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A Guide to Birding in Georgia

Cobb County
Birding Locations

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.


Cobb County  
1) Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park         [Sept 2008]                 
IBA, PM
See Beaton's BirdingGeorgia.
[DeLorme pg. 20, G-1]
A site of a major Civil War battle in 1864, this mountain is so important for migrating birds that it was designated as Georgia's first Important Bird Area (IBA). Documented very well for nearly two decades, this migratory Mecca is one of the best spots to see neotropical migrants anywhere, not just in the state but east of the Mississippi River. If you are in the Atlanta area in spring or fall and looking for a little birding get-away, it is not to be missed as it is just a 30-minute drive from downtown and very close to I-75. Some of Georgia's most accomplished birders have devoted endless hours to visiting the mountain and documenting the birds they observe, with a colorful rainbow of wood warbler species being of particular interest. From I-75 heading north away from Atlanta, get off at Exit 267B which will put you heading west on Highway 5 towards Marietta, but not for long; as soon as you cross back over I-75, exit to the right when you see a sign for Hwy 41. From points north, when you're coming south on I-75 get off at Exit 267 and follow signs that say "to Hwy 41." When you get to the light at Hwy 41, turn right and go through one traffic light. At the next light, you will see a BP gas station and a McDonald's diagonally to your right; get in the left turn lanes and turn left here onto Bells Ferry Rd. Immediately after making the turn, you'll pass a Subway sandwich shop on the right - get into the long righthand turn lane and turn right at the first light, which is Old Hwy 41. Go over a RR bridge, and then through one light (with Louise's Restaurant on the corner) and soon you will see the mountain and the battlefield on your left (PHOTO 14). Turn at the next light onto Stilesboro Rd, and then left into the Visitor Center parking lot; if you get there later in the morning on a busy weekend, you may have to park on the gravel shoulder of Old Hwy 41 just past Stilesboro Rd. There isn't really a "wrong" way to bird the mountain, except maybe to use the foot trail instead of the road, because the road offers much more open views, allows more people to position themselves to see a bird, and often gives you the advantage of looking at eye level or even down into the canopy to help avoid the dreaded "warbler neck." One problem with the road, though, is that it is shared by pedestrians, motor vehicles and bicyclists so you must be vigilant. Being that it is on a mountain, the road is fairly narrow, with steep drop-offs and blind curves. Due to various concerns brought to their attention by the DOT, starting in early 2007 the park has been re-visiting access to the road and is considering several options, one of which includes closing it to all foot traffic! The Birding Community has let their voice be heard on the issue, and you can contact the park office via US mail to do the same, as the situation is still pending. When you park at the visitor's center during migration, you will usually see a small group of birders forming near a fork in the Mountain Road (just beyond the parking lot); the right fork leads over to two houses that are actually park administrative buildings (PHOTO 1). Just as you start down this short road, you'll pass under some large trees that can have good flocks of birds during migration. Just beyond the houses, bird the woods surrounding a fenced maintenance area but do not go beyond the gate. Next, backtrack down the spur road and bird the woods along the edges of the large grassy field to your left (PHOTO 2). Your shoes may get wet with morning dew, but often it's well worth it with low, scrubby-relating birds along the edges like Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Tennessee Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-eyed Vireo, or (rarely) Nashville Warbler. This field is often skipped by visiting birders but should not be! Another good idea is to take a few minutes to bird around the parking lot (PHOTO 3) and the trees around the visitor's center. There are some very tall tulip poplar trees towering above a shady picnic area opposite the visitor's center that may have Baltimore Orioles or other birds feeding on their flowers in spring. Below these, along the edge of the parking lot by the picnic area is a black gum tree that can be covered up with thrushes and vireos eating its fruit in the fall. When you're finished at the bottom, it's time to head up the mountain. The woods on your right and left just after you walk past a small IBA sign and through a gate are usually good - you may have Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, and other birds here. A brief foray up the foot trail to a scrubby, wet drainage area with lots of Chinese privet may produce Kentucky Warbler or even Louisiana Waterthrush but both of these species are rare at KMT (especially waterthrush). Continue up the road, birding your way past a Civil War monument and into the woods (PHOTO 4). The woods here tend to be kind of slow, but birds pop up now and then. Winter Wren is sometimes found in early spring down the slope to your left, and the same area can be good for Hermit Thrush (winter). You will come around a right curve in the road, and the canopy opens up just a ways up the road (PHOTO 5); this area up to a painted pedestrian crossing can be productive for flocks of migrants. The road will curve to the right again just past the pedestrian crossing with an area of pines to your left - not surprisingly Pine Warblers live here year-round and are very vocal in spring. Continue birding up the road, staying alert for feeding flocks that are sometimes given away by noisy chickadees or titmice, until you come to a large open area (PHOTO 6; known as "the first big open area"). Check the tops of any snags here for perched birds, and take your time working the scrubby vegetation along the road on both sides for White-eyed Vireo, Worm-eating Warbler, Hooded Warbler, or (rarely) Blue-winged or Golden-winged Warbler, Nashville Warbler, or Wilson's Warbler. On clear days there is a great view of downtown Marietta with Atlanta on the horizon in the distance. After another brief plunge into the woods, the road curves sharply to the right and you'll see a rock outcropping on your right. This long stretch (PHOTOS 7 & 8) can be great for flocks of migrants, and a benefit here (as mentioned earlier) is that the road cut allows you to look downhill into the canopy below. At the end of this stretch, you will reach a few boulders, a bench, and an informational sign on your left (PHOTO 9). This area is known as "the saddle," because it is part of a saddle-like ridge connecting big Kennesaw Mountain to Little Kennesaw, which is now directly in front of you. The low scrubby area below the bench has turned up all kinds of great birds, and it is also worth walking down the foot path a ways to explore this habitat more. The saddle is also a good location for a daytime hawk watch or a nocturnal thrush count (though permission must be obtained from the park for the latter). As you continue to climb on the road, you'll reach another large open area that is uphill to your right with several small dead trees and lots of low, brushy habitat; this is called the "snag area" (PHOTO 10). The brushy habitat here may turn up species mentioned in the "first big open area," along with many other interesting birds; Eastern Wood Pewees like to use the snags as perches. Eventually you will come to the upper parking lot, with another good open area of low vegetation and edge habitat downhill on the left just before the parking lot (PHOTO 11). Bird the edges of the parking lot, especially if there is a flock, and then enjoy a nice view of Atlanta before heading up the stairs to the summit trail (PHOTO 12). The trail up to the top of the mountain (PHOTO 13) can be covered up with migrants on a good day when several flocks are working the area; it can also be a dead zone on bad days. When the birds are there, here is a true opportunity to experience migratory birding bliss with birds like Cerulean Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, and more. It's also possible to get a bad case of "warbler neck" because the tall canopy is directly overhead. The summit itself is frequented in migration by large chattering groups of Chimney Swifts performing acrobatics overhead. Keep an eye on the sky here while you take a break and enjoy the views, because migrating or local raptors may appear as well, including Turkey or Black Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, or (rarely) Peregrine Falcon or Osprey. When you're done birding at the summit (where you can get another view of the snag area from above), you can return the way you came or walk over the summit and down a rocky foot path on the other side which will intersect the road at "the saddle" where you can turn left to head back down. Bob Zaremba has a great website on birding Kennesaw Mountain which includes season-specific daily trip reports, which are updated on a regular basis. You can also email him (see his site for address) and subscribe to an email group to receive daily reports of the birds seen at the mountain during migration. A definitive source for information concerning how to bird the area, seasonal occurence of species (including extremely helpful bar graphs), and much more is another one of Giff Beaton's books - Birds of Kennesaw Mountain, which can be purchased (along with Birding Georgia) at GOS Publications.  You can also visit the park website.  A particular attraction of the mountain for a lot of birders is the rapidly declining Cerulean Warbler - especially in spring. Along with this species, a typical walk on the mountain in the peak of spring or fall migration may encounter warblers such as Blackburnian, Worm-Eating, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Prairie, Tennessee (esp. fall), Chestnut-sided, Yellow-throated, Blackpoll (spring only), Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird (usually heard only), Hooded Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and many more. Each season also turns up a few rarities and uncommon birds; in recent years these include Warbling Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, MacGillivray's Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Wilson's Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and Blue-winged Warbler. In addition to all the warblers, a variety of thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, and other migrants use the mountain to rest and fuel up. Pay attention to the Atlanta Audubon Society web page for free guided walks on the mountain in migration.
             
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2    PHOTO 3    PHOTO 4   PHOTO 5 PHOTO 6  PHOTO 7   PHOTO 8
                      
 PHOTO 9  PHOTO 10  PHOTO 11  PHOTO 12   PHOTO 13    PHOTO 14
Text by KB, Photos by KB & RC

2) The Acworth Lake Loop                  [Feb 2007]                  
W for waterfowl and gulls, PM
[DeLorme pg. 19, F-10]
This route is primarily best for wintering waterfowl, though the bridge over the dam between lakes Acworth and Allatoona does host nesting Cliff and Barn Swallows, and they may be joined by Northern Rough-winged Swallows or (rarely) Bank Swallows during migration. Some of the wooded areas at the various vantage points will host birds during migration, and a few resident and wintering passerines as well. There may also be gulls in winter or terns in migration. Start at I-75 Exit 278 (Glade Rd) and head south for 0.4 miles to a light with Lake Acworth Dr, turn RIGHT (this is Hwy 92). In 1.4 miles turn left into a small recreation area on Lake Acworth. The road actually goes over the dam between Lake Acworth and Lake Allatoona, and you can scope both lakes and view nesting swallows by walking around this area (PHOTO 1 & 2). Be extremely careful crossing the road to scope Lake Allatoona and when you leave in your car later - it is very busy and fast-moving. When done, carefully turn left on Hwy 92 and cross the bridge. In 0.6 miles, take the first available left turn onto Ragsdale Rd. In 0.5 miles, you will see water on your left and right. Park on the shoulder and scope the small arm of the lake to your right (PHOTO 3); both dabbling and diving ducks may be here, along with herons or egrets. You can also backtrack about 0.2 miles and go into a little park (South Shore Park) on the other side of the road for a different view of Lake Acworth (PHOTO 4). Continue down Ragsdale Rd for 0.2 miles and take a sharp right onto Acworth Due West Rd., then follow it for 1.2 miles until it deadends into Nance Road and turn left. In 0.5 miles, turn left into the entrance for Cobblestone Golf Course. Park as soon as you see spaces on the left (where the driving range is), and you can scope the upper end of the lake and a marshy area from a knoll next to the parking area (PHOTO 5). Do not venture onto the golf course and be polite not to distract golfers trying to tee off below you! Return to Nance Rd and turn left for 0.4 miles, then left again at the first light onto Main Street. Go through a commercial area, and through a light with Cowan Rd. Drive slowly through historic Acworth (neat shops and restaurants here), and just after the last block of shops, look for Academy Rd on your left (this is exactly 2.0 miles from Nance Rd). Turn left, and go through a stop sign at a school. This road will end at a small parking area with a boardwalk where you can scope the lake (PHOTO 6). When you leave, you'll see that you cannot return on Academy because it's one-way; turn right to head down Beach Dr. At the end, you'll come into a boatramp parking area and Acworth Beach, which offers very open views of most of the lake (PHOTO 7). When done, turn right out of the gravel parking area onto Seminole Rd, and turn left at a stop sign with Dallas Rd, and you'll find yourself back at Academy where you can turn right to get back to Main St. Turn left onto Main St, and 0.25 miles later you will connect back to Hwy 92 to finish your tour; note that when you see the overpass for Hwy 92, you actually have to turn left just before going under it to curve up to a right turn onto the road. Just a few spp. worth mentioning since 2006 - Horned Grebe, Caspian Tern, Herring Gull, Black Tern, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Ducked, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser.
      
 PHOTO 1   PHOTO 2   PHOTO 3   PHOTO 4   PHOTO 5   PHOTO 6   PHOTO 7
Text and photos by KB.


3) Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (also Fulton County)
PM
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
a) Cochran Shoals Unit                [Oct 2008]                         
PM,  late F for wrens and sparrows 
[DeLorme pg. 20, H-2]
Along with Kennesaw Mountain, Cochran Shoals is one of the premier birding locations in metro Atlanta. It is at its best during migration, but also offers unique late fall birding and some interesting wintering birds as well. The Chattahoochee River is an important migrant corridor, and the property features a variety of habitats including bottomland, swamp, willow and alder thickets, marsh, some upland woods, and a well-established sparrow field. The only complaint birders have here is that there are also lots of humans attracted to this habitat - from bikers to joggers to families, and their dogs. This may be true, but the birds happily go about their business in spite of all the people so it is well worth a little patience and a few evasive maneuvers to enjoy the birds of Cochran Shoals. You can access the area from either the southern or northern end. From points north, use Georgia 400, exit at Abernathy Rd and head west (turning right at the bottom of the exit). Go through a light with Roswell Rd, and when you reach Johnson Ferry Rd (there is a light and a church on your right), turn right. Cross the Chattahoochee River and take a left immediately onto Columns Dr, and follow it to the end where the parking lot is located. Note that you will pass the Johnson Ferry South Unit (Area 2) on your way down Columns Dr on the left, which is a nice stop as well (see description below). You can also use I-285 to access either end. To get to the north end, get off at Riverside Dr and head north. After a sharp right curve, you'll come to a light with Johnson Ferry Rd. Turn left and cross the Chattahoochee river, then follow the directions above. To get to the south access, heading east on I-285 get off at Northside Dr and go straight through the light at the top of the exit. Turn left at the next light onto New Northside Dr. Go straight through the next light, which is for people exiting I-285 coming west (if you are one of these people, turn right at the light at the top of the exit). From this light, you will curve around to the left through some office buildings, then come to a light with Northside Dr. Go straight through the light and you are now on the access road - Interstate North Pkwy. Cross over the river and turn right immediately into the parking lot. The parking fee for all CRNRA areas is $3.00; if you live in the Atlanta area, they are such good birding spots that a $25.00 annual pass is a no-brainer. Along with good numbers of the more commonly occuring species of migrating wood warblers, thrushes, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers, Cochran Shoals often hosts an array of unique species that are otherwise uncommon in the metro area. Both Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush may be found in migration along the river bank and in any low, wet areas. It is also a good place to find Canada Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and areas of thick brush will sometimes produce a rare Connecticut Warbler in May. Spotted Sandpipers can be seen on the rocks out in the river, where interesting waterfowl may also be found from fall-early spring such as Blue-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Mallard, or (rarely) Northern Pintail; secretive Wood Ducks breed in hidden sloughs and are often seen at river's edge or flying down the river at dawn or dusk. Great Blue Herons nest in colonies on large pines along the river every year. Other waders may also be found on the river or skulking in the swamp/marsh, such as Green Heron (breeds), Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, or Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (all uncommon to rare) or Snowy Egret (very rare). Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks soar overhead, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks stalk the woods, and Osprey may be seen flying along the river with a fresh catch. Even Bald Eagles have been seen along the river! Groups of migrating vultures, Broad-winged Hawks, and Sandhill Cranes might be spotted cruising over at high altitude. The many dead snags in swampy areas are perfect for a rare Olive-sided Flycatcher, which is found here semi-annually in spring or fall. The same dead trees are a woodpecker's paradise, and indeed Cochran Shoals is by far the most reliable location in Atlanta to find Red-headed Woodpeckers - and lots of them! In addition to these striking breeding birds, all the other "regular" woodpecker species may be found quite readily, including Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, along with plenty of Brown-headed and White-breasted Nuthatches. The sparrow field (see directions later) is a unique and special feature of this property. During fall migration (and more rarely in spring), a rare Henslow's Sparrow or (much rarer) Le Conte's Sparrow might be flushed; Lincoln's Sparrow has become a regular visitor in October in small numbers, among good numbers of Song and Swamp Sparrows. You may find the occasional Savannah or Vesper Sparrow (migration only), and rarities such as Grasshopper Sparrow and Dickcissel have made brief appearances as well. The field is also an important stop-over for both Marsh and Sedge Wrens. In mid-October it is actually possible to encounter all five species of wrens that occur in Georgia if you spend some time around in the field. Along with the two species above you may also find a House Wren in the field, while the surrounding woods will produce many Carolina Wrens and the occasional Winter Wren. Other birds that use the field at various times of year include Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Indigo Bunting, Palm Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird (accumulating to plague proportions in mid-October), Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird, and when part of the field is flooded you may even find the odd shorebird such as Yellowlegs or Solitary Sandpiper (both rare). NOTE: Birders must take care in the sparrow field not to cause wanton destruction of the vegetation. Be ethical, tread lightly, do not create new paths if there is obviously a narrow foot trail present. Furthermore, do not over-stress the special birds of the field by over-pishing or flushing them too many times, and do not use audio playback in the field! The southern parking area on Interstate North Pkwy is closer to the city and I-285, so I will begin a suggested birding route from there. Park and pay your fee or display your pass and head north on the wide gravel jogging trail. In spring and fall, listen for noisy Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, or the chips of Yellow-rumped Warblers to alert you to the presence of flocks of migrants working the trees along the river in the canopy, the mid-story, and low brushy areas anywhere along the trail. You may encounter several species of wood warblers including: Pine, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Yellow-throated, Black-throated Blue, Tennessee, Magnolia, Prairie, Palm, Northern Parula, and American Redstart (more common); Blackburnian, Cape May, Worm-eating, Blackpoll, Canada, Kentucky, Orange-crowned, Yellow, and Ovenbird (uncommon); Blue-winged, Nashville, Wilson's, or Connecticut (rare) among a few others. It is not unusual to find 12 or more species of warbler in one day during prime time migration at Cochran Shoals! Other interesting migrants - a few of which also stay to breed - include vireos such as Red-eyed, White-eyed, Blue-headed, Yellow-throated (last two uncommon), and Philadelphia (rare except mid-late September); thrushes such as Swainson's, Wood, Hermit, Gray-cheeked, and Veery (latter two uncommon); flycatchers including Acadian and other tricky Empidonax species including Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee, and Eastern Kingbird; and both Scarlet and Summer Tanagers. Eventually you will see a brown wildlife viewing sign on your left marking a boardwalk (PHOTO 4). Take your time birding this interesting swampy area all the way back to where the boardwalk becomes a dirt path, which you can follow to the right to circle the back side of the swamp where a recent huge blow-down (fall 2008) has created a nice open viewing area. This area may produce waterthrushes, Empids, typical warblers (see above), breeding Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and many other birds mentioned earlier. In spring you may rarely encounter a Prothonotary Warbler in this area, catch a glimpse of a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron skulking back in the alders, or in fall you may enjoy scores of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds zipping around the prolific jewelweed flowers. Head back to the main jogging trail on the river, and continue heading north and take the next side trail on the left (PHOTO 5) which takes you into the heart of the swamp/marsh, which you were skirting around on the boardwalk and dirt trail earlier. You are now in the heart of Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Yellowthroat, Orchard Oriole, and Red-winged Blackbird country; you can also view a lone pine from here where Great Blue Herons have attempted to nest and where on lucky occasions you may spot a perched Green Heron or (rarely) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Areas of jewelweed (small bright orange flowers) may be covered up with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in fall. Check all snags in migration for rare Olive-sided Flycatchers; in late fall Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrows, and (uncommonly) Rusty Blackbirds begin moving in for the winter. If you have more time, you can use the swamp trail to create a long loop on the west side of the property (see map below). Another possibility is to take a dirt side trail on your left just after the west gravel trail takes a sharp right curve to head north. This will take you past a beaver pond and then into some upland woods habitat and a powerline cut which may produce a few more migrant flocks and will bring you back down into the boardwalk area from the other direction; this area is not birded very often but is interesting. Usually I just turn around and head back to the river. Any time you get an open view on the river, take a look. Northern Rough-winged Swallows sometimes congregate here by the hundreds; mixed in during spring migration you may also try to spot Barn Swallow (more common), Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, and Tree Swallow (all uncommon) or Bank Swallow (rare) along with scores of Chimney Swifts. Just north of the swamp trail, you'll come to a boarded-up former restroom building, and behind it is the sparrow field mentioned earlier (PHOTO 2). It is always worth a walk around this field because, as detailed earlier, you might find any number of birds relating to it in various seasons. When you're done at the sparrow field, continue north over a foot bridge and then past a wooded area on your left with a creek flowing through it; check the edge of the woods here. About 200 yards further north, you will notice a well-worn foot path split off to the right, with a concrete sewer access unit near the beginning (PHOTO 1). This is known as the "Philly Vireo Trail," so-called because fall walks have produced up to four of this normally scarce species! See the maps below, which shows where the trail is located. The corridor with the trail (PHOTO 3) was actually created by a sewer/water line cut; this fortuitously isolated a narrow strip of woods right along the riverbank, so if a flock is working in this area they tend to move up or down the river and can be easier to follow, which helps you get more looks to sort through the birds... unless, of course, they bail out across the trail into deeper woods. When you get to the end of the Philly Vireo Trail it will re-join the jogging path; from here you can either continue north about 200 yards where the jogging trail loops around to the left past the north parking lot and then comes back down on the west side of the property to create a long loop (mentioned earlier) or you can turn around and bird your way back to your vehicle. It is notable that the western trail corridor is much more open with a wide, grassy strip along its length. This is perfect for good numbers of Indigo Buntings, and Blue Grosbeak has been seen here on multiple occasions in spring.
             
PHOTO 1    PHOTO 2     PHOTO 3    PHOTO 4   PHOTO 5        MAP
Text and Photos by KB, map by National Park Service (edited by KB)

CHECK OUT THIS AWESOME NEW COCHRAN SHOALS MAP by Jared Fisher!
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b) Johnson Ferry South Unit (Area 2)           [May 2008]            
PM, late F-W for sparrows
[DeLorme pg. 20, H-2]
See previous section for detailed directions. This is a less-often birded unit during migration, but has some great habitat and is certainly worth a stop. Park in the lot and bird the edges of the over-grown fields around the parking lot. At the northen end of the lot (opposite the parking fee station), there is a row of mimosa trees along the edge of the field, with a large oak tree and sycamore tree adjacent. In 2006, there was a large pile of mulch that provides a nice elevated view (PHOTO 1). This area can be simply "covered up" with good birds in fall (see Henderson Park, Dekalb County, for a description of mimosa trees). Warblers like American Redstart, Magnolia, Prairie, Hooded, and others will be feeding along with Eastern Wood Pewees and Acadian Flycatchers. Several species of Empidonax flycatchers have been seen, so get to know the key field marks in case Least or (rarely) Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are present. Bird your way back towards Columns Dr. In the fields in fall, there are lots of pokeweed bushes with berries that attract many birds - mainly mimid thrushes like Northern Mockingbirds, Gray Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers, but other birds may be feeding here, too. Eastern Kingbirds like to flycatch from the saplings in this area during migration. As you get near Columns Dr, there is a nice low, wet area with lots of willows. You may find Yellow Warblers here, along with other wood warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. In fall, the area has lots of jewelweed and you will find Ruby-throated Hummingbirds harrassing each other (and other birds!) as they feast on the flowers' nectar. In September 2006, there were several cuts made in this area for a gas line, which offer nice access to see more birds, though it can be muddy after wet weather. Head back towards the parking fee station, where there is a trail along the river. Just to the right (though the trail doesn't go here, really) are a few large oak trees, several of which have virginia creeper vines which yield berries in fall that many birds love. Watch for fluttering, feeding birds along the trunks and main branches; many will be Swainson's Thrushes or Red-eyed Vireos, but Veeries or Gray-cheeked Thrushes may be present if you're lucky. Head down the trail to the left (upstream) and soon you'll come to the other side of the mimosa trees. This area of the woods will also hold many birds that are relating to the mimosas and to a huge oak tree that is above your head. There is large a dead snag here that often has pewees on it, but look carefully because an Olive-sided Flycatcher is bound to show up here eventually. In this same area, a creek crossing provides a nice spot to look for waterthrushes, and you can also get down to the river to scan for birds here. As you bird down the trail, you'll notice a large wetland through the trees on your left. There are a few places where the woods are open enough to allow you to get to the edge to scan. The trail eventually comes to another overgrown field, which is good for sparrows in winter. You can bird the edges for migrants, then return the way you came. All the fields back around the parking lot are also good for "sparrow tromping" in late fall and winter (PHOTO 2). I have not seen a Henslow's or LeConte's Sparrow yet, but I have found Lincoln's and Vesper Sparrows,  along with Sedge and Marsh Wrens. Most sparrows you find will be Song and Swamp Sparrows, but a few Savannah may be here, and there will be White-throated Sparrows as well. Swamp Sparrows tend to be closer to the marshy area behind the parking lot, and a few Field Sparrows may pop up anywhere as well. A nice treat here are somewhat reliable wintering Fox Sparrows (red type). The best spot seems to be an area in the field south of the parking lot (downstream), past a large group gazebo. Continue to the edge of the field where saplings are starting to grow near the woods and you may get one to pop up by "pishing" (PHOTO 3). The north field at the end of the trail along the river has similar habitat and may host a few Fox Sparrows as well. Another special bird for this area is American Woodcock. You can enjoy their "peent" calls and twittering aerial displays from the brushy fields as it gets dark from late January through early March, though clear views are generally not possible due to low lighting conditions (which is the case for woodcock observation in general).
          
  PHOTO 1      PHOTO 2        PHOTO 3
Text and Photos by KB

c) Johnson Ferry North Unit      [May 2008]       
PM, late F-W for sparrows
[DeLorme pg. 20, G-3]
This area is located directly on the east side of Johnson Ferry Rd at its intersection with Columns Drive (see directions above). The parking lot is very popular with cyclists who bike on Columns Drive, but you can usually find a spot. This Unit features more of the same type of birding as the two mentioned above in this section: a mix of an open scrubby field, low wet areas, and hardwood-dominated riparian forest along the Chattahoochee River. There is a wet area dominated by willows adjacent to the parking lot which may have Yellow Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and Louisiana or Northern Waterthrush in migration. As you begin down the gravel trail, you'll pass through a wet weedy field with an old park service building to your right. In winter, the field will host Song and Swamp Sparrow, with a few White-throated and Field Sparrows closer to its edge with the woods as well. In October-early November, you may be lucky enough to find a Henslow's Sparrow or Sedge Wren here, but the chances are better at Cochran Shoals. You can walk behind the building to get a view on the river for waterfowl, and to bird a strip of deciduous trees along the bank for migrant flocks. Back in the field at its east end, you'll find an area of dead pine snags with a large beaver swamp at their base. They are home to a group of Red-headed Woodpeckers, and if you're very lucky you may find an Olive-sided Flycatcher at the pinnacle of a snag in migration. This area is also good for White-breasted Nuthatch and other woodpeckers, Common Yellowthroat, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, waterthrush, and more. You can explore the trails in the area looking for flocks of migrants and other birds mentioned in the previous two Units.

5) Heron Rookery          [July 2006]
late Sp-Su
[DeLorme pg. 19, F-9]
This area regularly hosts nesting Great Blue Herons, and a few immature White Ibis showed up, June-July 2006; Wood Duck, Kentucky Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Great-crested Flycatcher may also be encountered. A rare Mourning Warbler made a one-day appearance in spring 2007. Start out from Hwy 41, between its intersections with Acworth Due West Rd and Hwy 92 (where it is called Lake Acworth Rd). Go SW on Mars Hill Road from US 41 for 1.5 miles to County Line Road and turn right. After 0.8 miles you will see Old Stilesboro Rd on the right, turn here. The marsh is 0.4 miles down on the left. There is a gravel parking area for hunters on the right before you get to the marsh. Park there and walk down the road and you will see the nests in the tree tops on your left. Scan the swamp for herons, ibis, and egrets. Be careful - folks drive fast and there is a blind curve near the swamp.

5) Cobb International Blvd Area                    [Dec 2007]                  
W for waterfowl, PM
[DeLorme pg. 20, G-1]
Worth checking in winter (ducks) and migration, this marginal habitat still represents an interesting mix of marshy areas and lakes in the middle of ugly suburban sprawl. Pied-billed Grebe, Ringed-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Palm Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Snipe, sparrows, etc. Start by heading SW on Cobb International Blvd, from Hwy 41 near McCollum Airport (if you are coming west on Chastain Rd., you actually go straight across Hwy 41 and you're on this road). You'll see a lake on your right after 0.5 mile; pass it and turn right on Battle Dr. (just after a postal service building). Turn right at the 2nd driveway and park behind that building by a row of bushes - the lake is directly behind them and there is good access and good habitat as well - marsh grass, wet areas, scrub, willows, and some deciduous and pine trees (PHOTOS 1 & 2). There are usually Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers in the pines, who are often joined by Golden-crowned Kinglets in winter.  It is private property, but I've never been approached by anyone and locals fish on the lake all the time so apparently access is not an issue with the businesses on the lake; still, I would be wary of anyone in the area - employees or other folks using the lake - and be ready to leave if need be. Go back to Hwy 41 and turn right. In less than a mile, you will turn right at the first light onto Ellison Lakes Rd, a residential area made up of townhomes and apartments. After turning right, take the first immediate left onto Lake Heights Cir and continue through a sharp right, then left curve until you get to the end of the road and a parking lot at the pool for the townhomes. From here you can scan a nice marshy area (PHOTO 3) which has hosted neat winter waterfowl like  Northern Shoveler and Hooded Merganser, along with lots of sparrows (Swamp, Field, White-throated) and House Wrens. You might try clapping or tapes to see if any rails respond... I think it looks good for them, but the area may be too built up with less and less cattails and more reeds and underbrush filling it up all the time (a Sora did respond in winter 2006, and a last-minute Virginia Rail on the 2007 CBC after dark). Return Ellison Lakes Rd, and turn left. Soon you will see a lake on the left (PHOTO 4). You can scan from your car for waterfowl, but be considerate of local traffic and if you are causing a problem, just move on and try to scan some more after you turn around and come back. Kennesaw Mountain is right down the road, so you could briefly cruise this area in combination with a trip to the mountain.
   
 PHOTO 1   PHOTO 2   PHOTO 3   PHOTO 4
Photos and text by KB.
Copyright 2008 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.