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Carolina Bird Watching

© Stephen Strother

It is almost inevitable for the nature enthusiast to become a bird lover. Of all the creatures of the earth it is birds that are most commonly experienced. You don’t even have to go out of your way to see or hear them. I don’t know how many times I have awakened early in the morning to the sound of a bird chirping in the yard outside. Often, as soon as I step outside the house or open my car door I am greeted by the happy sounds of a bird calling. When I first started taking nature walks again two years ago, next to plant life it was birds that I noticed to be most prevalent. Wherever I went walking there were birds to see. Around the neighborhood I would see American crows, bluebirds, mockingbirds, and cardinals. On lakeshore nature trails I saw mallard ducks, mergansers, ruddy ducks, Canadian geese, and blue hearings. At the beach, I would see sea gulls, terns, pelicans, and osprey. Quickly I began to develop an appreciation for all birds. I bought a pair of binoculars so that I could see them up close and in more detail. I discovered that in the woods if you pick a spot and stay very still that birds will often come within a few feet of you. Some even seem to enjoy the close company of humans. I have had several experiences in the woods when it seemed to me that a particular bird was practically following me – singing to me the whole way.

The diverse topography in the Carolinas brings with it a variety of bird species. Whether you are climbing up a mountain, walking on the beach, hiking through a forest, canoeing through a swamp, or bicycling through your hometown your experience is bound to be brightened by the sight and sounds of birds. Yes, for the bird enthusiast the Carolinas are a must stop for a bird watching excursion. Over 400 bird species have been recorded in the Carolinas. One factor that greatly influences the number of birds found here is the geographic location and climate of the area. The Carolinas region of the United States does experience all four season – fall, winter, spring, and summer – but the climate is generally mild enough so that many bird species stay year round. In some areas of North and South Carolina the climate is so mild (as far as the birds are concerned) that many bird species actually fly south from more northern climates to winter in the region. Finally, there are those bird species that do their summer nesting and breeding in the Carolinas.

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