Cook 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.
Cook County
1) Reed Bingham State Park [June 2006] 
YR, late Sp-Su for breeding birds, W for waterfowl
[DeLorme pg.59, E-6 & F-6]
Located 6 miles west of Adel on Ga. Hwy. 37 via I-75 exit #39, and 14 miles east of Moultrie from U.S. Hwy. 319. This park has hosted Limpkins (most recently in June 2007), and also has great habitat for other water-relating species like Least Bittern, Purple Gallinule, Prothonotary Warbler; an active Bald Eagle nest was also observed in 2006. Along Hwy 37 as you head west from I-75, there are several large sod farms worth checking out in migration for shorebirds. Also, if you're hungry don't miss Fuller's Catfish House just outside the entrance to the park! Assisstant Manager Chet Powell is a great contact for this park, and can be reached at (229) 896-3551; he took birders on personal boat tours up the lake and river to view Limpkins and other great birds in summer 2006 and 2007. Visit the park webpage. |
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Copyright 2009 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.
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