The first Sea Islands Shorebird festival is a two-day event hosted and organized by local municipalities, governmental agencies, volunteer groups, and non-profit organizations working on coastal bird conservation and education. It celebrates the critically important sites of Seabrook and Kiawah Island for shorebirds and aims to educate community members and visitors while raising awareness to protect these magnificent birds and places! Here is the two-day schedule of events:

Thursday, May 11
9:00 AM – BIRDER'S BREAKFAST: Kick off the Sea Islands Shorebird Festival by joining the organizers at The Sandcastle to learn more about the unique geography of the two islands and the significance it has for the survival of migrating red knots and other shorebirds. Expect a bird's eye view of the festival and exciting visuals of the area's beautiful bird life!

10:30 AM – EXPLORING THE EAST END: Join Town of Kiawah Island Assistant Wildlife Biologist, Aaron Given, on a beach walk at The Ocean Course where wading birds, nesting beach birds, and migratory birds are commonly observed.

10:30 AM – CAPTAIN SAMS INLET DISCOVERY WALK: Follow Natural History Interpreter, Keith McCullough, for this out and back, two-mile walk on the beach, starting and ending at Beachwalker County Park. Identify various species of shorebirds, shells, crustaceans, and plants. Learn about the critical habitat the area provides for wildlife.

10:30 AM – THE BIRDS OF NORTH BEACH: Guided walk on Seabrook Island’s North Beach for a chance to see Red Knots and a variety of migratory shorebirds that forage on the beach or roost in the critical habitat around Captain Sams Inlet. Parking, meeting location, and gate information will be provided.

11:00 AM – CAPTAIN SAMS INLET DISCOVERY WALK: Follow Natural History Interpreter, Keith McCullough, for this out and back, two-mile walk on the beach, starting and ending at Beachwalker County Park. Identify various species of shorebirds, shells, crustaceans, and plants. Learn about the critical habitat the area provides for wildlife. Shuttle service will provided from the Town of Kiawah Island Municipal Center (4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway) to Beachwalker County Park. Parking at Beachwalker County Park will not be available for this tour.

12:00 PM – THE BIRDS OF NORTH BEACH: Guided walk on Seabrook Island’s North Beach for a chance to see Red Knots and a variety of migratory shorebirds that forage on the beach or roost in the critical habitat around Captain Sams Inlet. Parking, meeting location, and gate information will be provided.

2:00 PM – EXPLORING THE EAST END: Join Town of Kiawah Island Assistant Wildlife Biologist, Aaron Given, on a beach walk at The Ocean Course where wading birds, nesting beach birds, and migratory birds are commonly observed.

2:00 PM – CAPTAIN SAMS INLET DISCOVERY WALK: Follow Natural History Interpreter, Keith McCullough for this out and back, two-mile walk on the beach, starting and ending at Beachwalker County Park to identify various species of shorebirds, shells, crustaceans, and plants. Learn about the critical habitat the area provides for wildlife.

2:00 PM – THE BIRDS OF NORTH BEACH: Guided walk on Seabrook Island’s North Beach for a chance to see Red Knots and a variety of migratory shorebirds that forage on the beach or roost in the critical habitat around Captain Sams Inlet. Parking, meeting location, and gate information will be provided.

5:30 PM – RED KNOT RECEPTION: This speaking event, hosted by the Kiawah Conservancy, features several local wildlife experts including Abby Sterling, Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative Director with Manomet; Felicia Sanders, Coastal Bird Program Coordinator with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; and Aaron Given, Assistant Wildlife Biologist for the Town of Kiawah Island. In addition, Multimedia Conservationist, Benjamin Clock, will showcase his new short-film documentary featuring Red Knots and ongoing conservation efforts in the Southeast. The evening will end with an interactive discussion between conservationists, facilitated by questions from the audience.

Friday, May 12
8:00 AM – BIRDER'S BOAT TOUR: Join coastal bird biologist Nolan Shillerstrom and Captain Bradley Schmoll of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort for a boat tour of the Kiawah River. We will explore the vast mudflats and oyster beds which host a variety of shorebirds and sea birds. This trip will leave from Mingo Point Boat Dock.

9:00 AM – EXPLORING THE EAST END: Join Town of Kiawah Island Assistant Wildlife Biologist, Aaron Given, on a beach walk at The Ocean Course where wading birds, nesting beach birds, and migratory birds are commonly observed.

12:00 PM – CAPTAIN SAMS INLET DISCOVERY WALK: Follow Natural History Interpreter, Keith McCullough, for this out and back, two-mile walk on the beach, starting and ending at Beachwalker County Park to identify various species of shorebirds, shells, crustaceans, and plants. Learn about the critical habitat the area provides for wildlife.

1:00 PM – THE BIRDS OF NORTH BEACH: Guided walk on Seabrook Island’s North Beach for a chance to see Red Knots and a variety of migratory shorebirds that forage on the beach or roost in the critical habitat around Captain Sams Inlet. Parking, meeting location, and gate information will be provided.

12:00-4:00 PM – FEATHER FEST: Celebrate the shorebirds of the Sea Islands in true festival style with food provided by Smokin' Gringo's Food Truck, exhibitors, festival organizers, and kids activities at Kiawah Island Town Hall. Local artists including photographers, painters, authors, and crafters will showcase the magnificent beauty of these animals through various mediums. Learn about coastal bird conservation throughout South Carolina and beyond!

7:00 PM - BIRDS OF THE INLET:  The evening, hosted by Seabrook Island Birders, will include several speaking portions provided by Janet Thibault, Wildlife Biologist for South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Melissa Chaplin, Endangered Species Biologist/Recovery Team Lead with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and Maina Handmaker, PhD Candidate with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Join us this evening and learn about the importance of Captain Sams Inlet for coastal birds.

All bird walks and speaking events require advanced registration. The evening events have a $10 non-refundable registration fee. Feather Fest does not require registration. Please bring any water, bug spray, or sunscreen you will need to be comfortable at any outdoor events.

For assistance with registration, please contact Katie Warner at katie@kiawahconservancy.org.