Santee National Wildlife Refuge/Bluff Unit: Situated on the
north shore of Lake Marion, opposite the town of Santee, this NWR has
about 71,000 acres of open water and marsh and about 3,000 acres of
uplands. Vast open fields are managed primarily for wintering waterfowl.
Wright's Bluff Wildlife Trail, with a short boardwalk, also includes a
high observation deck which offers sweeping vistas. Raptors, including
Barred Owls and Bald Eagles, are here year-around, as are numerous Wood
Ducks. The Bluff Unit is especially good for migrating shorebirds and
passerines. Top Ten SC Birding Hotspot!
Santee National Wildlife/Cuddo Unit, Dingle Pond, Pine Island
Units: This area is more inaccessible and much less popular than
Bluff (above), but usually has the best birding on the refuge. Dingle
Pond is a Carolina Bay (pocosin) which is filled with water throughout
the year, and swampy woodlands and upland pines are elsewhere.
Migrating shorebirds,
warblers and other songbirds should be present. Expect to do some
walking, but the pay-off is great. Along with the above, a Top Ten SC
Birding Hotspot!
Congaree National Park: This relatively new park on the north
side of the Congaree River downstream from Columbia protects 22,000
acres of giant bottomland hardwoods, a significant floodplain, and
upland pine forests. According to the National Park Service, this is
"the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the
continent." Congaree Swamp is an International Biosphere Reserve and a
Globally Important Bird Area. You may see any bird species associated
with these pristine habitats, notables being Yellow-crowned Night Heron
and possible lingering Prothonotary and
Swainson's Warbler. Another Top Ten SC Birding Hotspot!
Santee State Park: This 2,400 acre state park on the south side
of Lake Marion features a fishing pier with a sweeping view of the lake,
from which you may see gulls, wading birds, Anhingas, Osprey and Bald
Eagles. All species of woodpeckers found in South Carolina
are in the park, along with many owls. A 1.5 mile trail
from the picnic grounds leads through typical southern mixed hardwoods,
with attendant bird species possible. Fall is the best season for
birding here, since many migrating warblers are present.
Beidler Forest Audubon Sanctuary: The Nature Conservancy and
National Audubon teamed to preserve nearly 13,000 acres of bald
cypress-tupelo in Four Holes Swamp. The magnificent old-growth forest
there is accessed by a 1.75-mile boardwalk into the heart of this
ancient swamp. Expect birds of the deep woods, especially migrating
warblers.
Orangeburg Sod Farm: Arguably the best inland location in the
state for migrating shorebirds like Pectoral and Least Sandpiper, and
maybe even a rarity like American Golden-plover in late September! These
trips are expected to fill quickly; and it is first come, first served
for the 15 places on each outing.
Woods Bay State Natural Area: This 1,500-acre state property
embraces one of the most spectacular and least disturbed Carolina Bays
on the coastal plain between Delaware and north Florida. A half-mile
trail winds around an old millpond before leading into the bay itself
via a quarter-mile boardwalk through an outstanding bald cypress-tupelo
forest.
Another half-hour walk along an unmarked, but easily followed, trail
leads into very different ecosystems: mature oak-hickory woods and a
pine plantation surrounded by birdy brush and briars.
Warblers and sparrows are abundant, especially in fall.
Old Santee Canal Park: Built between 1793 and 1800, the
Old Santee Canal connected the Santee and Cooper Rivers, a distance of
22 miles, and operated for 50 years until shut down by drought and
burgeoning railroad transportation. There are three miles of trail and
boardwalks along canal banks, woods and the swamps of Biggin Creek; open
fields and live oak areas surround the parking lot. Consequently, look
for wading birds, osprey, lingering Painted Buntings, as well as
migrating warblers and sparrows.
There is a $2 per person charge at the park.
ACE Basin NWR/Bear Island WMA: Although this excursion involves
a 1.5-hour drive each way, the pay-off is well worth it! Bear Island
provides some of the most exciting birding in the state, year-around. It
is always good for Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls, Wood Storks, ibises,
herons and marsh birds; it can be good for shorebirds in spring and
fall. Hundreds of Mottled Ducks are residents, and thirteen Roseate
Spoonbills were on Mary's Pond last September. It seems that almost
anything is possible! A Top Ten SC Birding Spot!
Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve: These bluffs rise some 200
feet above the river, you have a dramatic view of the old growth forest
canopy below. This is a good place to see soaring birds - Anhingas, Wood
Storks, migrating raptors and more - often flying below you. On the
bluffs look for species associated with open Long-leaf Pine forest.
Congaree River Bottomlands: Along the Old State Road which ran
from Charleston to Asheville, and north to the Congaree River, is one of
the best places in central SC for birds. In late September there should
be numerous migrating raptors, sparrows and warblers.
(This trip has been cancelled, due to a bridge out.)
