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Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, known as the oldest garden in America is eBird hotspot #6. This incredible and historic property encompasses over 400 acres of rich wildlife habitat. I explored the plantation over 3 separate trips, each covering a different habitat.
The first trip I walked the trail along the Ashley River and explored the Wildlife Refuge. The Wildlife Refuge is a large impoundment that is located along the Ashley River. There is currently work being done to reinforce the dike system and improve the nature boat canal. This work requires the water level in this massive impoundment to be lowered which has attracted a great number of migrating shorebirds! I approached the nature boat dock and watched Yellowlegs, Herons, Egrets and Ibis all searching the mud flats for food.
I then walked to the Observation tower which provides a long view of the impoundment. In the distance I could see many groups of shorebirds foraging on the exposed flats.
I decided to get closer view so I walked along the Perry Field Pond to the back side of the River Walk Trail. The Perry Field Pond is a beautiful freshwater habitat that was brimming with wildlife! I was able to get great views of two different Wood Duck families, lots of Common Gallinules, Anhingas, and a variety of Herons and Egrets.
Foraging overhead were Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and a couple of Northern Rough-winged Swallows. Red-winged Blackbirds were scattered atop the wetland vegetation singing their familiar songs. Along the dike of the River Walk Trail there were uneven muddy edges with scattered puddles that attracted numerous Yellowlegs. Most of the Yellowlegs were Lesser Yellowlegs. The Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs are very similar birds that can be differentiated by size especially when they are in close proximity. The easiest way to differentiate the two species is by their call. The Greater Yellowlegs typically makes 3 to 4 loud Teew Teew Teew notes and the Lesser Yellowlegs makes 1-2 short whistled too too notes.
Mixed in with the groups of Yellowlegs was another sandpiper species called a Solitary Sandpiper. They are smaller with shorter greenish legs, pale spots, and a white eye-ring. I counted 12 Solitary Sandpipers along this stretch of fresh muddy habitat.
I was able to capture a picture showing the difference in size between the Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpiper.
Further along the trail I spotted a very secretive sandpiper with a unique look, a Wilson’s Snipe!
A striking Black-necked Stilt searched for food in a shallow pool of water alongside the River Walk Trail.
As I made it to the most Northern part of the trail I encountered a new variety of shorebird species including Least Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Plover and Black-bellied Plover. The Wildlife Refuge has provided an incredible feeding stop for all of these awesome shorebirds! Most of these bird species will continue North to Canada and the Arctic to breed before passing back through the Carolinas in the Fall.
The second trip covered the wooded area along the Nature Train Road and a walk through the Pavilion Field exploring the Live Oaks. As I headed past the Plantation House a Nature Photographer shared that a Barred Owl was present in the Bamboo Gardens. Of course I deviated from the plan and headed that way. Low and behold the owl was still present and perched on a bare branch allowing for a great view. I took in the moment and then continued to the Nature Train Road in search for songbirds.
The woods were filled with the beautiful sounds of songbirds. Northern Cardinals, Northern Parulas, Great-crested Flycatchers, Yellow-throated Warblers, Vireos and Carolina Wrens were all singing.
As I continued along the trail, I listened carefully and could hear a few different songbirds including the 3-syllable phrases of the Summer Tanager, the loud notes of an Acadian Flycatcher, and the harsh rattling of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo!
As I got closer to Indian Mound Pond I became very excited as I began to hear a familiar song that sounds like whee whee whip-poor-will. I followed the song and located this wonderful and sometimes difficult bird to find, it was a Swainson’s Warbler! This wonderful small brown warbler goes mostly undetected except for when is sings. They visit the Southeast to breed and prefer dense thickets in swamps and hardwood habitats.
On the third trip I explored the Audubon Swamp garden named in honor of John James Audubon a friend and frequent guest of the Drayton Family at Magnolia Plantation. This majestic habitat is home to a variety of birds including springtime nesting birds like Egrets, Herons and Anhingas.
I began my exploration around the matures trees of the parking lot and followed singing birds down a quiet pathway when a small bird caught my attention. I pursued its location and discovered an olive green flycatcher, it was an Acadian Flycatcher.
I entered the swamp boardwalk hearing a singing Common Yellowthroat. It took me a moment to find the sharp looking singer high in a near by tree.
Also high in the tree canopy was a stunning Yellow-throated Warbler foraging along the Spanish moss.
Further along the boardwalk a Solitary Sandpiper was searching for food along the small sections of exposed mud.
I made a right turn and headed into a mature wooded area where the Plantation Cemetery is located. I quickly found a pair of Carolina Wrens frolicking atop a large fallen log.
As I was admiring the Wrens a slightly larger bird moved low in the brush, it perched on a broken branch and then flew a bit further and perched on some bare tangles. I slowly moved closer to get a better look and discovered that is was a Gray-cheeked Thrush! This Thrush is an uncommon migrant that passes through the the Southeast on its way to its breeding grounds in Northern Canada.
After the excitement of the Gray-cheeked Thrust encounter I made my way back to the swamp and walked the perimeter of Ravenswood Lake. The trees in the middle of the open water were filled with breeding birds! The colonies of nesting birds included Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Black-crowned Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Anhingas!
Walking the interior trail along the more densely wooded section of the swamp I stumbled across a Black-bellied Whistling Duck! I usually find these interesting looking ducks in more remote areas near the Santee River Delta and Ace Basin, so it was exciting to see that they are inhabiting the Audubon Swamp.
I passed two adorable Wood Duck families enjoying the picturesque day.
Further along the trail I heard the loud sweet sweet sweet song of a Prothonotary Warbler. The bright yellow warbler posed for some great pictures before disappearing into the thick Swamp.
I concluded the walk passing one of my favorites and the bird that sparked my bird watching interest, a Green Heron.
Over the 3 trips I experienced a diverse 81 species of birds with a few unexpected species. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is an incredible birding hotspot and I would encourage anyone to visit and experience the many wonderful birds that call it home!
eBird Trip checklist: https://ebird.org/tripreport/124254
Happy Birding,
Charles
