Kiawah is overcast and a bit cool this morning. We reach the end of September with a gray day.  Here's to a sunny October!

Island News: Kiawah has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Natural Habitat! Friday, September 19, the National Wildlife Federation announced that all of Kiawah Island had met the necessary qualifications to become the 29th certified Community Wildlife Habitat in the country, and just the third in the state of South Carolina.  KICA spearheaded this effort with expert and valued assistance from KICA Director of Land Management Dave Achey and various entities on and off-island, including the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, the Kiawah Island Garden Club, the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy, the Kiawah Island Naturalist Group, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the Town of Kiawah Island Environmental Committee, the Kiawah Island Architectural Review Board, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The Kiawah community as a whole was involved in this process as well.  In all, over 300 dedicated individuals volunteered to support the effort.  Thank you volunteers! Several community projects, including plant rescues from lots to be developed, the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol, and a bobcat GPS tracking project contributed to receiving this honor, as well as natural habitat certifications of 16 parks and preserves, one golf course and 58 homes. Congratulations to Kiawah Island for receiving this national distinction!

Weather: It is 70 degrees at 9:05 this morning.  Despite the clouds, there is just a slight chance of rain today. Highs in the low eighties, lows near seventy, both with a 20% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One ruby-throated hummingbird, one yellow-bellied sapsucker, two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.   Heard but not seen: one barred owl.

September 29, 2008

It is sunny and warm on Kiawah this morning.  Did you enjoy the fabulous weather over the week-end?  There were not many folks out on the beach, but plenty on the golf courses and bike paths.     

Island News: KICA will carry out aerial application of anti-mosquito granules in The Preserve area and the marsh between Bass Creek Lane and Little Otter Island Road between 8:00 - 10:00 AM. This will be an application of granules for larva in areas of standing water. The product applied will be Altosid, a growth hormone regulator specific to certain species of insects, so poses no health risk to humans. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 843-708-3608.

Weather: It is 70 degrees at 9:10 this morning.  It certainly looks like a perfect fall day! Highs today in the mid-seventies, lows in the upper sixties.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count  Spotted at various times and places around Kiawah during the week-end: Three ruby-throated hummingbirds, two painted buntings, one baby loggerhead turtle, two yellow-bellied sapsuckers, one marsh hawk, two five-lined skinks, four female and two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.   Heard but not seen: two screech owls.

September 26, 2008 Week-end Edition

Kiawah is gray and cool this morning.  Rain is on the agenda for today, but the clouds should clear by tomorrow.   

Turtle News: Things are winding down with our loggerhead turtles.  There are a few unhatched nests remaining, and those should be finished up in the next week or so.  We had a terrific turtle season this year, with a total of 231 nests.  Way to go mamas!

Day Lilly Kathy Heikes is a member of the Kiawah Island Photography Club, and shares this Day Lilly photo.

Week-end Weather: It is 63 degrees at 9:10 Friday morning.  After today we should have a wonderful week-end headed our way, with warm temperatures and no rain.  Highs in the mid-seventies Friday with a 70% chance of showers.  Lows in the low sixties with a 20% chance.  We are supposed to see temperatures in the low eighties Saturday, with lows in the low seventies.  Highs in the low eighties again Sunday, lows in the upper sixties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One five-lined skink, one Black Racer snake, two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.   Heard but not seen: one very chatty screech owl.

September 25, 2008

It is cool and overcast on Kiawah this morning. Look for high surf today, as the low pressure system offshore impacts our weather.  There is a coastal flood advisory as well.  We may see showers today too, so all in all you might want to curl up with a good book!         

Weather: It is 61 degrees at 9:10 this morning.  That's downright chilly for September! Highs near seventy today, lows in the low sixties.  There is a  50% chance of rain all day and evening.

 Today's Kiawah Critter Count  More Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one baby loggerhead turtle, one five-lined skink, one great blue heron, two male and one spotted white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 24, 2008

Kiawah is mostly cloudy this morning, and quite cool. It is a wonderfully breezy morning, so open windows may be the order of the day. Luckily for us, they are just cool breezes wafting across our island, not hurricane force winds!        

Weather: It is 61 degrees at 9:00 this morning.  No, that is NOT a typo! Highs today in the mid-seventies. Tonight's low should be in the low sixties with a 20% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Dozens more Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one REALLY fat five-lined skink, one great blue heron, one osprey, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 23, 2008

Sunshine has made its way back to Kiawah this morning. Despite yesterday's clouds, we never did receive any rain, and now the sun is once again shining down on us.  This spurt of fall weather has been incredible!       

Weather: It is 68 degrees at 9:00 this morning.  Is anyone else having difficulty believing this amazing weather?  Highs today in the low eighties, lows in the mid-sixties.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  Dozens and dozens of Gulf Fritillary butterflies, one great blue heron, one lone brown pelicans, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 22, 2008

Kiawah is overcast and cool this morning. Despite the clouds, it does not appear that we will truly get rain today.  But we will take this cool weather, won't we?

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Jack Kotz is back on Kiawah and photographing like mad!  Gulf Fritillary butterflies can be spotted everywhere on Kiawah right now.

Weather: It is 69 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Today is supposed to be overcast for most of the day, but nice and cool... Today's high should be near eighty, lows in the mid-sixties, both with a 20% chance of showers.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: Twelve baby loggerhead turtles, one belted kingfisher, one marsh hawk, one great blue heron, three brown pelicans, four male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.   Heard but not seen: a great horned owl.

September 19, 2008  Week-end Edition

It is sunny and cool on Kiawah this morning.  The weather has been glorious these past few days, with lots of folks throwing open the windows for the first time since spring.  Isn't this weather terrific? 

Did you know? That today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day? Arrrrrgh me hearty - it's true!   So don't be a scurvy dog - talk like a pirate today!

Volunteer! There will be an open house on Tuesday, September 23rd from 4-5:30PM at St. John's High School, 1518 Main Road, John's Island, in the auditorium. School District officials and representatives of the 5 elementary, middle school and high schools on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands will outline tutoring, mentoring and other volunteer opportunities available at each school this coming year. Staff from Communities In Schools will discuss program specifics, including training and orientation for new tutors. Current tutors and mentors will talk about the challenges and rewards of helping students improve reading and basic math skills. There is a great need for many more caring and concerned people from the Kiawah, Seabrook, and John's Island communities to devote a small amount of time to make a big difference in the lives of local children. Please contact Courtney Winders at 740-6793 or cwinders@cischarleston.org for more information.

Pileated Woodpecker Woody Woodpecker has nothing on this bird!  Kiawah is home to many pileated woodpeckers.  Have you seen one recently?

Week-end Weather: It is 67 degrees at 9:00 Friday morning. It looks like we are in for a fabulous week-end! Highs Friday near eighty, lows in the mid-sixties.  Saturday should have a high in the upper seventies and a low in the upper sixties.  Last but not least, Sunday's high is supposed to be near eighty. Lows in the mid-sixties, and there is a 20% chance of showers throughout Sunday.  

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One marsh hawk, two great blue herons, seven brown pelicans, two male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.   Heard but not seen: a great horned owl.

September 18, 2008 

Kiawah is back to its normal sunny self this morning.  After our rain yesterday it was nice and cool.  This morning it is downright lovely!  It will be a terrific day to get outside and do something fun! 

Island News: Pull out your old sneakers and grubby clothes because it's time for the annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep Clean-up! Saturday, September 20th, from 8:30am-12pm will be the sweep. All you need to do is show up ready to clean-up. Gloves, trash bags, as well as light refreshments will be provided in the morning. Volunteer by contacting Sarah Latshaw at sarah.latshaw@gmail.com or call the Heron Park Nature Center at (843) 768-6001.

Volunteer! There will be an open house on Tuesday, September 23rd from 4-5:30PM at St. John's High School, 1518 Main Road, John's Island, in the auditorium. School District officials and representatives of the 5 elementary, middle school and high schools on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands will outline tutoring, mentoring and other volunteer opportunities available at each school this coming year. Staff from Communities In Schools will discuss program specifics, including training and orientation for new tutors. Current tutors and mentors will talk about the challenges and rewards of helping students improve reading and basic math skills. There is a great need for many more caring and concerned people from the Kiawah, Seabrook, and John's Island communities to devote a small amount of time to make a big difference in the lives of local children. Please contact Courtney Winders at 740-6793 or cwinders@cischarleston.org for more information.

Weather: It is 71 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Could the weather be any more perfect?  Highs today in the low eighties, lows tonight in the upper sixties. 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One baby loggerhead turtle, one marsh hawk, two great blue herons, five brown pelicans, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 17, 2008 

It is overcast and gray on Kiawah this morning.  We had quite the storm last night, complete with loads of thunder and lightning.  Some folks lost their satellite service, though no one has reported losing power. 

Island News: Pull out your old sneakers and grubby clothes because it's time for the annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep Clean-up! This Saturday, September 20th, we will be cleaning the beach front & river side of Kiawah Island from 8:30am-12pm. The sweep, organized by S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in partnership with S.C. Department of Natural Resources, is the largest one-day litter cleanup of South Carolina's beaches and waterways. Last year, nearly 4,000 South Carolinians, from the mountains through the midlands and to the coast, collected more than 19 tons of trash from our waterways. EIGHT HUNDRED POUNDS of that total was collected and removed from Kiawah Island by our amazing volunteers!

To be part of the solution to pollution, the Nature Program is sponsoring the Sweep on Kiawah Island and needs your help. All you need to do is show up ready to clean-up. Gloves, trash bags, as well as light refreshments will be provided in the morning. To volunteer for the Sweep, email Sarah Latshaw (sarah.latshaw@gmail.com), Kiawah Site Coordinator, or call the Heron Park Nature Center at (843) 768-6001.

Weather: It is 72 degrees at 8:45 this morning. More showers look to be on the way today...  Highs near eighty, lows in the upper sixties, both with a 40% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One marsh hawk, one great blue heron, twelve brown pelicans, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive

September 16, 2008

Kiawah is sunny and balmy this morning.  It looks like rain is headed our way this afternoon, so get outside early to play today!

Island News: Pull out your old sneakers and grubby clothes because it's time for the annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep Clean-up! This Saturday, September 20th, we will be cleaning the beach front & river side of Kiawah Island from 8:30am-12pm. The sweep, organized by S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in partnership with S.C. Department of Natural Resources, is the largest one-day litter cleanup of South Carolina's beaches and waterways. Last year, nearly 4,000 South Carolinians, from the mountains through the midlands and to the coast, collected more than 19 tons of trash from our waterways. EIGHT HUNDRED POUNDS of that total was collected and removed from Kiawah Island by our amazing volunteers!

To be part of the solution to pollution, the Nature Program is sponsoring the Sweep on Kiawah Island and needs your help. All you need to do is show up ready to clean-up. Gloves, trash bags, as well as light refreshments will be provided in the morning. To volunteer for the Sweep, email Sarah Latshaw (sarah.latshaw@gmail.com), Kiawah Site Coordinator, or call the Heron Park Nature Center at (843) 768-6001.

Golden Spider Mother Nature's mosquito eaters are often seen on Kiawah during summer's hottest months.  Soon they will all be gone, ready to return next year.

Weather: It is 80 degrees at 9:00 this morning. To quote Mr. Rogers, "it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!"  Highs today in the mid-eighties, lows in the low seventies, both with a 50% chance of showers.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count One great blue heron, one yellow-bellied sapsucker, one five-lined skink, eight brown pelicans, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 15, 2008

It is sunny and warm on Kiawah this morning.  Here we are in the middle of September and the weather still feels like summer.  Whew!  Good luck staying cool...

Island News: The celebration for the Town of Kiawah Island's 20th anniversary was quite well-attended Saturday.  The Sandcastle was hopping with bands and folks.  Despite a brief technical glitch with the outdoor sound system, the children's choir from Angel Oak Elementary School stole the show!

Astronomy: Tonight is the Full Harvest Moon, the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.

Weather: It is 80 degrees at 9:00 this morning. We have no weather advisories for today, but we have some serious humidity out there!  Highs today in the upper eighties. Lows tonight in the mid-seventies with a 20% chance of rain. 

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: two pileated woodpeckers, one wood stork, one green heron, two great blue herons, one yellow-bellied sapsucker, three five-lined skinks, seventeen brown pelicans, four male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 12, 2008  Week-end Edition

Kiawah is sunny and overcast by turns this morning, complete with a light drizzle.  The week-end looks good though, with nary a chance of showers in sight! 

Turtle News: The Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol has passed along this update: Our final (apparently!) nest total is 231. That is 149 MORE nests than last year, and 25 less than Kiawah's best nesting year (1999). "Sea turtles dig the dark!", so remember, "Lights out for sea turtles"!

Afternoon in The Preserve If you haven't ridden your bike or wandered in The Preserve, you are missing something special.  There are trails and a marsh tower, and the Cinder Creek boathouse is the perfect picnic place!

Weather: It is 78 degrees at 9:10 Friday morning. There is a high probability of rain today, despite the sunshine.  Highs Friday in the mid-eighties again with a 50% chance of rain.  Lows Friday night in the low seventies with a 20% chance of showers.  Saturday should bring a high in the upper eighties and a low in the mid-seventies. Sunday should be more of the same, with highs in the upper eighties and lows in the mid-seventies.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One great blue heron, two five-lined skinks, three brown pelicans, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 11, 2008

It is sunny and a little cool on Kiawah this morning. Today is a somber day for many, as we remember the tragedy of September 11, 2001. 

Turtle News: The Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol has passed along this update: Our final (apparently!) nest total is 231. That is 149 MORE nests than last year, and 25 less than Kiawah's best nesting year (1999). "Sea turtles dig the dark!", so remember, "Lights out for sea turtles"!

Weather: It is 76 degrees at 9:10 this morning. There is a high probability of rain today, despite the sunshine.  Highs today in the mid-eighties again, with a 70% chance of showers.  Tonight's low should be in the mid-seventies, with a 60% chance of rain.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count    One yellow-bellied sapsucker, one< great blue heron, five-lined skink, four brown pelicans, one male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 10, 2008

Kiawah is sunny and gorgeous this morning.  There are some heavy clouds in sections of the sky, harbingers of the predicted rain later this evening.

Weather: It is 80 degrees at 9:10 this morning. Nothing to report on the tropical storm front - thank goodness! Highs today in the mid-eighties, lows tonight in the mid-seventies, both with a 50% chance of showers. 

Today's Kiawah Critter Count    One mama and three baby raccoons, two great blue herons, one marsh hawk, seven brown pelicans, two white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 9, 2008

It is sunny and warm on Kiawah this morning.  It should be a fabulous day to get outside and enjoy this wonderful weather.  What will you do outside today?  Walk?  Bike? Golf? Tennis?  Whatever your choice, you are sure to have a great time!

Did you know? The S.C. Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring bald eagle populations in the state for 32 years and has documented 2,887 nesting attempts and 3,595 fledglings. Some 228 nesting sites were occupied within our borders. This is an astonishing increase over the 13 sites documented in 1977. The latest count found that South Carolina eagles were averaging 1.25 chicks per nesting attempt.

Painted Bunting Kathy Heikes captured this male painted bunting at her bird feeder.  Her yard was certified as an NWF Backyard Habitat as part of KICA's initiative.  If you would like to participate too, contact Dave Achey at KICA.

Weather: It is 82 degrees at 9:10 this morning.  We are back to normal September temperatures today. Highs today in the upper eighties, lows in the upper seventies, both with a 20% chance of showers.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count    Two baby raccoons, one five-lined skink, three brown pelicans, two male white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 8, 2008

Kiawah is warm but slightly overcast this morning.  After a few tense days at the end of last week watching storms, we can all breathe a sigh of relief.  Kiawah received some high winds, but no real damage.  Nothing more than leaves  and a few palm fronds were knocked down.  Whew!

KICA News: Three Oaks continues irrigation work along the leisure trails from Spartina Court to Blue Heron Pond Road.  If you have any questions, contact KICA Director of Land Management Dave Achey at dave.achey@kica.us. 

Weather: It is 78 degrees at 9:00 this morning.  There is a riptide warning in effect today. Highs in the upper eighties. Lows tonight in the low seventies with a 20% chance of showers.

Week-end Kiawah Critter Count   Spotted at various times & places around Kiawah during the week-end: one mama and two baby raccoons, one belted kingfisher, three five-lined skinks, fifteen brown pelicans, five male and two female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 5, 2008 Week-end Edition

It is cloudy and drizzly on Kiawah this morning. Our weather is already being affected by Tropical Storm Hanna.  Kiawah will receive high winds and quite a bit of rain.  If you haven't already, be sure to bring in chairs, hanging baskets, and such. Remember that basically anything can  turn into a missile during this type of weather.    

Sea Oat Sunrise Sometimes getting up for turtle patrol is well-rewarded. This sunrise certainly made the 5:30 a.m. alarm clock worth it!

Week-end Weather: It is 75 degrees at 9:05 Friday morning.  There is a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch in effect for Tropical Storm Hanna. Click here for a weather map of Hanna's projected path.  Highs Friday in the low eighties, lows in the mid-seventies, both with 100% chance of showers.  Expect high winds with gusts that could reach 70 mph late this evening.  Highs Saturday should be in the upper eighties with a 40% chance of rain.  Lows are supposed to be in the low seventies.  Sunday should bring a high in the upper eighties with a 20% chance of showers.  Lows should be in the low seventies.  That could change based on Hurricane Ike's position later this week-end, so keep an eye on Ike!

Tropical Storm Hanna: Here are a few informational links about Tropical Storm Hanna:

KICA Storm Watch Updates  Storm Pulse  NOAA  Weather Underground

The Town of Kiawah Island has used their "Code Red" emergency phone service during the past few days.  If you have not received a message, you may want to add your phone number to the list.  All on-island numbers are supposed to be already included. Click here to register if you have an off-island phone number.

Hurricane Ike could possibly begin to influence our weather late this week-end.  Click here for information.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count   One ruby-throated hummingbird, one mama and two baby raccoons, one five-lined skink,six brown pelicans, two male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 4, 2008

Kiawah is sunny and fabulous again this morning. More and more it looks like Tropical Storm Hanna is headed to the north of us, with a projected landfall near the South Carolina - North Carolina border.  It seems likely that Kiawah will NOT receive a strike, but our weather will be affected, perhaps as early as tomorrow afternoon.  If you haven't already done so, batten down those hatches!   

Weather: It is 73 degrees at 9:05 this morning.  There is a hurricane watch in effect as Tropical Storm Hanna heads for the east coast. Click here for a weather map of Hanna's projected path. Highs today in the upper eighties. Lows tonight in the mid-seventies with a 20% chance of showers.

Tropical Storm Hanna: Tropical Storm Hanna is on everyone's minds these days.  Here are a few informational links:

KICA Storm Watch Updates

Storm Pulse

Weather Underground

NOAA

Remember that the Town of Kiawah Island has "Code Red" phone service to notify property owners of emergency events. Under this system, non-resident owners and commercial entities can also be notified if they have registered their off-island phone numbers into the Code Red system. All on-island numbers are supposed to be already included. Click here to register if you have an off-island phone number.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count   One raccoon, three brown pelicans, three male and one female white-tailed deer, and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 3, 2008

It is sunny and cool on Kiawah this morning. The weather is absolutely perfect for spending a day outdoors.  Running errands to make sure you are prepared and have planned for Tropical Storm Hanna isn't such a bad idea either!   

Weather: It is 70 degrees at 8:45 this morning.  Tropical Storm Hanna bears watching, but is not affecting our weather yet. Click here for a weather map of Hanna's projected path. Once again our high should be in the mid-eighties, lows in the low seventies.

Tropical Storm Hanna: Tropical Storm Hanna is on everyone's minds these days.  Here are a few informational links:

KICA Storm Watch Updates

Storm Pulse

Weather Underground

NOAA

Remember that the Town of Kiawah Island has "Code Red" phone service to notify property owners of emergency events. Under this system, non-resident owners and commercial entities can also be notified if they have registered their off-island phone numbers into the Code Red system. All on-island numbers are supposed to be already included. Click here to register if you have an off-island phone number.

Today's Kiawah Critter Count   One writing spider, one raccoon, four brown pelicans, three white-tailed deer, one American alligator,  and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 2, 2008

Kiawah is sunny and gorgeous this morning. Looking outside you would never know a tropical storm might threaten later this week.  Keep those fingers crossed that Hanna stays away!   

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Kathy Heikes managed a photographic feat, capturing this ruby-throated hummingbird on film.

Weather: It is 76 degrees at 9:00 this morning.  Tropical Storm Hanna is still far away, but could be near by Friday. Click here for a weather map of Hanna's projected path. Highs today in the mid-eighties, lows tonight in the low seventies.

Tropical Storm Hanna: Tropical Storm Hanna is on everyone's minds these days.  Here are a few informational links:

Storm Pulse

Weather Underground

NOAA

Today's Kiawah Critter Count  One writing spider, one mama and three baby raccoons, two willets, six brown pelicans, a male and a female white-tailed deer, one American alligator,  and dozens of snowy egrets on Sea Marsh Drive.

September 1, 2008 Labor Day

It is sunny and warm on Kiawah this morning.  Our September begins in true Lowcountry fashion: warm, humid, and with a chance of showers.

Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day!

Weather: It is 80 degrees at 9:00 this morning.  Tropical Storm Hanna is still far away, but we will all be keeping an eye on her to see which direction she goes. Highs today in the mid-eighties, with a 30% chance of rain.  Lows in the low seventies with a 20% chance of showers.