The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Francis Beidler Forest

South Carolina · Southeast

EasyOfficial Site
Habitat
WetlandForest
Best Seasons
SpringSummer
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-June

Entrance Fee

$12 adults; $6 children

Hours

Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

About This Location

Francis Beidler Forest protects the largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress and tupelo gum swamp in the world within Four Holes Swamp. The elevated boardwalk provides easy access to old-growth swamp habitat alive with Prothonotary Warblers and other swamp specialists.

Location

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Notable Species

Prothonotary WarblerBarred OwlYellow-throated WarblerMississippi KiteAcadian Flycatcher

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

3/4/2026home1 observed

Common Raven

Corvus corax

3/4/2026I-77 S, Fort Mill US-SC (35.0106,-80.9711)2 observed

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

3/4/2026Fort Sumter1 observed

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

3/4/2026Santee NWR--Bluff Unit (fall and winter restricted access)1 observed

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

3/4/2026Harbor Island Beach (restricted access)6 observed

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

3/4/2026Harbor Island Beach (restricted access)6 observed

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

3/4/2026Harbor Island Beach (restricted access)6 observed

Black-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

3/4/2026Pinckney Island NWR1 observed

American Black Duck

Anas rubripes

3/4/2026Saluda Riverwalk1 observed

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

3/4/2026Sea Pines Forest Preserve1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026Wofford College, Spartanburg US-SC 34.95801, -81.937791 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/4/2026Huntington Beach SP--North Beach/Jetty/Dunes Trail2 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/4/2026Huntington Beach SP--North Beach/Jetty/Dunes Trail2 observed

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

3/4/2026Home1 observed

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus borealis

3/4/2026Restricted access, Columbia, South Carolina, US (34.002, -80.854)3 observed

Hairy Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus villosus

3/4/2026Forest Service Road 211, McClellanville US-SC 33.18422, -79.480761 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/4/2026Huntington Beach SP--North Beach/Jetty/Dunes Trail2 observed

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

3/4/2026408 Promontory Ridge, Seneca US-SC 34.71262, -82.871475 observed

King Rail

Rallus elegans

3/4/2026Fants Grove Wildlife Management Area2 observed

Sora

Porzana carolina

3/4/2026Fants Grove Wildlife Management Area1 observed

Recent Observations

Ring-necked Duck

I'On Rookery

3/4/2026

6 birds

Anhinga

I'On Rookery

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

I'On Rookery

3/4/2026

2 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

I'On Rookery

3/4/2026

5 birds

Gadwall

I'On Rookery

3/4/2026

10 birds

House Sparrow

Heritage Lake

3/4/2026

2 birds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Heritage Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Heritage Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Carolina Wren

Heritage Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Heritage Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Western Cattle-Egret

Mullins. Hwy 41

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bufflehead

Watermark Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pied-billed Grebe

Watermark Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Carolina Chickadee

Audubon Newhall Preserve, Hilton Head Island US-SC (32.1644,-80.7708)

3/4/2026

5 birds

Eastern Bluebird

Audubon Newhall Preserve, Hilton Head Island US-SC (32.1644,-80.7708)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Towhee

Audubon Newhall Preserve, Hilton Head Island US-SC (32.1644,-80.7708)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Audubon Newhall Preserve, Hilton Head Island US-SC (32.1644,-80.7708)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Audubon Newhall Preserve, Hilton Head Island US-SC (32.1644,-80.7708)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Killdeer

Fort Sumter

3/4/2026

8 birds

Ruddy Turnstone

Fort Sumter

3/4/2026

5 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Walk the boardwalk at dawn for Prothonotary Warbler songs

  2. 2

    Night walks are offered seasonally for owls and other nocturnal wildlife

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Visitor Center
Boardwalk

Nearby Attractions

  • Charleston Historic District

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Francis Beidler Forest for birding?▼
The best months to visit Francis Beidler Forest for birding are April-June. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.
What birds can I see at Francis Beidler Forest?▼
Notable species at Francis Beidler Forest include Prothonotary Warbler, Barred Owl, Yellow-throated Warbler, Mississippi Kite, Acadian Flycatcher. The area supports wetland, forest habitats.
How difficult is birding at Francis Beidler Forest?▼
Birding at Francis Beidler Forest is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Francis Beidler Forest?▼
The entrance fee at Francis Beidler Forest is $12 adults; $6 children. Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What amenities are available at Francis Beidler Forest?▼
Francis Beidler Forest offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Boardwalk.