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The Santee Coastal Reserve is an amazing 24,000 acre property located North of McClellanville and managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The Cape Trail section of this massive property has former rice fields that are now managed for waterfowl. During late fall into winter the Cape Trail area and Murphy Island offer one of the most diverse duck hunting locations along the East Coast. In February when hunting season concludes the Cape Trail opens to the public providing a great opportunity to see the ducks before they migrate North. “Opening Day” at the Santee Coastal Reserve is like Christmas morning for birders!
This February 9th fell on a Friday so after getting the kiddos off to school I headed up Highway 17 to the Santee Coastal Reserve. The morning was cool, cloudy and calm...great conditions for birding! I parked at the entrance to briefly explore the Longleaf Pine habitat. In only a couple of minutes a noisy flock of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers appeared moving from tree to tree. These near threatened woodpeckers thrive in mature Longleaf Pine habitat and make a very identifiable, squeaky shirrp call. The Red-cockaded Woodpeckers call the Santee Coastal Reserve home and can only be found in the southern United States.
I drove down Santee Gun Club Road and stopped at another forest location to search for more woodland birds. I walked the Woodland Trail looking and listening for birds. As I advanced deeper into the wilderness I was suddenly surrounded by Eastern Towhees, Pine Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Nuthatches, Kinglets, Wrens and a variety of Woodpeckers!
Along the Woodland Trail I began to hear a sharp peek call, this was different than the other woodpeckers I had been hearing. I followed the call off the main trail and into the woods. Getting closer I tracked the calling bird high in a tree and confirmed it was a Hairy Woodpecker! They are very similar to the Downy Woodpecker but slightly larger overall with a noticeably larger bill and slightly different call.
After the excitement of observing the Hairy Woodpecker another flock of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers populated the Pine trees in my immediate vicinity. I stood back and enjoyed the show as they foraged and interacted.
I decided to continue on and begin the trek toward the Cape Trail. Walking along a large field with great cover for ground birds an unexpected flurry of sparrows began to flush from the brush. I quickly scanned the moving birds with my optics and discovered they were adorable Chipping Sparrows!
I walked the Marshland Trail exploring wetland habitat and more wooded habitat. On this trail there is dike through a large freshwater impoundment, this is one of my favorite spots to walk and explore.
This location provided the first ducks of the morning, Blue-winged Teal! There were lots of Common Gallinules and scattered wading birds. I also heard the chatter of several Marsh Wrens.
Walking the last wooded section before the open Cape Trail I stumbled across a busy mixed flock of songbirds. The birds were all around me and actively foraging, it was hard to get a photograph of any individual birds so I just watched and enjoyed the beautiful sounds. Listen to these wonderful sounds from over 10 different species!
After the awesome serenade I made it to the first impoundment near the Cape Trail. I could see a group of Blue-winged Teal and a pair of Mottled Ducks. Both of these duck species can be very skittish especially right after hunting season so I moved up a short portion of the the dike slowly on my hands and knees. I was able to get a closer look but shortly after the ducks sensed my presence and moved further away.
I then spotted a group of Glossy Ibis they are less common in Charleston County but can be found year round in ideal habitats like these impoundments on the Cape Trail.
This particular impoundment also had lots of Common Gallinules, Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots and several Forster’s Tern patrolling the water for fish. And of course a few massive American Alligators resting on the banks!
A majestic Bald Eagle flew over putting all of the waterfowl, coots and grebes on high alert. A small falcon called a Merlin flew past with its pointed wings and speedy flight.
Making it to the next impoundment I noticed a large flock of wading birds, a small flock of shorebirds and a Wilson's Snipe! Egrets, herons, storks and ibis were all congregating in the shallow water.
I found a flock of ducks showing some tail feathers, these small dabblers were the first Green-winged Teal of the day.
Several massive American White Pelicans gracefully glided overhead.
I continued to walk the vast Cape Trail counting the many ducks along the way. I encountered a great variety of ducks including Ruddy Ducks, Blue & Green winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Northern Shoveler, Mottled Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks!
Ruddy Duck video:
Blue-winged Teal Video:
I observed 10 duck species and counted over 1,400 ducks! However the most numerous bird species of the day were American Coots! There were flocks of American Coots on the water in nearly every impoundment. The second most numerous bird species were Tree Swallows. They were found throughout the Cape Trail foraging over the open impoundments flashing gorgeous violet green feathers.
American Coot video:
Winding down the expedition I walked the backside of the Cape Trail which has two reeded freshwater impoundments, a great habitat for rails. I walked slowly focusing on listening for any calls. It took about 15 minutes but I heard the slow kik kik kik calls from two King Rails!
Also along this stretch of trail I watched a couple of Northern Harriers patrolling the marsh habitat on the South Santee River side of the Cape Trail.
It was a fantastic birding adventure! I covered 12 miles of this incredible property tallying 93 different bird species and counting over 4,300 birds! This is one of my favorite birding locations anywhere especially during "Opening Day"!
Happy Birding!
-Charles
