Henry 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.
Henry County
1) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nesting site [June 2007] 
late Sp-early Su
[DeLorme pg. 26, G-5]
Since 2000, a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers have been calling an electric tower in McDonough home, and successfully raising young! This is a roadside stop and is a quick venture from I-75 if you are on your way to/from other birding locales. If the birds are present in a particular year, they will be quite obvious with just a little patience waiting and walking on the road shoulder; it is NOT necessary to use any audio or pishing to see them so do not attempt these techniques under any circumstance. From exit 216 (southerly-most McDonough exit on I-75), proceed east on GA Hwy 155 for just 0.4 miles and turn on King's Mill Road on the right, with a large sign for the Midland Industrial Park (PHOTO 1). Turn right and continue to it's dead end into GA 42 after 1.4 miles. Turn left (north) on GA Hwy 42 for only 0.2 miles and turn right at the first road to continue following King's Mill Road. You'll notice a small pasture off to your left, then you will cross a power line cut in 0.25 miles, park on the right in a dirt pull-out. Notice across the road on your left where the first metal power line pole is located (PHOTO 2). The nest is usually located at the edge of one of the cross arms on the power line pole. Be very careful on the road as vehicles move through quickly. If you do not see the birds on the pole, you may find them hawking insects from low perches (even weeds) in the surrounding pasture but be very careful with traffic along the road. Do not leave the road shoulder, this is all private property. In the pine woods around the powerline cut where you parked you may encounter Yellow-throated Vireo, Indigo Bunting, or Pine Warbler while you wait to see the flycatchers.
 
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2
Text and photos by KB.
2) Simpson Mill Rd / Luella Rd [N/A] 
late Sp-Su, PM
[DeLorme pg. 26, G-5]
Good area for Dickcissel (as recently as June 2007), Blue Grosbeak, Grasshopper Sparrow, good open habitat. To find Simpson Mill Road, leave I-75 at exit 218, Highway 20. Go approximately 2.5 miles west and turn left on Simpson Mill Road (Oakland Road is on the right). Simpson Mill is good for many open field birds (Grasshopper Sparrows are numerous). To get to Luella Road, continue on Simpson Mill, it dead ends at Hampton/Locust Grove Road. Turn left, go approximately 2 miles, turn right on Luella Road.
3) Lake Spivey [N/A] 
W for waterfowl and gulls
[DeLorme pg. 26, grid E-4]
The tricky part with this lake is that it is private and difficult to bird, as it is completely surrounded by private homes. A little piece of the lake may be viewed from Blackhall Rd., which runs between Walt Stephens Rd. and Jodeco Rd. However, there will be traffic, and if anyone asks you to leave be prepared to do so politely. From I-75 & GA 138 south of Atlanta, head west on GA 138 to Speer Rd., turn left (south), continue past the Walt Stephens Rd. intersection and continue to Lake Jodeco Rd. Turn right (west) on Lake Jodeco Rd. and look for Lake Spivey on the right. You can scan the lake from this area with a scope, but this is a busy road so use extreme caution. Bald Eagle, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant; Red-necked Grebe Dec. 2006.
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Copyright 2008 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.
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