Field Trip: Bear Island with Karen Penale

(Member registration opens 1/3/2027; Nonmembers 1/10.) Bear is always one of the highlights of the Lowcountry year. We gather at the entrance, on Titi Road, which faces Mary’s House Pond, where we will set up spotting scopes. Depending on water levels, this pond may have lots of waders and/or ducks, and possibly White Pelicans or Tundra Swans. Then we will drive into the WMA, stopping frequently to look and listen. Bear Island consists of 12,021 acres of brackish water marshes, maritime forests, bottomland hardwoods, upland fields, and water-controlled impoundments, lagoons, etc. From the Bear Island WMA website: “Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, owned by the SC Department of Natural Resources, is managed to provide quality habitat for wintering waterfowl and other wetland wildlife including threatened and endangered species such as wood storks and bald eagles; to provide habitat for upland game and nongame species; and to provide recreational opportunities for the hunting and nonhunting public. Directions: From Savannah or Bluffton, take either 170 or I-95 to Hwy 17 heading east toward Charleston. Turn right onto Bennett’s Point Rd (if familiar with Donnelly, this turn-off is a few miles beyond it). Continue on Bennett’s Point Rd 13 miles. Entrance is on the left, on Titi Rd, about a mile after crossing the Ashepoo River. No facilities once you turn onto Bennett’s Point Road. The last chance for gas, snacks, bathrooms is a small gas station/store on Rte 17, shortly after the Donnelley entrance. And once at Bear, we often lose cell service, so warn Folks who might worry about you! Optional Extension: Karen Penale will lead this trip, and afterwards expects to continue for an unofficial afternoon of birding in Donnelley WMA. Participants are welcome to follow along. If interested, bring lunch! And plan to keep busy until 3 or later. HHIAudubon@hilton headaudubon.org Copyright ©2026 Hilton Head Audubon | All rights reserved | Privacy Policy