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.

Patricia Kappmeyer 4/7/26 Patricia Kappmeyer 4/7/26

Don't Fight the Flock: How to Compose Bird Photos That Tell a Story

Learn how to compose bird photos that tell a story — from the decisive moment to negative space, gesture, and working within a mixed flock.

Patricia Kappmeyer 3/1/26 Patricia Kappmeyer 3/1/26

Japanese Aesthetics in Lowcountry Photography (Part 1): Wabi-Sabi and Impermanence

Wabi-sabi the Japanese art of impermanence transforms how you photograph shorebirds on Hilton Head Island. Marbled Godwits and Sanderlings in minimal coastal light.

Patricia Kappmeyer 12/6/25 Patricia Kappmeyer 12/6/25

Meet the Orange-Alert Shorebirds of Hilton Head Island Part 1: Black-bellied Plover

How to identify the Black-bellied Plover on Hilton Head Island through the seasons of migration. Plus its plumage, feeding habits and Orange Alert conservation status.

Patricia Kappmeyer 11/30/25 Patricia Kappmeyer 11/30/25

Winter Visitors on the Pinckney Island NWR Ponds

This field-note birding walk on Pinckney Island NWR, from the Main Trail to Ibis, Starr, and Osprey Ponds, as winter birds settle in. Hooded Mergansers, American Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, cormorants, kingfishers, and small songbirds.

Patricia Kappmeyer 11/16/25 Patricia Kappmeyer 11/16/25

Heahflod

A field account from Hilton Head Island’s Port Royal Sound at high tide, featuring shorebird behavior. Least Sandpiper foraging among marsh grasses and pluff mud, Black Skimmers and gulls roosting, White Ibis preening and foraging.

Patricia Kappmeyer 10/26/25 Patricia Kappmeyer 10/26/25

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 Anderson inspire birding and nature photography on Hilton Head Island.

Patricia Kappmeyer 8/30/25 Patricia Kappmeyer 8/30/25

Pointe of the Season: Witnessing Fall Bird 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.

Patricia Kappmeyer 6/29/25 Patricia Kappmeyer 6/29/25

Beneath So Kind a Sky: Edith Inglesby’s Summer in the Lowcountry

Discover the 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.

Patricia Kappmeyer 4/5/25 Patricia Kappmeyer 4/5/25

Spring Flight in Motion: Spotting the Signs of Bird Migration Along the South Carolina Coast

Every Spring, Red Knots, Dunlins and Black-bellied Plovers shift into breeding plumage on Hilton Head's beaches. Here's how to read the signs of Spring bird migration in the lowcountry,