Yes, Prothonotary Warblers are still showing off.  
 ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌
Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our web version.
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest
The Boardwalk Post | July 2025
A bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler perched on a moss-covered cypress knee in a flooded bald cypress forest at Beidler Forest. Photo taken from a boat by Mac Stone.
Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}},

It’s summer in the swamp, and typically that means that the water levels are low and the forest is mostly dry. However, this summer is a bit different! The rain we received in early-June has kept water flowing through the swamp, creating a unique opportunity to see lots of wildlife. River Otters, Barred Owls, wading birds – and of course Prothonotary Warblers – have continued to dazzle visitors along the boardwalk throughout June and into July. 

And if you’re looking for even more of a reason to visit, our team is excited to announce a new initiative we launched on July 1 – FREE admission to the boardwalk for all children and young adults this summer! You can reserve your trip, and find more details, here

Aside from programs, our Audubon team has been partnering recently with the organization Able SC to work on making our spaces, programs, and communications more accessible to everyone. In particular, we’ve spent time looking at our visitor center and boardwalk in an effort to improve the accessibility of our facilities. While we work on this, we welcome your feedback on anything that our team can do to better accommodate your needs. 

Wishing you a happy and birdy summer!

Matt Johnson
Center Director

Donate to Beidler
A Prothonotary Warbler perches on a moss-covered cypress knee in the flooded forest at Beidler Forest Audubon Center. Photo by Mac Stone.
Illustrated night scene of a boardwalk surrounded by glowing fireflies in a dark forest at Beidler Forest. The words “Firefly Nights at Beidler Forest” appear in neon-style text. Image by Richard Covey.
Firefly Nights 2025 Recap: A Season of Surprises
This year’s Firefly Nights season brought seven magical evenings to Beidler – and not a single one was rained out! Higher-than-average water levels shifted firefly behavior, with some surprising new hotspots glowing with activity (including our parking lot!). While familiar forest zones were quieter, other areas lit up with dazzling displays, including rare glimpses of lantern fireflies and the elusive railroad worms. Read our full season recap to explore the science, sightings, and surprises of 2025.

 
A glowing boardwalk at night illuminated by hundreds of fireflies under a dark forest canopy at Beidler Forest. “Firefly Nights at Beidler Forest” logo is overlaid in neon colors. Photo illustration by Richard Covey.
Graphic featuring a Wood Stork flying over water while holding a wine bottle, pouring wine into a glass below. Text reads “Storks & Corks at Silver Bluff Sanctuary, August 2nd, 2025, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.” Image by Richard Covey.
Explore Silver Bluff at Storks & Corks
Looking for a new Audubon adventure? Join us at Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, located just outside of Aiken, SC, for our annual Storks & Corks event. This celebration marks the return of the magnificent Wood Stork, a conservation success story that plays out every summer at Silver Bluff’s foraging ponds.

The event will be held on Saturday, August 2nd and includes a guided tour, delicious refreshments, and exclusive event merchandise. It’s a perfect introduction to Audubon’s second South Carolina sanctuary – celebrating 50 years of protecting birds, wetlands, and wild places.

 
A Wood Stork playfully depicted holding a wine bottle in mid-flight, pouring into a glass, in this whimsical event graphic for Storks & Corks at Silver Bluff Sanctuary. Original photo by Jeanne Polarolo and design by Richard Covey.
Four hands hold three different species of small yellow and olive warblers against a tree trunk during summer bird banding. Photo by Jen Tyrrell.
Field Updates from our Bird Research Intern
From bird banding in Beidler’s old-growth swamp to shorebird monitoring along the coast, Audubon South Carolina’s conservation work is in full swing this summer. Intern Jacob Gianopolus shares a first-hand look at the research contributing to projects like MAPS, Project PROTHO, Project MartinWatch, and shorebird stewardship initiatives. These efforts support long-term data collection and help inform conservation strategies across the southeast.

Here are three species of warbler captured during banding operations this summer. Can you identify all three? Click on the article to see the answer! Photo: Jen Tyrrell.
Delicate pale-green Greenfly orchid flowers growing on a moss-covered tree trunk in a forested wetland. Photo by Ryan Watson.
Greenfly Orchid - A Hidden Botanical Gem Among the Trees
Tucked high in the trees of Beidler Forest, the Greenfly Orchid (Epidendrum conopseum) is a true hidden gem. As the only epiphytic orchid found outside of Florida in the contiguous U.S., this evergreen beauty thrives in the swamp’s canopy, blooming with delicate greenish-white flowers each June. Though easy to miss without binoculars, a few patches are visible from the boardwalk – if you know where to look!

 
A cluster of Greenfly orchids (Epidendrum magnoliae) blooms along a mossy tree trunk in the swamp at Beidler Forest. Photo by Ryan Watson.
A bearded man in a red shirt gently holds a spotted fawn in his arms. The fawn nuzzles close to the licensed wildlife rehabilitator as they touch noses. Photo by Macy Beckman.
From the Field - A Fawn Rescue in the Forest
From maintaining firebreaks to rescuing wildlife, no two days are the same for Beidler’s land management team. This month’s behind-the-scenes story follows an unexpected encounter with an injured fawn (now affectionately named Twisty) and the quick action that gave her a second chance.

 
A rescued fawn shares a tender moment with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Photo by Macy Beckman.
A yellow Prothonotary Warbler perched on a moss-covered branch deep in the swamp at Beidler Forest, surrounded by soft green light. Photo by David Ramage.
Looking for more ways to connect with us?
  • Read our dog-friendly beach guide: Planning a beach day with your pup? Check out our newly updated resource: A Comprehensive Guide to South Carolina Beaches for Dog Owners. Learn where dogs are allowed, why certain rules are in place, and how you can help protect vulnerable shorebird populations.
  • Volunteer with us: Join our amazing team of volunteers who help us continue to serve an educate our local community. Tell us you’re interested by filling out this form and we will reach out to you. 
  • Visit for free: Enjoy free admission every Second Saturday of the month – and now, free general admission for children and youth through the end of August! Summer is the perfect time to explore the swamp – make your reservation here
  • Stay in the loop: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s happening on the boardwalk, behind the scenes, and in the wider world of Audubon South Carolina. 
Whether you visit, volunteer, or become an annual pass member, your support makes our work possible. Questions? Reach out to us by sending an email to beidler@audubon.org
Deep in the swamp at Beidler Forest, a Prothonotary Warbler perches on a mossy branch, glowing against the lush green backdrop. Photo by David Ramage.
Donate to Beidler
CONNECT WITH US
FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest
336 Sanctuary Rd, Harleyville, SC 29448
843-487-9988 | beidler.audubon.org

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

Unsubscribe