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 5/9/26 Patricia Kappmeyer 5/9/26

White Ibis at Ibis Pond: Breeding Season at Pinckney Island

During breeding season, White Ibis gather in large nesting colonies across the South Carolina Lowcountry. In this post, I visit Ibis Pond at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, where hundreds of White Ibis filled the palm hammock and understory beneath the palmettos. Alongside Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, and Boat-tailed Grackles, the rookery was alive with movement, vocalizations, territorial behavior, and nesting activity. This post explores the experience of photographing and observing a Lowcountry rookery during peak breeding season.

Patricia Kappmeyer 4/19/26 Patricia Kappmeyer 4/19/26

Read the Bird: Using the Shoreline to Frame Shorebirds

A field-based approach to shorebird photography at high tide—using shoreline layers, light, and a 70–200 lens to capture behavior, composition, and seasonal plumage.

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.