8
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  2
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  4
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  4
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)  1
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)  4
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  16

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204699996

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

As we started heading back toward town Jack wanted to make a quick stop at Samworth Wildlife Management Area. We could try for RCWs again. Though we dipped (again) we had a nice short walk and picked up a few more birds.

Samworth WMA, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 11:27 AM - 12:09 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.79 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, cool, calm, 35F
21 species

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  4
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)  2
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  4
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  9
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204706988

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Returning to the house we took a break while Jack and Janet took Pixie for a walk. When they returned Jack summoned me to follow him to a flock of Cedar Waxwings that were raiding a house a few blocks over. Sure enough we came upon a nice flock of Cedar Waxwings, along with European Starlings and American Robins. 

We then took a short walk down to the salt marsh where we spotted a Northern Harrier cruising the channels. A pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers foraged in the trees next to us. A Great Blue Heron flew overhead as we headed back to the house.

605 Springs Ave, Pawleys Island US-SC 33.41215, -79.13196, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 1:53 PM - 2:01 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.066 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, calm, cool, 38F
13 species

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  1
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)  2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  5
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  14
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  16
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  95
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204719116

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

This evening we were to meet Julie and Ken Davis at The Pit for pizza. We'd leave the house a bit early so that we could make a quick pass through the south end of Pawleys Island and Huntington State Park along the way. 

A quick walk out to the beach on Pawleys Island netted some shorebirds along the rocks.

Pawleys Island--South End, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 3:40 PM - 4:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.414 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, 40F, calm
5 species

Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)  1
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)  3
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)  1
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)  5
Sanderling (Calidris alba)  10

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204742453

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

We then headed off to Huntington State Park. Though we didn't find anything special, we did see Dunlin and a Least Sandpiper along the causeway. 

Little Blue Herons (immature) and a Wood Stork were tucked in the shadows of the canal to our right.

A Green-winged Teal was close enough for some back-light photography.

And we did stop to look for rails at the south overlook of Mullet Pond. We'd see a Virginia Rail, hear a King/Clapper Rail, Swamp Sparrows and a Marsh Wren. Several Ruddy Ducks swam by close enough to get my attention.

Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet US-SC 33.51357, -79.07335, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Dec 7, 2024 4:52 PM - 5:02 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.3 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, calm, 40F
10 species (+1 other taxa)

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  2
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  12
King/Clapper Rail (Rallus elegans/crepitans)  1
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)  1
Sora (Porzana carolina)  1
Dunlin (Calidris alpina)  15
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)  4
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)  4
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)  2
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)  1
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204742933

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Dinner and company were great, and it was time to head back to the house to pack and get ready to leave for home in the morning.