Conservation // 3 min Read

Sounds of Neotropical Migrants

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Working from home sometimes results in sitting on the back porch and listening to birds while I work. “PIT-ti-tuck… Pit-ti-tuck… PIT-ti-tuck” is one of the newest calls to grace my backyard as the summer tanagers arrive in Beaufort County. Known as neotropical migrants, these are birds that spend the winter in tropical regions of the Americas, heading to the northern hemisphere during the spring. These migrants include buntings, tanagers, warblers, and flycatchers.

Listen to the Summer Tanager:

Near the beginning of March, the first neotropical migrant to show up is the northern parula. The buzzy “triIIpeep” of this warbler is a birder’s sign that the migration has begun. I personally memorize this song as an upside-down checkmark!

Listen to the Northern Parula:

However, the migrant that many people are excited to see is the vibrantly painted bunting. Arriving in mid-April, males perch on high branches to sing their whistling tune, hoping to project their voice far enough to attract a mate.

Listen to the Painted Bunting:

There are many species that end their northern migration around Beaufort County, but some birds only make a brief stop before heading farther north to places such as the Appalachians, New England, or Canada. Below is a list of commonly seen or heard neotropical migrants at the Bluff, and where you can find them, that I recommend learning to identify by sight or sound:

• Acadian Flycatcher – Moreland Point and Maritime Loop

• Barn Swallow – Duck Pond bridge, Inland Waterway, and Lake Bales

• Black-throated Blue Warbler – River Road Preserve

• Blue Grosbeak – Moreland Point

• Eastern Kingbird – can be seen throughout most of the property, typically near water

• Eastern Wood-pewee – can be heard throughout most of the property

• Great-crested Flycatcher – can be heard throughout most of the property

• Northern Parula – can be heard throughout most parts of the property

• Painted Bunting – River Road Preserve and the marsh trail to Moreland Landing

• Prairie Warbler – Pine-oak barrens and old pastures like the Long Leaf Pine Loop

• Red-eyed Vireo – shade trees in residential areas and River Road Preserve

• Summer Tanager – can be heard throughout many parts of the property

• Yellow Warbler – wetlands and forest edges

• Yellow-throated Vireo – areas with mature trees like the Sandhill Loop Nature Trail

• Yellow-throated Warbler – can be seen throughout most of the property

Palmetto bluff homes for sale

Real Estate
The Top 8 Benefits of Building on a Homesite

The Ultimate Choice: Building vs Buying a Home in Palmetto Bluff  For those searching for  Palmetto Bluff homes for sale, this common question often arises: Should you choose an existing residence, or embrace the opportunity to build your own? While a complet...

Nov 2025
south carolina winter

Culture
How to Spend a Winter Day in the Lowcountry

A Complete Guide to South Carolina Winter at Palmetto Bluff  South Carolina's winter is unlike any other on the East Coast. While many travelers search for “South Carolina winter” expecting cooler temperatures and limited outdoor options, the Lowcountry revea...

Nov 2025
palmetto bluff real estate

Real Estate
Real Estate Spotlight: Discover River Road

River Road: Where Lowcountry Beauty Meets Elevated Everyday Living  Tucked gracefully between Wilson Village and Moreland Village, River Road is one of Palmetto Bluff’s most immersive communities. It's where the pace of life seems to soften, classic Southern ...

Nov 2025

Club Life
‘Tis the Season for the Holiday Farmers Market at Palmetto Bluff

Sunday, December 14 | 9am to 1pmVillage GreenThe season’s most festive farmers market, the Holiday Farmers Market, comes to Wilson Village on Sunday, December 14, from 9am to 1pm. All are welcome to visit and experience the magic of holidays at the Bluff. The ...

Nov 2025

Real Estate
Tour This Light-Filled Lowcountry Retreat with a Modern Point of View

Tucked amid whispering pines and overlooking a tranquil water trail, 11 Lyonia Street is where Lowcountry charm meets modern artistry. The newly built residence redefines Southern living with a balance of craftsmanship and calm. This is a home that feels both ...

Nov 2025

Club Life
Home for the Holidays at Palmetto Bluff

The holiday season in the Lowcountry brings crisp air, oaks draped in twinkling lights, and laughter drifting from homes where families and friends gather once again. At Palmetto Bluff, the holidays are more than just a season; they’re a feeling of togethernes...

Nov 2025

Club Life
Introducing Anson Point at Palmetto Bluff: A New Legacy for Golf in the Lowcountry

https://vimeo.com/1071784239?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci We are excited to unveil the official brand identity for Palmetto Bluff’s newest chapter in golf, Anson Point Golf Course. Designed by golf icons Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and set within more t...

Nov 2025
palmetto bluff events

Club Life
Celebrate the 2025 Holiday Season at Palmetto Bluff Must-Do Holiday Events in the Lowcountry

Must-Do 2025 Holiday Events in the Lowcountry There’s no better way to embrace the magic of the holidays than spending them in the heart of the Lowcountry. With its sparkling waterways, moss-draped oaks, and warm coastal charm, Palmetto Bluff transforms into ...

Oct 2025
Rebecca McCorkendale

Culture
Behind the Bluff with Wilson Landing Marina Dockmaster: Rebecca McCorkendale

Rebecca’s Journey to Palmetto Bluff For Rebecca McCorkendale, life on the water isn’t just a career—it’s a calling that runs through generations. Growing up on Hog Island, nestled between Hilton Head and Bluffton, Rebecca was raised with salt air in her lungs...

Oct 2025
Palmetto Bluff homes for sale

Real Estate
Headwaters: The Height of Privacy and Lowcountry Living

Headwaters Community in Palmetto Bluff Tucked deep within Palmetto Bluff’s untouched maritime forest, Headwaters stands apart as the community’s most private and pristine enclave. With just ten family compounds spread across more than 600 acres of scenic mars...

Oct 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us