Lynchburg Savanna Heritage Preserve
Robin Carter
Directions
From Exit 120 of I-20 near Bishopville, go south on SC 341. In 2.9 miles bear right on SC 527 for 7.7 miles. Here turn left (east) onto Road 327, CC Road, for about 3 miles to the preserve entrance on the left (north). The intersection of SC 527 and Road 327 is 3 miles north of US 76.
Birds to look for
Bachman's Sparrow (s), Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow (w), Henslow's Sparrow (w), LeConte's Sparrow (w), Fox Sparrow (w), Song Sparrow (w), Lincoln's Sparrow (w), Swamp Sparrow (w), White-throated Sparrow (w), Dark-eyed Junco (w), Blue Grosbeak (s), Indigo Bunting (m, s)
Description
Lynchburg Savanna Heritage Preserve is a medium-sized preserve that protects a remnant of the longleaf pine-toothache grass savanna habitat that was fairly common in the South Carolina Coastal Plain before European settlement. The preserve is most important for its plant life. Longleaf pine savannas are some of the most diverse ecosystems in North America.
The savanna in the preserve is not pristine. Most notably the old-growth longleaf pines that once were the crowning jewels of this area were logged before the property became a Heritage Preserve. For the birder this means that Lynchburg Savanna is no longer a good place to find Red-cockaded Woodpecker. (A few Red-cockaded Woodpeckers persist in the vicinity, notably at Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve. This species has been observed at Lynchburg Savanna in the past, but finding one today would be very unusual.)
Even without the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers Lynchburg Savanna is a popular destination for birders for one main reason—it has sparrows. There are lots of sparrows present at all seasons. Field Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows are common permanent residents, easily found at all seasons. Bachman's Sparrows are present year-round as well, but are usually located only when they are singing (roughly March through August). From April through June the ethereal song of the Bachman's Sparrow is one of the most common natural sounds at Lynchburg Savanna. With a bit of patience a birder can locate a singing Bachman's Sparrow, usually perched atop a low shrub or perhaps in a pine tree.
During the winter the permanent resident sparrows are joined by most of the wintering sparrows typically found in South Carolina. Goodies such as Lincoln's Sparrow are found regularly. In wet winters you might even flush a LeConte's Sparrow or Henslow's Sparrow from a grassy wet area.
Birding Lynchburg Savanna is easy. From the parking lot follow one of the old logging roads out into the preserve. Wander around for a while. If you are looking for LeConte's Sparrow or Henslow's Sparrow in winter you must be prepared to get off of the old road and slog about in the wet grassy areas at bit.
Other birds present are typical of the pinewoods and early successional habitats of central South Carolina. Rarities found nearby (although not yet on the heritage preserve property) include Common Ground-Dove, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Western Kingbird.
The preserve is open during daylight hours only, but if you are in the neighborhood at night you might well hear a Great Horned Owl. During spring and summer Whip-poor-wills are abundant and Chuck-will's-widows are fairly common.