Festival hopes to raise awareness of birds in area, planned Carolina Bight Birding Center
From staff reports
The Carolina Bight Birding Center, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, has officially taken flight.
The organization’s first big event, “Wings Over Beaufort” will take place Tuesday, Sept. 23 through Friday, Sept. 26 and offers multiple opportunities for nature and bird enthusiasts to take tours in at exclusive locations throughout the area.
Birding tours being offered include Nemours Wildlife Foundation, Hunting Island State Park, Spanish Moss Trail and the opportunity to explore St. Phillip’s Island via Coastal Expeditions.
The objective of the festival is to raise awareness about the birds that call our area home; whether as year round species, or the birds who use our area during migration. The festival is timed accordingly with the fall migration period, where millions of birds use The Atlantic Flyway to find wintering grounds or stop to rest and refuel in The Carolina Bight region.
It is also an excellent opportunity to learn about the future Carolina Bight Birding Center slated to be constructed in Okatie, S.C.
The highlight of the festival, is the Keynote Speaker dinner at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Port Royal Sound Foundations Weezie Pavillion, featuring world renowned author and ornithologist, David Allen Sibley. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from the best-selling author and authority on bird identification.
The Carolina Bight Birding Center will also be honoring Dr. Marikay Campbell of The Port Royal Veterinary Hospital with “The Feathered Friends” Award. Dr. Campbell has worked tirelessly to support the health and wellness of birds as well as taking time to educate people in the community. There will be a plated, sit-down dinner, a book signing with Sibley, and an opportunity to learn more about the future of The Carolina Bight Birding Center campus.
“We are so proud of the dynamic program we have put together for the community, in order to learn more about the importance of the birds in area,” said Jenn Clementoni, Executive Director of The Carolina Bight Birding Center. “Having the opportunity to explore such beautiful places and spaces, with respected leaders in the birding field, like Dr. Andy Jones, Executive Director of The Spring Island Trust & Lowcountry Institute; Felicia Sanders, Conservation Project Supervisor for Shorebirds from SCDNR;, Jake Zadik from Brays Island; and Heather Kraus of Nemours Wildlife Foundation. This is truly unique and shows the love and commitment everyone shares when it comes to education about birds.”
There is also a speaking engagement planned with Dr. Andy Jones on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal, and a free sunset tour of Cypress Wetlands.
Tickets are available online at https://carolinabightbirdingcenter.org. Sponsorships are also available for the festival. Email jenn@carolinabightbirdingcenter.org or call 843-694-3823 for more details.
