Birding in the South Carolina Lowcountry

The South Carolina coast is such a rich and diverse area for birding that it should be on your bucket list…

Come join master birder and naturalist, Bob Speare, as he takes you to some of the most wonderful areas for birding in the Lowcountry. We’ll visit a variety of picturesque locations such as Old Town Bluffton, the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, and Hilton Head Island. Also, as part of this wonderful experience you will also savor the food of the Lowcountry Region as you enjoy special cuisine found only here. We are, in fact, spoiled: over the course of the year, a visitor might encounter 250 species of birds in this area. The area’s nature trails give visitors the opportunity to encounter all sorts of wildlife in the nearby woods. Learn birding techniques and hone them as you observe birds during migration along the Atlantic Flyway. Spot shorebirds, raptors, songbirds and other seasonal travelers.

Highlights:

•          Visit the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and Pinckney Island National Refuge.

• Stop in Old Bluffton along the meandering May River shoreline for spectacular views of what locals call the last true coastal village of the South.”

•         On Hilton Head Island, follow a shaded trail through a maritime forest.

Our venue for this adventure is just 15 minutes from I-95, our LifeTides community is nestled on a marsh island near the headwaters of the Broad River. Knowles Island is a Lowcountry masterpiece. At 350 acres, Knowles is the largest island of the area's chain of salt marsh islands, or Keys. Historically part of Roseland Plantation, Knowles Island today is serene and natural: salt breezes waft through Spanish moss hanging from massive live oaks. Today, 750 acres of protected salt marsh flora and aquatic inhabitants surround us.

Activity Particulars:

You will arrive at various field sites using LifeTides 15-passenger bus. Over the course of one day you may walk up to 2 to 3 miles, sometimes over uneven terrain. You are welcome to bring a folding, or umbrella chair or spotting stool for your comfort. All locations are subject to change due to weather and seasonal restrictions due to hunting in the region. So that you can get the most out of your experience all of our birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 13:1.

Accommodations: You will be assigned accommodations once you register for the event. All cottages have two private en suites with a shared living area. The accommodations are spacious, comfortable and are in keeping with the architecture of South Carolina’s Lowcountry coastal environment. If you have any specific questions about this or other aspects of the program, please get touch through the following form or click on the button below: