Pritchards Island

Amazing Uninhabited Island

Pritchards Island is just southwest of Fripp and is only accessible by boat. This uninhabited island is owned by the University of South Carolina which conducts research on the island and welcomes daily visitors who enjoy strolling along the beaches and enjoying the barrier island's wildlife and tranquility.

Atlanta businessman Philip Rhodes donated the 1,600 acre island to the University of South Carolina in 1983 with the condition it not be developed commercially but rather used for coastal research.  Students would stay in the "old stilt house", the Rhodes Research Center, while studying the ecosystems on the island and managing the preservation of the loggerhead sea turtles that nest on the island.  The island is still managed by USCB and is used for education, conservation and research purposes by the University, other state institutions, and the general public.

In October of 2022, the abandoned research lab was removed, section by section, and hauled off on a barge.  

 

For several years, the Beaufort County Arts Council collaborated with USCB to hold an annual artist retreat on Pritchards. Each artist was required to provide a piece of art that became the Pritchards Island Collection.

That collection now hangs in the library at the Hilton Head Gateway campus. (Source: Island Packet 2015)

Boating to Pritchards

If you're looking for an adventure, visit Pritchards by kayak or canoe.  The Fripp Island Resort offers guided canoe trips that launch off the beach behind the Cabana Club.  It's a great way to safely navigate the swift current that runs through Skull Inlet and learn more about the barrier islands. Contact the Activity Center for more information and reservations.

If you're ready to head out on your own, you can check tides and head over in your kayak or canoe.  Single and tandem kayaks are also available to rent at Island Excursions.  Once you get to Pritchards, you'll enjoy the peace and quiet of the island while strolling, shelling and exploring.

Loggerhead Turtles

One of Beaufort County's most nested beaches, Pritchards Island is host to Loggerhead Sea Turtles between May and October.  A group of dedicated volunteers patrol the island during nesting season to protect, mark and even relocate nests when necessary. Learn more about loggerheads - they're truly amazing!

Learn More

Shorebirds and Seabirds

Pritchards Island is host to both shorebirds and seabirds throughout most of the year - in the summer for nesting, and as a rest and refuel layover during their epic spring and fall migrations.

Nests are laid in shallow scrapes in the sand that blend in very well to their surroundings. While raising their young in the summer, it is imperative that adult birds keep eggs and chicks shaded to prevent predation and overheating in the summer sun, like the Least Tern is doing in this photo.

With North American shorebird and seabird populations in steep decline from habitat loss, predation and human disturbance, every piece of natural habitat remaining is critical for their survival. Help us protect these birds while enjoying the beach by keeping these actions in mind:

  • Walk around flocks of birds, not through them, so they can rest and feed
  • Respect signage on the beach indicating where birds are nesting and/or resting
  • Leash your dog near birds, because even friendly dogs look like predators to them

There's lots to learn about birds in the Lowcountry - there are hundreds of different species to be found. Thank you for helping to protect our local wildlife! 

Learn More

Least Tern feeding one of its three chicks, New Jersey 2021
#leasttern #sharetheshore 
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#nuts_about_birds #your_best_birds #nuts_about_wildlife #kings_birds #planetbirds #bb_of_ig #best_birds_of_world #best_birds_of_ig #best_bird_shots #best_birds_planet #bird_brilliance #birds_adored #birds_captures #birds_private #birds.nature #natgeoyourshot #nikonusa #bbcearth #united_kings_things #nature_worldwide_birds #strabopixelclub #bestshotz_birds #adubonsociety #audubonnj #birdsonearth

Least Tern feeding one of its three chicks, New Jersey 2021
#leasttern #sharetheshore
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#suraj_ramamurthy
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#nuts_about_birds #your_best_birds #nuts_about_wildlife #kings_birds #planetbirds #bb_of_ig #best_birds_of_world #best_birds_of_ig #best_bird_shots #best_birds_planet #bird_brilliance #birds_adored #birds_captures #birds_private #birds.nature #natgeoyourshot #nikonusa #bbcearth #united_kings_things #nature_worldwide_birds #strabopixelclub #bestshotz_birds #adubonsociety #audubonnj #birdsonearth
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“My job... is just beach.” - Westken snowy plover

Western snowy plovers are all about beach! Until September, these small, sparrow-sized shorebirds are hard at work incubating eggs and caring for their chicks. You can safely share the shore with these threatened birds by:

- Give wildlife space: do not approach or chase these birds.

- Respect all posted signs and roped-off areas for the protection of wildlife.

- Avoid prolonged picnicking or sunbathing in plover nesting habitat (dry sand areas above the wrack line).

- Walk on the wet hard-packed sand below the wrack line to avoid nesting habitat.

- Camp or build fires only in designated areas.

- If you’re on a beach that allows vehicles, drive ‘low and slow’, staying on the hard-packed sand below the high tide line where plovers forage.

- Avoid driving over old vehicle or foot tracks as plovers like to rest or “loaf” in these and are extremely hard to see.

- Avoid flying kites or other hovering objects near plover nesting habitat.

- Please dispose of all trash properly and do not inadvertently or intentionally feed wildlife.

- Know beach-specific dog rules before you go. If dogs are permitted, please follow the leash rules.

Thank you in advance!

🎨 by Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS

“My job... is just beach.” - Westken snowy plover

Western snowy plovers are all about beach! Until September, these small, sparrow-sized shorebirds are hard at work incubating eggs and caring for their chicks. You can safely share the shore with these threatened birds by:

- Give wildlife space: do not approach or chase these birds.

- Respect all posted signs and roped-off areas for the protection of wildlife.

- Avoid prolonged picnicking or sunbathing in plover nesting habitat (dry sand areas above the wrack line).

- Walk on the wet hard-packed sand below the wrack line to avoid nesting habitat.

- Camp or build fires only in designated areas.

- If you’re on a beach that allows vehicles, drive ‘low and slow’, staying on the hard-packed sand below the high tide line where plovers forage.

- Avoid driving over old vehicle or foot tracks as plovers like to rest or “loaf” in these and are extremely hard to see.

- Avoid flying kites or other hovering objects near plover nesting habitat.

- Please dispose of all trash properly and do not inadvertently or intentionally feed wildlife.

- Know beach-specific dog rules before you go. If dogs are permitted, please follow the leash rules.

Thank you in advance!

🎨 by Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS
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"EEKKK! Did you see that little clutch of eggs hidden among the sand?! 

While you may be going on Easter egg hunts this Sunday, western snowy plovers, small federally threatened shorebirds that weigh about the same as two AA batteries, are looking for a place to put their nests! 

All along beaches of the Pacific coast, mated pairs are reuniting to find the ideal “neighborhood” to rear their young! Males will scour the beach, scraping the sand where suitable nest spots occur, and wait for the female to take her pick. Finally, the female will lay 3 perfectly camouflaged eggs in the sand. 

Did you find it difficult to find the eggs? In order to prevent beach-goers from accidently stepping on eggs or scaring the parents away from their nests, many state parks install fencing around the sensitive habitat during the breeding season (March-August). We can #SharetheShore with these little birds by walking along the wet sand by the ocean. 

Photo description: Sandy-colored egg hidden among dune vegetation. Credit: K. Sinclair/USFWS

"EEKKK! Did you see that little clutch of eggs hidden among the sand?!

While you may be going on Easter egg hunts this Sunday, western snowy plovers, small federally threatened shorebirds that weigh about the same as two AA batteries, are looking for a place to put their nests!

All along beaches of the Pacific coast, mated pairs are reuniting to find the ideal “neighborhood” to rear their young! Males will scour the beach, scraping the sand where suitable nest spots occur, and wait for the female to take her pick. Finally, the female will lay 3 perfectly camouflaged eggs in the sand.

Did you find it difficult to find the eggs? In order to prevent beach-goers from accidently stepping on eggs or scaring the parents away from their nests, many state parks install fencing around the sensitive habitat during the breeding season (March-August). We can #SharetheShore with these little birds by walking along the wet sand by the ocean.

Photo description: Sandy-colored egg hidden among dune vegetation. Credit: K. Sinclair/USFWS
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⭐️Special guest alert!⭐️ We had the immense privilege of caring for this piping plover, a precious, threatened migratory shorebird that nests right here in NYC. This bird was rescued out on the Rockaways. A wing injury had kept him down for some time, as he was emaciated and extremely weak on arrival. 

These birds are highly stressed in captivity, with specific nutritional and habitat needs, so our waterfowl team deployed all their expertise and creativity to help Pippy Longstocking (😊) feel at home, including supplies of seawater and fresh beach wrack for foraging. 

We’re pleased to report that, after a week in care, Pippy was active, putting on weight and enjoying the carefully curated meals, The prognosis for the wing is still guarded, but because more time may help, we’ve transferred the plover to a shorebird-specialist rehabber with facilities more suited to longer term care. We are so grateful to all involved in this effort!

There are just 6,000-8,000 piping plovers left globally, and fewer than 100 come to NYC each year. They’re listed as endangered in NYS and threatened federally, and very few of their chicks survive each season. It’s critical that we do all we can to protect them, including keeping clear of their nesting sites during the summer months and obeying beach rules, such as keeping dogs, drones, fireworks and other deadly disturbances off the beaches for the short time these and other nesting shorebirds are here each year. Temporary beach closures can make all the difference in the survival of their chicks. 

Follow our friends nycploverproject to learn how you can help save this species or volunteer with their corps of plover protectors.

Our rehab work is possible because of thousands of kind people who support WBF. Please consider helping with a donation. Link in bio or bit.ly/wbfdonate

📷: lilyy.bird 
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#pipingplover #plover #plovers #ploversofinstagram #shorebirds #endangered #urbanwildlife #sharetheshore #wildliferehab #wildliferehabilitation

⭐️Special guest alert!⭐️ We had the immense privilege of caring for this piping plover, a precious, threatened migratory shorebird that nests right here in NYC. This bird was rescued out on the Rockaways. A wing injury had kept him down for some time, as he was emaciated and extremely weak on arrival.

These birds are highly stressed in captivity, with specific nutritional and habitat needs, so our waterfowl team deployed all their expertise and creativity to help Pippy Longstocking (😊) feel at home, including supplies of seawater and fresh beach wrack for foraging.

We’re pleased to report that, after a week in care, Pippy was active, putting on weight and enjoying the carefully curated meals, The prognosis for the wing is still guarded, but because more time may help, we’ve transferred the plover to a shorebird-specialist rehabber with facilities more suited to longer term care. We are so grateful to all involved in this effort!

There are just 6,000-8,000 piping plovers left globally, and fewer than 100 come to NYC each year. They’re listed as endangered in NYS and threatened federally, and very few of their chicks survive each season. It’s critical that we do all we can to protect them, including keeping clear of their nesting sites during the summer months and obeying beach rules, such as keeping dogs, drones, fireworks and other deadly disturbances off the beaches for the short time these and other nesting shorebirds are here each year. Temporary beach closures can make all the difference in the survival of their chicks.

Follow our friends nycploverproject to learn how you can help save this species or volunteer with their corps of plover protectors.

Our rehab work is possible because of thousands of kind people who support WBF. Please consider helping with a donation. Link in bio or bit.ly/wbfdonate

📷: lilyy.bird
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#pipingplover #plover #plovers #ploversofinstagram #shorebirds #endangered #urbanwildlife #sharetheshore #wildliferehab #wildliferehabilitation
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Want to be a better beach goer to shorebirds? #ShareTheShore by respecting posted signs about nesting and other off-limits areas and keep your pet leashed whenever you’re near birds.⁠
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Playful dogs want everyone involved in the fun, but their antics can wreak havoc on shorebird colonies in a matter of seconds. Birds like these Least Terns perceive dogs as predators, even if the dogs aren’t chasing them. ⁠
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Least Tern with chick. 📷: Jim Verhagen/Audubon Photography Awards

Want to be a better beach goer to shorebirds? #ShareTheShore by respecting posted signs about nesting and other off-limits areas and keep your pet leashed whenever you’re near birds.⁠

Playful dogs want everyone involved in the fun, but their antics can wreak havoc on shorebird colonies in a matter of seconds. Birds like these Least Terns perceive dogs as predators, even if the dogs aren’t chasing them. ⁠

Least Tern with chick. 📷: Jim Verhagen/Audubon Photography Awards
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Happy birthday to Theodore Emery (wind.and.wing)- fellow Plover Lover and all-around wonderful human! ⁣🐣
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#WesternSnowyPlover  #SnowyPlover #sharetheshore #nuts_about_nature #wildlife_inspired #birds_adored #eye_spy_birds #eye_spy_birds_women #nuts_about_conservation #bird #wildlife #birdstagram #featured_wildlife #naturephotography #ig_nature #nature_perfection #nuts_about_birds #pocket_birds #bb_of_ig #bns_birds #bestoftheusa_birds #women_wildlife_photography #shorebirds_habitat

Happy birthday to Theodore Emery (wind.and.wing)- fellow Plover Lover and all-around wonderful human! ⁣🐣
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#WesternSnowyPlover #SnowyPlover #sharetheshore #nuts_about_nature #wildlife_inspired #birds_adored #eye_spy_birds #eye_spy_birds_women #nuts_about_conservation #bird #wildlife #birdstagram #featured_wildlife #naturephotography #ig_nature #nature_perfection #nuts_about_birds #pocket_birds #bb_of_ig #bns_birds #bestoftheusa_birds #women_wildlife_photography #shorebirds_habitat
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Snow on the beach ✨😘

#snowyplover #snowonthebeach #sharetheshore #plover #birding #bird #borb #birdphotography #birdstellus #shorebirds_habitat

Snow on the beach ✨😘

#snowyplover #snowonthebeach #sharetheshore #plover #birding #bird #borb #birdphotography #birdstellus #shorebirds_habitat
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