Butts County
Birding Locations |
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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.
Butts County
1) Bucksnort Rd [March 2007] 
late Sp-Su for breeding birds, PM
[DeLorme pg. 34, A-1]
Open habitat, several pairs of Dickcissel 2005-2007; Bobolinks during migration, other open habitat spp. breed here like Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, etc. Get off at Exit 201 and head west (right coming south, left coming north) Turn right at the first light - Bucksnort Rd. You'll pass a truck wash, gas station, etc. In about 2-3 miles you will come into expansive wheat fields on both sides of the road, you can't miss it. You will come through a smaller field before the main area, so be wary and keep going until it really opens up (PHOTO 1). Slow down and listen for singing Dickcissel and look along the power lines; there are two side streets on your right that you can pull off and park safely away from traffic to listen and scan the power lines - Harkness Rd first, then Foster Rd which is more in the center of the area. You will also hear Eastern Meadowlarks singing, and possibly Blue Grosbeak, Grasshopper Sparrow, or Indigo Bunting. A little further along and you'll come to Fenner Rd on the left; turn here and park to the side. This is another nice spot to get out and walk around. In migration you may see or hear Bobolinks; always check an area of shrubs and trees in the field to your right (north) for them an other birds. If you continue down this road, you'll come to a nice creek crossing that is worth birding in migration as well. In early spring (March) some of these fields may be planted with blooming clover which is real eye-candy for folks not accustomed to this saturation of fuchsia pom-poms (PHOTO 2).
 
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2
Text and photos by KB
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Copyright 2008 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.
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