Kiawah Island
Shorebird Stewardship Program
E
veryone who has lived on or visited Kiawah Island knows about our
Below: Beverly Gholson explains the
Shorebird Stewardship Program
SUMMER/FALL 2017 • VOLUME 38
long-running and very effective turtle patrol. Now, for those who are
not early risers, there is a shorebird patrol, officially known as the
Shorebird Stewardship Program. Kiawah’s effort is part of a broader
plan sponsored by the Audubon Society and entitled the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird
Initiative. While new to Kiawah, this program has been functioning effectively in
other beach communities.
Under the direction of Town biologist, Kiawah resident Beverly Gholson is
serving as volunteer coordinator of the program. Being a shorebird steward is not
difficult. It is really a great job out in the sunshine interacting with beachgoers and
acquainting them with the needs of the shorebirds with whom we share our beach.
What could be more fun than that?
The shorebirds that stop on our beach to rest and refuel during long migrations
and those who summer with us while nesting and raising their young face
significant challenges. Many people do not realize that even getting close to a
nesting shorebird will frighten it enough so that it flies from its nest. The result
is that the eggs absorb the heat and the chick embryo dies in a very few minutes.
Endangered shorebirds nest in the spring and summer on the east end of Kiawah.
A steward’s job is simply to educa te Kiawah beachgoers so they understand the
importance of these fragile nesting sites and the value of avoiding these areas
Red knots do not nest on Kiawah but instead use the west end of the Island as a
stopover on their way to their breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic. When they
stop here, they are exhausted from already flying thousands of miles and need to
rest and ingest massive amounts of nutrients on our beaches before they begin the
second leg of their journey. Dogs, children, bikes, and unknowing adults can cause
them to rise up en masse and fly away in ribbons. While beautiful to observe, this
behavior is detrimental to the birds causing them to interrupt essential feeding time
and waste badly needed calories to move to safety. Studies show this can impact
their ability to complete their migration and nest successfully.
Enter the Shorebird Steward. He or she patrols designated areas to make
sure that nature can do its job. If interested, please be on the alert for training
notices in late winter and early spring. You are also welcome to contact Beverly
Gholson at [email protected] for more information. Aaron and Bev will be
holding sessions to teach volunteers how to identify the birds and how to share
information with beachgoers. Kiawah Island is a critical area for these birds, and
volunteer efforts are critical to their survival. Our birds thank you in advance for
your help and support. NK
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