Summer is upon us at Beidler Forest. Come see it for yourselves!
Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our web version.
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest
Prothonotary Warbler, yellow and blue plumage, feeds young fledgling from a snag in a gray backdrop swamp
Message from Matt Johnson, Center Director
Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}},

Happy Summer to all of you! I want to start by offering gratitude from the entire team at Beidler Forest for the gifts you made last month to support our work. It means so much to us to have a network of nature lovers that care about Beidler as much as we do! If you missed our note, there is still time to make a gift today.

As we enter July at Beidler, we are finding the swamp full of baby birds. From clumsy Yellow-crowned Night-Herons to flitting Prothonotary Warblers, fledglings are out and about along the boardwalk. I am happy to report that it certainly seems to be a successful nesting season in the forest. 

For our summer newsletter, I invite you to read below about an important and exciting designation that we have received at Beidler, as well as some changes to our operations at the center. In addition, please see an update from our seasonal bird research technician, Aaron Angel, as well as the current antics with everyone’s favorite Blue Jay! 
Photo: Aaron Angel
Boardwalk meandering through swamp
New Hours of Operation, New Phone Number, New Website!
During the month of July, Beidler staff will be working on improving visitor experiences  for our guests. As part of this, the boardwalk will be operating on a modified schedule of  open to the public on Saturdays only. On these Saturdays, the Visitor Center will also be  open! Hurray!
Photo: Matt Johnson
Fog over a mirroring lake
Cultural History at Beidler Forest
Audubon Center & Sanctuary at Beidler Forest was designated by the National Park Service as a site on the Underground Railroad - Network to Freedom program in late 2020. Audubon is proud to be recognized as part of this important national program whose mission is – “to honor, preserve and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, [and] help advance the idea that all human beings embrace the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression.”
Photo: Matt Johnson
A woman with a beige and blue shirt is holding a Swainson's Warbler in her left hand, binocular strap around her left shoulder
Hear about Aaron Angel's experience at Beidler and Silver Bluff
My first week in South Carolina was incredible. After my redeye flight from California, I drove straight to Beidler Forest. I felt pretty tired but was also excited to meet my new mentors and tour the sanctuary! The boardwalk at Beidler Forest is absolutely stunning. It’s like taking a comfortable stroll through the forest and swamp without having to trudge through the mud.
Photo: Jen Tyrrell
Blue Jay stands next to a child's toy on a blue and pink rug
Updates from your favorite Blue Jay!
I’ll let you in on a little-known secret, John Jay’s real name is Petey. 

I feel like it’s a good time to come clean, as summer reminds me each year of the many birds that become imprinted by Good Samaritans that think they are doing the right thing when they find a young bird on the ground and make the decision to care for them.
Photo: Emily Davis
Hovering over an green field of grass, a Swallow-tailed Kite, white plumage , black eyes, black outline of wings and tail grabs an insect in mid air
Species Spotlight: Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kites are one of the most beautiful and striking birds of prey in North America. Their graceful flight – like a kite – continue to amaze birders and non-birders alike, and these unique and unmistakable birds have been seen at Beidler all spring and summer.
Photo: Don Wuori
Triangular insect with wings folded in, deer fly or yellow fly on a window facing downwards with an amber coloration to the body and transparent wings, until you get to the edges of the wings as they become a light chocolate color.
Species Spotlight: Deer Fly
If you’ve been to our swamp in the last few weeks you might have had the benefit of experiencing their enthusiastic greeting as you park your vehicle. I’m writing this to inform you that despite the fact that it looks like a warzone outside the window, it is not the end of the world, your day trip has not been ruined.
Photo: Richard Covey
Other Beidler and Audubon SC Highlights:
Donate to Beidler
Calling all photographers: We want to see your Beidler photos! We love using visitor photos for our newsletters, website, and social media, and photo credit is always given. Please email your photographs to beidler@audubon.org, if you’re interested. 
CONNECT WITH US
FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest
336 Sanctuary Rd, Harleyville, SC 29448
843-487-9988 | beidler.audubon.org

© 2024 National Audubon Society, Inc.

Unsubscribe