News from the Nest is back!

South Carolina’s new official Seabird

We’re kicking this News from the Nest off with some exciting news: the Eastern Brown Pelican is now the official Seabird of South Carolina! 

Did you know these iconic species have long frequented our coast? The eastern brown pelican was first described in 1789 and came from the Charleston Harbor.

Today, nearly 40% of the East Coast’s nesting brown pelicans rely on the South Carolina coast, with important nesting colonies found at South Carolina Department of Natural Resource seabird sanctuaries Deveaux Bank and Bird Key.

Designating the brown pelican as the state seabird of South Carolina highlights the importance of preserving and enhancing the habitat of this species and other seabirds along our coast, and serves as a symbol of South Carolina’s commitment to environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation.

We want to thank Representative Wetmore (D-Charleston) and Senators Goldfinch (R-Georgetown), Jackson (D-Richland) and Campsen (R-Charleston) for their leadership and efforts to help highlight the value of our seabirds and their coastal habitat.

Deveaux Bank / Andy Johnson, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 

Habitat Highlight: Deveaux Bank

Deveaux Bank is a Seabird Sanctuary managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) at the mouth of the North Edisto River. Earlier this month, SCDNR announced a complete temporary closure of Deveaux Bank during nesting season, bringing Deveaux Bank in line with the protections afforded to our other seabird sanctuaries, like Bird Key and Crab Bank.

Although there are many barrier islands along our coast, colonial nesting seabirds — such as brown pelicans, black skimmers, and various species of terns — require specific habitats and features to rear young successfully. In South Carolina, Deveaux Bank is one of only six places that can support substantial colonies.

Deveaux Bank also boasts international importance as a refuge for migratory birds. In 2019, researchers discovered Deveaux Bank is the world’s largest known roost site for whimbrel, supporting 20,000 birds — half of the entire East Coast population. Deveaux Bank also supports one of the largest roosts in the Southeast for federally threatened red knots.

Aerial view of Deveaux Bank / J. Henry Fair with flight assistance from SouthWings

Despite its importance and fragility, SCDNR has historically allowed public access to Deveaux Bank year-round, including nesting season, and was the only Seabird Sanctuary to allow so for years. The impact of human disturbance on nesting, resting, and foraging birds is clear, and one of the most significant threats to coastal birds. Like a lot of our coast, Deveaux Bank has also experienced severe erosion from winter storms, leaving only a quarter of high ground available compared to last year. These compounding issues painted a grim outlook for nesting and migratory coastal birds relying on Deveaux Bank.

As coastal birds are trying to squeeze into ever-shrinking habitat, we are excited for the complete closure of Deveaux Bank during nesting, and are thankful for the leadership of Senator Campsen (R-Charleston) and Mayor Bradham of Rockville to help safeguard this valuable place.

We are excited to announce the relaunch of the Crab Bank Pelicam! After months of work and support from Mount Pleasant Radio, Harbor Pilots, SCDNR, Audubon South Carolina, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), we are fluttering at the chance to share a safe, easy way to stay in tune with the happenings on Crab Bank.