Conservation // 3 min Read

Songbirds of Spring

Written by Palmetto Bluff

As April approaches the promise of spring is unmistakable here at the Bluff, especially for bird enthusiasts. Above us, migratory flocks signal the start of a new season. Northern parulas, often among the first to migrate, arrive early in March. Their song—a rising, buzzy trill ending in a sharp chirp—is a beautiful harbinger of warmer days. These colorful warblers are known to build their nests in large clumps of Spanish moss, adding a touch of vibrant color to the landscape.

By mid-March, Eastern bluebirds are busy claiming cavities and constructing nests. If you’re putting up nest boxes, make sure to remove last year’s materials to provide a fresh start for these charming birds. Ruby-throated hummingbirds also make their way through the region, with early arrivals likely continuing their journey to northern breeding grounds.

Meanwhile, yellow-rumped warblers and American goldfinches are beginning to molt into their striking breeding plumage, adding even more color to the skies. As the month progresses, waterfowl diversity starts to decrease as many species head north, except for the wood ducks and black-bellied whistling-ducks, which remain in Beaufort County year-round.

Wading birds, including egrets and herons, are becoming more active as they initiate courtship rituals and begin building nests. And by the end of March, the familiar calls of Chuck-will’s-widows will fill the air, as they return for the summer.

With all this activity, don’t be surprised to see more visitors at your bird feeders. Birds that are molting or preparing to migrate need the extra energy to fuel their journeys. It’s an exciting time at Palmetto Bluff, as the sights and sounds of spring migration unfold before us!

Learn more about The Palmetto Bluff Conservancy Learn more about The Palmetto Bluff Conservancy

Architecture & Design
Moreland Village: Laid Back Luxury

Palmetto Bluff’s Moreland Village feels a world away from the more traditional architecture of the iconi...

Jun 2025

Culture
2025 Inspiring the Arts Scholarship Recipients

We are thrilled to introduce the inaugural winners of the Inspiring the Arts Scholarship—three extraordinary young women pursuing their artistic dreams through higher education! Katherine Donahue has been named our first official scholarship recipient, wit...

Jun 2025

Culture
Summer Style in the Bluff: Discover What’s New in Retail

From handmade jewelry to performance wear, the latest arrivals at Palmetto Bluff’s retail spots capture the season in true Lowcountry style. This summer, the Bluff’s shops are full of fresh finds, carefully chosen by our trusted retailers—including FLOW Galler...

Jun 2025

Conservation
Citizen Science

Citizen Science is Thriving at Palmetto BluffDid you know that residents of Palmetto Bluff are playing a vital role in national and global conservation efforts—all from their backyard?Through the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy’s growing Citizen Science programs, c...

Jun 2025

Artist in Residence
Music Mosaic

In October 2024, Grammy Award-winning musician Clay Ross visited Palmetto Bluff as part of The Arts Initiative's Artist in Residence Program. Through storytelling and song, he explores identity, heritage, and the universal language of sound. By Barry Kaufman ...

Jun 2025

Food & Wine
Peach Perfect

Palmetto Bluff Club Executive Chef  Beth Cosgrove and Director of Culinary, Chef Rhy Waddington, Cook Up Four Peachy Recipes for a Summer in the South. Is there anything more iconic than a southern peach? A symbol of summer and Southern heritage, the peach car...

Jun 2025

Culture
Finding Fish

Following the tides and angling for redfish in Lowcountry creeks and estuaries with Captains Brian Vaughn and Will Stephens Story by Sandy Lang It is a sunny morning in October and the water is calm and glassy. The silence is punctuated by a gush of breath f...

Jun 2025
home upkeep checklist

Real Estate
Get Ahead of Spring Cleaning: How to Upkeep Your Luxury Lowcountry Home

7 Ways To Upkeep Your Palmetto Bluff Home As spring arrives in the Lowcountry, the change in season brings more than blooming marshlands and sun-drenched afternoons; it’s also a perfect time to refresh and care for your Palmetto Bluff home. Coastal living mea...

May 2025

Discover the Next Great Chapter in Golf Course Design, Only at Palmetto Bluff

When the land speaks, you listen. And at Palmetto Bluff, it spoke to two of golf’s most legendary course designers—Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. We invite you to watch our newest video, shot this past winter and featuring Bill and Ben, along with South Street P...

May 2025
home renovations 2025

Architecture & Design
Renovations That Will Increase Your Home’s Value in 2025

5 Renovations to Increase the Value of Your Lowcountry Home Whether Palmetto Bluff is your full-time residence or a cherished retreat, deciding to sell is never a quick or casual choice. However, when the time does come, you want your home to be as market-rea...

May 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us