Tag Archives: Rookery

Yellow-crowned Night-heron Rookery

April 30, 2026 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

On three trips to Cypress Wetlands this nesting season and I’ve not seen the Yellow-crowned Night-herons performing their mating dance. They seem to be all paired up now with some nest repair activity on Monday, but mostly they were settled in.

I couldn’t see if this pair was at a nest or just hanging around, but they did have a touching moment.

A few trees over this one flew into an open space for a ruffle…

…followed by a look around.

Then he turned away from me showing off those beautiful feathers flowing down his back.

Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC

April 27, 2026

Nature

Bird Chaos at Bird Key

August 6, 2021 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Hundreds of birds nested on Bird Key this summer and the land and sky were full of activity on this July day.

Most of the birds on land seen here are Brown Pelicans, the smaller white ones are chicks. The chicks were awkwardly walking, but not yet flying. There were lots of Laughing Gulls that provided constant noise, and a few White Ibis mixed in.

On the outer edge of the island, the open Atlantic Ocean beyond, a sand bar has formed that was popular spot for preening.

Taken from a boat at Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve
Between Kiawah Island and Folly Beach, SC

July 12, 2021

Water Birds

Bird Rookery

July 2, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

The rookery islands do not rise much above sea level which is one of the reasons the Brown Pelican nests have a low success rate. Over wash from storm driven tides can and has easily wiped out whole colonies on this and other barrier islands.

The bird chaos was amazing with numerous species in addition to the Brown Pelicans using the island. Snowy Egrets, Tricolored Herons, and Laughing Gulls were well represented.

This view is the sea-ward end of the island, with the shore crowded with Brown Pelicans and Laughing Gulls. The island down to the low tide mark is a protected preserve.

Shore access is not allowed during nesting season; these images were all taken from a boat at a shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second to help compensate for the boat movement.

See my previous post Brown Pelican Chicks for a closer look at five chicks.

Wading Birds

Rookery Tree

February 21, 2018 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

About forty-five minutes before sundown the sun peaked beneath some clouds and lit up the tree at the end of the rookery. White Ibis filled most of the tree, but a few Great Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, and Little Blue Herons can be seen in between.

Crowded Rookery Tree – click image for larger view

Birds were continuing to arrive but unfortunately for me the area closed and I had to leave.