This Saturday (May 11, 2024), some local organizations will host the first of two biannual World Migratory Bird Days, educational events for the entire family that include a “nurdle hunt.” Interested parties should meet at the Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park (1 Vendue Range) at 3 pm.
The Lowcountry is renowned for its amazing variety of shore birds, including many migratory birds. Here, like in much of the world, a big threat to birds is human disturbance to critical habitats, such as habitat fragmentation and removal. A more silent, but growing type of human disturbance, is the issue of microplastics. One type of microplastic is something known as nurdles (plastic pellets). These were intentionally made as a microplastic and function as the building blocks of plastic manufacturing, an intermediary between a raw material and a completed product. Birds and other aquatic life sometimes mistake these plastic pellets for prey, as they can resemble tadpoles or fish eggs. This is one way that plastic moves through the food chain and can lead to detrimental health effects.
Plastic pellets are estimated to be the second-most common type of primary microplastic in marine environments.
During the events, local experts will speak about migratory birds, nurdles in and around Charleston, local plastic bag legislation, and the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act -- a Congressional solution to our national plastic pellet pollution problem. Katie Abare, Policy Coordinator for Charleston Surfrider Foundation, will speak about nurdles in and around Charleston and will lead the nurdle count within the tidal marsh. Brooke Blosser with the Coastal Conservation League will speak about migratory birds and local plastic bag legislation.
