Spring is more than just blooming flowers and warm weather. It’s prime bird-watching time at the Center for Birds of Prey! Head out to the Center each Saturday in May for a Painted Bunting Walk at 8 a.m.

Painted Buntings—known for their distinctive blue, yellow, green and red coloring—are expected to arrive in the Lowcountry in late April. A species in the Cardinal family, Painted Buntings, favor open areas with dense brush and feed on seeds and insects.  In addition to Painted Buntings, participants will have the opportunity to view a wading bird rookery with nesting ibis, egrets, herons, anhingas and woodstorks.

After the walk, guests can also catch a glimpse of spring hatchlings of various species. Many birds are currently sitting on eggs and several owls are fostering orphaned wild chicks. This is a rare opportunity to see birds of prey in their infancy.

Tickets for this special walk are $20, and include all-day access to the Center for the Birds of Prey. Painted Buntings are expected to arrive by May, but interested parties should confirm with the Center to ensure walks are taking place. Space is limited, so please contact the Center to reserve your space at 971-7474.

Also on schedule for May, the Center will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on May 11 with special activities to educate visitors on avian migration. Dr. Sidney A. Gauthreaux, Jr.—Professor Emeritus at Clemson University whose research interests are bird migration, orientation and navigation—will unveil the nation’s only radar-enhanced raptor migration viewing platform.  The new observation deck is a sophisticated component of the South Carolina Coastal Hawk Migration Survey and is ideally situated to observe wild birds of all types, including a wading bird rookery.