Birding for Beginners - Bird Walks
Sponsored by WBU. Space is limited. You must register in advance at the store. $5 fee, with participants receiving a $5 coupon.
Wild Birds Unlimited of Hilton Head Island sponsors bird walks at local parks and other birding hot spots, led by expert birders Bob Speare, Carlos Chacon, and Aaron Palmieri. Walks are two hours in length, with participants meeting at our Wild Birds Unlimited store at Festival Centre (45 Pembroke Dr., Suite 130) between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. the morning of the walk, then traveling in groups to the chosen location.
These walks, designed especially for new birders, will introduce participants to some of the wonderful bird species found here on Hilton Head Island. Walks will discuss all aspects of birding including which field guides and birding apps to use, the best birding binoculars, and a variety of identification techniques that will help you identify birds on your own. Don’t miss these great opportunities to learn more about our fantastic local birds!
A $5 registration fee in advance is required to reserve your space. All participants will receive a $5 coupon to use in the store.
2024 Fall Schedule
September: Jarvis Creek Park – Start Time 8:30am
Dates: 17th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
21st – Guide: Aaron Palmieri
27 th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
October: Pinckney Island NWP – Start Time 8:30am
Dates: 10th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
12th – Guide: Aaron Palmieri
22nd – Guide: Carlos Chacon
26th – Guide: Bob Speare
November: Fish Haul Beach – Start Time Tide Dependent
Dates: 14th – Guide: Bob Speare – Start Time 8:30am
16th – Guide: Aaron Palmieri – Start Time 9:30am
30th – Guide: Bob Speare – Start Time 9:30am
* 7th - Guide: Carlos Chacon – Pinckney Island – Start Time
8:30am
December: Shelter Cove – Start Time – 8:30am
Dates: 5th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
12th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
17th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
** One additional date TBD
*December: Audubon Newhall Preserves -Start Time - 9am
Mindful Bird Walk Date: December,15th - Guide: Kathy Byrd
(Signup is require for the mindful bird walk)
Walks begin at 8:30 AM, except in November when start time may change due to tides. All walks are small groups with no more than 15 people. Binoculars and good walking shoes are recommended. Birding etiquette is followed. A reminder and informational email will be sent before each walk. For more information, Call the WBU HH store at 843-802-2010.
About our Bird Walk Leaders:
Bob Speare worked for Mass (Massachusetts) Audubon for over 23 years as a Master Naturalist, Director of Wildwood Camp, and Regional Director for the Southeast, Cape and Islands region of the State. Now living in South Carolina, Bob leads birding and photography tours for a variety of organizations as well as co-teaches the Lowcountry Master Naturalist program for teachers and is a South Carolina Master Gardener.
Aaron Palmieri, degreed in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from Oregon State University, is a Master Naturalist and the current Educator for the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy in Bluffton. At Palmetto Bluff, Aaron creates and leads educational hikes and lectures for residents, the public, and schools. His passion lies in ornithology and he leads all bird-related events through the Conservancy.
Carlos Chacon
Kathy Byrd is a Master Birder, schooled/instructed in Mindful Birding by Holly Merker (author of Ornitherapy) and is an employee of Wild Birds Unlimited in Hilton Head Island.
For more information, call the store at 843-802-2010 or email us.
About Your Guide
Bob Speare is a Master Naturalist who worked for Massachusetts Audubon for 25 years. Now, living in the Lowcountry, he continues to lead trips and workshops on birding, outdoor photography and other nature-related topics.
