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Have you seen this bird? Probably not. The rare red-cockaded woodpecker is hard to spot, but you can find them this month if you visit this 46,000-acre longleaf pine forest.
Photo by Will Stuart
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More than birds
The refuge offers a variety of interesting plants and wildlife to enjoy, including these native pitcher plants.
Photo by Robert Askins
When they pull off U.S. Hwy. 1 near McBee and enter the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, visitors are quickly immersed in the sights and sounds of a thriving, 46,000-acre longleaf pine forest.
Other than the well-paved main road, trailside parking areas and interpretive signs, there aren’t many signs of humanity in the woods, along the trails or on the shores of 28 ponds that dot the property, and that’s by design. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the property with a wildlife-first emphasis.
“It’s an ecosystem where people are visitors,” says manager Allyne Askins. “It’s for the birds, for the wildlife.”
Established in 1939, the refuge contains some of the last remaining natural habitat of endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker. And if you’re in search of this elusive bird, April to June is prime viewing season.
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are the only woodpecker species that make a home in living trees, and the tall, skinny longleaf pines inside the refuge are an ideal habitat. The birds peck into the bark to draw out sticky pine sap that flows down the trees, giving it a candle-like appearance.
Askins recommends visitors in search of woodpeckers bring a good pair of binoculars and start their visit by following Tate's Trail, starting at the Martin’s Lake Recreation Area. Listen for the unmistakable drum of the woodpeckers at work, then look up, scanning the pine trunks for white bands around the tree trunks that indicate a nesting site. Red-cockaded woodpeckers form tight-knit families, with older siblings staying around to take care of their younger kin.
The birds aren’t large, and despite the name, their plumage features a black-and-white ladder pattern on the back and white cheeks. Only the adult males have a small red patch just behind the eyes, and that splash of color may be difficult to see at first.
Tim Evans, director of land conservation at Audubon South Carolina, says the refuge is important to the survival of this fascinating species. Longleaf pines were once prevalent along the coast, from Texas through the Carolinas, but logging and development eliminated 90 million acres of a longleaf pine ecosystem.
Along with bird watching, there are many other activities at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can hike the trails, have a picnic, and fish in the refuge. If you’re searching for adventure off the paved path, there are 140 miles of earthen and gravel roads to explore on foot or with a bicycle. A photography blind is available on Martin’s Lake, offering excellent opportunities for observing waterfowl.
On a typical visit, you’ll likely have the place mostly to yourself, says Askins, who requests visitors help maintain the pristine environment. “The primary reason people come is to be in a place for wildlife and to leave a light touch.”
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Get There
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is located at 23734 U.S. Hwy. 1 near McBee.
Hours: Access is available 365 days a year one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.
The visitor center is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on federal holidays.
Admission: Free.
Details: For more information and details about Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, visit fws.gov/refuge/carolina-sandhills, call (843) 335-8350 or email carolinasandhills@fws.gov.