Birding the ACE
The ACE Basin offers some of the best bird watching in South Carolina.
More than 50,000 acres of public lands provide numerous birding opportunities. A variety of habitats – planted pine, pine-hardwoods, bottomland hardwoods, managed wetlands, maritime forest, estuarine marshes and beaches – provide food and cover for more than 265 species of resident and migrant birds. USGS Bird Checklist for the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
The following public areas are open for bird watching and general nature study on the schedules indicated.
Bear Island
Wildlife Management Area
With 12,000 acres of managed wetlands, scattered stands of pine and agricultural fields, Bear Island WMA attracts waterfowl, bald eagles, wading birds, shorebirds, hawks and songbirds. The 5500 acres of wetlands are managed primarily for waterfowl, wading birds and migrating shore birds. During the winter several pairs of bald eagles nest at Bear Island and both adults and immatures use the property much of the year. Access includes two observation platforms, main road (driving), and miles of dikes (walking). A spotting scope is a must. The best birding is in early fall and late winter. The area is open to the general public from February 1 – October 14, except on Sundays.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
Miles of dirt roads crisscross 8,000 acres of pine and pine-hardwood uplands, bottomland hardwoods, managed wetlands, and agricultural fields. A nature trail with interpretive literature is available. The 2.5-mile trail crosses wetlands once used for growing rice, and upland hardwood forest. A driving trail, with literature covers much of the diverse property. Late winter through late spring is best for a variety of species from waterfowl and wading birds to migrating warblers. The area is open year round to the general public except on Sundays and during scheduled hunts. For information on Bear Island and Donnelley call SCDNR at (843) 844-8957.
ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
With more than 11,000 acres in two units, the refuge is managed for wildlife diversity and offers excellent birding from several access points. During spring and summer Neo-tropical migrants, especially painted buntings, are abundant, while managed wetlands attract waterfowl, wading birds and shore birds in fall and winter. Open throughout the year except during scheduled hunts. For information contact the Refuge headquarters at (843) 889-3084.
An excellently maintained trail on Westvaco property off Hwy 17 at Jacksonboro. This trail winds through bottomland hardwoods, offering good birding for spring warblers, and other migrant and resident passerines. Both swallow-tailed kites and Mississippi kites nest in the area during spring and early summer. Open throughout the year.
The diversity of habitats at Edisto Beach State Park offers numerous birding opportunities. A four-mile nature trail winds through maritime forests and along tidal saltmarsh and harbors everything from warblers to wading birds. The 1.5 miles of beach provide good opportunities for shorebirds. The park is open year-round. For information contact the park office at (843) 869-2756.
Hunting Island State Park contains 2,500 acres of maritime forest, four miles of beach, a saltwater lagoon and acres of saltmarsh. A 0.7-mile board walks leads through a portion of the saltmarsh and provides good viewing for shore and wading birds. The lagoon offers viewing for a variety of species. For information contact the park office at (843) 838-2011.
The 643-acre Dungannon Heritage Preserve in Charleston County was acquired to protect one of South Carolina’s top nesting colonies of the federally endangered wood stork. It also provides nesting and feeding habitat for numerous other birds including osprey, anhinga, great egrets, and great blue herons.
Dungannon Heritage Preserve consists of two primary habitat types: 320 acres of bald cypress-tupelo gum swamp and 323 acres of mixed upland forest. The cypress-tupelo gum swamp was created in the 1800’s to provide a freshwater reserve for downstream rice fields.
Dungannon Heritage Preserve contains several excellent trails where the visitor can walk through the property with ease. The best months for viewing migrants and nesting birds are April-June. For information contact (843) 844-8957.
The Caw Caw Interpretive Center is comprised of several former rice plantations that operated during the 18th and most of the 19th century. Still evident today are the earthen dikes, rice field trunks, and canals. This wildlife sanctuary provides habitat for more than 350 species of plants, 230 species of birds, and many other animals such as otters and alligators. Hours are Wednesday-Friday 9a.m. –3 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 9a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. No pets or bicycles allowed. Individual admission is $1.00. For information contact (843) 889-8898.