5 Best Places For Birding In Georgia
Excited to come and do some birding in Georgia? It’s no surprise that Georgia is high on bird lovers’ bucket list due to its impressive 1,748,100 acres of important bird areas across the peach state. With 11 National Parks and 8 Wildlife Refuges, it can be hard to choose where to go for bird watching in Georgia. But don’t fear, we’ve got you covered with our list of the top five places for birding in Georgia.
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
For the past 60 years, this has been one of the go-to birding places in Georgia. With over 300 species of birds ranging from the largest colony of Wood Storks to the rare and unforgettable Painted Bunting, there is something for every bird lover. Due to the range of different habitats, including vast fields, forested wetlands, hardwood and pine forests to salt marshes, this National Wildlife Refuge attracts hundreds of migratory birds year after year. Just hours south of Savannah, it’s also an excellent place for hiking, with plenty of hiking trails to explore within the 2,824-acre refuge. History buffs will especially enjoy the former airfield from World War II that has since been converted into a 5-mile hiking and biking trail.
Keep your eyes peeled for the following variety of bird species:
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s top birding locations for several reasons. Around 300 species of birds can be found on this seven-mile-long barrier island, making it a must-see attraction for birding. Recommended spots for bird watching on the island include the historic amphitheater for Wood Storks, the famous St. Andrews Beach Park, home to the Great Horned Owl, and the Bird Sanctuary at Jekyll Island Campground for the colorful Painted Buntings. In between birding spots, the island will keep you busy with its charming historic district, once home to the vacation homes of the Rockefellers & Vanderbilts. Don’t miss the Georgia Sea Turtle Center or a stroll down the one-of-a-kind Driftwood Beach.
A handful of the main attractions here are:
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
Across this 35,000-acre refuge, you will have plenty of opportunities to spot the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker, a native species in the Southern U.S. Due to the decreasing number of pine forests, this species is endangered, but thanks to the safe haven of Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, it calls these loblolly pine forests home. Aside from the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, nearly 200 other bird species can be found here, including Warblers, Flycatchers, and Belted Kingfishers. Another excellent opportunity to observe the birds in their natural habitat is the hiking trails such as the 2.5-mile Red-Cockaded Woodpecker trail, the best time of year to spot this species is from May-June. During the winter, a great trail is the 1-mile Allison Lake Trail which offers excellent views of the waterfowl by the lake.
A few of the main stars here include :
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Bird lovers in the Atlanta area will appreciate the accessibility of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, as it’s just a 30-minute drive from Atlanta. This park is not only known for its 2,965-acre park that was once a Civil War Battlefield but also as one of the best places to see Migratory Birds, primarily during the Spring and Fall seasons. Around 200 species can be found in the park, most notably the neotropical birds, approximately 20 species of warbler species, as well as tanagers and vireos galore
Some of the notable species here are:
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Across this vast refuge, a whopping 407,00 acres, birds such as Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Wood Storks can be found among other animals such as Indigo Snakes. It’s not uncommon to spot one of the many American Alligators that call Okefenokee Swamp home, making this an adventurous birding experience! Don’t miss the Chester Island Boardwalk, a ¾-mile boardwalk that is the perfect spot to see wading birds, waterfowl, and alligators. Other notable birds that can be spotted in the refuge are the Bachman’s Sparrow and the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
More bird species that can be seen here include:
Your birding in Georgia adventure awaits! Contact us for safe, comfortable, and reliable transportation to and from the best places for birding in Georgia.