Can you believe that seven species of hummingbirds have been spotted in South Carolina?! Bird lovers rejoice! But while that is exciting news, only two species are spotted with regularity in the state. The first, Rufous hummingbirds, nest on the West Coast but are sometimes spied in South Carolina during migrations. The second, Ruby-throated hummingbirds, are the most common in South Carolina as they spend the entire summer season here. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are spotted frequently along the Atlantic Coast. So head to Hunting Island State Park along the Atlantic for a fantastic day of hiking and birding. And of course, don't forget your camera!

Hunting Island State Park is South Carolina's most popular state park. It's no surprise either, since the park offers a diverse landscape: five miles of beaches, thousands of acres of maritime forest and marsh, a saltwater lagoon, and even an ocean inlet.

The park is home to the historic Hunting Island lighthouse, which was originally built in 1859. The top of the lighthouse offers breathtaking views of the forest and ocean below. Be sure to check whether the lighthouse is open when you visit as it closes time to time for repairs.

There are 12 hiking trails to explore in Hunting Island State Park. The Marsh Boardwalk Trail is only .25-miles long and offers visitors a great opportunity to observe life in the salt marsh.

Another great trail is the two-mile Maritime Forest Trail. It takes you deep into the interior of the maritime forest, where you can see the dense vegetation that protects a wide variety of wildlife.

As you hike, or afterwards, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Ruby-throated hummingbird. The largest of these birds is just 3.5 inches long, so they can be hard to spot. The males have a vibrant red throat, so if a blur of red catches your eye, it may just be a hummingbird.

Female Ruby-throated hummingbirds have a white throat. So if you want to spot a female, be sure to keep your ears primed for the tell-tale buzzing made by the hummingbird's rapidly moving wings.

So grab your hiking gear and binoculars and head over to Hunting Island State Park. Hit one of the amazing trails, then see if you can spy a Ruby-throated hummingbird!