The Birds of Hitchcock Woods
Summertime in Aiken brings bright colors and beautiful birdsong right to our doorsteps. During this time of year, Hitchcock Woods is not only home to our native, year-round birds, but also to a host of birds migrating from South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
We recently spoke with Jay Keck, Industry Habitat Manager at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, about the birds you can see in the woods and beyond this summer. He explained how, with prescribed burning, Hitchcock Woods is creating a multi-layered habitat, combining a “prairie-like open understory habitat” with tall trees that make it hospitable to a multitude of bird species.
Keep an eye out for the white-eyed vireo, a small songbird with yellow accents, white-striped wings, and a song that sounds like the words, “Quick, give me the beer check.”
Or, peek through the trees for glimpses of the blue grosbeak and indigo bunting, two deep blue birds from tropical reaches. And, of course, look for the birds that live with us all year round, like the screech, barn, and great-horned owls perched throughout Hitchcock Woods.
Watch this video for a brief tour of the birds who grace Hitchcock Woods in the summertime.
