Birding and Wildlife Around Georgetown

Abandoned rice fields turn out to make extraordinary bird habitat. Two centuries after the last commercial crop, the dikes and impoundments around Georgetown are among the best places to watch birds on the Atlantic coast.

What makes this area special. Five rivers, a large estuary, thousands of acres of tidal marsh, maritime forest, and old rice impoundments that still hold water. That combination supports an unusual range of species in a small geographic area — wading birds, shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl and neotropical migrants all in the same county.

Huntington Beach State Park in Georgetown County is widely regarded as one of the best birding sites in South Carolina, with a causeway, freshwater lagoon, salt marsh, beach and maritime forest all accessible in one visit.

Hobcaw Barony covers thousands of acres of undeveloped land on the Waccamaw Neck, managed as a research reserve. Access is by scheduled tour rather than open admission.

The Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center occupies islands at the mouth of Winyah Bay and is accessible only by arranged tour.

From the water. Kayaking the tidal creeks puts you closer to wading birds than any trail will. Osprey, bald eagles, egrets, herons and wood storks are all regular sightings.

When to come. Spring and fall migration are peak. Winter brings waterfowl. Summer is hot but the wading bird rookeries are active.

Bring. Binoculars, insect repellent, and more patience than you think you need.