Orangeburg sod farms
Robin Carter
Directions
From Exit 154 of I-26 go southwest, towards Orangeburg, on US 301. Here turn left onto Supersod Boulevard, a private road into the sod farm. Stop at the office and ask permission to bird on the sod farm. If the office is closed and Supersod Boulevard is gated, return to US 301 and go towards I-26. Turn right (south) onto Millennium Drive and drive through the industrial park, birding as you go, to Road 196, Big Buck Boulevard. Here turn right (south) and go about a mile to Bethel Forest Road. Turn right (west) onto Bethel Forest Road, a public road through part of the sod farm.
Birds to look for
Wild Turkey, American Bittern (w), Cattle Egret (s), White Ibis (s), Mississippi Kite (s), Northern Harrier (w), American Kestrel (w), American Golden-Plover (fall), Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs (spring, fall), Lesser Yellowlegs (spring, fall), Solitary Sandpiper (spring, fall), Upland Sandpiper (spring, fall), Semipalmated Sandpiper (fall), Western Sandpiper (fall), Least Sandpiper (spring, fall), Pectoral Sandpiper (spring, fall), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (fall), Wilson's Snipe (winter), Eurasian Collared-Dove, Common Ground-Dove, Great Horned Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird (s), Horned Lark, Bank Swallow (July–September), Cliff Swallow (fall), American Pipit (w), Palm Warbler (w), Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow (w), Savannah Sparrow (w), Lapland Longspur (w)
Description
This area is highly dependent upon the season and upon rainfall. During June or during dry periods you might find almost nothing at the sod farms. The area is best in September or early October just after a heavy rain. When you are on Supersod Corporation land always stay on the roads, stay out of the way of farm operations, and never drive down any road where you might get stuck. Supersod Boulevard is safe, but the side roads are not. Birders are guests here, and we have an obligation to our hosts and to other birders never to do anything that might cut short our welcome.
Many rarities have been found here, including Sandhill Crane, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Sprague's Pipit, Le Conte's Sparrow, and Yellow-headed Blackbird, to name a few. Horned Larks are regular here at all seasons.