Landbirds - Research and Monitoring

Breeding Bird Atlas

South Carolina has a long history of ornithological survey, dating back to the colonial era, but much of this work was concentrated in the coastal zone and sporadic in nature. Large portions of South Carolina, especially the interior of the state, had never had an adequate avian survey. The Breeding Bird Atlas Project was designed to increase our knowledge of the states breeding bird distribution and status.

Red-cockcaded Woodpecker Safe Harbor Program

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) Safe Harbor Program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and was authorized in a 1998 agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and SCDNR under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under the ESA, private landowners have a legal obligation to protect RCW and their habitat. The goal of the Safe Harbor Program is to provide conservation benefits to RCW while removing regulatory restrictions to landowners who are voluntarily restoring or enhancing suitable habitat through improvement projects, such as prescribed burning on hunting plantations. Landowners interested in restoring or enhancing upland pine habitat but concerned about additional regulatory restrictions if their RCW population increases are encouraged to seek enrollment in the program. The Safe Harbor Agreement is voluntary and a landowner can withdraw from it at any time.

To report a red-cockaded woodpecker cavity tree, please email rcw@dnr.sc.gov.

To learn more about red-cockaded woodpeckers, please visit our species page

Baltimore Oriole Survey

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources conducts annual Baltimore Oriole winter surveys. The state natural resources agency is interested in the status and distribution of these colorful songbirds that have begun wintering in the Palmetto State.

Baltimore Oriole Winter Surveys

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