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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 Events14 May
Thursday, May 14th: 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 Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
28 May
Thursday, May 28th: 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 Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
11 Jun
Thursday, June 11th: 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 Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
01 Aug
Saturday, August 1st: 10 — 11 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Chris Mathis, Horticulture Manager at Historic Columbia, on a guided tour of the diverse tree collection in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion and the Robert Mills House. From South Carolina natives to exotic species rarely seen in cultivation, each seasonal Tree Trek walking tour highlights a different...
13 Aug
Thursday, August 13th: 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 Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.