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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Our listing of Fall programs is now available on the Programs page. WAS will also be holding its annual Big Sit at HBSP October 11, 2025, from 7AM til 7 PM. If you 'd like to join us for an hour or two of the best leisurely birding in SC, and/or make a donation to help buy bird seed for our two state parks, contact Richard Moore at [email protected]. See the announcement below for more details.
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
Its Christmas Count Time!
Get Ready for the 126th Christmas Bird Count
Audubon's 126th Christmas Bird Count will be held from Dec 14, 2025 to January 5, 2026! This year there are three counts in our immediate area: the Winyah Bay count on Thursday, 18 December, the Litchfield Pawleys Island Count, that occurs on Monday December 29th, and finally the newest count circle centered on Lewis Ocean Bay on January 2rd that includes a number of popular birding spots in the Conway area. For those new to the area or who haven't participated in prvious CBCs the Litchfield Pawleys Island Count (LPI) is the oldest of our local counts, begun in 1971 by the late Col. Frederick (Pat) Probst. We are fortuneate living in a rather "birdy" area and regularly total over 150 species (and over 160 in most recent years!). For more information on the history of our count, see the go to the WAS CBC webpage: (https://www.waccamawaudubon.org/lpi-cbc.html). New and beginning birders are welcome, but generally need to be paired with experienced teams. The Winyah Bay Count was first organized in 2002 by Lex Glover, a biologist with SCDNR and regularly totals over 150 (up to 175) species. As most of the count sites are located on private lands that are not normally accessible to the public advance registration is absolutely necessary. The new Lewis Ocean Bay (LOB) count is centered near Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve and takes in a variety of habitats between Myrtle Beach and Conway, but inland, not including any actual beach or salt areas. To sign up or get additional details on these counts contact the count compilers: for Winyah Bay: Jamie Dozier <[email protected]> for LPI: Chris Hill at [email protected] or for LOB Elise (Sudie) Thomas at [email protected] |
Big Sit Results
After getting rained out and blown away on the scheduled date we held our Big Sit On November 1. he weather was great and we totaled 55 species!
Thanks to all who helped out and to those who contributed, and to those who signed up for the original day. 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 EVENTSRead Across America
Read Across America Day is a national program to encourage reading in elementary school students that occurs every year. Waccamaw Audubon has participated in this event annually for several years at Brookgreen Gardens' annual Read Across America Day from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm,to be held next on March 7, 2026. A fun-filled day where the joy of reading meets hands-on creativity bringing stories to life through engaging crafts, interactive STEAM challenges, and exciting games that spark imagination. Children (and adults too?) are invited to dress as a favorite book character and join us for a day of exploration and learning! This event is free with Garden admission. How can YOU help - we always need volunteers to help at our table and by contributing a new book aimed at elementary aged children (roughly K-6th grade) that is about birds, nature, or the importance of protecting our (and the birds') environment. Books can be brought to our monthly meetings (November,25 or March 5, 26) or dropped off at WildBirds Unlimited 8703 US Highway 17 Bypass South Suite B, Surfside Beach, SC 10AM - 6 PM weekdays and Saturdays) anytime up until March 2026. .
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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. |