WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in South Carolina

By species reported, the top birding spots in South Carolina are Huntington Beach State Park, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, and Huntington Beach State Park (southwest). Huntington Beach State Park has the longest list (283 species), and its best season is fall.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Huntington Beach State ParkGeorgetown County28310,511196244175249
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical ParkCharleston County2403,372146160121214
Huntington Beach State Park (southwest)Georgetown County2262,136151167127167
Savannah National Wildlife RefugeJasper County2252,487152165118164
Hog IslandCharleston County2231,18814213397182
Scotts Lake (historical)Clarendon County2201,963145169117179
Bear Island Wildlife Management AreaColleton County2201,645155195133148
Santee River Basin MegasiteCharleston County2201,240149185113170
Huntington Beach State Park (Murrells Inlet)Georgetown County2091,488149142107141
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage PreserveCharleston County2071,859123155109180
Myrtle Beach State ParkHorry County2041,95212316089151
Pinckney Island National Wildlife RefugeBeaufort County2022,548134164111150
Conestee ParkGreenville County1947,332114169109161
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (Charleston, South Carolina)Charleston County1931,378129159110145
Caw Caw Interpretive CenterCharleston County1904,450123162116167
Cedar Reef VillasBeaufort County19052312012592161
The CoveCharleston County1883,344126141113153
The Cove (Fort Moultrie)Charleston County1871,0238112984158
Donnelley Wildlife Management AreaColleton County18490312414997125
Greenway Plantation PondCharleston County17867112014198121
Colclough PondClarendon County1783799113381142
Cherrys CrossingPickens County1771,9649814286146
Conway Dog ParkHorry County17773112413076125
Kathwood LakesAiken County1761,75699125116139
Bull IslandCharleston County17127810812050125
Jessamine PondGeorgetown County1701,32710513583120
Hunting Island State ParkBeaufort County17064111112096131
Ernest F. Hollings Ace Basin National Wildlife RefugeBeaufort County17048910815246116
Hartwell Recreation AreaAnderson County1681,0498213882119
Charles Towne Landing State Historic SiteCharleston County16776210012299139

By county