Litchfield Field Trip Schedule and Descriptions

Litchfield Meeting Field Trip Descriptions

Trips 1, 7, 13, 17, 23 & 29 – Huntington Beach SP

Definitely one of the best birding sites in the Carolinas, the park contains three miles of beach and 2,500 acres of land. The park bird list contains over 300 species. From the causeway we should find migrating shorebirds. Most commonly seen species are Semipalmated, Western and Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plover, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, and from time to time, Black-necked Stilt. You also have the chance of seeing Solitary, White-rumped, Stilt, Buff-breasted (rare), and Pectoral Sandpipers and American Avocet. There is a nature center located at the marsh boardwalk that has a number of bird feeders, a good spot for lingering Painted Buntings. A boardwalk into a pond next to the Nature Center allows a good chance of seeing Clapper Rail and Seaside Sparrow. The jetty at the north end of the beach has produced some rarities and is worth the effort to make the walk. The entrance fee to the park is $5 per person or $3.25 for SC seniors, so bring your SC state park pass if you have one. Restrooms available

Trips 2, 8, 18 & 24 – Myrtle Beach SP

This park sits amid an oceanfront maritime forest. This is a good location for migrating warblers, thrushes and vireos, as it is one of the better wooded areas near the beach for many miles around. Since you will also be on a beach, this is a good location for shorebirds, gulls and terns. The park species list, kept since 1996, includes more than 200 species. Again, the entrance fee to the park is $5 per person or $3.25 for SC seniors, so bring your SC state park pass if you have one. Restrooms available

Trips 3, 9, 19 & 25 – South Tibwin Plantation

This area is located south of Litchfield just off of Highway 17. The woods in the plantation are good for migrating and wintering song birds. The creek here may have ibises, Wood Storks, herons and egrets. There is an impoundment that may have Roseate Spoonbills mixed in with the wading birds. Other target birds are Painted Bunting, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, and Bald Eagle.

Trips 4, 10, 20 & 26 – Waccamaw NWR

This is a fairly new refuge established in 1997, therefore not a lot has been written about it in bird guides. Located near Conway, SC, this large refuge has a long boardwalk through a marshy area. This is a good location for herons, egrets, Wood Storks, and other wading birds. This is also a good place to find fall migrants, according to the locals.

Trips 5, 16, 21 & 32 – Santee Coastal WMA

This is a good location to combine both driving and walking while birding. The wooded area is a good place for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Brown-headed Nuthatches. The Marshland Loop Trail leads to an impoundment that contains year-round Anhinga, Wood Stork, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black & King Rails, White-eyed Vireo, and Common Yellowthroat plus fall migrants.

Trips 6, 12, 22 & 28 – Hampton Plantation

Located South of Georgetown, SC, there is no fee unless you want to enter the plantation house. There is a two-mile loop trail that circles an abandoned rice field. The marshes are good for both King and Virginia Rails. The trail and wooded grounds are good for migrating song birds. Restrooms available

Trips 11 & 27 – South Litchfield Beach

Located just south of Huntington Beach SP off of Highway 17. Along the causeway is one of the best places in the area to see Clapper Rails plus other wading birds. There is about 1.3 miles of beach available for walking before reaching the end of the island. Keep an eye out for early sea ducks and resident pelicans. At the point of the island, gulls, terns and skimmers can often be found. Some of the western side of the island is also public and is good for sandpipers, dowitchers, and plovers.

Trips 14 & 30 – Bull Island

A great place to bird in South Carolina due to it being so remote. You have to take a ferry to get there at the cost of $40 per person. Having said that, it is definitely worth the price of admission. Birds to look for are pelicans, cormorants, Anhingas, herons, egrets, night-herons, ibises, Wood Stork, Osprey, Bald Eagle, and many species of shorebirds, gulls and terns. Some of the rarer species that might be seen are Parasitic Jaeger, Common Ground-Dove, Cave Swallow, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Clay-colored Sparrow, and Lark Sparrow. In addition, you might find Painted Bunting, Nelson's Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrow, and Seaside Sparrow. Be sure to bring everything you need for the day.

Trips 15 & 31 – I'on Swamp, Sewee, & Santee Delta

All three of these locations are a possibility for migrating song birds, especially in the wooded and swampy areas. Some of the species you might find are Red-shouldered Hawk, White-eyed Vireo, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Anhinga, Osprey, and Belted Kingfisher. Santee Delta East is predominately impounded rice fields (keep an eye out for King Rail), and Santee Delta West is impounded bottomland hardwood forest. These impoundments provide habitat for waterfowl, Bald Eagle, wading birds, shorebirds, and songbirds.

Litchfield Planning Notes

All trips leave from the hotel. Site directions will be available at registration. If you plan to meet your trip at the site, be sure to let your trip leader know in advance.

The times listed above are when the cars are lined up in the parking lot and leaving. Please be there at least 10 minutes early and identify yourself to the leader.

Be sure to pack a lunch for the all-day trips, and due to the tight schedules, you might want to pack a lunch for the half-day trips also. Restroom availability is noted in the trip descriptions.

We try to take as few vehicles as possible on field trips in order to save fuel, make caravanning easier, and to make better use of limited parking that exists at some stops. Please plan on carpooling, and if you would like to drive, let your trip leader know when you arrive for your outing. Late September can still be summer-like in the Low Country. Bring insect repellant, sunscreen, and sun protective clothing as needed. Conversely, be prepared for cool evenings and pack a sweater or jacket.

Spotting scopes are beneficial on trips visiting sites where shorebirding or ocean watching will occur. If you don't have your own, don't worry, there should be plenty around, but it's always nice to have your trusty scope at hand when that rare shorebird pops up!