Twitcher’s Patch: the Birding Blog of Hilton Head Island and Beyond
Welcome to Twitcher’s Patch—a blog where passionate birders (“twitchers”) and nature lovers can discover the magic of their favorite birdwatching spots (“patches”) across Hilton Head Island, the Lowcountry and beyond.
Here, you’ll find stories, tips, and field notes inspired by the region’s extraordinary diversity—over 330 bird species thrive in habitats ranging from sandy beaches and lush forests to protected wetlands and vibrant marshes. Whether you’re searching for the perfect shot, planning your next birding adventure, or simply curious about the unique charm of Lowcountry wildlife, this blog is your guide to unforgettable experiences, ethical birding, and creative photography in one of America’s premier birding destinations.
You’ll also find tales from my birding travels beyond the Lowcountry, as I seek out new species and inspiring landscapes across the country.
Let’s explore the wonders of Hilton Head and beyond—one patch, one bird, and one story at a time.
What to Wear Birding in the Lowcountry: A Hilton Head Guide’s Practical Clothing Checklist for Heat, Bugs, and Pluff Mud
Practical guide to what to wear birding in the Lowcountry. Clothing and gear tips for birding and bird photography around Hilton Head Island’s marshes and beaches. A Hilton Head birding guide’s checklist for what to wear in the humid Lowcountry—quick‑dry shirts, zipper‑pocket pants, footwear for mud, rain layers, and bug defense.
Wabi-Sabi: Photographing Impermanence in the Lowcountry
In this reflective series from Fish Haul Beach on Hilton Head Island, I explore a wabi-sabi approach to Lowcountry bird photography. Instead of pursuing technical perfection, the images embrace impermanence, negative space, and softened light along the tidal flats of Port Royal Sound. Featuring Marbled Godwits, Sanderlings, Least Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, and a passing Great Blue Heron, this post examines how coastal landscapes shaped by tide and time invite a quieter, more minimalist way of seeing.
Birding Northern Greece: Lake Kerkini and the Dalmatian Pelicans
In January on Lake Kerkini, Greece, Dalmatian Pelicans gather in winter on this engineered Balkan wetland. From wooden boats and snowy shores, experience migration, rural landscapes, and eye-level wildlife photography on the southern edge of the Balkans.
Birding Northern Greece: Thessaloniki to the Kalochori Wetlands
A winter birding arrival in northern Greece, beginning in Thessaloniki and moving to the Kalochori wetlands, with flamingos, field notes, and photography observations.
Central Florida: Birds, Burrows, and Back Roads
Winter birding by bike on Florida’s Van Fleet Trail—warblers, waterbirds, gopher tortoises, and a glimpse of Old Florida.
Meet the Orange-Alert Shorebirds of Hilton Head Island Part 1: Black-bellied Plover
Discover the Black-bellied Plover on Hilton Head Island—how to identify it through the seasons, where it migrates from in the high Arctic, and what it feeds on along our local mudflats. This photo-led field note also explains why this species is now listed as an Orange Alert “Tipping Point” bird in the 2025 State of the Birds report and how beachgoers can help protect it.
Winter Visitors on the Pinckney Island NWR Ponds
Discover winter birding on Pinckney Island NWR’s Ibis, Starr, and Osprey Ponds, where mergansers, coots, grebes, and songbirds gather in the Lowcountry area around Hilton Head Island.
Heahflod
A coastal field account from Hilton Head Island’s Port Royal Sound at high tide, featuring direct observations of shorebird behavior in a dynamic marsh environment. Describes Least Sandpiper foraging among marsh grasses and pluff mud, Black Skimmers and gulls shifting feeding and roosting sites with the tides, and White Ibis preening and foraging. Explores how tides shape shorebird movements, connect shoreline habitats, and reveal the interconnectedness of the coastal ecosystem—all recorded during calm November high tide conditions.
In the Footsteps of Walter Anderson: Art, Color, Shorebirds and Seabirds on the Port Royal Sound
Explore how the vibrant coastal art and journals of Walter Inglis Anderson inspire birding and nature photography on Hilton Head Island and Port Royal Sound. Learn about shorebird sunrise rituals, the legacy of the Walter Anderson Museum, and discover how the barrier islands connect art, Hilton Head birdwatching, and Gulf Coast migration stories.
Birds and Reflections Through Time: Rediscovering Bakers Bridge in the San Juans of Southwestern Colorado
Explore birdwatching at Bakers Bridge in the San Juan Mountains north of Durango, Colorado. Experience detailed birding field notes, a full bird species checklist, river and habitat descriptions, and reflections inspired by classic bird guides. Discover Steller’s Jay, Northern Flicker, Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay, and more along the Animas River. Ideal for birders, photographers, and nature enthusiasts searching for Colorado birding hotspots and history.
Pointe of the Season: Witnessing Fall Migration on Hilton Head Island
Late Summer Shorebird Migration in the Lowcountry: A Photographer’s Field Journal. Follow the pulse of migration on Hilton Head: field notes and photographs reveal shorebird and seabird species, their unique behaviors, and where to catch them during peak season.
Slow July in the Georgia Highlands: Reflections from the Blue Ridge
Escape the summer heat in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Highlands. Discover slow living, panoramic mountain vistas, peaceful farms, and vibrant birdlife. Experience the art of simple travel, local rivers, hidden wildlife, and the serene beauty of North Georgia’s mountains in July. Ideal for travelers seeking relaxation and nature.
Beneath So Kind a Sky: Edith Inglesby’s Summer in the Lowcountry
Discover the poetic nature writing of Edith Inglesby in her 1968 book, A Corner of Carolina: The Four Seasons in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort and Bluffton. Explore her vivid summer chapter, “Beneath So Kind a Sky,” and learn about her life, literary style, and the birds of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Evening at the Rookery: Little Blue Heron Fledglings Take Center Stage
Experience the magic of summer in South Carolina’s Lowcountry as Little Blue Heron fledglings take over the rookery. Discover their unique color transformation from white to blue, observe fascinating juvenile behaviors, and view stunning photos from the Shipyard Rookery.
Central Florida Birding Part 4: The Roseate Spoonbills of Stick Marsh
Discover Stick Marsh in central Florida—an acclaimed birding hotspot and rookery for roseate spoonbills, herons, and egrets. Learn about its unique history, location, and why it’s a must-visit for wildlife photographers and nature lovers.
Central Florida Birding Part 3: The Snail Kites of Lake Kissimmee
Discover the fascinating feeding behavior of endangered Snail Kites at Lake Kissimmee, Florida. Learn how these rare raptors hunt apple snails, spot other birdlife along Joe Overstreet Road, and find tips for birdwatching in one of Florida’s top birding hotspots.
Central Florida Birding Part 2: The Ospreys of Blue Cypress Lake
Discover what it’s like to birdwatch and photograph Ospreys at Blue Cypress Lake, Florida’s top spot for nesting raptors. Learn about Osprey behavior, the best times to visit, and tips for exploring this unique lake by boat.
Central Florida Birding Part 1: Where the Seminole Wind Still Blows — A Historical and Geographic Overview of Central Florida’s Birding Heartland
Explore the wild heart of central Florida with this historical and geographic overview of the Blue Cypress Lake, Lake Kissimmee, Stick Marsh, and Fellsmere region. Discover the area’s rich Seminole heritage, iconic Florida Cracker cattle, and why these isolated wetlands and prairies are a birding paradise.
If You Look, You Will See: Roadside Birding and the Power of Adaptation
Discover the surprising diversity and resilience of roadside birds on a road trip from Hilton Head Island to Sugarloaf Key, Florida. Explore how birds and wildlife adapt to highways, bridges, and human development—proving that if you look, you will see nature’s wonders everywhere.
Spring Flight in Motion: Spotting the Signs of Migration Along the Coast
Discover the signs of spring bird migration in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Learn how to spot red knots, dunlins, and black-bellied plovers as they shift into breeding plumage. Download a free guide to bird migration and explore why our region is vital to millions of migrating birds.