Fall Bird Walk Schedule 2024

September: Jarvis Creek Park – Start Time 8:30am

Dates: 17th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
21st – Guide: Aaron Palmieri
27th – Guide: Carlos Chacon

Fall is an excellent time for birding on Hilton Head Island, and we’ll be visiting some terrific birding sites throughout the fall season. We’ll begin with our September walks, visiting one of our favorite locations - Jarvis Creek Park. September birding at Jarvis Creek Park is a real treat, because you never know what you’ll see. With its mix of pine and broadleaf forests, food-producing shrubs, and of course a freshwater pond, the park attracts a wide variety of birds. It’s certainly a favorite among fall migrants, such as a number of warblers, thrushes, sparrows, cuckoos and more. We’ll also be on the lookout for early winter residents arriving, along with plenty of year-round residents too. So grab your binoculars and join us for these early fall bird walks!

October: Pinckney Island NWP – Start Time 8:30am

Dates: 10th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
12th – Guide: Aaron Palmieri
22nd – Guide: Carlos Chacon
26th – Guide: Bob Speare

** Two additional dates TBD

In October, we’re headed to the avian wonderland of Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Situated between the bustling communities of Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, this 4000+ acre green space, surrounded by tidal creeks and salt marsh, is one of the top local birding areas at any time of the year. During the fall months, Pinckney is a favorite place for migrants moving through the area to rest and refuel before continuing on to their wintering grounds. We’ll pass through the lush Maritime Forest on the lookout for songbirds, woodpeckers, and more on our way to Ibis Pond, where the summer rookery turns to fall and winter habitat for a variety of waterbirds, warblers, sparrows, and others. Pinckney never disappoints, and there’s often plenty to see and hear right from the parking lot. Hope to see you there too!

November: Fish Haul Beach – Start Time Tide Dependent*

Dates: 14th – Guide: Bob Speare – Start Time 8:30am
16th – Guide: Aaron Palmieri – Start Time 9:30am
30th – Guide: Bob Speare – Start Time 9:30am
* 7th - Guide: Carlos Chacon – Pinckney Island – Start Time
8:30am

November is a perfect time to go to the beach on Hilton Head Island - if you’re a birder, that is! And this November we’ll visit one of the best beaches in the area for seeing shorebirds - Fish Haul Beach. Located at Fish Haul Beach Park, and near the mouth of the Port Royal Sound, Fish Haul attracts a large number of shorebirds throughout the fall and winter. Here, you can see the smallest sandpiper in the world, and the largest gull in North America. From sandpipers, terns, and gulls, to willets, oystercatchers, and turnstones, it’s the perfect place to see and learn about these fascinating birds, many who travel thousands of miles per year from their wintering grounds to their breeding grounds and back. Join us to witness these amazing birds who also visit Hilton Head for its beautiful shores and beaches.

Note: The specific start times for these walks is determined by the tides, so be aware they may begin later in the day than our regular bird walks.

December: Shelter Cove – Start Time – 8:30am

Dates: 5th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
12th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
17th – Guide: Carlos Chacon
** One additional date TBD