Venture to Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, South Carolina  

May 2, 2006

The Anne Springs Close Greenway, near Fort Mill, SC, is a very pleasant place for spring birding. A variety of habitats guarantees a variety of birds and the combination of hardwood forests, streams, a lake, and farmland did not disappoint. The overcast skies looked anything but promising, but we were delighted to hear a Kentucky Warbler singing near the parking lot, and decided it would be a good day even if it did rain. After everyone got scope views of the Kentucky, we made our way down toward Lake Haigler, seeing a singing Yellow-throated Warbler and Scarlet Tanager on the way. The loop around the lake produced a pair of Wood Ducks, a single Green Heron, singing Louisiana Waterthrush, and several Black-throated Blue Warblers. John's patience allowed him to get a good look at the Acadian Flycatcher, after we gave up being able to find it. In the open country near the dairy, we saw at least 10 Eastern Kingbirds plus other birds you would expect there, such as Barn Swallow, Chipping and Field Sparrows, and Indigo Bunting.

The rain held off until just about the time to leave, but we had a great day, with a total of 58 species, including 11 warblers.