Birding

From Piping Plovers at Folly Beach County Park to Painted Buntings at Palmetto Islands County Park, a wide variety of bird species can be seen within the Charleston County Park system.


One park in particular, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, is noted for its rich bird life. Located in Ravenel, Caw Caw is a birding hotspot for coastal South Carolina. Over 270 species of birds (PDF) have been seen among the many habitats on the Caw Caw property. Prothonotary warblers flash brilliant yellow in the cypress swamp during spring and summer months, just as swallow-tailed kites soar overhead. Summer also offers the chance to see the colorful painted bunting or the bright blue indigo bunting along the forest edges.

Birding at Caw Caw

Caw Caw Interpretive Center has many acres of former rice fields that are now managed to support wildlife. These impoundments offer valuable habitat for many birds including wrens, wading birds, sparrows, and rails such as king rail. The water in and around these impoundments provide food for bald eagles and osprey that nest on-site each year.


Birding Programs (Preregistration Required)

Birding programs are offered not only at Caw Caw Interpretive Center, but at other Charleston County Park locations and statewide locations as well. Preregistration is required, register online or by calling Park & Program Services at 843-795-4386.

Early Morning Bird Walks

  • Wednesdays and Saturdays
  • 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. followed by an optional checklist
  • Caw Caw Interpretive Center
  • Register online

Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve Bird Walks

Custom Birding Programs

  • We can create a custom birding program just for your group (5 or more people) at a variety of locations in our area. Please contact Keith McCullough (Nature Interpretation Coordinator) at kmccullough@ccprc.com to learn more.