Patriot's Point
Robin Carter
Directions
From the southern terminus of I-26 in Charleston go north on US 17 and take the first exit after crossing over the high bridge, West Coleman Boulevard. Go about 0.2 miles and then turn right (south) onto Patriot's Point Boulevard. Go for about 0.2 miles to a small parking area for the nature trail on the left, opposite the Omar Shrine Temple.
Birds to look for
Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk (fall), Cooper's Hawk (fall), Merlin (fall), Peregrine Falcon (fall), Clapper Rail, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird (fall), Loggerhead Shrike, House Wren (w), Veery (fall), Gray-cheeked Thrush (fall), Swainson's Thrush (fall), Wood Thrush (fall), Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing (spring), Orange-crowned Warbler (w), Nashville Warbler (fall), Northern Parula (spring, fall), Yellow Warbler (spring, fall), Chestnut-sided Warbler (fall), Magnolia Warbler (fall), Cape May Warbler (spring, fall), Black-throated Blue Warbler (spring, fall), Yellow-rumped Warbler (w), Black-throated Green Warbler (spring, fall), Prairie Warbler (spring, fall), Palm Warbler (w), Blackpoll Warbler (spring), Black-and-white Warbler (w), American Redstart (spring, fall), Worm-eating Warbler (spring, fall), Ovenbird (spring, fall), Northern Waterthrush (spring, fall), Connecticut Warbler (fall), Mourning Warbler (fall), Common Yellowthroat (w), Scarlet Tanager (fall), Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow (fall), Field Sparrow (w), Lark Sparrow (fall), Lincoln's Sparrow (w), White-crowned Sparrow (fall), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (fall), Dickcissel (fall), Bobolink (spring, fall), Painted Bunting (s)
Description
The small remaining areas of scrubby woods and weedy fields at Patriot's Point constitute one of the best migrant spots on the South Carolina coast, especially during fall migration. This is probably about the best spot in the state to look for Connecticut Warbler. The fall hawk migration can be very good as well. The nature trail leads to a small deck overlooking a bit of salt marsh and the Charleston harbor.
To find the best diversity of birds you will have to wander off of the nature trail and seek out any remaining weedy or scrubby areas. Many of the best of these areas have been cleared out for development and for “site improvement”, but enough remains to make Patriot's Point a good birding area.