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.


Peach County
1) Perry Super Sod Farm         [Aug 2007]             
SBM
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
[DeLorme: p. 42, C-4]
Read about Birding Georgia's Sod Farms
From I-75 Exit 142, head east on GA Hwy 92 for just 0.2 miles and turn right onto Sod Farm Rd. You will see the vast fields to your left (PHOTO 1). You may pull to the side and walk around while you scope, but it is very important to stay out of the way of farm equipment and stay off the sod! This farm is birder-friendly but things can change quickly with any bad judgement on a birder's part. You can keep going down this road, and you'll come to the buildings related to operating the farm. This area and more fields that seem often left to the weeds can produce more interesting birds; a family of Brown-headed Nuthatches often works the large pines here. By carefully following the road to its end (preferably on foot to be safe), you'll be able to quickly scan a small pond for waterfowl or waders (PHOTO 2). Head back to Hwy 92 and turn right. In 0.5 miles, turn right onto Smyrna Church Rd. This will give you another vantage point of the sod and perhaps bring your closer to some birds (PHOTO 3). The large weedy area nearby has had calling Northern Bobwhite quail on at least two occasions, and you should briefly scan the scrubby edges opposite the sod for interesting birds in migration.
   
Text and photos by KB.