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Birding By Golf Cart/S.C.
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Birding By Golf Cart/S.C.
- From: Ernie Jardine <BIRDING@aol.com>
- Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 22:29:40 EST
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
Chatters,
I returned from a golfing trip to S. Carolina (Myrtle Beach), just over a
week ago, and was pleasantly surprised at the birding activity, at this ti=
me
of year. Had trouble cracking 100 at golf, but my spirits were lifted by =
the
51 species I saw, casually, over the 5 days.......probably not very
impressive to a "dyed-in -the-wool" lister, but more than adequate for me
under the circumstances. Didn't have my own car, so wasn't tempted to str=
ike
out into the numerous local "hot spots", I've visited in the past. I shou=
ld
add that there was one other serious birder in our foursome who contribute=
d
to our list of 51, and, coincidentally, he had trouble breaking 100 too (a=
t
golf!).
More than one golfer behind us must have been mystified at the "golfer"
ahead, who had binoculars trained to the surrounding trees......must have
been a weird shot, if he needs binoculars to find his ball.
I won't bother listing the 51 birds seen, but what impressed "me" most wer=
e
the often fleeting or distant sightings of raptors........the Mississippi
Kite (right over head), the distant Red-tailed Hawk, and probable Merlin a=
nd
Cooper's Hawk. Also several Loggerhead Shrikes and many Carolina Chickade=
es
=96 no confusion here with Black-capped! Aside from having a faster deliv=
ery,
I found the random call notes very distinctive, definitely higher, and if =
I
remember correctly, a bit harsher than the Black-capped. At first I didn'=
t
even recognise it as a Chickadee, of course until I heard the rapid "Chick=
-A-
Dee-Dee-Dee".
It was nice to hear the loud, bright song of the Carolina Wren, see an
eastern Bluebird, and find Anhingas right on the golf course. Somehow I
didn't expect to see them here. I think of them as a bird of the Everglad=
es,
since, I guess, this is the place I've had most contact with them. The fi=
nal
note of interest for me, was seeing Forster's Terns in winter plumage, div=
ing
into the ocean. I'm used to seeing them in breeding plumage, inland, maki=
ng
sorties into fresh water marshes. The rest of the list was filled with th=
e
usual and expected shorebirds, waders, ducks, gulls and backyard types.
I challenge any golfing birders to beat my "record". No cheating.......yo=
u
have to be really trying to golf too, despite the fact that my efforts cou=
ld
be questioned at times.
I can't help but note that some of my best sightings over the years have b=
een
on golf courses. All that greenery must be as attractive to birds as it i=
s
to us. I hear that a growing number of golf course owners are even using
safe and natural methods to keep their courses healthy, in order to keep t=
he
resident wildlife healthy too.
Fore!!
Ernie Jardine
Toronto Ont
Birding@aol.com
[forwarded from birdchat by carolinabirds-owner]