Feathered Fun: Spot 25 Must-See Birds in Lake Murray Country
April 10, 2025
April 10, 2025
The Capital City/Lake Murray Country region, consisting of Lexington, Richland, Newberry, and Saluda counties, offers everyone, from the casual backyard birdwatcher to the intense rare bird “twitcher,” plenty of opportunities to discover new species and learn more about our birds. This is one of the best places to bird in South Carolina. While you’re here, check out some bird spots and see if you can find these 25 Bucket List Birds in Lake Murray Country.
The best place to start the Lake Murray Country Bird Bucket List is among the swamps of Congaree National Park. Buggy, gator-infested, mucky—some of our most beautiful birds love a swampy area. And let’s be honest, southern swamps have a certain romance, especially when the Wood Thrush are singing. These birds are relatively plain-looking, but their song is spectacular. Ethereal and flute-like, their call can transport you straight to childhood, before bills and taxes mattered (and before gas was $3.00 a gallon). If you happen to hear two or three singing, stop and listen. Let the sound take you wherever. Another bird that adds to the morning swamp chorus is the jewel of Southern birding, the Prothonotary Warbler.
This warbler may be tiny, but it has a powerful, piercing “tsweet, tsweet, tsweet” that you’ll hear long before you see it. You won’t have any trouble spotting this bird once it’s in view—it’s as yellow as a lemon drop. Prothonotary Warblers tend to stay low, often making their nests in cavities on cypress knees. That makes them an ideal warbler for the everyday birder to check off their list. While you’re here, keep an eye and ear out for Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Parula, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Egret, Wood Duck, and more.
We can’t talk about birding in Lake Murray Country without talking about the lake itself. Just driving along the dam gives you the chance to spot five birds of prey that are common to the area. Most prevalent are the two species of vulture: the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. They have very distinct under-wing patterns, which help you tell them apart in flight. You’ll also see plenty of Osprey floating over open water, tracking fish to take back to the nest. Hear a piercing cry overhead? Despite what TV and movies might have you believe, that’s not an eagle—it’s a Red-tailed Hawk. In flight, its signature red tail will be bright and obvious from below. And don’t rule out the possibility of spotting a Bald Eagle on Lake Murray. Although their numbers declined over the last century, they’ve made a remarkable comeback and are now a reliable sight around the lake.
As you travel through the four counties, especially the farmland-rich areas of Saluda and Newberry, you’ll come across fields, pastures, and power line cuts. Birds love to live on the edge of habitats—think of a tree line bordering an open field. Many species thrive in these areas. The trees offer shelter, while the fields provide bugs and seed flowers for feeding. This is the perfect place to spot one of the bluest birds in the region: the Indigo Bunting. It’s smaller than a Northern Cardinal and is often seen singing from the top of a snag or bush. Also likely to join in song are the Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager, and Great-crested Flycatcher.
You’ll also find small ponds and marshes scattered across the landscape and near the lake, both natural and man-made. These areas are popular with the Great Blue Heron and its smaller relative, the Green Heron. In many places, you’ll also see birdhouses or hanging gourds inviting Purple Martins to nest nearby. The abundant plant life in and around these wetlands attracts other species too, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Phoebe, and the colorful Painted Bunting.
That’s 25 birds—and a few more—to get you started on your life list. Can you find them all? Let us know and share your photos by tagging @LakeMurrayCountry on social media. Want to see more examples of birds in the region? Follow me (@famouslydapper) on Instagram.
Written by John Tjaarda, 2024
Our Tourism Ambassador Program is back, bringing fresh stories and exciting adventures from the Capital City/Lake Murray Country region. Our ambassadors highlight the area’s beauty, culture, and outdoor experiences, offering unique perspectives on what makes this destination special. Join Mayor Sloan Griffin, III as he explores Blythewood, paddle alongside Katie Maglocci at Palmetto Outdoors, and discover the region’s birdlife with John Tjaarda. Stay tuned throughout the year as they share their experiences and showcase the best of Capital City/Lake Murray Country.