WHO WE ARE
Waccamaw Audubon Society (WAS) is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society serving northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina. With over four hundred members, WAS has programs and field trips (the public is invited).
Waccamaw Audubon is especially proud of its recognition by the National Audubon Society, which awarded WAS one of the first-ever Rachel Carson Awards for its work in helping establish the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.
Waccamaw Audubon is especially proud of its recognition by the National Audubon Society, which awarded WAS one of the first-ever Rachel Carson Awards for its work in helping establish the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.
2020/2021 Officers and directorsPresident -- Diane DuLoft
Vice President -- Dale Scholfield Treasurer -- Richard Moore Secretary -- Karen Moore Director -- Reggie Daves Director -- Gail Kemm Director -- Nancy Kenny Director -- Mike Walker Director -- Bill Lanham IMPORTANT NOTICE!! OUR MEETINGS WILL BEGIN AT 6:30 WITH THE PROGRAM COMMENCING AT 7:00 PM. |
Seeking additional Assistance
We have a need for additional Directors and other volunteers to complete our leadership roles. If you are or know someone who may be interested in wildlife conservation and activism, please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
We are pleased to announce that Clayton Beasley, a former Board member and student at Coastal Carolina University completed his Master of Arts as of May 2025 and has moved on to begin work on a PhD at Duke University. Clayton also served as President of the Coastal Birding Club and Vice President of Tri Beta National Biological Honor Society and was active in the Coastal Zoo and Aquaria Club. |
Support Our Chapter: just click on the DONATE button below or point your smart phone at the QR code to be directed to PayPal. You can use your paypal account or credit card.
Note that your online transactions are protected. PayPal is among the most-trusted online pay services, and for your assurance our chapter is a PayPal Verified 501c3 Not-for-Profit. For management purposes our PayPal account is managed through our Waccamaw Audubon gmail account.
Waccamaw
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Its Summer time again and our iconic Painted Buntings are back at Huntington Beach State Park and many local backyards and birding sites.
You can enjoy watching Huntington Beach State Park’s bird feeding station and salt marsh in real time just clink on the Painted bunting above or go to https://southcarolinaparks.com/webcams/huntington-beach. |
announcements
This Month's Photo is by local photographer Tanya Ackerman. You can see more of Tanya's work at her Chasing the Light website: https://www.tanyaackerman.com/ or on her Facebook page.
Spring Migration report
South Carolina’s 2026 spring migration peaked between mid-April and mid-May. The state is a vital hub for diverse birdlife, including the ruby-throated hummingbird and the Prothonotary Warbler—which was recently officially designated as the state migratory bird. According to Cornell University Lab "Bird Cast" almost 240 million birds crossed Sout Carolina with as many as 190,000 bids were counted during some peak nights, and even now, on the tail-end of the season as many as 50,000 per night may be expected. Watching from your kitchen window or participating in birding field trips during migration time is often the most rewarding time for birding. But now you can follow migratory pathways for your favorite species long-distance using Audubon's Explorer. Just log onto https://explorer.audubon.org/ and you can follow migratory paths of all your favorites, plus some you may never have heard of. World Migratory Bird Day was May 9 in the spring and again on October 10 in the fall. 
Migration Map for Painted Buntings. Dark gray areas are their winter habitats. Greenish areas are their summer breeding range. Brown spots are Conservation Challenged - the bigger and darker the spot he greater the challenge faced by the species. In S.C. they are doing pretty well, but in the central plains, agriculture, livestock management and communication towers are significant challenges.
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Threatened least terns expand colony at state park
Donations to Waccamaw Audubon play a role in protecting the shorebird nesting area at Huntington Beach State Park. The least tern colony there grew from 30 nests to 137 in a single year, surpassing Litchfield Beach as the second-largest colony in South Carolina. Mike Walker, interpretive ranger at the park as WAS Board member says this is the the largest colony he has seen at the park. In past years nestings have averaged about 70 nests. One of the earliest Mike could recall was in 1989, the summer before Hurricane Hugo. In addition the colony on the southern tip of Litchfield Beach has 105 nests this year, down from last year’s total of 113. A reminder too that bird lovers can get a live look at Huntington Beach State Park, which boasts nearly 360 unique species of birds, anywhere they have internet with a newly launched webcam. “That’s one of our biggest claims to fame for Huntington Beach State Park, that more species of birds have been seen here in this park than anywhere else in the Carolinas,” said ranger Mike Walker. Although nine other South Carolina state parks have live feeds, the Huntington Beach feeding station and salt marsh camera is the first in the Grand Strand. The project is a collaboration with Wild Birds Unlimited, which sponsors the camera, and the Waccamaw Audubon Society, which buys the bird feed. You can enjoy watching Huntington Beach State Park’s bird feeding station and salt marsh in real time at https://southcarolinaparks.com/webcams/huntington-beach |
Recent and upcoming EVENTSWACCAMAW AUDUBON CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES for June 2026
Green Drinks MYRTLE BEACH HOSTED BY South Carolina Environmental Law Project Tuesday, June 16th 5:30-7:30PM Quigley's Pint & Plate Myrtle Beach Green Drinks is a monthly happy hour series hosted by local organizations who are providing solutions to environmental concerns. Enjoy some socialization, education, and networking. Join us on Tuesday, June 16th at Quigley's Pint & Plate (257 Willbrook Blvd, , Pawleys Island). June's host is the South Carolina Environmental Law Project (SCELP). Since 1987, the South Carolina Environmental Law Project has remained the last line of defense against harmful land uses and other major environmental threats in the state. Learn how SCELP is using their legal expertise to protect land, water, and communities across South Carolina. Bring your friends, learn about local issues, and find out how you can be a part of the solution. This event is FREE and open to the public so come toast the coast! We look forward to meeting you! Wetlands Monitoring at Lewis Ocean BayThe next wetland monitoring day will be Friday, June 19 at 9:00 AM. We plan to download hydrology data from the two water wells, assess the vegetation in the plots and maybe count amphibians. This will be a great opportunity to learn to ID some of the Lewis Ocean Bay plants and animals. As usual, we will meet at the refuge parking lot (2575 International Drive at 9:00 AM. If you are planning to attend or have questions, just email Jim Luken ( [email protected]) or text (843-385-6175). Please bring water, clothes for getting hot, sweaty and muddy and a good perspective
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OUR MISSION:
To educate, and to protect birds and wildlife as well as the air, land and water that life depends on. We strive to share information that will broaden the perspective of others to the beauty, wonder and variety of nature.
ABOUT US
Waccamaw Audubon Society (WAS) is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society serving northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina. |
JOIN OUR FLOCK
Become a member and attend monthly meetings, birding field trips and special events. With over 400 members, WAS has a wide variety of activities to offer new members. |
BIRDING
Ever thought about birding or bird watching? Meet our favorite species and learn where and when to see them along the North and South Carolina coast. |