Marion County and Huntington Beach SP Rarities - 24 Apr 2026

Today's outing had Ken, Jack and I driving to Marion County, SC and the Woodbury Tract Wildlife Management Area to look for Swainson's Warblers and Kentucky Warblers. This historic tract consist of forested lowlands and swamps (until today...).

Ken picked us up in Pawley's Island at 6 am and we drove an hour west past Georgetown and Horry Counties to Marion County where we made our first stop at the historic Old Neck Cemetery There we found grave markers dating back to the early 1800's (some too worn to read) and an open field where we found singing Blue Grosbeak, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo and Yellow-throated Warbler. 

Continuing into the Woodbury Tract WMA we found a heavily-forested tract on either side of a sandy road that extended for miles. As we drove slowly through the trees I had Merlin recording bird sounds, and we quickly picked up the aforementioned birds; White-eyed Vireos and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers dominated the chorus while Carolina Wrens and Northern Cardinals followed suit.

We made a stop when Merlin picked up a Swainson's Warbler and Kentucky Warbler. The calls were coming from a fenced-off logging trail so we walked about 100 yds in where we could hear the birds (including a nearby Hooded Warbler) calling loudly from the trees in front of us. 

I made a playback of the Swainson's Warbler call and a territorial male flew in overhead and finally presented himself to us. Jack and I took hundreds of photos of the small brown warbler while it perched and sang intently for almost 15 minutes. Another lifer!

Meanwhile the Kentucky Warbler was also calling just a few feet away but refused to show. Same for the Hooded Warbler. When we decided we had enough photos of the Swainson's Warbler we walked back to the car and continued driving.

Jack had been telling me all along how flooded this swamp was, and that mosquitos were so bad last year that they couldn't get out of the car. Today? The car was covered in dust and there was no water to be seen for miles. I thought we were driving through highland forest given the dryness of the roads and "swamp". But, you could see where the water line used to be, so drought conditions in South Carolina can be confirmed (it hasn't rained in 3 months). And, no mosquitos even though it was sunny and pushing 80F.

The drive was mostly birding by ear. Birds were singing continuously, but there were no photo opps to be had. We had to settle for recording Northern Parula, Summer Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and the Yellow-throated Vireo and Yellow-throated Warblers. 

A surprise Mississippi Kite was seen soaring over the tree tops ahead of us down the road! Fly-by Anhinga and White Ibis flock told us that water was nearby...

Once we arrived at the Woodbury WMA kiosk we stopped this checklist as we were about to drive through more open, upland pine forest.

Woodbury WMA, Marion, South Carolina, US
Apr 24, 2026 7:05 AM - 9:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.477 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Entrance to Kiosk. Cemetery and road, 55F, clear, dry!!!! No standing water anywhere.
42 species

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)  1
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  2
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)  1
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)  8
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  4
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  1
Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)  5
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  4
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)  11
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons)  5
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  11
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)  2
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  9
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  8
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  6
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  5
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  6
Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii)  4
Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa)  5
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)  6
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  9
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  3
Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica)  5
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)  3
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  12
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S326447997
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

As expected, the second half of our drive was indeed filled with a different clientele of birds. Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Summer Tanager, Prairie Warblers and Pine Warblers indicated that we were no longer in the swamp. We did continue to pick up birds like Yellow-throated Vireo, Eastern Towhee and Red-eyed Vireo.

At Sampson Landing a pair of Prothonotary Warblers were chasing each other through the swamp next to the river and I managed a few long-distance photos.

Woodbury WMA, Marion, South Carolina, US
Apr 24, 2026 9:37 AM - 10:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.024 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, 65F, Dry!!!
34 species

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)  1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  2
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  3
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)  8
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons)  4
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)  1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  2
Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  5
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  6
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  1
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  2
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)  1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  4
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  4
Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica)  5
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  2
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)  6
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  8
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S326498073

Driving back we stopped at the Swainson's Warbler spot and attempted to bring in the Kentucky Warbler and Hooded Warbler that were still singing in the same area. But despite our best efforts the Kentucky Warbler never showed (except for brief glimpses as it chased the Hooded Warbler across the trail). So we headed back to the car and continued for home.

We made a quick stop along Arundel Avenue to look for the Bachmann's Sparrow but it was too hot and quiet for any birds to sing (or show). We did hear Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Buntings singing. Also Orchard Oriole and Common Yellowthroat.

700–716 Arundel Ave, Georgetown US-SC 33.48515, -79.19085, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Apr 24, 2026 12:52 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Checklist Comments:     Clear, 82F
20 species

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)  1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  1
Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)  1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S326566755

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

We returned home at around 1:30 pm and I thanked Ken for his excellent guiding services. He (and Jack) helped me crack the Top 10 eBird list for Georgetown County, and our morning effort put us at #5 for Marion County (for 2026)! 

A couple hours rest, and Jack, Janet and I took a drive back to Huntington State Park to look for the Roseate Spoonbills (for me) and Black-necked Stilt (for Janet). Luckily, we drove to Mullet Pond and not only saw the Roseate Spoonbill pair on the opposite shore of the pond, but 3 Black-necked Stilts were among them. Another 3 stilts would join them for a total of six!

We then walked to the south end of the Kerrigan Trail to look for the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Though we dipped on the YCNH Janet was able to find a Least Bittern and we were able to see the Roseate Spoonbills and a breeding Western Cattle Egret among the Great Egret/Snowy Egret/Anhinga colony across the pond.

With winds picking up we drove over to the Visitor Center to check the feeders. They were empty. But, when we walked out onto the boardwalk I finally heard a Seaside Sparrow calling. Though we couldn't locate it we did see several Little Blue Herons (adult and juveniles), 

Snowy Egret, 

saw Eastern Willets, 

and small flocks of Least Terns working the salt marsh. A Clapper Rail also called before we left.

We then drove to the north parking lot where we walked to Sandpiper Pond to look for shorebirds. Despite the high winds we picked up several Least Sandpipers among dozens of Semipalmated Plovers, Willets and Greater Yellowlegs. We'd then return back to the house to call it a night.

Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet US-SC 33.51357, -79.07335, Georgetown, South Carolina, US
Apr 24, 2026 4:15 PM - 6:21 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.995 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Mostly cloudy, windy, 73F
55 species (+1 other taxa)

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  1
Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans)  1
Sora (Porzana carolina)  2
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)  6
American Coot (Fulica americana)  2
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)  6
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)  1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  2
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)  36
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)  10
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)  8
Willet (Eastern) (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata)  6
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)  8
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)  3
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)  12
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)  2
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)  12
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  2
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)  2
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis)  1
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)  1
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)  6
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)  6
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)  12
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)  1
Western Cattle-Egret (Ardea ibis)  1
Great Egret (Ardea alba)  10
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)  2
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)  1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)  1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  2
Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  2
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  2
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)  1
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  1
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S326719296

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)