Legend
Su = summer
F = fall
W = winter
Sp = spring
YR = year-round

[July 2005] = Most recently checked by KB
[N/A] = Not yet checked by KB

  = 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 a quick birding fix. This is also helpful for birders planning a "Big Day," where staying close to a major interstate corridor is essential for covering the greatest diversity of habitats in 24 hours.

   = 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 incredible, productive birding virtually year-round (Jekyll Island), while the best birding of the year may be more seasonal at others (Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park).

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. Fall migration is more spread out; fall wood warblers can be notoriously difficult to identify (or even 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.


Bryan County 
1) Ft. McAllister State Historic Park             [N/A]
mid F-early Su
[DeLorme pg. 55, D-10]
Black Tern, Least Tern. More information needed! Visit the park website.
 
Photo by Steve Barlow.

2) Ft. Stewart (primarily in Bryan and Liberty Counties)            [N/A]
PM, late Sp-summer for breeding birds
[DeLorme pp. 54-55]
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman's Sparrow. More information needed!

3) Richmond Hill WMA               [N/A]
PM, late Sp-early Su for breeding birds
[DeLorme pg. 55, 9,10-D,E]
More information needed!

4) Sterling Creek Wastewater Treatment Area              [N/A]
mid F-early Su     
More information needed! The following important note was posted on GABO-L in 2000; more updated information is needed as to access status, species observed, etc. I have not seen any recent reports from the area, which may indicate that either a) it is no longer accessible to the public or b) it is simply under-birded. I feel that it is more likely that the area is restricted or else more reports would be filed from here. If anyone knows the status of this area, which seems to have great potential, please post to the ListServ GABO-L or email me. IMPORTANT (2000): The Sterling Creek Wastewater Treatment Area in Richmond Hill, Georgia, is a wonderful birding site. It is private, however. It's owned by the city of Richmond Hill and there is a municipal police firing range contained within. The powers that be in Richmond Hill understand the significance of the site for birds and ask that anyone wanting to bird there contact them first. You can call the Richmond Hill City Hall and speak with the City Manager or other officials to schedule with them, as they have to make sure there is no police firing going on when you want to visit. They have also had a problem with vandalism and are understandably a little wary of folks simply showing up. Since this is such a great place to bird in the coastal plain, let's make sure that we can continue going there by giving them a call first so that birders don't lose the privilege of accessing the area.