Birding By Ear at Beidler Forest

If you have attended a LCMNA field trip in the last two months, please wait one week before registering to give other LCMNA members a chance to register. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

Birding By Ear at Beidler Forest

Program Leader: Matt Johnson, Center Director

Organization: SC Audubon – Beidler Forest

Date: May 5th

Time: 9:00 am - Noon finish time (ish)

Location: Beidler Forest 336 Sanctuary Rd, Harleyville, SC 29448-3324

Meeting at the Visitor Center

Min/Max # Participants: 15 ppl

Program Description (Topics, activities, etc): One of the most rewarding aspects of birding is learning to identify species by their sounds. However, given that

hundreds of species of birds call South Carolina home, and the fact that many species make more than one sound, figuring out where to start can be quite

overwhelming! This program will begin with an indoor lesson offering tips, tricks, and resources for learning bird sounds, as well as identifying some of the common bird sounds heard in the old-growth forest at Beidler. Afterward, we’ll take a guided tour on Beidler’s 1.75-mile boardwalk and put your new knowledge to the test! This program is aimed at beginner and intermediate “birders by ear”, though all are welcome to attend.

What should you bring?  Snacks and water, binoculars, camera (optional) and notebook (optional). A small backpack to carry these items might be helpful, as we’ll likely be out on the boardwalk for approximately 2.5 hours. Biting insects generally aren’t bad at Beidler, but you may want to bring repellent with you just in case. I also suggest bringing your favorite field guide; for smartphone users, I suggest downloading the Merlin app in advance. This app will be referenced and used during the program. Participants are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to have at the center after the program.

Please meet your guide in the visitor center at Beidler. We will start at 9:00am, so please plan to arrive by 8:50am. The boardwalk on which we’ll be walking is

mostly level and mostly shaded. Participants should be physically able to walk two miles, though there are benches approximately every ¼ mile and we will be walking slowly. Binoculars are available to borrow if participants don’t have their own.

15$ per person program fee

Itinerary –

o 8:50-9:00 am – check-in, restrooms

o 9:00-9:30 am – presentation and discussion in conference room

o 9:30-12:00 pm – guided tour on boardwalk

o 12:00-12:15 pm – program ends, but participants are welcome to stay and have a picnic lunch,

shop, and/or go back out on the boardwalk!