Fripp Island Audubon Club

Field Trip Highlights

 

All Fripp Island Audubon Club trips are intended to include a combination of education and enjoyment. Overnight accommodations will be attempted by trip planners if sufficient notice is given by members and if there is a minimum number of members going on the trip. Members signing up late will be responsible for their own accommodations.

 

Caw Caw


Highlights: Visit the 'Caw Caw Interpretive Center' in Ravenel, SC with guide Perry Nugent (regularly scheduled walk every Wednesday and Saturday).

 This 654-acre site located within the Caw Caw Swamp is just 25 minutes from downtown Charleston, Summerville and Walterboro. The Center, rich in natural, cultural & historical resources, is comprised of several former rice plantations that operated during the 18th and most of the 19th century. Here & throughout the South Carolina Low country enslaved Africans & African Americans were forced to apply their West & Central African agricultural experience, technology, & skills to rice cultivation. Out of vast, Low country swamps these men, women & children successfully converted thousands of acres to rice fields. Still evident today are the earthen dikes, water control structures called rice trunks, & canals—all fruits of their slave labor. Leave Community Center at 7AM (in order to be at Caw Caw for 8:30 walk). Fee $5.

 

Savannah Wildlife Refuge


Highlights: The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is home to a large variety of wildlife including: ducks, geese, wading birds, shorebirds and several endangered and/or threatened species including bald eagles, wood storks, manatees and short nose sturgeon. This refuge is a 26,000 acre preserve that once was a community of rice plantations and is now a sanctuary to migratory birds, especially waterfowl. The refuge also provides nesting areas for wood ducks, great horned owls, bald eagles, osprey and swallow tailed kites among others.

This vast refuge encompasses various habitats and is renowned for its water birds. Flocks of anhinga are often seen resting in the trees and swamp areas.

 

Charleston Aquarium


Highlights: The South Carolina Aquarium is a non-profit, self-supporting educational institution dedicated to excellence in its display of the aquatic environments of South Carolina. The South Carolina Aquarium inspires wonder and appreciation for, and fosters conservation of, those environments for future generations

The Aquarium's structure extends 200 feet out over Charleston Harbor. As visitors approach the Aquarium, they enter the ticketing area under a magnificent stained glass art wall, waterfall, with views of the lush plant growth of the rooftop Mountain Aviary. Next, they are treated to the sight and sound of flowing water over a sculptural interpretation of the ACE Basin - the largest protected salt marsh on the East Coast.

The aquarium is world class (continually being updated with new critters); so once a year is not too often to see it. Also the Harbor Cruise is an optional add-on if it is a nice day, and the adjoining IMax is a further option.

 

ACE Basin


Highlights: The Donnelley Wildlife Management Area (WMA) comprises 8,048 acres and is located in eastern Colleton County near Green Pond. The main entrance to the area is immediately north of the junction of SC 303 and US 17. Donnelley WMA is named in honor of the late Gaylord Donnelley and his wife Dorothy for the contributions they made to the ACE Basin Project and conservation across the continent. Donnelley WMA is managed by the SCDNR through agreements with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the principle landowners of the management area.

Morning walk & lunch at Donnelley (bring your own sandwich), and then stopping by the large pools at Bear Island looking for swans, white pelicans etc..

 

Bird walk on Hunting Island


Highlights: Hunting Island is located 16 miles east of Beaufort on US Highway 21, this popular park is know for its rich variety of flora and fauna. The park includes the only lighthouse in South Carolina that is open to the public, the Hunting Island lighthouse. This 19th century lighthouse provides beautiful views of the coastline. The park features 200 campsites (with RV hookups) and 20 cabins. Primitive camping is also allowed. Recreation activities include a 4 mile (one way) hiking/biking trail and a boardwalk that extends into the salt water march (excellent for wildlife viewing). You will also find good fishing at a private pier, at Johnson Creek, the lagoon or the ocean. Other activities include boating, picnicking and swimming.

 

Email Ken Scott at tenjscott@hargray.com  for further details about these or any other field trips.