Where to See Wildlife

WHERE TO SEE WILDLIFE ON KIAWAH ISLAND

Popular Wildlife Viewing Spots on Kiawah Island

Kiawah River Bridge - There is a paved pull off on the right side of the Kiawah Island Parkway just before the bridge as you are leaving the island. Common species seen here include: Double-crested cormorant, snowy and great egrets, wood storks, osprey,northern harrier, bald eagle, willet, laughing and ring-billed gulls, tree swallows, bufflehead, and red-winged blackbirds.

Captain Sam's Inlet - The Kiawah River flows through a narrow channel between Kiawah and Seabrook islands creating a great spot for wildlife viewing. One of the biggest attractions are bottlenose dolphin that are frequently seen feeding in this area. They are often engaged in strand feeding, a unique feeding strategy in which they literally propel themselves out of the water to catch fish and shrimp that have been pushed onto the bank. This is also a great spot to view birds, including black skimmers, American oystercatchers, least terns, black terns, brown pelicans, Wilson's plovers, and many more. Be sure to stay out of marked bird nesting areas and remember that no pets are allowed in this area at any time.

Marsh Hawk Tower - This wildlife viewing tower is located at the end of Marsh Hawk Lane off of Sea Marsh Drive. There is no parking provided so access is by foot or bike via the bike path. The tower provides a scenic view of the Kiawah River marshlands. A variety of bird species can be seen but binoculars or a spotting scope are a must. The tower is open from sunrise to sunset only.

Bass Pond -There is a parking area located just past the second security gate on the right. A dock situated in Bass Pond allows for easy wildlife viewing of the pond area and marshlands on the opposite side of the road. Alligators are commonly seen in the pond. Other species of note: pied-billed grebe, brown pelican, herons and egrets, wood storks, bufflehead, hooded merganser, ruddy duck, and barn swallows.

Marsh Island Park - This undeveloped hammock island is located off of Governor's Drive between Persimmon Ct and Wax Myrtle Ct. Access is by foot or bike only. This is a great spot to view many common island bird species, including: mourning dove, Northern cardinal, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, Northern mockingbird,Carolina wren, painted bunting, and a variety of warbler species.

Grey Widgeon Tower - This wildlife viewing tower is located off of Grey Widgeon Lane in the Preserve. A parking area is provided on the right side of Grey Widgeon and the tower is accessed via a dirt nature trail across the road from the parking area. This tower provides a scenic view of Blue Heron Pond. Bobcats and deer can be seen from the tower particularly in the early morning and late evening hours. Other species of note: black-necked stilt, greater and lesser yellowlegs, herons and egrets, wood storks, anhinga, belted kingfisher,painted buntings, and hooded merganser.

Ibis Pond - This pond is located along Ocean Course Drive just past the Beach Club turnoff. Parking is allowed along the roadway, just be sure not to park on the bike path. Ibis Pond is a great spot to view alligators and birds. Other species of note: clapper rails, herons and egrets, bufflehead,hooded merganser, lesser scaup, brown pelican, wood stork, least bittern, and black-necked stilts.

Willet Pond - This pond is located along Ocean Course Drive approximately 1/4 mile before the Ocean Course Golf Course entrance. Parking is provided just past the pond on the right. Willet Pond is similar to Ibis Pond in that it is a very good spot to view alligators and birds. Across the road from the pond is an active osprey nest which often hosts great-horned owls in the winter months as well. Species to look out for are the same as those listed for Ibis Pond above.

Beachfront -Kiawah's beach is host to a large variety of birds throughout the year. The extreme western and eastern ends of the beach are particularly good birding spots. Remember that dogs are not allowed into these areas for this reason. Signs are posted designating these critical habitat areas. Common species along the beachfront: bottlenose dolphin, common loon, plovers (black-bellied, Wilson's, piping), red knot, sanderling, western and least sandpipers, dunlin, short- and long-billed dowitchers, gulls (great black-backed, herring, laughing), terns (least, common, royal, Forster's, sandwich, black), black skimmer, brown pelican, willet, black and surf scoters, american oystercatcher, whimbrel, and marbled godwits.

Interior Woods and Lots -The interior of Kiawah Island is home to a variety of birds and animals. Bobcats, deer, and foxes are all routinely seen during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours. Be on the lookout for these species as you travel around the island. Common bird species include: hawks (red-tailed, red-shouldered, Cooper's), owls (great horned and screech), mourning dove, Northern cardinal, Carolina chickadee, Tufted titmouse, Northern mockingbird, Carolina wren, American and fish crows, woodpeckers (pileated, downy, and red-bellied),ruby-throated hummingbirds, and a variety of warbler species.

Secondary dunes - Dunes stretch the length of Kiawah Island's 10 mile beachfront and are home to a number of wildlife species, including bobcats and deer. Dense sections of vegetation are used as daytime resting areas by each of these species. Common bird species include: common ground dove, mourning dove, and painted bunting.

East End Lagoon - The oceanfront lagoon and creeks on the eastern end of Kiawah's beach host a wide variety of bird species, including black skimmers, American oystercatchers, least terns, black terns, brown pelicans, Wilson's plovers, red knots, piping plovers, buffleheads, and many more. A snowy plover, a very unusual species for South Carolina, has also been seen in this area for several years in a row. Be sure to stay out of marked bird nesting areas and remember that no pets are allowed in this area at any time.