My family enjoys visiting Lake Conestee Nature Preserve not just because of its wonderful play areas but for its easy trails that are teeming with wildlife. I didn’t realize until recently that Lake Conestee Nature Preserve is an Upstate, SC birds watcher paradise with almost 200 different species of birds.
I’m so excited that Paul Serridge from the Greenville County Bird Club has agreed to share with us more about the birds at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve and the presentations and free guided bird walks that they offer to the Greenville Community. All of the following photos are taken by local Greenville County Bird Club member Don Faulkner and depict birds that you can look for at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve.
Birds at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve
Are you interested in birds and want to know more?
Cedar Waxwing (Photo Credit: Don Faulkner) – learn more about the Cedar Waxwing
There are currently 976 species of birds on the ABA (American Birding Association) checklist for the area covered by the Continental US and Canada.
Wood Duck (Photo Credit: Don Faulker) – learn more about the Wood Duck
There are 472 species on the official bird list for South Carolina.
And….there are 192 species on the checklist for Lake Conestee Nature Preserve right here in Greenville. You can find the checklist at http://gcbirdclub.org/conestee
Red-shouldered Hawk (Photo Credit: Don Faulkner) – learn more about the Red-shouldered Hawk
In other words, a birding bonanza is right here on your doorstep in Greenville. Of course, many of the birds found at Conestee are common and some will visit backyard feeders and are well known. The accompanying photographs by Don Faulkner show some of the species regularly found in the park but which many people are not aware of in our local area.
Killdeer (Photo Credit: Don Faulkner) – learn more about the Killdeer
Free Guided Bird Walks at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve*
The Greenville County Bird Club (GCBC) offers free guided bird walks multiple times every month at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve (LCNP). Details can be found on the outings page of the GCBC website. Check the website before heading out, because the club occasionally adds walks or changes the weekend. It is not necessary to be a GCBC member to participate. (Please note that minor children should be accompanied by an adult.)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Photo Credit: Don Faulker) – learn more about the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Birding Events at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve
In addition to exploring the beauty of the Preserve, you can also participate in any of their events. They offer small Community Events and Youth Programs. Their Annual Events are larger in size and include Hops & Herons in the fall and the Great Blue Gathering in the Spring. They also offer occasional bird-watching events. You can stay tuned to their Events page for more details.
More Birding Opportunities
Have you seen any of these birds at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve?
Bethany Winston
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