The 124th Christmas Bird Count in South Carolina

The 124^th Christmas Bird Count (CBC) season in South Carolina consisted of 29 individual counts that took place between December 14^th, 2023 and January, 5^th, 2024. These 29 counts included 12 counts along the coast, 6 in the inner coastal plain, 4 across the midlands and sandhills, 3 in the middle piedmont, and 4 in the upper piedmont and Blue Ridge. One new count was added this year – the Yemassee CBC that covers the upper Port Royal Sound area in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties. Two counts were not conducted this year – Lake Wateree and McClellanville.

Across these 29 counts, there were a total of 1,122 participants. Of these, 922 were field participants and 200 watched bird feeders. Count participation spanned from a few counts with less than 10 participants, to the Hilton Head Island CBC which had an incredible 247 field participants (and 79 feeder watchers)!

The 922 field participants covered 1,016 miles on foot (over 1,148 hours) and 3,517 miles by car (over 472 hours). The 200 feeder watchers spent 359 hours counting birds at feeders. Combined with other modes of transportation, the total effort for this year’s count covered 5,025 miles over 1,864 hours.

The weather during the three-week count period was average overall, with one notable exception. A nor’easter blew in on Sunday, December 17^th, bringing gusty, rainy weather across much of the state. This caused some counts to be rescheduled (Pee Dee Area, Congaree) and one count to unfortunately be cancelled altogether (McClellanville).

Among the 29 counts conducted this year, a total of 438,817 individual birds were reported across 219 species. The Litchfield-Pawleys CBC had the highest count this year with 163 species reported, followed closely by the Winyah Bay CBC with 162 species. Moving inland, the Santee N.W.R. CBC had the highest total among inner coastal plain counts with 124 species. In the midlands and sandhills, both the Columbia and Lower Saluda CBCs reported 91 species. The Long Cane CBC led the way in the middle piedmont with 79 species, while the Clemson CBC reported 98 species in the upper piedmont/Blue Ridge.

There were several rare species reported on the 124^th CBC in South Carolina. Below are some of the unusual birds seen this year.

Rare waterfowl included a Cackling Goose recorded on the Santee CBC. Two Common Goldeneyes were recorded on the Lower Saluda CBC for the second straight year.

Perhaps the most noteworthy species recorded during the 124^th CBC in South Carolina was an American Flamingo found on Bulls Island during the Charleston CBC. This was likely a lingering bird from the influx of flamingoes into the United States after Hurricane Idalia. This represents the first CBC record for this species in South Carolina.

Shorebirds were recorded in good numbers during this year’s CBC, with all coastal CBCs and several inland CBCs reporting multiple species. Among rare shorebirds, a single Long-billed Curlew was again found on the Edisto Island CBC.

A Black-headed Gull was a really nice find on the Sun City-Okatie CBC. Sun City-Okatie also found the only Limpkins (two) on any South Carolina count this year.

A Golden Eagle was found on the Savannah River Site CBC. This species has been frequently encountered at this location, and it’s great to see one documented for the 124^th CBC. A Short-eared Owl was found on the Santee CBC, and a Barn Owl was found on the Winyah Bay CBC.

A total of 31 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were reported across 6 CBCs. The only other hummingbird found this year was a Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird on the Lower Saluda CBC.

Among flycatchers, an Ash-throated Flycatcher was found on the Litchfield-Pawley’s CBC. A total of six Western Kingbirds were reported across four counts.

Rare warblers seen during the CBC period included a Nashville Warbler (Litchfield-Pawleys CBC), American Redstart (Lower Saluda CBC), and a single Prairie Warbler (Litchfield-Pawleys CBC).

Among sparrows, a Lark Sparrow visiting a backyard feeder was a nice find on the Lewis Ocean Bay-Waccamaw River CBC. Other rare sparrows included Grasshopper Sparrow (Aiken CBC and Santee CBC), Henslow’s Sparrow (Congaree CBC), Le Conte’s Sparrow (Santee CBC), and Lincoln’s Sparrow (North Greenville CBC and Litchfield-Pawley’s CBC). A total of 17 Bachman’s Sparrows were found on 3 CBCs.

Rare blackbirds recorded this year included Brewer’s Blackbirds (Clemson CBC and Santee CBC), a Bullock’s Oriole on the James Island CBC, and a Yellow-headed Blackbird on the Litchfield-Pawley’s CBC.

Count week rarities included an Iceland Gull (Litchfield-Pawley’s CBC) and Greater White-fronted Goose (Spartanburg CBC).

Lastly, given the conditions that affected counts this year, it is difficult to assess high and low counts for individual species. However, a few general notes are worth mentioning.

Similar to last year, irruptive species were not seen in great numbers during the 124^th CBC in South Carolina. Pine Siskins were the most numerous (131 on 12 counts), followed by Purple Finches (45 on 8 counts). Red-breasted Nuthatches were scarce this winter, with only two being reported, one each on the Clemson and Keowee CBCs.

Baltimore Orioles continue to be seen in high numbers during the winter in South Carolina. This year’s CBC had a record high – 94 Baltimore Orioles across 11 counts, including 28 seen on the Pee Dee Area count.

Thanks so much to all the participants that gave their time for the 124^th CBC.  I’d especially like to recognize the count compilers, who are essential to ensuring each count runs smoothly and that bird and effort data are reported accurately. We hope to see you all again for the 125^th CBC, which will take place from December 14^th, 2024 – January 5^th, 2025.