There are many more birding sites across the middle of the state than we mention below. In order to keep this list manageable, we've limited it to some of the locations that have been frequently visited by the GCBC. For each of the spots below, more detail can be found in books cited on our Literature page or in the site descriptions on the Carolina Bird Club website.
Santee NWR is made up of four separate units, all within a fairly short drive of one another. See the above linked birding map for an overview of the locations.
The Bluff Unit includes the Visitor Center, where maps and other info can be picked up. Behind the Visitor Center and along the drive are some overviews onto Lake Marion, where ducks may be found in winter. Near the Indian Mound site are wooded and brushy areas that can be excellent for passerines. The Wrights Bluff Nature Trail passes through some woods before offering views onto Cantey Bay, which typically has ducks, geese, swans, and often White Pelicans in the winter. The trail intersects Fort Watson Road, where to the north the road goes past some agricultural fields and eventually leads to some great waterfowl impoundments, but keep in mind that this part of the refuge is closed during waterfowl hunting season. Please read signs and respect closures. The trail continues west through some very productive woods, and also includes an overlook platform for the field to the north, in which may be found some interesting birds, including Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, and Short-eared Owl.
The Cuddo Unit is most easily birded by following the Wildlife Drive tour, which passes through a wide array of habitats along its 7.5 miles. You'll find brushy fields that can be home to sparrows, buntings, Yellow-breasted Chats and, along their edges, American Woodcock. There is swampy bottomland forest, freshwater marsh, and a few overlooks onto Lake Marion. There are multiple trailheads along the route from which more birding may be done on foot. Keep in mind that the impoundments and woods of Cuddo West are closed during waterfowl hunting season. The majority of the unit is always open, so just be careful to read signs.
The Pine Island Unit has a nice variety of habitats also, but it is perhaps best known for its brushy fields, in which can be found (by the patient and lucky) LeConte's and other interesting sparrows.
The Dingle Pond Unit is probably the least birded unit, but this interesting Carolina bay habitat has its own charm. The short hiking trail can produce looks at a few ducks, some sparrows, and sometimes rails.
The Orangeburg area has a number of sod farms that can make for great shorebirding during migration. The best known of these is the Super Sod farm on US Hwy 301 at Exit 154A from I-26. Best practice is to check in with the office at the main entrance before birding, but in all cases, stay on the roads and do not venture into the fields. Remember that this is a working sod farm and the grass is their product.
Success in finding shorebirds will depend greatly on the amount of rainfall the area has seen recently; dry fields tend to produce few birds. Accordingly, the best birding is when the dirt roads are in the worst condition, so proceed slowly and cautiously.
The Allendale area can be great for Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites, accumulating in large flocks from mid-July to early August, before heading south. Other good species to be found include Dickcissel, Horned Lark, and both species of Buntings. See the birding map linked above for specific locations.