WhenToBird

2 grosbeak species in South Carolina

When Do Grosbeaks Arrive in South Carolina?

Adult male Blue Grosbeak
Photo: John Rosford, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Blue Grosbeaks and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are the grosbeaks you are most likely to see in South Carolina. Blue Grosbeaks reach South Carolina in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (11% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone bySep 1-7early September

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by early September. Peak: on about 11% of South Carolina checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Grosbeaks in South Carolina, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Blue GrosbeakApr 8-14Apr 15-21May 8-14Sep 1-711%
Rose-breasted GrosbeakSep 1-7Sep 1-7Oct 1-7Nov 1-75.3%
0%5%10%15%Blue GrosbeakRose-breasted GrosbeakJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Blue Grosbeak
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in South Carolina that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in South Carolina

Best counties for Blue Grosbeak

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Williamsburg CountyBest the second week of August · 16 checklists that week, 1,512 in all64%
  2. Allendale CountyBest the second week of June · 20 checklists that week, 1,172 in all56%
  3. Marion CountyBest mid June · 16 checklists that week, 327 in all52%
  4. Lee CountyBest late July · 15 checklists that week, 1,310 in all49%
  5. Chesterfield CountyBest the second week of August · 14 checklists that week, 1,880 in all45%
  6. Cherokee CountyBest the second week of July · 44 checklists that week, 2,823 in all44%

Common questions

When do grosbeaks arrive in South Carolina?
Blue Grosbeaks reach South Carolina in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (11% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.
When do grosbeaks leave South Carolina?
Most Blue Grosbeaks have left South Carolina by early September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of October.
When is the best time to see grosbeaks in South Carolina?
The Blue Grosbeak is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 11% of South Carolina checklists.
Which grosbeaks are in South Carolina?
Blue Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak are reported regularly; the Blue Grosbeak is the most common.