Harmony at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge by Karen Marts

 A single photograph of numerous Wood Storks at Harris Neck National

Wildlife Refuge prompted me to seek out fellow birders to join me for a trip

that may have changed my life forever. Bill Nicol, former President of the

Hilton Head Island Audubon Society, graciously offered to drive the group to one

of the seven refuges that is part of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex. He

said, "The opportunities we have within the complex are amazing, and year round.

Some are by invitation only. You see different species, depending on the

migration pattern." Joined by Master Naturalist Rita Kernan, and Marian Trenis,

who I consider to be The Bird Whisperer, feeding songbirds out of her hand, I

felt like I was in good company. Marian has a 6 and a half foot rat snake in her

yard on Hilton Head Island to keep the squirrels in check and protect the birds

at her feeders. We departed at 7:30 am on August 17th, and headed to McIntosh

County, Georgia. We wasted no time spotting Mourning Doves on a wire along the

highway, and stopping to gawk at 7 Black Vultures in a tree near a gas station.

We saw Chipping Sparrows near the Visitor Center, then drove a short distance to

Bluebill Pond. A Northern Cardinal chirped as we unloaded our gear and headed

down a pine-needle laden path through the woods. A Blue Jay and Carolina Wren

were a fine start for the day, but I was anxious to view the Wood Storks. Six

man-made freshwater ponds, along with grand salt marshes, open fields, and a

hardwood and pine forest, seem to attract a wide variety of wading birds. We

approached a clearing and marveled at what was before us. Rita commented after

the trip, "It was so surreal...it was like viewing a life-sized wildlife

diorama, where it's impossible to see everything at once. Alligators slowly

emerged from the background. As your eyes adjusted to this magnificent vista,

numerous bird species revealed themselves."  We spent the next

two hours watching birds and alligators. Four foot alligators were everywhere,

with two 8 foot reptiles also in residence. A Tri-Colored Heron stalked the edge

of the pond, casually fishing. These elegant birds are common inhabitants of

salt marshes, and are often found in colonies with Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets,

and Wood Storks, which were all present on this day. Beautiful reddish brown

feathers on the head and neck are contrasted with a long white stripe down the

front of the neck to the belly, with grey wings. Lanky greenish legs with webbed

feet and long toes supported the bird's weight. Several Great Egrets were

probing the mud with their yellow beaks, partially hidden by the tall cattails.

White Ibis, both adult and juveniles, were vigorously bathing in the shallow

water. Rita and I argued over the identification of several rails floating

around the pond. The upper part of the bird was brown, the lower half was dark

grey. I was confident I had discovered a new species! Alas, it turns out they

were juvenile Common Moorhens. Several adults came into sight with their

tell-tale red facial shield and bright yellow beak. Thank God Bill provided a

spotting scope, courtesy of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society, which helped

us zero in on specific details. A Little Blue Heron White

Morph quietly monitored his section of the pond, while Cloudless Sulphur

Butterflies eased in and out of the vegetation. We noticed 7 adult Wood Storks

high atop the pine trees, standing still like sentries. Their large bodies were

covered in bright white feathers, with a black trim lining each side of their

chests, as if donning a fancy sport coat. Their bare heads were dark against the

sky, with a formidable beak that makes them look prehistoric. Eleven Wood Storks

stood below, the juveniles with pale pink beaks and spiked feathers on their

necks and heads. Even with our binoculars and scope, we did not notice the 2

bands on one of the Wood Storks's legs. The camera photos led me to send a

report to the Department of Natural Resources. The group was mesmerized by the

harmony between the alligators and their avian neighbors. The

next pond had Common Moorhens, both adults and their chicks, floating aimlessly

close to shore. Broken tree stumps provided a platform for them to stand on and

preen their feathers. The dull brown juveniles had less conspicuous coloring,

and swam alongside their parents. A few American Coots, solid black with an

alabaster beak, followed suit and stood on the wood jutting up out of the water.

Black Crowned Night Herons were on the left, both the parents and their

offspring. Gorgeous blue grey feathers on top of the head and wings overlapped a

lighter grey on the wings of the adults, with a creamy neck and stomach. The

juvenile's feathers were brown with streaks and speckles. In the distance were

easily 50 Wood Storks nesting in 3 separate islands. Parents were feeding the

chicks which were nearly full grown. Anhingas, Tri-Colored Herons, Great Egrets,

and a Belted Kingfisher graced the trees.  We wrapped up the

day with one more stop, and luckily got to see several Glossy Ibis. This was a

Life List bird for me, as I had never seen one! The front of the bird was a

chestnut color, but the wings were charcoal grey with green and purple

iridescent feathers shimmering in the light. It was preening on a sandbar

amongst many White Ibis. Little Semi-Palmated Sandpipers ran around, one

with a limp. Cindy and Ken Groff, the birding power couple from Hilton Head

Island, showed up as they made round two of the refuge. The epitome of the

early-bird-gets-the-worm philosophy, the Groffs left home before our group was

even awake! Together we watched a mustard-colored Prothonotary Warbler flit

about in the trees, and then a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher flew by. It was such a fun

day, and I was grateful to be birding with such knowledgeable birders. Harris

Neck National Wildlife Refuge was spectacular! The harmony I witnessed between

all the birds is something I will never forget.