The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun January 6, 2026 • Volume 29, Issue 1 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
Lowcountry to get new birding center By Kay Grinnell Contributor
The Lowcountry is a magnet for residents and visitors alike. People flock here for the sweeping marshes, winding rivers, maritime forests and white-sand beaches that make Beaufort County so special. Birds flock here, too — and in even more impressive numbers than many people realize. Alongside familiar year-round residents such as egrets, herons, chickadees and cardinals, the Lowcountry hosts a remarkable variety of seasonal visitors. Ducks, sparrows, bald eagles and ospreys spend the winter here, taking advantage of the region’s milder climate and abundant food. Painted buntings, roseate spoonbills and hummingbirds brighten the landscape in summer, much like the multigenerational families who return to the coast year after year. During spring and fall migration, countless other species touch down to rest and refuel on their long journeys. Beaufort County sits on one of North America’s four major bird migration flyways. During the fall 2025 migration,
more than 70 million birds passed over the county, a striking reminder of how vital the region is to bird populations across the continent. That importance is why promoting the enjoyment and appreciation of the local natural world — and protecting and creating bird- and wildlife-friendly habitats — is central to the mission of Hilton Head Audubon. Healthy ecosystems, whether in backyards, parks, marsh edges or forests, support not only the birds people cherish but also the natural beauty that draws visitors to the Lowcountry in the first place. With that mission in mind, a new environmental and educational hub is coming to the area. The Carolina Bight Birding Center is establishing its home in Okatie, bringing a new resource to the region. While still in its early stages, the center plans to develop an interpretive space for visitors, indoor and outdoor classrooms for educational programs, and a triage and treatment center for injured birds. Organizers say the plans will expand environmental learning opportunities, strengthen wildlife rehabilitation efforts and deepen community engagement with the natural world. As president of Hilton Head Audubon,
I am honored to have been invited to join the center’s board and am optimistic about the ways our organizations can collaborate to make the Lowcountry an even more welcoming place for people, birds and the ecosystems that sustain us all. More information about the Carolina Bight Birding Center and its progress is available at CarolinaBightBirdingCenter. org. Opportunities to get involved include “The Wonders of Wintering Birds,” a twoday festival of talks, food and birding tours scheduled for Jan. 23–24. Kay Grinnell is the President of Hilton Head Audubon.
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