Celebrate Shorebirds At The May 11 To May 12 Sea Islands Shorebird Festival!

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Register now for the Evening Programs & Breakfast – registration cut off is May 5!

SPACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR:

  • Birder’s Breakfast – Thursday, May 11, 9:00-10:00am – The Sandcastle, Kiawah Island
  • Red Knot Reception – Thursday, May 11, 5:30-7:30pm – The Sandcastle, Kiawah Island
  • *Feather Fest – Friday, May 12, 12:00-4:00pm – Kiawah Island Municipal Center
  • Birds of the Inlet – Friday, May 12, 7:00-9:00pm – Lake House, Seabrook Island

PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED – USE QR CODES BELOW TO REGISTER FOR THESE PROGRAMS AND VIEW THE FESTIVAL WEBSITE:

Note when registering, look for these 3 programs on the menu: Birder’s Breakfast, Red Knot Reception, Birds of the Inlet. There is space available to attend each. Bypass all the bird walks on the menu that say SOLD OUT.

*Feather Fest is open to all – no preregistration is required.

If registering from iPhone/smartphone click this link:

https://kiawahconservancy.salsalabs.org/seaislandsshorebirdfestival2023/index.html?page=register

SEA ISLANDS FESTIVAL AND PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

The first-ever Sea Islands Shorebird Festival will be held May 11 & 12, 2023, on Seabrook and Kiawah Islands. Join conservationists, researchers, and outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate our coastal birds and learn how we can make a difference in protecting their vulnerable populations. The Festival’s informative programs will highlight the amazing lives of Red Knots, and other migrating and nesting shorebirds, that depend on the critical habitat that our beaches provide.

The Festival kicks off Thursday with the Birder’s Breakfast, 9-10am at The Sandcastle on Kiawah Island. Participants will enjoy light refreshments and coffee, learn about the unique geography of Seabrook and Kiawah Islands, and our islands’ significance for the survival of shorebirds. While mingling with fellow conservationists, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the festival with exciting visuals of the area’s beautiful bird life – all from the comfort of a beach-front porch!

The Red Knot Reception, Thursday 5:30-7:30pm at The Sandcastle on Kiawah Island, will include wine, hors d’oeuvres, and learning more about Red Knots. The evening will provide in-depth knowledge through presentations, a new short-film documentary, and a panel discussion from coastal bird experts in the southeast. The audience will be able to participate in the panel discussion and socialize with these experts.

From noon to 4pm Friday, the family-friendly Feather Fest will continue the celebration with local artists, photographers, painters, authors, and crafters showcasing the magnificent beauty of these animals through various mediums. This event will be at the Kiawah Island Municipal Center. Enjoy food from the Smokin’ Gringo’s food truck, participate in outdoor kid’s activities and revel in the creativity of the vendors as you learn more about shorebird conservation.

The finale to the Festival is the Birds of the Inlet Reception on Friday, 7-9pm at the Lake House on Seabrook Island. This program will feature four different speakers, each unveiling a different aspect of the importance of the local habitat for coastal birds. Along with a wealth of ornithological knowledge and the region’s best biologists, the evening will also include after-dinner bites and refreshments.

The lineup of expert speakers for the Festival and evening programs include:

  • Felicia Sanders – Coastal Bird Program Coordinator, SC Department of Natural Resources
  • Abby Sterling – Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative Director, Manomet
  • Benjamin Clock – Multimedia Conservationist, Clock Conservation Multimedia
  • Aaron Given – Assistant Wildlife Biologist, Town of Kiawah
  • Janet Thibault – Wildlife Biologist, SC Department of Natural Resources
  • Melissa Chaplin – Endangered Species Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Maina Handmaker – PhD Candidate, University of Massachusetts- Amherst

REGISTER TODAY – SEE YOU AT THE FESTIVAL MAY 11 & 12!!!