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.
Twitcher’s Patch is where I share stories and observations from time spent watching birds on Hilton Head Island, throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry, and in places farther afield. A patch is more than a birding location—it is a place returned to often enough to recognize its birds, habitats, seasons, and changing rhythms.
Here you will find articles about bird behavior, migration, and breeding; photography techniques, creative practice, and ethics; habitat, weather, and conservation; birding places and journeys; and practical guides for spending more rewarding time in the field. Each story grows from firsthand observation and a commitment to respectful birding and wildlife photography.
Whether you are hoping to better understand what birds are doing, strengthen your photography, prepare for a birding outing, or experience a landscape through its wildlife, Twitcher’s Patch invites you to look more closely—one place, one bird, and one story at a time.
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.
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.
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 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.
Slow July in the Georgia Highlands: Reflections from the Blue Ridge
Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. 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 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
Discover the habitat and behavior of Little Blue Herons at a local rookery on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Central Florida Birding Part 4: The Roseate Spoonbills of Stick Marsh
Discover Stick Marsh in central Florida—a 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 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 birding in 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
Roadside birding from Hilton Head Island, SC to Sugarloaf Key, Florida. List of variety of birds and habitats.
From Ospreys nesting on light poles to Roseate Spoonbills flying above the interstate, these birds prove that wildlife can adapt and thrive in the most unexpected places.
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,
The Winter Charm of the Hermit Thrush
Discover the Hermit Thrush, a winter visitor to Hilton Head Island. Learn about its unique migration patterns, nesting habits, and hauntingly beautiful song. Explore how this elusive bird thrives in the cooler months and why it holds a special place in backyard birding.
Gray Days, Colorful Birds: Photographing Shorebirds in Mist and Fog
Photography tips on capturing shorebirds like Black Skimmers on gray days. Learn how to make the most of overcast skies to highlight vivid colors, enhance feather details, and create stunning bird images. Discover techniques for adjusting camera settings, composing with intention, and using selective masking in post-processing for a polished final image.
A Winter Walk Through Pinckney Island NWR
Discover Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge in winter. From soaring white pelicans to quiet marsh dwellers, experience the seasonal transition before the vibrant rookery nesting season begins in March.
A Guide to Mindful Birding in the Lowcountry: An Attentive Practice on Hilton Head Island
Explore mindful birding as a powerful nature-based practice for reducing stress and improving mental well-being. This guide shares how to create a sit spot, observe bird behavior, and connect with the rhythms of the Lowcountry through attentive birding on Hilton Head Island.
December’s Frosty Glow: Birding at Donnelley WMA and Beyond
Experience the beauty of winter birding in the Lowcountry at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Bear Island’s Mary’s Pond, and the Bailey Road Impoundments. Discover over 30 bird species, including Bald Eagles, White Pelicans, and Great Egrets, against a backdrop of frost-covered marshes and golden dawn hues. Capture the magic of foggy ponds, vibrant winter landscapes, and rare sightings like Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Ducks. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers, this frosty birding adventure highlights the breathtaking wildlife and scenery of South Carolina’s wetlands.
Colombia Birding Part 3: Dona Dora
Explore the birding at Doña Dora’s sanctuary in Colombia’s Pacific Cloud Forest. From the iconic Toucan Barbet to hummingbirds, discover rare species, vibrant nature, and warm hospitality.