Volunteer Spotlight...Bobbi Studley

I began my journey as a Master Naturalist in the fall of 2024. As a child, I always had a very close relationship with nature, birds, and wildlife. Newly retired, 72 years old, and a new resident of South Carolina, I was ready for a new adventure! Being a Master Naturalist means having time to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow volunteers while gaining knowledge about this new state I now call home. Over the 12 weeks of the CNMA course, I had the chance to experience a world of wonder under the tutelage of Kristina and Keith. Each week offered a chance to learn something new, exciting, and inspirational!. The two most memorable classes were visiting the bird banding station at Captain Sam's Spit with researcher Aaron Given and the field trip to Sunny Side Plantation in Edisto, where I had the distinct honor of meeting ornithologists Dr. Sydney Gauthreaux, Jr. and Carroll Belsert. Their longtime dedication to radar-based studies of migratory birds led to the creation of the amazing Cornell's BirdCast Dashboard, which I view at least twice a day!

As a Natural History Interpretation Volunteer with Charleston County Parks, I have the opportunity to share our unique parks with visitors seeking the chance to see our beloved eagles, alligators, and numerous bird species. Under the guidance of my mentor, Edsel Taylor, the Wood Duck conservation program at Caw Caw has expanded to ten nest boxes. At Caw Caw, the Wood Duck crew has enjoyed discovering not only Wood Duck nests, but also those of Prothonotary Warblers, Carolina Wrens, and one very feisty Screech Owl who was not too happy when we knocked on her front door for a visit.

I have also had the opportunity to volunteer with Edsel at his beautiful property, Indigo Oaks. It is a 200-acre property located in the ACE Basin region near Four Holes Swamp. Edsel generously donated this land, which is now permanently protected through a conservation easement held by the Low Country Land Trust. Each of the 40 nest boxes is inspected at least twice a year for evidence of nesting hens, an inventory of eggs laid, and evidence of completed hatchings. It is truly a magical place!

The PUMA project at McLeod Plantation was a great success with the arrival of at least two pairs of adult Purple Martins in our very first year. One pair successfully hatched four chicks. We hope next summer these birds and a few more will return to enjoy our stylish, comfortable nesting gourds overlooking the historic fields at McLeod.

As a member of the Stono Ferry Wildlife and Environmental Committee, my CMNA training has inspired me to complete two projects within my neighborhood. Again inspired by my Wood Duck mentor, Edsel Taylor, our committee installed three new Wood Duck nest boxes last fall. Although only one nest box was adopted by a Wood Duck hen, she successfully hatched nine eggs, adding to our local Wood Duck population. The second project was revitalizing three benches constructed by neighbor and local conservationist Bob Cowan. The benches, located along the shore of three of our community ponds, were in desperate need of repair; the sagging boards were replaced, and a couple of coats of new paint were applied. It brings me joy to see neighbors, landscapers, and others working in the neighborhood, enjoying the newly painted benches while on lunch break or just enjoying a peaceful moment while viewing the Black-Crowned Night Herons, Wood Ducks, Ibis, Wood Storks, Great White Herons, and other water birds that live at our ponds.

Life as a Master Naturalist has opened up so many opportunities for me, as well as my heart, mind, and spirit!