Easy walking through fields and along roadsides looking for a selection of open country species. Sun protection is highly recommended, as well as good walking footwear!

Located in Anderson County, in the Northwestern South Carolina Piedmont, Townville and its surrounding countryside farmlands provide excellent opportunities for finding an array of typical open country birds. This area is known primarily as a winter birding hotspot, with several small ponds that can yield a good variety of waterfowl such as Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, and Bufflehead. Late February brings on the possibility of a few Shorebirds as well -Least Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, and Wilson’s Snipe. Open farmlands afford great hunting opportunities for Raptors. One can expect Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and if we get lucky, Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl. The smaller Passerines can also be expected: Grasshopper Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark and American Pipit.

While most of our tour will be spent birding the farmland, we will certainly have time to explore some other habitats in the area as well. The wetlands and woodland of Beaverdam Creek WMA are great for everything from Brown-headed Nuthatch, Wood Duck, and Red-headed Woodpecker. If time permits, we'll stop by Lake Hartwell on our return trip to check for Common Loon, Bald Eagle and other various Waterfowl and gulls.

Join Vicky for a late Winter day of birding in the farm country of the South Carolina Piedmont.