An easy winter day of birding from the trails, observation decks and boardwalks of Lake Conestee Nature Park. Be sure to check the forecast beforehand and dress appropriately!

On the Reedy River, just south of Greenville, South Carolina lies Lake Conestee Nature Preserve. Established in the early 1800s through the damming of the Reedy River, this 400-acre park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer, raccoon, fox, beaver and river otter. In September 2010 it was named an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, in part for its wintering population of Rusty Blackbirds. 5 miles of natural and paved trails and boardwalks take visitors through a variety of habitat - mixed forest, extensive wetlands and riparian zones.

We will explore a selection of the available trails here and will hope to find a nice mix of species, including potential goodies such as American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Rusty Blackbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Field, Swamp, and Fox Sparrows, plus all the regular winter visitors. We’ll be sure to scan the lake for ducks as well, with Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Ring-necked Duck, and Hooded Merganser all being possible. Of course, there’s always the chance of something unusual showing up – Sandhill Crane, Snow Goose, and White-winged Scoter have all been seen here in past years.