{"id":3251,"date":"2023-12-21T10:58:36","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T15:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=3251"},"modified":"2023-12-21T10:58:36","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T15:58:36","slug":"basic-guide-to-birding-on-hilton-head-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/basic-guide-to-birding-on-hilton-head-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Guide To Birding On Hilton Head Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


Hilton Head Island is an escape for many\u2014visitors and wildlife included! <\/strong>Often feeling secluded from the rest of the world, the island prides itself on prioritizing the natural landscape and protecting all local wildlife living from the tops of the sea pines and oaks, to species dwelling in the rivers, ponds, and surrounding ocean waters. Hilton Head is home to many bird species and is considered a premier site for shorebirds on the East Coast.<\/strong> In fact, at the end of every year, Hilton Head Audubon does a Christmas Bird Count that\u2019s considered the largest in the country, covering a 15-mile diameter circle that includes not only Hilton Head Island, but the Pinckney and Daufuskie Islands. You can read more about the process from\u00a0this Post and Courier article by Kelly Jean Kelly.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be able to observe some amazing natural habitats during your trip, regardless of the time of year. <\/strong>Read on for a basic birding guide that shows you a few birds you\u2019ll spot while you\u2019re out and about on the island, as well as a few that are harder to find but worth keeping an eye out for. We\u2019ve also included a list of locations on the island that are known to be great for birding that offer other activities and amenities. For more about winter wildlife in particular,\u00a0click this link to check out our specialty guide.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo Taken from Mitchelville Observation Deck<\/em>
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Photo Taken from Fish Haul Beach Boardwalk<\/em>
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Birding Locations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Audubon Newhall Preserve<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

55 Palmetto Bay Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Often thought of as the best spot for birding, the Audubon Newhall Preserve is located on the south end of Hilton Head Island, just off of Palmetto Bay Road. This preserve is 50 acres full of trails that let visitors explore the natural habitat free of charge. We do recommend donating to the preserve if you happen to visit, especially if you join in on one of the Nature Walks that start every Tuesday morning from September to May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sea Pines Forest Preserve<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing a Gate Pass is Required<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Within the Sea Pines property sits 605 acres of protected area. Open from sunrise to sunset, visitors can follow the trails and boardwalks for some exercise in the great outdoors, and even have the option to sign up for guided boat tours, horseback rides starting from nearby Lawton Stables, wagon tours, and even fishing expeditions. This preserve also sees migrating birds in the fall and spring, as well as a range of owls, hawks, songbirds, and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This 68-acre property is full of ways to discover local wildlife and even learn more about the Lowcountry in general. The museum is a Smithsonian affiliate, and although it is free to visit, donations are very much appreciated. There are scheduled talks, classes, and tours that cover a myriad of topics, but the staff operates guided bird walks and other nature tours that you\u2019ll want to sign up for. The Honey Horn property is easy to navigate if you\u2019d like to explore the trails, gardens, and boardwalks yourself. Along with events throughout the year, the property does have a butterfly enclosure that\u2019s open to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jarvis Creek Park<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

100 Jarvis Park Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Located on the north end of the island, Jarvis Creek Park is 53 acres and features a trail and large lake. The lake is stocked with fish, and features a fishing dock for your convenience. Fishermen aren\u2019t all that this lake attracts, as this is a popular spot for waterfowl throughout the year. Jarvis Creek Park is a great choice for those that just want to stretch their legs, and because this pathway is paved, it\u2019s also perfect for riding bikes as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fish Haul Beach Park<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

120 Mitchelville Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Not normally included in the group of popular beaches for tourists, Fish Haul is located on the north end of the island and looks out across the Port Royal Sound. You\u2019ll be able to see Parris Island to the left, and St Helena Island straight ahead. You tend to see more wildlife here because it\u2019s typically less crowded, and you\u2019ll be able to spot plenty of shorebirds on the beach and dunes. For another view, there\u2019s a path starting at the parking lot that leads you to a boardwalk that parallels the beach, but it\u2019s completely surrounded by marsh that\u2019s a great spot for birding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More Locations on HHI<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Green Shell Park<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Mitchelville Freedom Park<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Shelter Cove Marina<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Palmetto Bay Marina<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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More Locations Off HHI<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Cypress Wetlands in Port Royal, SC<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Sergeant Jasper Park in Hardeeville, SC<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A Few Birds to Lookout For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are more than 330 species of birds in the Lowcountry<\/strong>, so we\u2019ll only stick to some of the ones you\u2019ll see a lot of on your trip, and others that you\u2019ll want to keep an eye out for. For a more comprehensive guide, check out\u00a0Hilton Head Audubon\u2019s website<\/a><\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pine Warbler<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Great Blue Heron<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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James St. John, CC BY 2.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Common<\/em>s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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American Oystercatcher<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Dario Niz, CC BY 3.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Yellow-Crowned Night Heron<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Little Blue Heron<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Dori, CC BY-SA 3.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Marbled Godwit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Dick Daniels (http:\/\/theworldbirds.org\/), CC BY-SA 3.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Black-Bellied Whistling Duck<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Wildreturn, CC BY 2.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Belted Kingfisher<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Kevin Cole from Pacific Coast, USA (en:User:Kevinlcole), CC BY 2.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sanderling<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Ian Kirk from Broadstone, Dorset, UK, CC 2.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0<\/a><\/em>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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White Ibis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Painted Bunting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Andrew C, CC BY 2.0\u00a0https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bald Eagle<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Andy Morffew from Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, UK, CC BY 2.0\u00a0<\/em>https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hilton Head Island’s Winter Wildlife<\/a><\/blockquote>