This event has passed.
Thursday, April 18th
8 — 10 a.m.
Birdwatching in the Gardens | Migration Season
Hampton-Preston Garden : 1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
For Bird Watchers, late April through early May is one of the most exciting times of the year. Spring migration brings tons of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and more species that we don’t normally see through South Carolina on their way north to their breeding grounds. Hopefully, some of these birds will take a rest on their mammoth journey here on our many Historic Columbia properties. Join John Tjaarda for a couple extra special walks during spring migration as we try to find these loving jewels.
Grab your binoculars for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens, and learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, and behavior. Following the birdwatching, attendees will receive a list of the birds seen during the walk. If you want to track birds alongside our guide, we recommend downloading the free eBird app. Historic Columbia is working to be recognized as a birding hot spot, and your contributions through eBird will help us achieve this goal!
Binoculars are highly recommended but not required.
Please meet at the front gate of the Hampton-Preston Mansion Gardens, located on Blanding Street.
About John Tjaarda
John began birding in 2011 after taking a job teaching bird study over the summer. After a short break between 2014-2018 John returned with a vengeance to the bird world and has been trying to see them all ever since. Follow John on Instagram at @birdwalksc.
Birdwatching & Other Garden Events
See All Events03 Oct
Thursday, October 3rd: 5 — 7 p.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Please plan to arrive any time after 5:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or...
10 Oct
Thursday, October 10th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
10 Oct
Thursday, October 10th: 4 — 6 p.m.
Members-Only Early Access: Fall Plant Sale
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2024 Fall Plant Sale! At one of two plant sales Historic Columbia holds every year, attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections across all of our...
11 Oct
Friday, October 11th: 11 a.m. — 5 p.m.
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2024 Fall Plant Sale! At one of two plant sales Historic Columbia holds every year, attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections across all of our...
12 Oct
Saturday, October 12th: 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2024 Fall Plant Sale! At one of two plant sales Historic Columbia holds every year, attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections across all of our...
14 Nov
Thursday, November 14th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
12 Dec
Thursday, December 12th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...