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.
Camden
1) Cumberland Island [June 2005] 
IBA, mid F-late Sp
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
[DeLorme p. 71, 7-A,B,C,D]
From I-95, get off at Exit 3 and take GA Hwy 40 (Kingsland-St. Marys Rd) east into the city of St. Marys. The road will virtually dead-end at the southern edge of the city on the St. Marys River, and look in this area for the newly renovated Cumberland Island Visitor's Center and parking lot adjacent to the docks. (See the park website for more details on getting there; in summer 2007 the adult fees were $17 for the ferry and a $4 day-use fee). This is a beautiful and harder-to-access location for birding, great nearly all year except the heart of summer when the birding is slow and the heat intense. It's not really "hard" to access, it just takes some planning and effort; think of your adventure as a backpacking trip because once you're off the boat there are no amenities aside from restrooms with running water. Just find out the ferry schedule for the day(s) you'd like to visit; it varies seasonally. Because you will be doing some hiking around to enjoy the great birding that the island has to offer, be sure to wear comfortable shoes or Teva-style amphibious sandals (not flip-flops!) Depending on season you may encounter Reddish Egret, Least Tern, American Oystercatcher, Painted Bunting, Black-necked Stilt, Western Sandpiper, Dunlin, Red Knot, Caspian Tern, American White Pelican, Roseate Spoonbill, Northern Harrier, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, neotropical migrants, and a lot more. NOTE: on April 2, 2006 a Short-tailed Hawk was seen (by Florida birders) soaring over Amelia Island, just to the south of Cumberland Island. They reported it seemed to be headed north towards Georgia. This is a South American hawk and would represent a first Georgia record if it is seen in the state. Speculation is that habitat and/or climate presssure may be pushing the species north (in the right season, which apparently is spring or early summer - there is surely no data to base any predictions on, but its range only extends into Florida in the summer). Also, believe everything you hear about the heat down here if you decide to go in later spring or summer. Definitely bring along plenty of water for walking down to the jetty and mud flats at the southern tip of the island - I consider myself to be in average shape and nearly reached heat exhaustion in mid-June 2005.
Text and Photos by KB.
2) Crooked River State Park [N/A]
W for waterfowl, PM
[DeLorme pg. 71, B-6]
From I-95, get off at Exit 3 and take GA Hwy 40 (Kingsland-St. Marys Rd) east towards the city of St. Marys. Approx. 1-2 miles before you get to the city, look closely for Hwy 40 Spur on your left and turn here. The road will eventually dead-end at the park. There should be good signage for the park to guide you in from I-95. Waders, waterfowl; Bald Eagle, Wood Stork; American White Pelican has been seen. Crooked River State Park, 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway, St. Mary's , GA 31558. Located 7 miles north of St. Mary's on Ga. Spur 40 or 8 miles east of I-95 exit 3. Visit the park website.
3) Woodbine River Walk / Bird Sanctuary [N/A]
PM, mid-April-June for breeding species
[DeLorme pg. 62, H-4]
In 1893, Woodbine was founded south of the new railroad crossing of the Great Satilla River on part of what was then the 4,000 acre Woodbine Plantation. Today, our River Walk begins at the Riverfront Park southeast of US Highway 17, goes west along the Satilla River bank, then follows the old rail bed south with a paved walkway through town to 11th Street and continues one mile beyond to Liza Rudolph Road on a pine tree lined path. Our natural bird sanctuary provides shelter, protection, water, food, and nesting sites for many bird species. Enjoy a walk from the “Great Saint Illa,” across the grassy freshwater marsh-lands to the upland open fields and piney woods and cypress bog of Dunn Branch headwaters. Walk and drive about town and the surrounding Camden County neighborhoods. Woodbine is located on the eastern United States bird migratory flyway. You may see different birds seasonally; large oaks may be particularly productive for passerine migrants in spring and fall, including warblers, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers. Many species stay year-round, especially our favorite Eastern Bluebird. Other breeding birds include Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, and Summer Tanager along with Marsh Wren and Clapper Rail out in the marsh. You may see several species of waders in the marsh or waterfowl on the river, as well as numerous raptors overhead. The Woodbine Woman’s Club distributed and placed more than 200 bluebird nesting boxes throughout Woodbine to encourage nesting and to raise public awareness. The Club and the City of Woodbine through sponsorship by businesses, civic groups and families have placed the Woodbine Bird Sanctuary street banners you see along US Highway 17, Spur 25 and State Highway 110. We hope you will take note, learn more, enjoy, and help us protect this unique environment for all of us, including the many “feathered friends” in our town. The Bird Sanctuary Project, supported through sponsorship of street banners at $265, is open to individuals, families, civic groups, churches and businesses. We have license plates with “Woodbine Bird Sanctuary” for $15 and bluebird note cards for $10. Contact: Woodbine Woman’s Club PO Box 64 Woodbine, Georgia 31569.
Text by Woodbine Woman's Club
