HHI tips for nature lovers/bird watchers?

[Simba's Mom]

We're taking our first trip to HHI in March and I'm so excited! We're bird watchers and are looking for any and all tips on things to do there. I've requested a March View studio to increase our chances of seeing birds/wildlife. I hear there's a fairly new person who's a naturalist there? What about any tours? When I called, the CM mentioned something involving Owls. What's that? Anyone know any local Sanctuarys? I think there's supposed to be one that begins with a "P"? We don't swim, but really want the nature experience. Any tips?

 

[Disneyaholic]

Bryan is the naturalist at HH and I personally think he's great!

There is usually a birding adventure to Pinckney (sp?) Island, which is probably what you're thinking of. I have not done this yet, but it's on my list! <G>

The owl program is called something like "I know whooooo you are and what you did last night..." Another one I haven't done yet.

When we were just there over New Years, I did the beach/seashell adventure. I really learned a lot and had a great time.

There is also a marsh adventure right at the resort.

You might want to call the resort and ask them to fax you the current activity schedule so that you can see what the activities there are and get an idea of what you might want to do. You can usually get the exact schedule for the week you will be there on the Friday before.

Hope this helped. Let me know if you have any further questions!

 

[PinkConch]

After an owl eats, it regurgitate what it cannot digest (feathers, bones) in pellets. You dissect these pellets($5 a pellet?) with the naturalist in the owl program. My husband and son did that last spring, I watched. I think my son found 3 or 4 animal skeletons in his pellet, mainly small rodens. I think depending on your comfort level, you might like it or you might just watch, like I did.
The resort itself is wonderful for bird watching. Don't miss the bird watching program at the resort(free), even though I've done that quite a few times, every time I still see something new and interesting.
The Pinckney Island nature walk is also a must for natural/bird lovers. It is also free, but due to seat capacity of the van, it might get filled. In that case, you might ask if you may drive yourself to the island and join the tour there. Besides all the birds, you usually will see some alligators, mostly small, and the cutest little frogs on the grasses that grow along the ibis pond.
I would never have seen those frogs until pointed out by the natualist.
Disneyholic, could you tell me more about the beach/seashell advanture? I've never done that before. Might try that for my coming April trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for these great ideas. I really love that they're free, too! A couple questions about that Pinckney trip-do they do that daily or just once a week? And how many people will they take? If I can't get in the van, I appreciate the suggestion about asking if I can take our car. Any idea where marsh view studios are-what building? Thanks.

 

[PinkConch]

The Pinckney island trip is once a week I think. I missed this last trip because it was on Sunday my arrival day and I got there too late. I am going to call and find out prior to my next trip. I am not sure if they always take the same van, but I remember it probably seats around 12. Same goes for the beach walk(free), van trip. The marsh walk is twice a week, limit to 12 people per trip(to limit damages to the marsh and I guess the number of pairs of boots they have). All are very interesting and informative.

 

[Tommy]

You pass by Pickney Island on the way into Hilton Head...The bridge to Hilton Head uses it as part of the access. It's an Island but the bridge goes to it. You can get there by car, park in the lot and roam the island freely. You don't have to go with a tour. Stop by the visitors center on the way to HHI and pick up a map and some info on it. If you like seabirds you can get a room in Live Oak Lodge on the third floor and overlook the lagoon by it, which will give you many opportunities to see pellicans, seagulls, and others of that type.

Here's a map of Hilton Head...Pickney Island is just before you get on the island, by the Highway 278 sign

http://www.hiltonheadisland.com/map.htm

Check out this site for nature info, including birds:

http://hhisleinfo.com/nature.htm

Enjoy...I'll be there a week from tomorrow for two weeks.

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by PinkConch

Disneyholic, could you tell me more about the beach/seashell advanture? I've never done that before. Might try that for my coming April trip.

The beach/seashell adventure is fairly new, I think. Like the Pinckney Island adventure, there is a limit on the number of persons who can go because of the capacity of the van. I ended up driving and meeting them there.

There is a beach area a mile or two north of the Palmetto Dunes beach that is relatively undeveloped. You basically spend about 90 minutes walking around the beach, seeing what treasures you can find. I'm sure the program is never the same twice, depending on exactly what is found. It's not anything that will make you an expert, but it's a great way to discover an area that I didn't know existed prior to this, and to learn a little more about it. I thoroughly enjoyed it -- probably would have liked it a lot more if it had been a bit warmer, tho.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for the info & maps-they're great! Does Audobon Newhall Preserve have a website, do you know?

 

[PinkConch]

When you mention Beach/Seashell advanture, I was thinking of the beachcombing experience(fee). But we were really calling the same activity by two different names. Sorry for the confusion.
And I was there over the New Year also, and I took the beach walk. There was a little boy who got quite attached to a dead spider crab on the beach and had to be talked out of taking it home with him. To me that was a Disney moment, when he first touched the crab tentatively, then touched it again, and again, then finally picking it up and happily walked around the beach with it, and showing it to people. Were you a member of his large family?