Deveaux Bank officially closed for coastal birds

This week, the South Carolina legislature officially approved a change to state regulation that closes Deveaux Bank to public access from March 15 to October 15 annually to protect nesting and migratory coastal birds!

Deveaux Bank is a critically important seabird sanctuary managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and this effort brings Deveaux Bank in line with the protections afforded to our other SCDNR seabird sanctuaries, like Bird Key and Crab Bank.

We are chirping with excitement about this change as it serves as an example of a sensible solution to help address the challenges facing our coastal birds, striking a balance between wildlife and recreation.

We want to thank Senator Campsen (R – Charleston) and Representative Bradley (R – Beaufort) for their leadership and efforts to ensure this necessary conservation measure is in place in time for the 2025 nesting season.

Last spring and for the first time, SCDNR temporarily closed Deveaux Bank from public access during nesting season due to habitat loss and threats from human disturbance, with great success. According to SCDNR biologists, over 2,000 brown pelican nests were established during the 2024 nesting season. Today, nearly 40% of the East Coast’s nesting brown pelicans (our state seabird!) rely on the South Carolina coast, with Deveaux Bank at the top of the list.

Although there are many barrier islands along our coast, colonial nesting seabirds – such as brown pelicans, black skimmers, and various species of terns – require specific habitats and features to successfully raise their young. Deveaux Bank, at the mouth of the North Edisto River, is one of those unique places within our state for nesting seabirds.

In addition to nesting, Deveaux Bank boasts international importance as a refuge for migratory birds. In 2019, researchers discovered Deveaux Bank is the world’s largest known roost site for whimbrel, supporting 20,000 birds – half of the entire East Coast population. Deveaux Bank also supports one of the largest roosts in the Southeast for the federally threatened red knot.

Now, coastal birds utilizing Deveaux Bank can nest and rest a little easier without the threat of human disturbance, for this season and years to come.  

This change comes at an opportune time for celebration, as we reflect on the worldwide significance of this special place. Recently, Deveaux Bank was designated as a site of International Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, becoming only the 50th site in the United States to receive this recognition. The only other site in South Carolina is Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. SCDNR is hosting a celebration on March 26 to honor the designation, and space is limited, so check out the details here and register now as we join them in celebrating Deveaux Bank.  

From our efforts to help restore Crab Bank, to safeguarding critical food sources for the federally threatened red knot, and now the annual closure of Deveaux Bank – advocating to protect our coastal birds and the habitat they rely on has been a pillar of our wildlife work for decades. By prioritizing thoughtful management of the places wildlife rely on, we can ensure our coastal birds have the places they need to nest, rest, and feast along our coast and we can do our part to help give them a flying chance.