Huntington Beach State Park - July 2016 Vacation
Again this year we took a beach vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and again this year I scheduled my yearly visit to Huntington Beach state Park...one of the premier birding location in the state of South Carolina.
I arrived at the park entrance by 7:30am to find the park closed due to a fire...the person at the office said the park would be closed for a few hours...since it took me over 45 minutes to drive to the park from our condo..I decided to wait and see what happened....after about 1 hour they reopened the park..but only a limited area....so I decided to explore.
As I crossed the causeway, I could see the smoke rising to my left....a bad sign indeed....that's where the nature center is located....well it turns out that's what burned completely to the ground..seems it was struck by lighting during the previous nights storms. (see story below)
The nature center was where I would always see Painted Buntings, Clapper Rails, and various other species..in the nearby woodlot...not to be today.
I decided to park at the causeway and walk the trails....as I exited my car and started across the road..I heard a call I have not heard in a a year...a Painted Bunting...needless to say..I was quite excited...having thought I would not add them to my yearly list....I proceeded across the roadway and started checking the nearby brush..and sure enough I spotted my quarry..a beautiful male Painted Bunting.
| Painted Bunting - male |
After checking the brush and surrounding woodlot and adding a few more species , I proceeded to the causeway walkway....which has fresh water on the right side and saltwater on the left...which means lots of species are present...and I was not disappointed.
I had not even walked 20 ft when I say my first Alligator...always nice to see..but not what I came for...well now on to the birds.
It see the bird aren't in the least bit worried about the gators...they just continue to feed..but I am sure they keep a wary eye on those gators..for sure. The first species I spotted where Tri-Colored Herons, Green Herons, and Great Egrets....the Tri-Colored Herons where in abundant this year and I had very good looks at several from one of several the viewing platforms (see example of one below)
| Tri-Colored Heron |
I continue my walk, and next saw several Angina's, Wood Storks, and a real surprise a Reddish Egrets- standing on the opposite side of the lake....I did get my scope on it and had several very good looks....this is only the 2nd Reddish Egret I have ever recorded at this park...a real treat it was.
| Reddish Ergert |
| Wood Stork in flight |
As I reached the end of the causeway, I again received another treat...I Royal Tern flying over the lake....followed closely by a Caspian Tern and a pair of Ospreys.....this was turning into a pretty good birding day after all...I was at 30 species as I retraced my steps back to my car and proceeded to the visitors center and the Kerrigan nature trail....to continue my trip.
| VC..trail is to the right |
| looking back toward the causeway |
I grabbed my bins, scope and insect repellent and proceed to enter the trail....in past years I have had several species of warblers along this trail..but not today..not a single species was seen..until I emerged near the lake platform viewing area...as I followed the broad walk leading to the platform..I spotted movement to my left....it was a Little Blue Heron...feeding in the swallows...as it would turn out...this would be the only Little Blue Heron I would see today...but it became species number 31 for the day.
From the platform, I viewed a nice flyover of Glossy Ibis, White Ibis and many, many Green Herons, and several Gull Billed Terns...but the big surprise was when I was getting ready to leave and two Spotted Sandpipers flew in and landed.....I usually only see this along the nature center trail and then only at low tide...another treat for the day and species number 35.
| Spotted Sandpiper. |
| Gulled Billed Tern |
As I left the platform, I decided to check out one more spot..along the side trail where I had seen night herons on the past....I was again not disappointed..as I spotted a male Black Crowned Night Heron..and I I scanned the area, I spotted a pair of Coots and a Common Moorhen....and as it turned out...that was the number 38 and the last new species I would add to the list for the day...
| Black Crowned Night Heron |
I returned to my car, seeing several more species I had already recorded....and ended the day with 38 species....a little low...as I usually break 50 at this park....but considering the circumstances it was a great day of birding and I can't wait to come back next.
Not all that wander are Lost.
