About the Club

Mission Statement

The Carolina Bird Club is a non-profit organization that represents and supports the birding community in the Carolinas through its website, publications, meetings, workshops, trips, and partnerships, whose mission is


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The Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association open to anyone interested in the study and conservation of wildlife, particularly birds.

The Club meets each winter, spring, and fall at different locations in the Carolinas. Meeting sites are selected to give participants an opportunity to see many different kinds of birds. Guided field trips and informative programs are combined for an exciting weekend of meeting with people who share an enthusiasm and concern for birds.

The Club offers research grants in avian biology for undergraduate and graduate students, and scholarships for young birders.

The Club publishes two print publications (now also available online). The Chat is a quarterly ornithological journal that contains scientific articles, reports of bird records committees and bird counts, and general field notes on bird sightings. CBC Newsletter is published bimonthly and includes birding articles and information about meetings, field trips, and Club news.

The Club provides this website to all for free.

By becoming a member, you support the activities of the Club, receive reduced registration fee for meetings, can participate in bonus field trips, and receive our publications.

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Meeting info

Field Trip Schedule and Descriptions

Friday, April 24
Half-day Morning Half-day Afternoon All-day
Trip 1Timmerman Trail6:30am
Trip 2Saluda River Walk6:30am
Trip 3Three Rivers Greenway/Riverfront Park-Diversion Dam6:30am
Trip 4Congaree National Park6:15am
Trip 5Timmerman Trail1:00pm
Trip 6Saluda Shoals Park (fee)12:45pm
Trip 7Whitehouse Road Loop1:00pm
Trip 814 Mile Creek & Gibson Pond Park12:45pm
Trip 9Congaree National Park6:15am
Trip 10Santee National Wildlife Refuge6:00am
Trip 11Lynches Woods + Dreher Island State Park (fee)6:15am
Saturday, April 25
Half-day Morning Half-day Afternoon All-day
Trip 12Timmerman Trail6:30am
Trip 13Saluda River Walk/Riverbanks Zoo trail to Boyd Island6:30am
Trip 14Three Rivers Greenway/Riverfront Park-Diversion Dam6:30am
Trip 15Camden Riverfront Environmental Park6:15am
Trip 16Congaree National Park6:15am
Trip 17Timmerman Trail1:00pm
Trip 18Saluda Shoals Park (fee)12:45pm
Trip 19Whitehouse Road Loop1:00pm
Trip 2014 Mile Creek & Gibson Pond Park12:45pm
Trip 21Congaree National Park6:15am
Trip 22Santee National Wildlife Refuge6:00am
Trip 23Lynches Woods + Dreher Island State Park (fee)6:15am

Field Trip Descriptions

Trips 1, 5, 12 & 17 – Timmerman Trail
The 3.5-mile paved Timmerman Trail in Cayce, South Carolina, offers a tranquil, accessible birding destination, providing a swift escape from urban surroundings into mature, wooded habitats along Congaree Creek. As part of the Three Rivers Greenway, this scenic trail allows birders to easily spot various woodland species while traversing shady, forested corridors and picturesque water views. Restrooms are not available directly on the Timmerman Trail itself, but they are accessible nearby at connected park facilities. The Timmerman Trail is part of the larger Cayce Riverwalk network.
Trip 2 – Saluda River Walk
The Saluda Riverwalk is a premier birding destination offering a 3-mile, easily accessible, and scenic paved trail along the Saluda River. Birdwatchers can spot a diverse range of species, particularly during spring and summer migrations, including various warblers, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, and Yellowthroated Vireo. The area is known for its riparian habitat, featuring Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and, depending on the season, various waterfowl. Restrooms are primarily located at the main parking area rather than along the trail itself.
Trips 3 & 14 – Three Rivers Greenway/Riverfront Park-Diversion Dam
This section of the Three Rivers Greenway offers an excellent urban birding experience, featuring a mix of mature riparian forest, the historic canal, and the bustling Broad River. Birders can easily spot species such as Osprey, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, and Belted Kingfishers, particularly near the water's edge and the rocky shoal areas of the dam. The paved, accessible trail provides sweeping, elevated views of the riverbank, offering excellent opportunities for spotting woodland birds in the surrounding trees while listening to the tranquil, flowing water. Restrooms are available at the Broad River diversion dam area at the end of the 2.5-mile trail where it reaches the canal diversion dam.
Trips 4, 9, 16, & 21 – Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is a premier birding destination, protecting the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. Recognized as an Important Bird Area, this floodplain ecosystem hosts nearly 200 bird species, including priority species like Swainson's Warblers, Wood Storks, and Swallow-tailed Kites. Visitors can explore diverse habitats via hiking trails, the elevated boardwalk, or by canoeing Cedar Creek, offering exceptional opportunities to spot woodland birds, warblers, and raptors in a tranquil, ancient forest setting. The main, modern, and accessible restrooms (including a 24-hour family restroom) are located at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Vault toilets (no running water) are also available at the Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds.
Trips 6 & 18 – Saluda Shoals Park (fee — $5 per car; $4 for residents)
Saluda Shoals Park is a premier 480-acre nature-focused destination along the Saluda River, offering exceptional birding opportunities through its extensive network of paved and natural trails. As a vital habitat for passerine migrants, the park is excellent for spotting species like the Broad-winged Hawk, Wood Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, and various vireos, particularly during migration seasons. The diverse riverine, forested, and open habitats, along with a river observation deck, provide easy access for viewing, while the nearby Lake Murray Dam offers opportunities for viewing additional waterbird species. Facilities, including restrooms are strategically located throughout the 400-acre park near major activity hubs, trails, and picnic areas.
Trips 7 & 19 – Whitehouse Road Loop
The Whitehouse Road Loop, located near Columbia, South Carolina, is a productive, accessible birding hotspot, best explored by car or slow walk. This varied route features agricultural fields, grassy patches, woodlands, and water sources, including the East Richland wastewater plant, which attracts a diverse array of species. Key sightings include Palm Warblers and nesting Cliff Swallows in their respective seasons, alongside various sparrows, raptors, and wading birds, though birders must respect private property and avoid trespassing. No specific, regularly maintained public restrooms are located directly along the Whitehouse Road loop/Old Bluff Road area leading to the Congaree National Park entrance. It is recommended to use facilities at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center inside the park or at businesses before entering the more rural, forested areas.
Trips 8 & 20 – 14 Mile Creek & Gibson Pond Park
Located in Lexington near Columbia, Fourteen Mile Creek Trail and the nearby Gibson Pond Park offer a prime birding destination combining, dense woodlands, riparian corridors, and calm water habitats. Fourteen Mile Creek features a 1.7-mile paved trail that meanders through mature, wooded areas perfect for observing woodland birds, while Gibson Pond Park provides a 15-acre oasis with a quiet, fish-filled, and wooded pond area that attracts water-loving species. Together, these sites create a peaceful, accessible, and diverse, riparian, and upland habitat for spotting various, migratory, and resident avian species. Restrooms are available at Gibson Pond Park, but there are no official public restrooms directly on the Fourteen Mile Creek Trail.
Trips 10 & 22 – Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Located on the shores of South Carolina's Lake Marion, Santee National Wildlife Refuge is a premier, 15,000-acre birding destination boasting nearly 300 recorded species, particularly renowned for its massive wintering populations of waterfowl, including geese and ducks. The refuge offers diverse habitats—from pine forests to freshwater marshes—accessible via the 7.5-mile Cuddo Unit wildlife drive, the Wrights Bluff Nature Trail, and Dingle Pond's observation tower, where visitors can spot raptors, wading birds like the Wood Stork, and neotropical migrants. Restrooms are available at the visitor center (open Tuesday through Friday, 8 AM–4 PM). Additionally, there is a vault toilet located at the Marsh Edge trail on the road leading to the Observation deck.
Trips 11 & 23 – Lynches Woods + Dreher Island State Park (fee — $3 per adult 6+, $1.50 for South Carolina seniors 65+, and $1 for children ages 6–15)

Lynch's Woods Park, located near Newberry just outside Columbia, South Carolina, is a 276-acre woodland oasis offering excellent birding opportunities within a mature forest setting. Established in 1934, this diverse habitat features old-growth hardwoods and pine stands surrounding the serene Rocky Branch Creek, providing varied nesting and foraging spots for woodland birds.

Dreher Island State Park, situated in the heart of Lake Murray, offers a diverse birding experience blending dense woodlands with expansive water views, making it ideal for both land and aquatic species. Birders can spot Osprey, Bald Eagles, and Purple Martins, alongside migratory warblers and various duck species. The park's habitat, consisting of pines and hardwoods along the shoreline, provides excellent opportunities to observe both migratory and resident birds in a serene environment. Restrooms are available at both locations.

Trip 13 – Saluda River Walk/Riverbanks Zoo trail to Boyd Island
The Saluda Riverwalk section from the Riverbanks Zoo area to Boyd Island is a premier, accessible birding destination offering a 3.6-mile paved and boardwalk trail. Passing through lush woodlands and alongside the river's edge, this route provides excellent viewing opportunities for river-loving species, including wading birds, Osprey, and various songbirds. The trail culminates in the serene, elevated, and shaded boardwalk loop surrounding the Sanctuary at Boyd Island, which offers a unique, panoramic vantage point for spotting birds in the riparian habitat. While there are no restrooms directly on Boyd Island, facilities are conveniently located near the primary parking areas at the trailhead and in the center of the trail system.
Trip 15 – Camden Riverfront Environmental Park
Camden Environmental Park is an environmental jewel located on the banks of the Wateree River. It is a mecca for all types of birds. The park is 26 acres and features a half mile meandering waterway, which hosts fish and improves birding, waterfowl, and wildlife habitats. Ebird Hotspot with 165 species. Easy Walking. Fall