MaconCoBirdingSites

<< Wings Over Georgia >>
A Guide to Birding in Georgia

Macon 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.

Macon County
1) Super Sod Farm (SW of Marshallville) [Dec 2007]
SBM
[DeLorme: p. 42, grid D-2]
Read about Birding Georgia's Sod Farms
The specialties of this sod farm are fairly reliable Upland Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and other shorebirds during migration. A very nice perk here is that the farm operators seem to be birder-friendly. I was approached in August 2007 and told that as long as we stayed off the sod, we could use any of the dirt tracks that cut through the sod areas on foot or in our car. Still, I encourage you to park on Felton Rd and walk these roads because after rain or watering they can be muddy and tricky and we don't need a birder getting stuck out there. The best time to bird seems to be Aug-Sept, but the Uppies are also found here in spring. Other good birds seen here since 2006 include Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Mississippi Kite, Horned Lark, Baird's Sandpiper, Bank Swallow, and plenty of other shorebirds like Pectoral Sandpiper, peeps, and droves of Killdeer. From I-75 in Perry, GA, take GA 127/224 (Exit 135) west toward Marshallville. Follow GA 127 through Marshallville (where it joins with GA Hwy 49). Approximately 4 or 5 miles outside of Marshallville, near mile marker 21, look for Felton Rd (County Rd 37). Turn left on Felton Rd. (PHOTO 1), which takes you along the east side of the sod farm (PHOTO 2). After scanning here, continue until the road deadends (2.0 total miles from Hwy 127) into Winchester Rd (County Rd 38) and turn right. This will take you past the "back fields" on your left (PHOTO 3); it is possible to drive a sandy perimeter road that is almost directly across the street from Felton Rd if you see birds way out, but you can usually do just fine from the "main" road. Take a look at all swallows on the wires during migration for interesting spp. Keep heading down the road, and 0.7 miles from Felton Rd you'll come to a nice wetlands on your right (PHOTO 4) that can be great for swallows and waders, and possibly waterfowl; there is a similar wetland on the same side 0.7 miles further down. You can make a loop by continuing on Winchester Rd until it hits GA 127/49, then turn right. Continue 1.9 miles and turn right at the main entrance to the farm and the equipment area and office. Stay out of the way of any farm operations, and you can get a few more angles on the main sod area (PHOTO 5). While you're doing your shorebirding, keep an eye on the sky in late summer and early fall for flocks of foraging Mississippi Kites; a quick foray down GA Hwy 127 where it splits from Hwy 49 near the sod offices will bring you to a bridge over the Flint River, which is a good place to stake out kites for a little while - careful on the shoulder! Other birds of note for the area include Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat, Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Summer Tanager, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Field Sparrow, and more.

Text and photos by KB.

2) Turf Grass Group Sod Farm (NE of Marshallville) [Aug 2007]
SBM
[DeLorme pg. 42, D-3]
Read aboutBirding Georgia's Sod Farms
Good for migrating shorebirds; Buff-breasted Sandpiper, American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Cattle Egret, Mississippi Kite, Eurasian Collared Dove; a Ruff showed up in 2001! Power lines in the area are fairly reliable for Bank Swallow in migration, August seems best. From I-75 (Exit 135) take GA 127 west almost into Marshallville. Turn sharp right on Juice Plant Rd and go 1.3 miles and turn right on Vegetable Rd., fields will be on both sides (PHOTO 1). NOTE: as of July 2006, Juice Plant Rd is not signed. Look for a sharp right turn as you come west on Hwy 127 in the middle of some peach orchards. If you pass the sign reading "Entering Marshallville City Limits" you have just missed it.

Text and photo by KB.