Birds and Birding at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

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 a birdwatchers 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) check-list 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 check-list for Lake Conestee Nature Preserve right here in Greenville. You can find the check-list 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*

*Postponed due to Covid-19: The Greenville County Bird Club (GCBC) offers free guided bird walks on the 3^rd Saturday of every month at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve (LCNP).  Details can be found on the outings page of the GCBC website at http://gcbirdclub.org/outings.html  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

“Introduction to Birding” Presentation

*Postponed due to Covid-19: Also, Paul Serridge and Don Faulkner (Greenville County Bird Club members) offer “Introduction to Birding” presentations to groups of interested people. They offer tips on how to begin birding, binocular selection, and birding sites. An important part of the presentation is a slide-show of Don’s excellent photographs. Arrangements can be made via contacting Bethany at Kidding Around Greenville ([email protected]).

Have you seen any of these birds at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve?