Looking Skyward

Conestee Nature Preserve holds endless wonders for birding enthusiasts

It’s a chilly, overcast day at Conestee Nature Preserve in Greenville, but that hasn’t deterred avid birdwatchers Andrea Schechter and Denise DuPon. They’re meandering through the West Bay section, peering through their binoculars at rusty blackbirds, a yellow-rumped warbler, a winter wren, a double-breasted cormorant.

They’ve seen just a fraction of the 226 species that have been identified at Conestee, designated an Important Bird Area of Global Significance by the National Audubon Society.

While DuPon and Schechter have years of expertise and are members of the Greenville County Bird Club, Michael Corley, executive director of the Conestee Nature Preserve, says any visitor can see an impressive variety of birds on a casual walk. “We’ve built all of these trails and boardwalks that provide unparalleled access,” he says. “There’s an incredible diversity of habitats, from meadow to wetland to everything in between.”

For those who would like a closer look, Greenville County Bird Club offers a variety of outings and events, including group walks at Conestee on the third Saturday of each month. Participants can choose longer or shorter options, and non-members are welcome.

Schechter says the group aspect not only makes the walks more fun, but it makes them more productive and has improved her skills as a birder while expanding her list of bird sightings. “We text each other and say, ‘Hey, a green heron is over here,’ and people will drop what they are doing and come look,” she says.

While other members have keener eyesight, she brings excellent hearing to the table, “and a good portion of birding is by ear.” She has practiced discerning the various calls and songs of birds, which helps her spot them.

Flying High with Greenville County Bird Club

Schechter got her start watching birds in her backyard in New York, which led her to take an Audubon Society class. She moved to Greenville after retiring from a career as a financial analyst, and promptly Googled “bird clubs,” which led her to Greenville County Bird Club in 2017.

“We are about education,” she says. “If you come on a walk, we will wait and point you to a bird as best we can to make sure you’ve seen it.”

One of the biggest challenges is showing people where to look, which is why they often carry laser pointers to assist.

Like most hobbies, birdwatching takes many forms, from those looking for quiet time in nature to those who are working to earn the top spot on eBird, an app that tracks which birds participants have seen. eBird lets participants compare their lists with friends and other birders around the world. As of November, DuPon was in 8th place in Greenville County for the year, with 131 bird species spotted countywide. Her full list for the year totals 395 species, thanks in large part to her recent trip to Panama.

The top spots can get quite competitive, she says, though many excellent birders don’t use the app. For most club members, it’s all about the thrill of seeing the unique creatures in the wild and recognizing their colors, behaviors, and calls.

The intrigue crosses all ages and demographic boundaries, as Schechter and DuPon saw right after they spotted a large turkey buzzard and a ruby-crowned kinglet. A field-tripping class of restless children walked up to the West Bay Observation Deck and were immediately drawn to Schechter and DuPon, who pointed to the skies and showed close-up photos of the birds on their phones. The kids paid rapt attention, suddenly quiet, and headed to the railing to spot a few birds on their own.

Corley, who sometimes walks the trails to greet visitors, says he loves seeing the excitement from people of all ages as their imaginations take flight.

“So many people are interested in birding,” he says. “All it requires is attention. Just take a walk, and when you look, there is so much lurking beneath the surface.”

A Closer Look at Birding

Birdwatching just requires your eyes and a bit of curiosity, but a decent pair of binoculars is a big help. Beginners typically start with a less expensive pair and then upgrade as their budget and interest level allows. Here are two options to get started.

Nikon Aculon A211 8 x 42 binoculars from REI, $109.95

Zeiss Conquest HD binoculars – Roof Prism, $999.99, Cabela’s.

Backyard Birding

Want to bring more birds to your backyard? Or identify a few at Conestee? Abbie Pressley, co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited on Congaree Road, has a few suggestions for purchases to attract birds.

A tube feeder or a hopper feeder that will appeal to a range of birds.
Bird food with no fillers. “Providing food that attracts cardinals, nuthatch, titmouse, and others ensures they will stay through the winter.”
Birds of the Carolinas, a color-coded ID guide for beginners or experts, is easy to carry along on walks.