rss
mobile
Feeds
And today we note moments of sadness and pride for those who appreciate our birds and work to protect them.
We mourn the death of Larry Waterhouse of Hilton Head Island, who twice served as president of the Hilton Head Audubon chapter. He worked for the Whooping Crane Conservancy in Hilton Head Plantation and the local land bank. But our favorite image of Larry is one we published in the newspaper, his beaming face beside his beaming slide projector, teaching young school children to appreciate birds. Larry now is flying free from the chains of Lou Gehrig's Disease, and a celebration of his life will take place at 11 a.m. today at First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head.
The pride comes from the National Audubon Society's designation of Beaufort's barrier islands as an "Important Bird Area."
We thank the Fripp Island Audubon chapter for observing, documenting and appreciating the value these six islands have to many species of birds, some of them endangered.
The club, founded in 1978 by Fripp resident Dixie Winter, led the effort for the designation intended to identify and protect habitat for local and migrating birds.
The designation does not guarantee legal protection, but it can be used as leverage to direct conservation resources to areas that need it most. Fripp's club president said bird inventories would aid national research efforts, which are used to set priorities on preserving bird habitat.
"With continual management and protection, the Beaufort Barrier Islands Important Bird Area will remain a haven for birds in perpetuity," said Ann Shahid of Audubon South Carolina and coordinator of the South Carolina Important Bird Area Program.
She points to the need for mankind to be good stewards of Harbor, Hunting, Fripp, Pritchard's, Capers and Old islands.
"Although humans live on and frequent three of the six islands, it is possible for birds and humans to continue to coexist," she said. "Spring nesting season will be a vital time to keep humans and pets away from the nesting areas. During spring and fall migration birds need protection while refueling for their long flights."
This is a good reminder that the joys of Lowcountry life come with an obligation by all residents. Larry Waterhouse and the Fripp Island Audubon give us good examples to follow and a sense of pride.
