Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: Birding

Prothonotary Warbler designated State Migratory Bird

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SCWF and our partners in the SC Conservation Coalition are celebrating the passage of SC Senate Bill 383—the “Prothonotary Warbler Recognition Act”—which designates the brilliant yellow, swamp-dwelling songbird as South Carolina’s official migratory bird. The legislation passed the South Carolina House and Senate unanimously, and is now headed to Gov. Henry McMaster to be signed into law.

The Prothonotary Warbler, a bright yellow bird with a striking dark eye, is often one of the rock stars of our birding outings.  As part of their natural behavior, they are often seen foraging and nesting right at eye level, and often in close proximity to trails, giving birdwatchers a close view of this beautifully colored bird.  

During the spring and summer months, the Prothonotary Warbler calls South Carolina home to feast upon insects, spiders, and snails located in and around our forested wetlands, before returning to their wintering grounds as far south as Colombia, South America. They depend on healthy swamps and waterways, illustrating the need to protect our state’s wetlands. 

Uncommon among warblers, this bird is a cavity nester, which presents us a great opportunity to help save this bird whose population has declined approximately 42% over the last 50 years. SCWF staff, volunteers, and partners have installed over 600 boxes on state, federal, and private land all throughout South Carolina over the past 4 years for this species.  

As South Carolina’s human population continues to grow, all wildlife face continued threats from habitat destruction due to pollution, deforestation, and invasive species.  This designation will help bring awareness to this amazingly bright and beautiful bird, and how we can all make a difference for wildlife by protecting and enhancing its habitat.

SC third graders studying the SC State Symbols will now get the opportunity to learn more about the iconic prothonotary warbler, its long-distance migration, and its habitat needs.

The song of the Prothonotary warbler is said to sound like: “sweet, sweet, sweet!”  This designation will help us ensure that the “sweet” song of the Prothonotary Warbler is a sound our swamps and forested wetlands will have for generations to come.

Best places to see Prothonotary Warblers:

 

Banner image by David Ramage.

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills art contest winner

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We are excited to announce that Liz List is the winner of the 2026 Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills art contest for her piece, Gathered Around the Plate! This statewide competition, hosted by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, invited local artists to design unique artwork featuring the six imperiled wildlife species highlighted in this year’s conservation dinner series. This year’s featured species include the Eastern whip-poor-will, golden-winged warbler, green heron, prairie warbler, yellow-billed cuckoo, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their creative work and helped make this contest our largest so far! We sincerely appreciate every artist who participated. The imaginative ways you brought this year’s featured species to life are truly inspiring.

Winning Entry

About the winning image:

Because I work from photos, half the challenge is to be in the right place at the right time to capture an image that I can transform into a painting. The other half of the challenge is also the fun part. Painting often takes me right back to those precious encounters with birds and nature. My love of birds began when I was in the 8th grade and first experienced bird watching with my science teacher. I am especially fond of Canada Geese because they remind me of childhood trips to Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin to view the geese in migration.

When it comes to painting, I am fascinated by reflections and inspired by textures. In my “real life” job, I teach art at our state school for the blind, and much of my work involves using tactile materials that enable my students to experience art through their sense of touch. When I paint, I like to challenge myself to represent textures such as water, feathers, wood, and rocks simply through brushstrokes and layers of color. The common ground between my career as a teacher and my ambitions as an artist is my love of learning. Each new painting offers me another opportunity to grow, and this contest provided a challenge to consider the bird images as part of a design apart from their natural habitat. In this case, I chose to represent them gathered around a plate.

Our top selections are featured below.

 

Banner image credit: Roseate Spoonbill by Gretchen Locy.

9-year-old tells SC lawmakers that prothonotary warbler should be state’s official migratory bird

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Published by the Post and Courier – https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/prothonotary-warbler-sc-migratory-bird/article_6d26f31c-28ad-4724-ae9f-285943d8628f.html 

February 11, 2026

By Anna Wilder awilder@postandcourier.com

COLUMBIA — Jack Ragley has always been interested in birds. The 9-year-old’s favorite is the blue jay.

But on Feb. 10, Jack stood inside the S.C. Statehouse to talk about another bird he cares deeply about and argue that lawmakers should officially recognize it as South Carolina’s migratory bird.

After all, the beautiful, bright yellow prothonotary warbler that lives in swamps and wetlands travels “really far” during its annual migration, he said.

Also, South Carolina is “one of the places it needs the most” to live and thrive, he told the lawmakers.

“This bird chooses South Carolina every year, and I think South Carolina should choose this bird, too,” Jack said.

State lawmakers are considering adding the prothonotary warbler to South Carolina’s list of official symbols, which would make it the state’s first officially designated migratory bird.

The prothonotary warbler is a “strikingly beautiful, golden-yellow” songbird that migrates annually between South Carolina and its wintering grounds in Central and South America, according to the bill’s text.

South Carolina does not currently have an official migratory bird. The Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) has been the state bird since 1948, when the designation was signed into law by then-Gov. Strom Thurmond.

Jack, a fourth grader from Columbia, wore his Scout uniform as he testified before the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs House Subcommittee.

“I like birds because they’re beautiful to the eyes and to the ears,” Jack told the lawmakers. “They make being outside more fun and watching birds makes me feel relaxed.”

He is a Webelos, meaning “we will be loyal scouts,” in Pack 37 and has been an active member for five years. He said studying the local habitat at his school, Heathwood Hall Episcopal, has made him love nature “even more.”

“When you start noticing birds, you start noticing a lot more about what’s outside,” Jack said.

South Carolina provides critical breeding grounds and a stopover habitat during the bird’s annual life cycle, particularly in the state’s hardwood forests, swamps and wetlands.

 

Jay Keck, a naturalist with South Carolina Wildlife Federation, said the bird is easy to spot if you know where to look.

The bird has short legs and a short tail and is slightly larger than other warblers. Its song sounds like “sweet sweet sweet,” Keck said.

“This will help us ensure the sweet sound of the warbler is a sound our swamps, forests and wetlands will have for generations to come,” Keck said.

The prothonotary warbler has been experiencing a population decline, with numbers dropping by approximately 40 percent since the 1960s.

Sponsor of the bill, Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, wrote via text that designating it as the official state migratory bird draws attention to the role in conserving “interconnected ecosystems and promotes awareness and responsible land and water management practices.”

It’s also a “really cool-looking golden-yellow songbird,” Davis wrote.

Audubon, a nonprofit conservation organization that manages more than 30,000 acres of critical bird habitat statewide, helps maintain essential habitat for the birds by preserving tree cavities for nesting and ensuring an abundant supply of insects for food. This is all critical as the species travels thousands of miles.

Jack learned about the bill from his parents, Jay and Connelly-Anne Ragley, who both work in government. He also attended an Audubon-hosted event where he spoke with staff and learned more about the bird.

Connelly-Anne Ragley emailed just about everyone — Jack’s teacher, former teacher, head of school, science director and more — so the entire fourth grade knew he was headed to the Statehouse to talk about why the bird was important.

Lawmakers voted to advance the bill out of subcommittee, sending it to a full committee.

“I thought it was kind of heart-touching to me, because I kind of worked hard to do this,” Jack said of lawmakers’ response to his testimony.

He said designating the bird would help kids like him learn more about the state and “feel proud of it.”

“Designating a state migratory bird like the prothonotary warbler allows us to bring more awareness to our feathered friends, including what all South Carolinians can do to help birds,” Jen Tyrrell, community science and research manager at Audubon.

Jack hopes the bill will be signed by Gov. Henry McMaster this year.

After his speech, he celebrated with a lunch outing with his mom before heading back to his fourth-grade classroom for “peak,” an outdoor education program where students paddleboard on a pond and learn about the environment.

Lawmakers on the panel told Jack that Rep. Bill Hixon, R-North Augusta, the full committee’s chair, would write him a school excuse note.

When asked if he would return if the bill reached McMaster for signing, Jack smiled.

“I’ll try.”

Published by the Post and Courier – https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/prothonotary-warbler-sc-migratory-bird/article_6d26f31c-28ad-4724-ae9f-285943d8628f.html 

2025 South Carolina Songbird Art Contest

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We are delighted to celebrate the talented students who participated in the 2025 South Carolina Songbird Art Contest, presented in partnership with Wildlife Forever. Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you to everyone who participated! This statewide contest invited K–12 students to explore South Carolina’s native songbirds through art, encouraging creativity while deepening students’ understanding of local wildlife and the habitats on which the birds depend.

By blending art with environmental education, the Songbird Art Contest helps students learn about bird identification, migration, and habitat conservation while fostering a sense of stewardship for South Carolina’s natural resources. These early connections to nature play a crucial role in building the next generation of conservationists and informed environmental leaders.

With 163 incredible submissions, selecting the winners was no easy task. Each piece reflected a unique perspective and a shared appreciation for South Carolina’s songbirds. We are grateful to every student, teacher, and family member who helped make this contest possible and  joined us in advancing our mission to conserve and restore South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats through education and advocacy.

Selected artwork will be featured throughout the year on our website and social media channels. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SCWildlifeFederation to see these incredible works and help us celebrate the next generation of conservation-minded artists. 

Grade Winners: Kindergarten – Third

 

Grade Winners: Fourth – Sixth

Grade Winners: Seventh – Ninth

 

Grade Winners: Tenth – Twelfth

 

 

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Dominion Energy for their generous support of the 2025 South Carolina Songbird Art Contest. Their commitment to education and environmental stewardship made this program possible, and helped connect students across South Carolina with wildlife conservation in a meaningful and creative way.

 

 

 

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SCWF Volunteer Day at Camp Discovery

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Last Saturday, 25 dedicated volunteers gathered at Camp Discovery  in Blythewood, South Carolina, to help monitor nest boxes and support local bird conservation efforts. Their hard work allowed us to inspect 37 nest boxes and document 17 nests, resulting in a 43% nesting success rate.

There were nine Eastern bluebird nests observed and seven Carolina chickadee nests, two cavity-nesting species that benefit from well-maintained nest boxes. The nest box checks also helped us assess maintenance needs across the site. We identified boxes that will need to be replaced and also some that require repairs to ensure they remain safe and usable for future nesting seasons. This information allows us to plan improvements that directly benefit wildlife.

 

In addition to collecting data, volunteers cleaned out old nesting material from boxes that were no longer in use. Regularly cleaning nest boxes is essential for bird health, as it helps reduce parasites and disease, prevents nest material from building up too high, and makes boxes more attractive to birds returning to nest in future seasons.

 

 

 

This important work wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers. Their time, care, and enthusiasm make a real difference for birds at Camp Discovery, and we’re grateful for their commitment to conservation.

Palmetto Pro Birders at Huntington Beach State Park

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Blog post by Allison Bugarin, SCWF Education and Outreach Manager.

We had an incredible day exploring Huntington Beach State Park together! Winter birding along South Carolina’s coast never disappoints, but this trip delivered something truly special.

 

 

From the moment we stepped onto the woods to the last views leaving the park, we were surrounded by nonstop wildlife activity and unforgettable moments. Birds may have been our focus, but the park treated us to an outstanding mix of species—both feathered and not. We enjoyed amazing looks at saltmarsh sparrows! Some other species that we got great looks at were common loons, American white pelicans, green-winged teal, and a beautifully camouflaged Wilson’s snipe.

 

 

Beyond the birds, we were also lucky to encounter several fantastic non-bird species. A green sea turtle surfaced near the jetty, offering an unforgettable moment for everyone watching. A couple of minks darted in and out of the rocks along the jetty, and one of the largest Atlantic ghost crabs I’ve seen made an appearance on the beach on our walk back from the jetty.

 

As if the day needed anything more, a few participants even caught a glimpse of a roosting Eastern Screech-Owl on their way out of the park! This was a perfect ending to an already magical outing.

Thanks to everyone’s sharp eyes and enthusiasm, we wrapped up the day with 79 species for the day. From waterfowl to songbirds, the diversity of habitats at Huntington Beach State Park gave us an incredible variety to enjoy.

 

SCWF would like to say special thank you to Irvin Pitts for sharing his expertise and guidance throughout the trip. Birding alongside him was a rare treat, and we were incredibly fortunate to have his knowledge and sharp eyes with us for the day. Thank you to everyone who joined this trip. Your energy, curiosity, and camaraderie made the day truly memorable. I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as I did, and I can’t wait to see you again on our next adventure!

 

This trip is part of our Palmetto ProBirder Program, which is at the heart of what we do at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. By combining outdoor adventure, connection with others, and hands-on learning, we hope to inspire more people to become advocates for healthy wildlife habitats. Each time someone logs a bird sighting, plants a native plant, or supports conservation through a Duck Stamp or donation, it adds up to real and lasting change for the landscapes and species we love.

Birds of a Feather Paddle Together

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Thursday, October 2 was an incredible day on the water for our Palmetto Pro Birder Paddle, led by our Industry Habitat Manager and resident bird guru, Jay Keck. From the first push off the bank to the final call through the trees, the day was a reminder of how good it feels to slow down and enjoy nature with others.

 

 

 

We tallied 37 bird species, including favorites like the wood duck, red-headed woodpecker, black-throated green warbler, and a clapper rail.

 

 

We also heard a few species that stayed hidden in the trees, such as pileated woodpeckers and downy woodpeckers. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this fun and rewarding day in the field.

 

 

 

This paddle is part of our Palmetto ProBirder Program, which is at the heart of what we do at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. By combining outdoor adventure, connection with others, and hands-on learning, we hope to inspire more people to become advocates for healthy wildlife habitats. Each time someone logs a bird sighting, plants a native plant, or supports conservation through a Duck Stamp or donation, it adds up to real and lasting change for the landscapes and species we love. We hope to see you on the next one! Until then, happy birding!

 

 

 

 

 

SCWF Invites You to Explore with Us!

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The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is known for many things: being the voice of residents who love wildlife, an advocate for our state’s outdoor spaces, and amazing wildlife education programs. There is an incredible line-up of classes we offer including Palmetto Pro-Birder, Naturalist, and Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat events. New for 2025, SCWF is introducing our “Explores” programming. The “Explores” series is a new line of classes designed to introduce the outdoors to folks who may be new to outdoor experiences. BeBe Dalton Harrison, SCWF Director of Education says, “We want to welcome even more people to the outdoors.  These classes and events will be beginner friendly, lower cost, and a great way to step outside in a safe environment.”

The Explores Series will consist of a variety of topics across the state and will change yearly. This inaugural year includes programs to introduce families to fishing and hiking, backyard wildlife habitats, winter wildlife, and more! In addition to being “beginner friendly”, these classes will be offered at a low price point and in some cases will be free for the public. Once each Explores classes is open for registration, it will be listed on our events page at www.scwf.org/events.

SCWF Explores Series

Create a Wildlife Habitat-Anderson County (Tuesday, June 10th)
Families Exploring Nature-Lexington Wildlife Chapter, Lexington (Friday, June 27th)
Water for Wildlife-Sumter (Saturday, July 12th)
EcoLeaders for Youth-Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia (Monday, July 21st)
Backyard Habitat-North Myrtle Beach (Monday, October 20th)
Fall Backyard Habitat-York County (Date TBD)
Winter Wildlife-Location TBD

 

Banner image credit: Salty Serenity by Stuart Barfield.

Fun Birding Challenge with Birds & Beans Coffee

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Join the challenge! The first person to spot each species below before June 30th and email SCWF at mail@scwf.org wins a free 12 oz. bag of coffee, shipped straight from Birds & Beans. This migratory bird spotting challenge invites guests to try and spot one of the 6 migratory birds that are featured on the Birds & Beans packaging. Each bird is listed below with some tips & tricks about where you can spot them. 

 

 

Scarlet tanagers can be found in mature forests and even park-like settings in places like Saluda Shoals Park, golf courses, and even yards with large native hardwood trees. Listen for their raspy song to help you locate them high in the canopy.

Image Credit: Scarlet Tanager by Ryan Sanderson.

 

Chestnut-sided warblers can often be found in and around trees where the forest meets an opening. They’re usually found in the mid-levels of trees, as well as low shrubs, so you don’t have to look to high to find them (usually)! Park settings can also be good for this bird. 14 Mile Creek and Archers Lake in Lexington county could prove to be a good spot for these birds.

Image Credit: Chesnut-sided warbler by Keenan Yakola.

 

 

Wood thrush like mature healthy forests. Lynch’s Woods in Newberry and Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve should produce some of these birds in the Midlands. Wood thrush are usually on the ground or up to mid-level on trees. Listen for their song, which is one of the most beautiful of our woods during the breeding season!

Image Credit: Wood thrush by Fernando Burgalin Sequeria.

 

 

Baltimore orioles are brilliantly orange birds easily seen from a distance due to the male’s color. Once again, any park-like setting could produce one of these birds for you. Look mid to upper canopy for them. These birds are so beautiful, they can be life changing!

Image Credit: Baltimore oriole by Fernando Burgalin Sequeria.

 

 

American Redstarts are somewhat easy to find because of their erratic feeding behavior and constant movement. Look around the mid-canopy of hardwood trees in almost any setting in SC, besides open fields. Nature parks, city and town parks, and yards filled with native trees and shrubs should produce an abundance of these birds.

Image Credit: American redstart by Evan Lipton.

 

 

 

An open field is where you’ll find Eastern Kingbirds! Look for birds sitting on powerlines and in trees at the edge of a clearing, pond, or field. The dark tail with a bright white tail tip is diagnostic for this bird, but don’t get it confused with an Eastern Phoebe! Lakes, ponds, and any farm field could produce this bird for you!

Image Caption: Eastern kingbird by Frank Lehman.

Turn Out the Lights for the Birds at Night!

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A recent resolution was passed by the S.C. General Assembly that officially declared the nights of March through May and August through October as “Lights Out Nights in South Carolina Season” and urges South Carolina residents to turn out non-essential lights at night during these critical periods in the spring and fall for the protection of birds in South Carolina.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology uses BirdCast to track and forecast bird migration across the U.S., and has reported during peak migration periods, over a billion birds can migrate across the country in a single night! Every year, billions of birds migrate north in the spring and south in the fall, the majority of them flying at night, navigating the night sky.

The dark skies allow the migrating birds to avoid predators, take advantage of calmer air, and utilize the moon and stars for navigation. However, as birds pass over communities and cities on their way, they can become disoriented by bright artificial lights and skyglow. Some birds become casualties of nighttime collisions with windows and walls. Others circle in confusion until dawn, when they land exhausted and are subject to other urban threats. This issue impacts hundreds of species, including priority species such as the wood thrush and the seaside sparrow.

Thanks to the work of Audubon South Carolina, in collaboration with SCWF, the passing of this resolution is an important step towards a binding lights out ordinance that will require certain buildings in cities and towns across South Carolina to adopt bird-friendly lighting practices. The Charleston City Council passed a similar “Lights Out” proclamation on March 11th , which will hopefully lead to other cities and towns in South Carolina to follow suit. It was great to see the City of Charleston recognize lights out as a way to protect migratory birds passing through our skies. Special thanks to council member Ross Appel for working on this important initiative for our birds!

Jennifer Tyrrell with Audubon South Carolina stated, “It was great to see the City of Charleston recognize lights out as a way to protect migratory birds passing through our skies. Special thanks to council member Ross Appel for working on this important initiative for our birds!”

Join individuals and businesses across South Carolina to help our feathered friends on their long journeys with Lights Out South Carolina! Through taking collective action, we can help ensure that South Carolina skies provide safe passage.

 

See the full Senate Resolution at the link below:

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/339.htm

Check out this webinar on the dangers that birds face during migration, issues of light pollution for wildlife, and the steps we can all take to protect birds and wildlife.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsS2n9yY1DU

Want to monitor bird migration for South Carolina or your city? Check out Cornell’s BirdCast Migration Dashboard.