South Carolina
Birding the Lowcountry
Program No. 20959RJ
With its salt marshes, abundant forests, coastal estuaries and diverse wildlife refuges, South Carolina’s Lowcountry is a haven for both birds and birders alike.
Participant Reviews
Based on 37 Reviews
SHOWING
Birding the Lowcountry 2025 was my first trip with Road Scholar. Activity level: 'no sweat', the days were fully planned with a variety of local habitats to advantage viewing resident and migrating birds: wildlife management areas, swamp boardwalks, and several shoreline habitats. During travel, 'rest stops' were planned and offered opportunities to support the local economy. Mornings and evenings gave the group leisure time before/after wonderful home cooked meals. Our group heard informative talks and local history by our excellent local guides/experts, both after evening meals and during travel time to sites. By the trip's final day, the friendly chatter and laughter of the entire group gave witness to the quality of this trip and its birding opportunities. My 2-bedroom cottage accommodations were excellent! This trip was a much needed breathe of fresh air/recharge for me in many ways and I am already planning my next Road Scholar outing.
— Review left March 25, 2025
This was a great program and I highly recommend it for other travelers who are thinking of a birding trip. It was not high pressure birding, but serious birding in a comfortable manner. The leaders in charge of the accommodations, cooking and birding were all great and knowledgeable and the food was amazing. They helped increase my knowledge of birds, the Low Country and the history of the area.
— Review left March 9, 2025
This is a unique program with a melding of birding and cultural history. The setting is beautiful and offers the opportunity to see many bird species as well as insight into an important area in the South. The instructors, Bob and Elizabeth, were outstanding, and knowledgeable about birding and the area. The accommodations were comfortable, and the food was fantastic. If you are interested in birds, nature, and history, don't miss this program!
— Review left March 9, 2025
birds galore! If that's what you want!
— Review left March 9, 2025
If you enjoy observing and learning about birds, and want to do it at a comfortable pace, this program is right for you. As a bonus, the chance to learn about and experience local culture and history is provided.
— Review left March 7, 2025
Birding the Low Country of South Carolina exceeded all my expectations. I added several new birds to my life list and learned more about the history of the low country. The accommodations in the lovely cottage home were perfect- views and a bathroom for each bedroom. Finally the home cooked meals were delicious. Thank you Life Tides for hosting.
— Review left March 3, 2025
What a lovely and interesting region the Lowcountry is! On this trip I enjoyed getting to know the Lowcountry birds and visiting their habitats-- woods, saltmarshes, cypress swamps, beach, longleaf pines; learned about area history, sweetgrass weaving from Gullah Elders, tried the Lowcountry boil, roasted oysters, and other great food. The instructors were great at finding and helping us ID birds, teaching camera techniques and also good local history stories too. The LifeTides cottages were very comfortable- my room looked out east upon a marsh, and LifeTides staff were very welcoming and took good care of us. This was an interesting, relaxing week of cool experiences.
— Review left February 28, 2025
We're back in Florida after a week of birdwatching and learning about the South Carolina Lowcountry through Road Scholar with excellent guides, amazing setting, incredible meals, wonderful fellow learners and warm hospitality. We hope to return some day.
Michael and I enjoy long stretches of time watching and listening to birds more than ever since sharing a week with enthusiastic and expert birders.
As I call out the name of a bird or check my new birding app, I am reminded of my uncle, how happy he was to describe new sightings on his visits from New Jersey. Binoculars, hat, long sleeved shirt, and perhaps a field guide or small notebook.
Good memories, more to be made.
— Review left February 28, 2025
This program was awesome. I came as a novice birder and learned so much about how to identify birds, see birds in habitat, learn history and culture of the low country of South Carolina, understand land use management practices, and apps and technology to enhance the birding experience. I also learned to use binoculars more effectively and get better photos. We ate together family style at a large table and it was wonderful to meet, share, and learn from other participants. Food was excellent, accommodations wonderful. The leaders Elizabeth and Bob were excellent: articulate, supportive, enthusiastic, and so knowledgeable about history, birds, and habitats. It was a great learning experience.
— Review left February 23, 2025
Wonderful program! The location was amazing, accommodations and food outstanding, and the leaders were top notch.
— Review left February 22, 2025
Many sites were included in our birding to increase the likelihood of seeing many different birds. Travel to the sites was not long, and Elizabeth filled in the travel time with history and stories. Great food! The cottages were warm, roomy and lovely. I appreciated the changes to the itinerary to accommodate weather changes. Bob and Elizabeth are master birders and want to share their expertise as well as improve the participants' skills. I want to come back in the fall!
— Review left February 16, 2025
Excellent experience. Exceeded expectations. Great leaders who both brought unique strengths which combined to make it both educational and enjoyable. They introduced us to a wide variety of habitats (and hence birds; >100) as well as the history and culture of the Low Country. This serene setting, Life Tides community, nestled in the tidal marshes along the Broad River is completely in harmony with the objectives of the program. The small group size made for wonderful interactions.
— Review left February 15, 2025
A five-star experience! The best ever. The key is the exceptional staff who are passionate about their mission and make you feel comfortable while learning together. I totally agree with the reviews posted by Nancy and Elizabeth in 2024. The cottages are really homes with plenty of privacy. I plan to return next year!
— Review left November 23, 2024
If you are interested in the Low Country, birding, meeting interesting people, you will enjoy all that Life Tides and Road Scholar have to offer. Everything about this program is top notch !
— Review left November 6, 2024
I'm not a birder, or at least I wasn't, but the description said for "novice birders" and I had never been to South Carolina and the Life Tides cottages looked awesome and the way the meals are handled appealed to me so I decided to give it a whirl. I had no idea I would learn so much. About birds, about South Carolina, about trees and grasses and rivers and tides. Whether you're a birder or not, I encourage you to take this trip if only to meet the amazing teachers and staff. They don't just know their stuff, they are master teachers and really want you to learn. They aren't just extremely knowledgeable. They are patient, compassionate, funny, and kind. And the food is amazing. And those cottages? They are as cool as they look. A little bit cooler, actually. If you like being outdoors and you like people, and you don't need fancy (although the cottages are pretty close to fancy) this is the trip for you. And it doesn't matter one bit if you're a birder yet. You will be!
— Review left March 19, 2024
This is a wonderful way to see the beautiful South Carolina low country and have an amazing birding experience. The guides are extremely nice and exceptionally knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area, and--of course--about the local birds. They also have a unique talent to make everyone, regardless of their birding experience and abilities, feel welcome and respected. (This is not always true on other birding trips I have been on.) The accommodations and food were superior. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves being out in nature and watching birds.
— Review left March 18, 2024
Lowcountry birding offers the opportunity to learn about a variety of habitats, over one hundred species of birds and many plants and animals in an important, dynamic, and historic region. For a few days one can concentrate on nature while getting to know interesting people who share an interest in the program topics.
— Review left March 18, 2024
An excellent introduction to birding and also enjoyable for those who already do some birding. The instructors also share their knowledge of the local culture.
— Review left March 18, 2024
This was an amazing program. The small group size facilitated personal interactions and singles were an integral part of the group. The birding was great and we saw a lot of the low country in the process. The leaders were knowledgeable and went beyond exceptions to assure all enjoyed the experience. The lodgings were above my expectations. Nancy N.
— Review left March 17, 2024
This was a very satisfying birding experience in a unique region both historically, and geographically. Lots of birds were available to us, and though almost all were in winter plumage, it was still quite exciting to see them. The instructors were extraordinarily skilled in birding!
— Review left February 24, 2024
This was the perfect first time “birding outside the backyard” trip. I was enthusiastic about the subject, and this program delivered in spades! I saw and learned about 38 species of birds that I’d never seen before. The instructors were able to identify birds by sight and sound, offered interesting facts and stories about the birds and the areas we covered, and answered so many questions. They are so patient and willing to share their passion for birding. I highly recommend this trip and would like to go again in the spring.
— Review left November 30, 2023
The outstanding tour leaders - Bob Spear and Elizabeth Anderegg - made this program educational and fun. Their knowledge of the birds and wildlife in the low country as well as the culture and history of the area was impressive, and I came away knowing more about this beautiful area of South Caroline.
— Review left November 18, 2023
This is a lovely program in a beautiful setting directed by extremely knowledgable and congenial leaders who are able to accommodate and address a wide range of birding experience levels among group participants to meet everyone's interests and needs. It may not be suitable for the complete novice with no prior experience, but anyone with some degree of birding experience already under their belt can enjoy this program and learn a lot!
— Review left November 9, 2023
"Birding the Lowcountry" was a great week of birding and more. The guides were excellent and I came away with much greater knowledge of and appreciation for the area. If you are new to birding, the guides were extremely patient and helpful. If you're looking to add to your list, it's an opportunity to see numerous species. We had 116 in late October. The accommodations were very comfortable, spacious, well appointed and located on a pristine coastal salt marsh. (Sketchy internet and phone signals, however, in the cottages as stated in the program materials.) The food was the best I've ever experienced on the 17 RS tours that I've taken. This is a good one!
— Review left October 30, 2023
Highly recommended excursion with superb hospitality , accommodation and meals at LifeTides Palm Key.
Most certainly an enthusiastic and expert team of Bob and Elizabeth who arranged a fantastic series of locations with excellent sightings - Pinckney, Palm Royal, Donnelly were marvelous along with the early morning walks.
This trip I did back in 2018 and wanted to repeat , enjoyed it even more this time.
After each location, the e-bird list was immediately updated - an idea that all RS bird trips should follow !
— Review left April 7, 2023
If you love birds, nature , excellent food and are looking for a top-notch week, BOOK THIS . Oh, and bring your binoculars. Tour leaders Bob & Elizabeth are outstanding: funny, knowledgeable, excellent naturalists and will show you BIRDS! 111 identified on my trip, 38 added to my life list. Jan at Tidelands makes outstanding healthy, yummy foods! You WILL make friends: Feathered and human! "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin"
Jean E
— Review left March 24, 2023
Birding the Lowcountry is a fabulous program, and I highly recommend it to those interested in bird watching, photography, and history. Our guides, Bob Speare and Elizabeth Anderegg, expertly led us through the entire week and our hosts, Jan and Andy of LifeTides Institute (see https://lifetides.org), took exceptional care of us by providing wonderful meals and arranging lovely accommodations at the Community of Cottages (see https://lifetides.org/lti-cottages). An added benefit is that my husband, Bruce, now enjoys watching and listening to birds...a benefit that we carried home with us.
— Review left March 23, 2023
Great birding trip! The setting at Palm Key was absolutely beautiful. Our cottage was wonderful and comfortable , just like having your own little house. Jan and Andy were warm and welcoming. The meals that they provided were delicious and nutritious, probably the best that I have had on a Road Scholar trip. Elizabeth was great about relating the history and stories of the areas we visited. Bob was great about pointing out various birds and making sure that we saw them. I highly recommend this trip.
— Review left March 23, 2023
If you have the opportunity to attend this program led by Bob and Elizabeth, jump at it. I love watching birds, but I wasn’t an avid birder before I attended this program. Now my interest in birding has arrived. I’m hearing birds everywhere I go. I had planned to stay in South Carolina for an additional week seeing the various low country sites. The difference now is I’m sightseeing with my binoculars.
— Review left March 19, 2023
The combination of longleaf pine woods and tidal pools offer an opportunity to see a wide variety of shorebirds and unusual songbirds. The leaders were very knowledgably about the birds' habits as well as the local ecology and cultural history. They were friendly and engaging and made sure that everyone saw the elusive bird before we moved on. And they delivered the red cockaded woodpecker, my fondest hope for the trip!
Another highlight of the trip was the Gullah Elders basket makers. They offered a unique insight into the deep cultural heritage of the area.
The accommodations were quite pleasant. My husband and I shared a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house with another couple. All meals were prepared by LifeTides staff and were freshly prepared. They provided delicious alternatives for the few vegetarians among us.
Finally, I would recommend that you read Looking for Longleaf by Lawrence Early beforehand. I bought mine from Better World Books. It really enhanced the experience for me.
— Review left March 9, 2023
Birding the Carolina Lowcountry was a wonderful trip, amazing landscape, Bob and Elizabeth were wonderful guides and I saw a great many birds. The destinations were varied and were all magical and it was an excellent tutorial for sea and shore birds. The others in the group were all very compatible and as a single I felt very comfortable with the couples, it was a very inclusive group.
And the Lifetides Institute could not have made me and the others feel more welcome. The cottages were modern homes with full kitchens, 2 large master suites with ensuite bathrooms separated by a large well furnished living room and a large furnished porch. And the hosts, Jan, the Road Scholar Program Coordinator, and Andy with LifeTides Institute, went out of their way to make me feel at home with their friendliness and amazing cooking and baking. The food was outstanding, and as a vegetarian the special meals made for me and the other vegetarians could not have been better, each so well prepared and thoughtfully done. Jan and Andy fully enriched and enhanced the Lowcountry experience with their down home hospitality.
I contacted Jan before the trip to see if I could arrive early, and went over the menu with her so that she understood my needs which made the week go very smoothly, and she was in contact with another program participant, knew we were arriving at the same time, connected us so that I shared the cost of the rental car with them, which made it very nice for both of us. The taxi service listed wanted $216 one way, so no one used them. I highly recommend the trip, for the location, for the guides, and for the hosts at Lifetides Institute who made me feel like family.
— Review left February 28, 2023
Excellent program about birds. However, the instructors are knowledgeable about other wildlife, plants, climate, etc. Wonderful accommodations and meals at LifeTides Institute. Highly recommended.
— Review left February 26, 2023
Birding the Low Country in South Carolina at LifeTide Institute was marvelous. The accommodations and food were exceptional. The setting of the Institute is lovely. The birding guides were knowledgeable, capable, and fun. The program exceeded our expectations.
— Review left February 26, 2023
Top rate leaders and a lovely, comfortable, and hospitable home base put the program in the top tier of my Road Scholar experiences.
— Review left February 24, 2023
I strongly recommend this trip. The guides are knowledgeable, entertaining and kind. The food and accommodations are exceptionally good. I had a great time and added new birds to my life list!
— Review left March 12, 2019
Life Tides is in a lovely setting,something out of the book Prince of Tides. The staff was warm and welcoming and the food was delicious. The leaders,especially Bob Speare, were knowledgable and patient.
— Review left March 11, 2019
The leader, Bob Speare, was exceptional. Knowledgable about birds but also a lover of nature and kind with novices. The accommodations and food were outstanding, in one of the prettiest setting I've ever stayed.
— Review left March 9, 2019