Caw Caw BioBlitz with world-renowned naturalist Peter Alden

February 5th saw the Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel host its first ever BioBlitz, and how amazing to have naturalist and author Peter Alden as our guest! 
Kudos to Kristina Wheeler, CCPRC naturalist and CMNA liaison, for arranging to have Peter be our guest of honor, and to all the staff at Caw Caw and the CMNA and other organization volunteers that worked so hard behind the scenes to make this event happen!

Despite the unfavorable weather that was forecast, we had a great turnout, with visitors from near and far combining their efforts to produce a comprehensive list of the birds, flora, and fauna around the center.

After the morning introductions were made the large group broke down in to smaller interest groups to explore the center while recording their identified species in iNaturalist or eBird. With experts in the fields of birding, fungi, herpetology, and plants, the iNaturalist species list for the day showed 157 species identified, not including birds!

Peter regaled us with his stories of his world wide adventures, and was kind enough to do a book signing during our lunch break.

While out on the trail with the birding group, Peter, group leader Dave Eslinger, and the other attendees were recording their sightings in eBird

There was at least one notable rarity we added to the list...the Purple Finch!

Meanwhile, the herp group with Jake Zadik, placed traps around the property to see what might be swimming in the swamp!

Jake's group....

While out on the trail with the bird group, I was able to capture some birds I haven't photographed before, like this White Breasted Nuthatch

and there were some of the 'usual' sightings, too.

and some not so usual!

and while this raccoon did leave some paw prints in the mud, so did a coyote, although we didn't see it on the trail.

Overall, the day was a huge success, and if Peter has his way, this is the first of many in the years to come.

If you would like to share your experience and photos from the BioBlitz with us, please email a few paragraphs and three or four photos to communications@coastalmasternaturalists.org