Myrtle Beach, Florence, Sumter
The counties and hotspots listed below represent well-known birding areas within the region and are provided for planning and reference. Specific trip locations vary based on season, access, and local conditions.
Horry County anchors the Grand Strand with a strong mix of coastal and inland habitats. Myrtle Beach State Park offers beachfront birding alongside maritime forest and freshwater ponds that can be productive year-round. Inland, Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area) protects extensive floodplain forest and wetlands that support waders, woodpeckers, and migrant songbirds. The Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve and Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve add managed wetlands, pocosin, and savanna habitat that are especially productive for marsh birds and wintering waterfowl. Along the North Carolina line, Cherry Grove / Hog Inlet (Cherry Grove Pier, House Creek, Fishing Pier) provides reliable shorebird, tern, and gull viewing tied closely to tides and seasonal movement.
Florence County centers on urban greenways and productive freshwater corridors. Forest Lake Causeway can attract waterfowl and wintering birds, while the Florence Rail Trail (Bridge, Boardwalk) follows wetland edges and wooded corridors that are especially useful during migration. Jeffries Creek Park offers riparian woodland and open water within town, and Lynches River County Park protects blackwater river habitat that supports breeding songbirds, waders, and seasonal migrants. The Florence Stockade adds additional wooded and open habitat that can produce surprises during peak movement periods.
Williamsburg County highlights interior wetlands, forests, and managed sites with strong seasonal birding. The Hemingway Sewage Treatment Ponds are a reliable stop for shorebirds, waterfowl, and gulls during migration. Wee Tee State Forest offers extensive bottomland forest and upland pine habitat, while Gilland Memorial Park and Johnsonville City Park provide accessible local birding along waterways and wooded edges. Moore Farms Botanical Garden adds a carefully managed landscape that attracts migrants and breeding songbirds, rounding out the county’s diverse offerings.
Nearest Airports
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
Florence Regional Airport (FLO)
Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Drive Times
Myrtle Beach to Conway: 20–30 minutes
Florence to Sumter: 45–60 minutes
Myrtle Beach to Florence: 1.25–1.5 hours
Charlotte to Florence: 2.25–2.75 hours
Spring (Mar–May): Peak migration across forests, rivers, and preserves brings strong movements of songbirds, shorebirds, and waders as conditions warm.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Swamps and forests support breeding southeastern species, while beaches and marshes host nesting terns and resident shorebirds in hot, humid weather.
Fall (Sep–Nov): Shorebirds and waterfowl return to inlets and wetlands, with steady passerine migration through hardwood forests and cooler conditions.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Wetlands, fields, and beaches attract geese, ducks, raptors, gulls, and lingering shorebirds during variable winter weather.
