Birding in South Carolina

Explore 50 birding hotspots across wetland, forest, coastal, urban park, grassland, lake habitats in South Carolina.

50

Locations

93+

Notable Species

6

Habitat Types

4

Peak Seasons

Complete South Carolina Birding Guide

Top locations, species, seasonal tips, and more

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Birding Locations in South Carolina

Boardwalk through ancient bald cypress swamp at Francis Beidler Forest

South Carolina

Easy

Francis Beidler Forest

World's largest virgin bald cypress swamp with elevated boardwalk access.

WetlandForestSpringSummer
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge - Combahee Unit

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 218 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 260 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Brookgreen Botanical Gardens

Urban Park birding hotspot in South Carolina with 230 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 233 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Challenging

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge - Bulls Island

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 283 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge - Garris Landing, Awendaw

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 224 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
a large alligator laying on top of a lush green forest

South Carolina

Moderate

Caw Caw Interpretive Center

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 249 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Charles Towne Landing

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 225 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Clemson Aquaculture/Calhoun Laboratory Field

Grassland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 213 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
a grassy field with trees in the background

South Carolina

Moderate

Conestee Nature Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 228 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Congaree National Park (Congaree Swamp)

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 208 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Challenging

Dewees Island

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 241 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Dobbins Farm, Townville SC (sensitive site - respect farm operations)

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 233 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Challenging

East Kiawah Island

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 277 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Edisto Beach State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 234 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Fish Haul Beach Park

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 243 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Folly Beach County Park

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 219 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Fort Moultrie National Monument

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 281 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Heritage Shores Nature Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 208 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Challenging

Hilton Head Island

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 230 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Hobcaw Barony

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 225 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Hunting Island State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 257 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
a river running through a lush green field

South Carolina

Easy

Huntington Beach State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 340 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Huntington Beach State Park - Mullet Pond

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 262 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Huntington Beach State Park - North Beach/Jetty/Dunes Trail

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 286 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

James Island County Park

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 217 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Lake Busbee

Lake birding hotspot in South Carolina with 214 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 269 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Litchfield Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 226 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Magnolia Cemetery

Urban Park birding hotspot in South Carolina with 202 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 262 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Myrtle Beach State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 268 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Orangeburg Sod Farms

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 212 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Patriot's Point - nature trail and surrounding areas

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 272 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Challenging

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 262 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Saint Christopher Camp and Conference Center

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 228 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Santee National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 246 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Cuddo Unit

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 229 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Easy

Santee State Park

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 213 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 282 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
a large body of water surrounded by trees

South Carolina

Moderate

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge - Laurel Hill Wildlife Dr

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 288 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge - Tupelo Trail

Wetland birding hotspot in South Carolina with 200 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Sea Pines Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 232 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Silver Bluff Audubon Center & Sanctuary

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 215 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Challenging

Sullivan's Island

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 216 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

The Avian Conservation Center

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 208 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

South Carolina

Challenging

Waties Island

Coastal birding hotspot in South Carolina with 227 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Whitehouse Road loop

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 211 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

South Carolina

Moderate

Wild Dunes

Forest birding hotspot in South Carolina with 201 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall

Notable Species

Key species found across birding locations in South Carolina:

Prothonotary WarblerBarred OwlYellow-throated WarblerMississippi KiteAcadian FlycatcherBlack VultureTurkey VultureOspreyCooper's HawkCarolina ChickadeeMottled DuckCommon GallinuleAmerican CootPied-billed GrebeDouble-crested CormorantBuffleheadHooded MerganserAmerican OystercatcherWilletLaughing Gull

Habitats & Best Seasons

Habitat Types:

WetlandForestCoastalUrban ParkGrasslandLake

Best Seasons:

SpringSummerFallWinter

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots in South Carolina?
The top birding locations in South Carolina include Francis Beidler Forest, ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge - Combahee Unit, Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area, Brookgreen Botanical Gardens, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge - Bulls Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge - Garris Landing, Awendaw, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Charles Towne Landing, Clemson Aquaculture/Calhoun Laboratory Field, Conestee Nature Preserve, Congaree National Park (Congaree Swamp), Dewees Island, Dobbins Farm, Townville SC (sensitive site - respect farm operations), East Kiawah Island, Edisto Beach State Park, Fish Haul Beach Park, Folly Beach County Park, Fort Moultrie National Monument, Heritage Shores Nature Preserve, Hilton Head Island, Hobcaw Barony, Hunting Island State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park - Mullet Pond, Huntington Beach State Park - North Beach/Jetty/Dunes Trail, James Island County Park, Lake Busbee, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, Litchfield Beach, Magnolia Cemetery, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Myrtle Beach State Park, Orangeburg Sod Farms, Patriot's Point - nature trail and surrounding areas, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Saint Christopher Camp and Conference Center, Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Cuddo Unit, Santee State Park, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge - Laurel Hill Wildlife Dr, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge - Tupelo Trail, Sea Pines Forest Preserve, Silver Bluff Audubon Center & Sanctuary, Sullivan's Island, The Avian Conservation Center, Waties Island, Whitehouse Road loop, Wild Dunes. Each offers unique habitats and species.
When is the best time to go birding in South Carolina?
The best seasons for birding in South Carolina are Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area. Winter offers opportunities for cold-weather specialties and waterfowl.
What birds can I see in South Carolina?
Notable species in South Carolina include Prothonotary Warbler, Barred Owl, Yellow-throated Warbler, Mississippi Kite, Acadian Flycatcher, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, and more. The state supports wetland, forest, coastal, urban park, grassland, lake habitats.

Plan Your Birding Trip

Get the most out of your birding adventure in South Carolina with our expert guides.