This event has passed.
Thursday, May 2nd
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 Apr
Thursday, April 3rd: 5 — 7 p.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Update March 3: Pre-sale tickets are sold out! In the event of favorable weather, additional tickets will go on sale the week of the event and be available for purchase at the gate. Email us to join the waitlist for tickets. Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic...
10 Apr
Thursday, April 10th: 8 — 9 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 Apr
Thursday, April 10th: 4 — 6 p.m.
Members-Only Early Access: Spring Plant Sale
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2025 Spring Plant Sale! Celebrate spring at our Plant Sale! Browse heirloom flowers, shrubs, vegetables, and perennials, all grown in Historic Columbia’s gardens. All selections are integral to the stories we share and many are rare or hard-to-find...
11 Apr
Friday, April 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 2025 Spring 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 Apr
Saturday, April 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 2025 Spring 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...
24 Apr
Thursday, April 24th: 8 — 9 a.m.
Birdwatching in the Gardens | Migration Season
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
For bird watchers in South Carolina, spring migration brings tons of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and more species that we don’t normally see as they make their way north to their breeding grounds. Hopefully, some of these birds will take a rest on their mammoth journey here at Historic Columbia! Grab...
08 May
Thursday, May 8th: 8 — 9 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...
08 May
Thursday, May 8th: 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...
22 May
Thursday, May 22nd: 8 — 9 a.m.
Birdwatching in the Gardens | Migration Season
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
For bird watchers in South Carolina, spring migration brings tons of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and more species that we don’t normally see as they make their way north to their breeding grounds. Hopefully, some of these birds will take a rest on their mammoth journey here at Historic Columbia! Grab...
12 Jun
Thursday, June 12th: 8 — 9 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...