Lowcountry birds are in trouble
Whether you live here year-round or are just visiting, chances are you’ve noticed the incredible variety of birds that grace the Lowcountry. For me, what started as a casual hobby turned into a passion. I picked up birding in my late 40s, and it’s safe to say I’m hooked — so much that I now serve as the President of Hilton Head Audubon (HHA), currently in my fifth year.
Why the deep dive into birds? First, I’ve fallen in love with the beauty and wonder of our native bird species and want to share that joy with others. Second—and more urgently—I’ve learned how dangerously close many of these birds are to extinction.
Bird populations across North America are in steep decline, primarily due to loss of habitat. A groundbreaking 2019 study found we’ve lost 3 billion birds in the last 50 years. That’s nearly one in four birds that have vanished. The newly released 2025 State of the Birds Report from the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) confirms this trend is continuing.
Let’s bring that closer to the Lowcountry. Our shorebird populations have declined 33 percent. Wilson’s Plovers, those sweet little birds skittering along the shoreline, have lost more than half their population. Eastern forest bird numbers, such as warblers and woodpeckers, have dropped 27 percent.
It’s a sobering reality, but there is hope. We know that smart conservation policies based on science is the answer. When we protect habitats, support bird-friendly practices, and advocate for stronger environmental regulations, bird populations can recover.
Thanks to contributions from our nearly 500 members and a grant from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, HHA has hired a part-time Conservation Coordinator, Denise Pritchard. Denise, is launching three key initiatives to protect birds.
- Keep cats indoors: Outdoor cats are one of the top killers of birds. Educating the public about this issue is essential.
- Protect shorebirds: From nesting signs to simple beach etiquette, small actions can make a big difference.
- Create bird-friendly habitats: Whether it’s your backyard or a public park, planting native species, providing a water source and eliminating pesticides can support bird life.
Locally, a new organization, the Carolina Bight Birding Center, is setting up shop near the Port Royal Sound Foundation. (A bight is a bend or inward curve in the shoreline.) Their mission is both timely and exciting “To enhance and preserve the diversity and quantity of bird populations in the Carolina Bight and the Atlantic Flyway.”
Beyond local initiatives, public advocacy is necessary to turn the tide. Many of the biggest threats, such as habitat destruction are policy-driven. That’s why HHA frequently speaks out. We encourage you to do the same.
Currently, environmental organizations, including S.C. Audubon and HHA are objecting to plans for Santee Cooper, a state-owned utility, to install a natural gas pipeline through the Francis Beidler Forest near Charleston. The pipeline would cut a 25-mile swath through the world’s oldest cypress swamp, which is also a crucial refuge for migratory songbirds. The SC Public Service Commission must approve the plan before it can move forward.
We can stop this. Write, call, contact, speak out and stand up. Contact your PSC commissioner in Beaufort County, Carolyn Williams, at CWilliams@psc.sc.gov. to register your objection. Learn more by visiting the Coastal Conservation League’s website a coastalconservationleague.org/blog/save-the-beidler-forest/
Birding is not just a hobby—it’s a gateway to appreciating and preserving our natural world. Our Lowcountry birds are in trouble, but together, we can make a difference. Whether it’s joining Hilton Head Audubon, planting a native garden, or raising your voice in defense of habitat, every action matters. Let’s protect the beauty we are so lucky to witness—before it’s too late.
In the words of author and anthropologist Margaret Meade, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Kay Grinnell is the President of Hilton Head Island Audubon
