Our Birdwatchers Club group was grateful for ideal weather – sunny with temperatures from the mid-70s to the low 80s, which enhanced the pleasure of birding at the Santee Lakes Recreation Area. Our several-hour visit focused mainly around the one of seven lakes that has an array of islands.

The lake’s habitats range from areas of bordering reeds and sheltering shrubs to elegantly spreading live oaks. In addition to the ubiquitous Coots, we saw several White Pelicans, lots of ducks such as Shovelers, Wigeons, Ring-necked and Ruddy ducks, several Wood Ducks, and a Cinnamon Teal and Redhead.

We enjoyed good views of an Osprey, a brief glimpse of a Merlin and numerous sightings of a Belted Kingfisher. Wading birds included Snowy Egrets and Great Blue Herons. One of the highlights was a flock of Cedar Waxwings busily feeding on the red berries of a small tree.

For lunch, we gathered around picnic tables in the shade of live oaks – a delightful venue in which to eat our lunches. Today’s excursion certainly provided a fitting conclusion to this year’s series of wonderful monthly birding trips.