Fall flock swinging through Grand Strand

As fall progresses, a host of great birds continue their stays in our area, with more sure to be on the way.

As many as four white-winged doves have been found associating with Eurasian collared-doves at Litchfield Beach. An uncommon but annual visitor to the Southeast, white-winged doves normally ingratiate themselves into local dove flocks utilizing bird feeding stations, so look carefully through the members of those groups. You may be surprised at what you find.

Four roseate spoonbills continue their sojourn along with a host of other wading birds at Huntington Beach State Park. Many folks have been delighted to view these curious pink birds here in our area, rather than having to trek farther south to Florida or the Gulf Coast where they’re more commonly found. A number of wood storks also remain in the park, as well as great and snowy egrets, an occasional reddish egret, great blue, little blue, tricolored and green herons, white ibis, and yellow-crowned and black-crowned night herons.

A number of southbound songbirds are still making their way into and through our area. The warbler species observed recently include American redstart, magnolia, black-and-white, blackpoll, black-throated blue, common yellowthroat, palm, pine, yellow, yellow-throated and yellow-rumped. A few vireos have also been noted, including red-eyed, white-eyed and blue-headed. Eastern phoebes are returning to familiar winter haunts, as are belted kingfishers. Sparrows are also returning to our area.

Salt-marsh, Nelson’s and Seaside sparrows have been observed recently in local salt-marshes. Song, Savannah, white-throated and chipping sparrows are arriving, and some have been observed lately in backyards where they customarily overwinter.

Northern flicker and yellow-bellied sapsucker calls are being heard once again as these woodpeckers return for the winter season. Some folks are fortunate to find these species visiting their feeders, usually for suet, during the winter months. Sapsuckers are considered a keystone species in winter bird communities, and a number of other birds take advantage of the sap wells they maintain.

Several folks have been happy to report finding Baltimore orioles at their backyard feeding stations as these beautiful birds make their way back into the area. Orioles possess a decided “sweet tooth,” and are fond of sugar water, grape jelly, and fresh orange sections. In addition, they readily take dried mealworms, suet and shelled peanuts. Orioles are also fond of natural fruits/berries, and are attracted to the blooms of Camellias, especially single-flowered varieties.

A number of hummingbirds are still utilizing local backyard feeders and flowers. Remember to keep your feeders clean and maintained with a solution of one part sugar to four parts water, and let me know of the activity in your yard.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 7:26 AM with the headline "Fall flock swinging through Grand Strand."