Lowcountry outdoors: 2022 Widgeon Point Preserve

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

2022 Widgeon Point Preserve - Birding Trip

Bald Eagle sightings are frequent

My first ever trip to Widgeon Point Preserve in Beaufort County on Saturday, February 12 occurred under cloudy and mild conditions from 1 - 3. The trip was organized by the Master Naturalist Alumni group and to my chagrin, many of the intrepid attendees had attended other birding trips in the morning that same day. That morning they had fanned out to places like Bear Island, Port Royal and Okatie which underscores how Widgeon Point is a central location for many, located right along the Broad River off of Highway 170.

Property is under conservation easement

The Widgeon Point Preserve is open to the public during daylight hours, and is well known to Bald Eagle enthusiasts because they have an active bald eagle nest in a large pine tree adjacent to the parking area! That's right, just park and then look up and its bald eagle bliss on tap! And on this particular day, two bald eagle fledglings could be seen in the nest - increasing the WOW factor!! While the birding group led by Jill Moore did romp around the hiking trail, other members of the public were simply sitting in camp chairs waiting patiently for bald eagle activity. Besides lots of cedar waxwings throughout the property, perhaps the birding was a little slow this day, but I can still recommend Widgeon Point Preserve.