JonesCoBirdingSites

A Guide to Birding in Georgia

Jones 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.

Jones County
1) Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge [March 2009]
IBA, PM (Spring)
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
[DeLorme pg. 34, B-4, 5 and C-4, 5]
This wonderful wildlife refuge features specially-managed habitat for the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the threatened Bachman's Sparrow. Both species prefer stands of mature pines in an open, park-like setting with low ground cover dominated by grasses (not a dense, scrubby understory); they are in decline across their range due to the loss of this habitat to years of logging. Fire also plays a major role as a disturbance agent in this habitat, and is used successfully by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to manage the refuge. As of 2006, at least 38 active clusters, or family groups, of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers ("RCW's") were known to be on the refuge, with 82 nestlings observed that year. The best and most popular time to enjoy Piedmont NWR is in the early spring. Many Atlanta-area birders make the relatively quick trip in late March or early April to get the first real taste of spring... the early warblers singing their hearts out... Red-cockaded Woodpeckers chattering to each other as they head out to forage... Bachman's Sparrows ringing in the dawn as the sun breaks through the pines (PHOTO 1)... it is one of those unique, special experiences in Georgia birding that should not be missed! Thus, this description will focus on birding the refuge in spring migration. Begin at I-75 at Exit 186 (Juliette Rd) and head east. At 6.2 miles on the left (north) side of the road, there is a pasture with a pond in it; the owners have a Purple Martin house that has hosted a colony for many years; be very careful if you briefly stop on the shoulder to view the birds from your vehicle - traffic here is fast so don't get out. At 8.4 miles you'll reach US Hwy 23 at a stop sign; note that a country store and gas station at this intersection is the closest and only spot for provisions other than the touristy Whistle-Stop Café in Juliette so plan accordingly. Continue east on Juliette road, cross the railroad tracks, and just before you reach a bridge over the Ocmulgee River, turn right into a new public picnic area and park (NOTE: you may wish to bird the bridge areas mentioned here after you bird the refuge since the RCW's and Bachman's Sparrows are most easily located very early in the morning). From the picnic area, you'll have great views of a colony of Cliff Swallows whose clay-pot nests may be seen attached to the bridge, along with other swallow species such as Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Barn Swallow, all of which are just starting to show up in early spring. Scan the trees and scrubby habitat around the picnic area for migrants, and carefully cross Juliette Rd to do the same on the other side where a pseudo-trail allows a short walk to the river. On the other side of the river, turn left onto River Rd and park on the shoulder. Listen for Louisiana Waterthrush singing along the river, and check for possible migrant flocks working the trees; reset your odometer as you turn back onto Juliette Rd to continue east. In exactly 1.0 mile, note Barron Russell Rd on your left (but don't turn on it now). At 3.1 miles from the river, you'll come to a large fork in the road - keep left to stay on Juliette Rd (Jarrell Plantation Rd to the right goes to a historic site of the same name). Slow down when you see a tiny, cinderblock primitive Baptist church on your left (5.1 miles from the river), and turn left on the next unmarked gravel road; note that the entrance to the one-way Little Rock Wildlife Drive is almost directly across the road on the south side - which you might want to explore later. Park just a ways off Juliette Rd, hop out, and you will be greeted by happy Yellow-throated Warblers singing their hearts out and, if you're lucky, you may pick out a Bachman's Sparrow singing as well. Also joining the chorus here and throughout the morning will be Chipping Sparrows, Pine Warblers, squeaky-toys (Brown-headed Nuthatches), Northern Parulas, and various woodpecker species. Continue carefully down this fair-quality gravel road and 0.8 miles from Juliette Rd you will ford a creek; only after heavy rain would you not be able to do this in a passenger vehicle - just be careful, if it can be done in an Acura TSX any car should be fine. In the area of the creek, take some time to get out and bird around the edges of a few wildlife clearings. You may find birds mentioned already along with vireos (Red-eyed, White-eyed, Yellow-throated, and Blue-headed are all possible), Common Yellowthroat, Prairie Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, and always listen for Louisiana Waterthrushes singing on the creek. At 1.2 miles there is another wildlife plot on your left with a few deciduous trees that is also worth checking for migrants and breeding birds (PHOTO 2). At 1.8 miles, look carefully for both green and white-ringed RCW cluster trees right next to the road on your right along with several signs marking a trail (PHOTO 3); park here - you know you're in the right place if there's a wood bench just a short walk in the woods down this trail. Bird all along the road in this area, listening for the happy ringing song of Bachman's Sparrows and the unique chirpy-trills of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. A very rare southerly sighting of Red Crossbill was made here in March 2008 so be on the lookout and familiarize yourself with their "jip-jip-jip" fight call just in case. After enjoying this area by birding down the road as long as you like, return to your vehicle, go back to Juliette Rd, and turn left. In 2.8 miles, turn left at the signs for the visitor's center (not open on weekends) with literature, checklists, and clean restrooms. Bird your way along this paved road until it ends at a large, new parking lot for Allison Lake and an information kiosk. (NOTE: In March 2009 the lake was completely dry; maintenance seems to be on-going and hopefully they plan to refill it in the future). Bird along the road, across the dam, and briefly into the woods on the other side; incidentally, the trailhead (wood bench) where you parked earlier has its other terminus here. Along with birds mentioned already, the selection of migrants and nesting species encountered in spring may include Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Song Sparrow, Eastern Phoebe, American Goldfinch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Summer Tanager, and much more. The property is simply a woodpecker's paradise; it is quite feasible (with luck) to encounter all eight of Georgia's woodpecker species here on a single spring day: Red-headed, Red-bellied, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy, Hairy, Red-cockaded, Northern Flicker, and Pileated... keep a running count, it's fun! From here, you can go back to tour the wildlife loop if you want, then head west and return to Barron Russell Rd and turn right (north). At 1.4 miles, you'll pass a small white church on your left, and just downhill from it note a gravel road on your left; keep going, stopping if you hear interesting birds. You'll pass through a large recently-cut area and under some power lines, and just down the road you'll pass another gravel road on the left and immediately cross over Little Falling Creek. Park on the other side and take your time enjoying this area of rocky shoals and waterfalls (PHOTO 4) and the wildlife; many species of butterflies and dragonflies abound in spring for the enthusiast. When you're done, go back over the creek and turn right immediately on the first gravel road, following signs for Pond 2A. At about 1.7 miles from the turn, a small sign shows the way to the pond as you fork right, descend a bit and park near a dock (PHOTO 5). Tree Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, or other swallows may be cruising over this popular fishing spot. Check the pond edges for waders or Belted Kingfisher, and sometimes waterfowl may be present, such as Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, or Double-crested Cormorant. Birding the edges of the woods and the creek at the bottom of the dam can be productive. Always check raptors passing overhead - most will be Turkey or Black Vultures along with the occasional Red-tailed or Red-shouldered Hawk, but there have been two reports of very rare Golden Eagles over the refuge in the last 10 years. When you're done at Pond 2A, turn right on the road your came in on (not re-tracing your path but continuing onwards) and you'll complete a loop to reconnect with the entrance road just downhill from the white church, turn right to return to Juliette Rd. However, take your time as you work your way back from Pond 2A, as the woods here can also be good for both RCW's and Bachman's Sparrows as well. Back at Juliette Rd, turn right to head back west towards I-75. Note that Rum Creek WMA and Lake Juliette are just down the road and make a logical extension for a full day of birding if you like. Visit the refuge website for maps and more information.

PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5
Text and photos by KB.