A Guide to Birding in Georgia
Burke County
Birding Locations
Legend
Su = summer
F = fall
W = winter
Sp = spring
YR = year-round

  = 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.


Burke County  

1) Yuchi WMA
IBA, PM, May thru early June for breeding birds

GPS via Google Maps
33.07851608573469, -81.79012566804886
[Delorme p. 38, C-4, 5]
Text and photos by Lois Stacey
Yuchi WMA is located off GA Hwy 23 just NW of the town of Girard. From GA Hwy 23 turn onto Ebenezer Church Rd and continue until you reach to the entrance for Plant Vogtle. Turn right onto River Rd (NOTE:  The paved portion of River Rd is patrolled and monitored by Vogtle security and you may be questioned if you stop in this area; it is probably best to wait until you get to the dirt portion to stop and bird.)  See the area map. You will reach a "Y" intersection and you should take the right fork; soon the pavement will end. You are now inside Yuchi WMA (PHOTO 1).
     Drive along River Rd listening and watching for flocks during migration. Indigo Buntings, Yellow-breasted Chats and Prairie Warblers are abundant along this stretch of the road. There will be a small cypress swamp on the right where a small creek flows out (PHOTO 2). This can be a good place to get close views of swamp dwellers such as Common Yellowthroat and Prothonotary Warblers; both Eastern Phoebes and Barn Swallows nest in and near the culvert below the road. Continue along River Rd until you reach Griffin Landing Rd and turn left. This road appears to end at the gates to a mobile home community but it actually continues to the left as a smaller road. Continue past a white house on the left and park along the side of the road. Just ahead, the road continues down to the old landing. It is not passable by vehicle but can be walked. Bird your way down to the river and you will return the same way. Along this road Hooded Warblers, Northern Parula and Acadian Flycatchers are common and Louisiana Waterthrush can sometimes be found. Other breeding birds of interest in various areas on the property include Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-eyed, White-eyed, and Yellow-throated Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, and Great Crested Flycatcher.

     When done, return to River Rd and turn left. Continue until you reach a small swamp in a valley and up the other side. Along the road after this valley is the best place for Bachman’s Sparrows and Bobwhites. When you reach Brigham Landing Rd, turn left. Bird along this road where open scrubby habitat specialists will again be out in force. There are several paths and roads that go off into the surrounding woods that can be walked in order to follow flocks or just enjoy the area, just park along the side of the road. As you near the river again you will enter a hardwood forest. Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Parula and Acadian Flycatcher are common here; Kentucky Warblers have nested along this section as well. At the end of Brigham Landing Rd is an active boat landing with a large parking lot. Park here where there is a trail along the bluff over the river for about 0.1 mile or so.
     Ovenbirds likely nest at Yuchi WMA near the southern edge of their breeding range, and can be heard in several areas. In bottomland areas with dense cover, Swainson's Warblers may also be heard singing in spring and early summer. Painted Buntings may pop up anywhere along the roads throughout the property. Like any WMA, always check on hunting seasons; read the sign at the entrance for any restrictions or regulations during these seasons, and be cautious!
       
      PHOTO 1               PHOTO 2
Copyright 2012 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.