The Binocular Site
Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina
Located to the south of Myrtle Beach lies the small oceanfront Huntington Beach State Park. The park takes its name from Archer M. Huntington who owned the land prior to his death.
Here he and his wife, the sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, made their winter home. They resided in Atalaya Castle; a stunning home built in the style of Moorish architecture.
In an area known better for its golf courses, Huntington Beach State Park is a hotspot for many migratory birds. It has gained a reputation for being one of the best spots on the East Coast for birdwatching.
The ecosystem is predominantly made up of salt marsh, but also boasts over three miles of beaches as well as a managed freshwater marsh. The park is awash with birds and over 300 species have been recorded in the area. You can expect to see a wide variety of marsh birds, shorebirds, and waterfowl within.
The north end of the park features an impressive man-made jetty, which is a replica of a rocky coastline, and marks the southernmost range for many species of birds. This is a great spot to see many unusual wintering birds. Make sure to keep a watch on the coastline for endangered piping plovers.
The official South Carolina state bird is the Carolina Wren and you can find a checklist for bird watching activities in South Carolina here.
Photo credit to ericrichardson, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about the camping, activities, and birding opportunities at the Huntington Beach State Park and find a photo gallery of the park here.If you've visited the Huntington Beach State Park, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this South Carolina bird watching location below.
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