Free as a Bird Now

West Ashley resident Marc Haley is a man drawn to music and nature. Both have shaped his life. He played guitar as a young man, loves radio, and later became a local disc jockey at 98 WCCG, now known as 98 Rock in South Windemere. But today his favorite music flies straight to him from the birds visiting his backyard. His gift to the West Ashley community is the enormous passion he brings to whatever he does, and he’s certainly passionate about bringing birds into people’s lives.
Haley especially likes Eastern bluebirds and painted buntings. “It’s funny, that’s what I do all day at work, help people with their backyard habitats, and then I head home to do just that: watch my birds,” says Haley. He has a feeding station and keeps track of which birds come and go, and finds it relaxing, enjoyable, and addictive.
Maybe you are one of the people who stop in at the nature shop in West Ashley where he works, and benefit from his knowledge of the region’s native wildlife and migratory birds. Eager to help, Haley is thrilled when customers come back and say, “‘I did what you said, and it worked!’” For instance, the best way to attract bluebirds is to put up a birdhouse in an open area. Or maybe you’ve done everything right, know there’s a nest built, but no fledglings have taken flight. Did you put up a baffle under the birdhouse? That’s what keeps snakes, particularly a species called the rat snake, from seeking out and devouring the baby birds, according to Haley.
Haley’s suggestions help people create wildlife paradise in their own backyard.
“He definitely knows his stuff,” says co-worker Dan Rainey. The men have worked together at Wild Birds Unlimited for several years.
Indeed, Haley quickly rattles off facts about birds. “They hunt via eyesight, and if you want a successful habitat, they must have three things: food, water and shelter.” Black oil sunflower seed and shelled peanuts are main staples, says Haley. And unlike Carolina chickadees and titmice, which can hold a shell between their feet to crack it open, some birds don’t have that ability, so you’ll attract a wider array of wildlife with peanuts, such as woodpeckers. Haley also uses suet. “My chickadees are all over my suet log, and the fledglings are devouring it, but if you want to see painted buntings, try white millet,” he says.
Having water available is essential. A birdbath could be as simple as a shallow dish of water. Haley’s seen three bluebirds at a time lined up to bathe in a dish.
He got started working at the nature shop in an unusual way. He was crabbing at Edgewater on Wappoo road as a treat for himself, to celebrate his birthday. While crabbing, he slipped, fell on an oyster bed, and slashed his ankle. Three days and 14 stitches later, his ankle was swollen like a balloon. Doctors wanted to hospitalize him, but he resisted, not having medical insurance at the time. Another man came in the room and said, “‘Look, if you stay, it’ll keep you from losing your leg.’” So, there was Haley, searching the help-wanted ads while confined for thirty days at the hospital, when he spotted the posting for Wild Birds Unlimited. “Almost immediately after getting hired, I realized, ‘I love this job,’” says Haley. “I will stay there until I retire.”
Haley’s boss, Christina Fifer, moved to West Ashley in February as the new owner of the store, and says she feels extremely fortunate to have Haley on board. She definitely wants him to stay. “He has the passion, the knowledge, and the desire to help people,” says Fifer.
Haley also holds a degree in computing, but has found his niche at the nature shop. “It’s the best job since my radio days,” he says. “The computer and satellite have made radio jobs harder to get into, ending my 17-year career.” Oh, well, he’s happy, and believes nature lovers tend to be nice people. Recently, a customer brought him a backscratcher after seeing him try to relieve a bug bite with a ruler. Her gift made his day.
When Haley’s not watching birds, he loves to listen to old hippy tunes. He no longer performs in a band, saying he’s moved on from that lifestyle. As a nine-year-old in Walterboro, he recalls wanting a guitar so badly. He used to strum a tennis racket and dream. At age 14, he got his first guitar and taught himself to play. “I listened to records and played along with other musicians who were better than me.” His hidden mentor was Jimi Hendrix. His favorite song is “Mississippi Kid,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The pinnacle of his career in radio came when he met Lynyrd Skynyrd, a group he loved listening to as a kid.
These days, Haley has found his bit of heaven in nature’s birdsong.
 
Lisa Weatherwax earned the Matrix Table Promise of Excellence Award. Reach her at weatherwaxwrites@aol.com