BryanCoBirdingSites

A Guide to Birding in Georgia

Bryan County
Birding Locations

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.

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.

'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.2) 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!

'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.3) Richmond Hill WMA               [N/A]
PM, late Sp-early Su for breeding birds
[DeLorme pg. 55, 9,10-D,E]
More information needed!

'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.4) 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.