Baldwin County
Birding Locations |
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Legend
Su = summer
F = fall
W = winter
Sp = spring
YR = year-round
[Sept 2009] = Most recently checked by Ken Blankenship (webmaster)
[N/A] = Not yet checked by Ken Blankenship
 = Location is within +/- 10 miles of the indicated interstate highway. This is especially helpful for out-of-town birders who may be passing through Georgia while travelling and would like to get out in the field.
 = Location is a "Georgia Birding Hotspot." Though this designation is subjective, it generally means that the area should be given high priority when planning a birding trip to a region. Some Hotspots offer productive birding virtually year-round (Jekyll Island, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park), while the best birding of the year may be seasonal at others (Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park).
  = Habitat and/or access at location is subject to change according to mixed land use or changes in ownership, such as cattle operations, agricultural fields, pine plantations (logging), and so on. Always adhere to good birding ethics concerning private property, and if the habitat at a location has experienced major changes or is no longer accessible, please email the webmaster.
SBM = Shorebird Migration; this very generally refers to mid-March thru May in spring and mid-July thru mid-October in fall. Fall is the prime shorebird season. Baird's and Buff-breasted Sandpipers likely only in fall. Peak passage of specific species is quite variable.
PM = Passerine Migration; this very generally refers to April and May in spring and August thru mid-October in fall. This includes all songbirds - wood warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, flycatchers, etc. Peak passage of specific species is quite variable. Spring migration is much more concentrated and birds are often in colorful breeding plumage and singing. Fall migration is more spread out; fall wood warblers can be notoriously difficult to identify (or impossible to determine sex), with numerous juveniles which do not exhibit the same obvious field marks as adults.
IBA = Important Bird Area; the aim of the IBA Program is to identify and conserve key breeding and feeding sites for birds. An Important Bird Area is a place that provides essential habitat for one or more species of bird, whether in breeding season, winter, or during migration. These sites are considered to be exceptionally important for bird conservation; see Georgia's IBA Webpage.
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Baldwin County
1) Milledgeville
Oconee
River Greenway [N/A]
YR
GPS via Google Maps
[DeLorme pg. 35, C9-10]
Text by Steve Parrish
This phase of the Greenway park was completed in early 2008 and further expansion is planned. Birding in the spring migration of 2008 was disappointing (perhaps because of the recent disruption) but fall of 2008 was relatively good with at least 16 warbler species as well as a rare Black-billed Cuckoo, a Wilson’s Warbler, and Philadelphia Vireos. Travel east out of Milledgeville on Hwy 22, about 0.5 mile from downtown and just before the Oconee River bridge turn right on the gravel road. Follow this road to the parking area. The grassy area along the road near the entrance can be good for sparrows in the winter. Cliff Swallows nest under the bridge and Red-headed Woodpeckers breed on the edge of the field. Eastern Bluebirds are also frequently in this field as well as Indigo Buntings in the summer. Behind the field, Swainson’s Warblers can be found singing from a wetland area in the spring. Take the concrete sidewalk nearest the river to the south. Belted Kingfishers are common on the river and also look for Great Blue Herons, occasionally Osprey, and (rarely) Anhinga. Between the second and third platform overlooking the river look right into the woods where you may spot an active Red-shouldered Hawk nest in late spring. You can then take a short dirt trail to the left along the river to Fishing Creek, though it gets a bit steep and is muddy after a rain. If you stay on the concrete and later take a left at the intersection, this will eventually meet up with the dirt trail. In this area of the Greenway Blue-headed Vireos may be found in the winter. Continuing on, you will next reach Fishing Creek and then arrive at the area behind Georgia Military College with some exercise stations. In clear areas behind GMC, scan the sky for raptors. After the exercise stations, take a left at the next intersection and this will take you back to the parking lot for a loop distance of approximately 1 mile. This area has breeding Blue Grosbeaks in the summer. Cedar Waxwings are common in the winter as well as woodpeckers and Red-shouldered Hawks in all seasons. There is also a dirt path to the north of the bridge that can be explored. Lockerly Arboretum, located south of Milledgeville, can also be a decent birding site but it is only open on Saturday afternoons on weekends.
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Copyright 2012 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.
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