Even if you have never set foot in a kayak, it’s really a great way to experience LSSI from a different perspective. Get settled in and let the naturalists lead you on an up-close and personal adventure through the marshes. Earlier this week, we took a group of folks through the center of the island for a morning paddle through Sancho Panza Creek.

As we embarked on our adventure, the tide was coming in, almost doing all of the work for us. We floated down the quiet creek, and watched as a lone Spotted Sandpiper flitted ahead of us. Each time we neared, the bird would alight and fly just a little farther down the creek. Eventually the bird circled back to it’s original spot, and still the tide carried us farther inland. A Roseate Spoonbill had flown overhead back where we loaded our kayaks, and another passed overhead as we paddled; it’s bright pink feathers were illuminated by the overhead sun. The birding continued to wow us — there were plenty of Green Herons flying up and out of the marsh grasses as we approached, and twice we got very near Clapper Rails. The normally secretive birds waited until nearly the last second before flying away.

Our group was adventurous and decided to detour down an extra length of a smaller creek. As the channel narrowed, mud banks with shallow water closed in on our sides; a flounder was spotted swimming just under the surface of the water, and baitfish were visible in large groups swimming ahead of us. Great and Snowy Egrets flew overhead with graceful white wings flapping quietly. As we made our way back on our original path, we passed active oyster beds. A Blue Crab was visible paddling just under the surface of the creek. The quiet sounds of nature were the only noises in the air. The morning was heating up as the sun climbed higher and higher, but by then we had reached our destination and made our way back to the Lodge to enjoy a well deserved lunch!

Loggerhead nesting activity seems to be slowing down on the island; we have been holding steady at 51 nests since July 31. There have been 62 false crawls for the season. 16 nests have hatched so far, and many hatchlings have made the successful voyage to the sea. We will have a final count of hatchlings at the end of the season.

Check your calendar and make your reservations now for Fall Birding Days, coming this September! The annual celebration of our avian friends will take place September 16 – 22, 2009. Fall Birding Days is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about birds and see them in their natural habitats. Beginners and experts alike will delight in seeing a variety of species in several locations on the island. Guest ornithologists Giff Beaton and Chris Depkin will join our talented staff of naturalists to seek out some of the hottest birding spots on the coast! Located on the Atlantic Migratory Flyway, LSSI is a perfect location to experience the magic of bird migration. Hundreds of bird species use the island, including many species that are rarities in other locations. Fall Birding Days is a combination of early morning walks, morning and afternoon outings, and after-dinner presentations and talks. To top it off, you will enjoy fine southern cuisine in a family-style, relaxed setting.

If you can’t make it to LSSI for Fall Birding Days, look ahead to 2010! Spring Birding Days, another great opportunity to see migratory and resident birds, will take place April 16 -23, 2010.