Piedmont Region
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Baldwin Columbia Hall Pike
Banks Coweta Hancock Madison Polk
Barrow DeKalb Haralson McDuffie Putnam
Bibb Douglas Harris Meriwether Rockdale
Butts Elbert Hart Monroe Spalding
Carroll Fayette Heard Morgan Stephens
Cherokee Forsyth Henry Muscogee Talbot
Clarke Franklin Jackson Newton Taliaferro
Clayton Fulton Jasper Oconee Troup
Cobb Greene Jones Oglethorpe Upson
Gwinnett Lamar Paulding Walton
Lincoln Pickens Warren
The Piedmont Province contains a series of rolling hills and occasional isolated mountains. Rivers and ravines are found throughout this province. This is an area of oak-hickory-pine forests and mixed deciduous forests. Oak-hickory-pine forests are the most widespread type of forest in the southeastern United States and cover the entire Piedmont from Virginia south to Alabama and west to Texas. The dominant trees include oaks, hickories, Short-leaf Pine, and Loblolly Pine. Pines occur in the less favorable or disturbed areas of the Piedmont. In river valleys, mixed deciduous forests of hardwood trees such as Sweet Gum, Beech, Red Maple, elms, and birches are found.
More Georgia Birders live in the Piedmont than any other region. This is not a surprise, since it is home to our sprawling state capital of Atlanta and several other major cities. In fact, some of the best birding locations in the state are just minutes from major population centers in this region... Kennesaw Mountain and Cochran Shoals (just north of Atlanta)... Oxbow Meadows Environmental Park and Standingboy Creek WMA (just south and north of Columbus, respectively)... Phinizy Swamp and Merry Brothers Brickyard Ponds in Augusta... and Bond Swamp, Ocmulgee National Monument, and Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge not far from Macon. A great benefit of larger numbers of birders visiting an area and filing their reports to GABO-L and eBird is better coverage of these locations. This not only helps others know when and where to look for certain bird species year-round, but can also increase our knowledge of the distribution, range, breeding range, and more for many species. No matter where you live in Georgia's Piedmont, chances are good that there are great birding opportunities right around the corner so grab your binoculars, family, or friends and go find some birds!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All photos and other content on this website are the exclusive property of Ken Blankenship (KB) and Rachel Cass (RC), unless otherwise credited. Unauthorized use and reproduction is strictly prohibited; you can usually obtain friendly permission to use images by sending me an email.
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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.
Baldwin
1) Milledgeville
Oconee
River Greenway [N/A]
YR
[DeLorme pg. 35, C9-10]
This phase of the Greenway park was completed in early 2008 and further expansion is planned. Birding in the spring migration of 2008 was disappointing (perhaps because of the recent disruption) but fall of 2008 was relatively good with at least 16 warbler species as well as a rare Black-billed Cuckoo, a Wilson’s Warbler, and Philadelphia Vireos. Travel east out of Milledgeville on Hwy 22, about 0.5 mile from downtown and just before the Oconee River bridge turn right on the gravel road. Follow this road to the parking area. The grassy area along the road near the entrance can be good for sparrows in the winter. Cliff Swallows nest under the bridge and Red-headed Woodpeckers breed on the edge of the field. Eastern Bluebirds are also frequently in this field as well as Indigo Buntings in the summer. Behind the field, Swainson’s Warblers can be found singing from a wetland area in the spring. Take the concrete sidewalk nearest the river to the south. Belted Kingfishers are common on the river and also look for Great Blue Herons, occasionally Osprey, and (rarely) Anhinga. Between the second and third platform overlooking the river look right into the woods where you may spot an active Red-shouldered Hawk nest in late spring. You can then take a short dirt trail to the left along the river to Fishing Creek, though it gets a bit steep and is muddy after a rain. If you stay on the concrete and later take a left at the intersection, this will eventually meet up with the dirt trail. In this area of the Greenway Blue-headed Vireos may be found in the winter. Continuing on, you will next reach Fishing Creek and then arrive at the area behind Georgia Military College with some exercise stations. In clear areas behind GMC, scan the sky for raptors. After the exercise stations, take a left at the next intersection and this will take you back to the parking lot for a loop distance of approximately 1 mile. This area has breeding Blue Grosbeaks in the summer. Cedar Waxwings are common in the winter as well as woodpeckers and Red-shouldered Hawks in all seasons. There is also a dirt path to the north of the bridge that can be explored. Lockerly Arboretum, located south of Milledgeville, can also be a decent birding site but it is only open on Saturday afternoons on weekends.
Text by Steve Parrish.
Banks
Birding sites needed!
Barrow
1) Landfill [N/A]
mid F-early Sp
[Delorme pg 21, G-9] Inland gull site; may be worth checking briefly in winter for a rarer gull, or to check off Ring-billed Gull for the county; both Turkey and Black Vultures may also be in the area. Located on Carl-Bethlehem Rd in Barrow County, less than a mile north of GA 316. Ring-billed Gulls by the hundreds, loafing on the north hillside for the landfill, past the main entrance, but bearing left before reaching the scales. Ask permission if you wish to scan the gulls, must stay in vehicle.
Bibb
1) Central City Park and Lower Poplar Street (Macon) [March 2008] 
mid Sp-early Su
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
[DeLorme pp. 34-35, G 5-6]
This is not one of my favorite spots to bird, very urban... but yet, I am always drawn here by the amazing spectacle of both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles breeding in the large sweet gums, oaks, and magnolias that are along the road into the park and in the park itself. Another cool benefit is that the park is right off Exit 2 on I-16, meaning that you can make a brief foray here in no time at all. When you get off at Exit 2, head south (into town) for only 0.1 mile and turn left at the first light, just before passing under a RR overpass. In 0.2 mile, make a tricky left turn between two brick walls into the park. I usualy park on the left just after coming through rows of young oaks on either side of the road, at a building that says "Georgia State Fair" (PHOTO 1), this is also near a gazebo covered with jasmine vines. Take 15-20 minutes to walk around the park, listening carefully and looking for Orchard and Baltimore Orioles flying around, building nests, or feeding young (later in summer). The oaks along the approach road are good, as are the older, larger sweet gums and magnolias (PHOTOS 2 and 3). You may also encounter Easten Kingbirds, American Goldfinch, House Finch, American Robin, or even a Loggerhead Shrike. When done here, continue down the road past a minor league baseball stadium and over a RR crossing. At the first available road after this (you dead-end into it), turn left onto Lower Poplar St. In an area of low trees on your right, you may find Common Ground Doves, Mourning Doves, and other birds eating birdseed left out by local businesses along. If you keep going down this street (past a popular lunch diner on your left), you'll come through a nice low, swampy area on both sides of the road that may have Hooded Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, or Barred Owl. In April 2007 a rare Ross' Goose was found at the end of this road in a pasture (PHOTO 4), hanging out with Canada Geese.
   
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4
Text and photos by KB.
2) Ocmulgee National Monument mid Sp-mid F [Sept 2007] 
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
[DeLorme pg. 35, G-6]
3) Bond Swamp [March 2008] 
PM, late Sp-Su for breeding birds
[DeLorme pg. 35, G-6 and H-6]
Located in both Bibb and Twiggs Counties just off I-16 just SE of Macon. Get off at Exit 6 (US Hwy 23 / Alt 129) and drive south on Hwy for 1.3 miles. Turn right onto Bonds View Rd and in 0.3 miles the road will become gravel and enter the national wildlife refuge. Almost immediately you will be in great bottomland habitat near the Ocmulgee River (PHOTOS 1-3). Take your time, driving slowly with windows down and stopping to bird when you hear something interesting. Birds of note include Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson's Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting, Common Yellowthroat, and more. The best areas for Swainson's Warbler feature very thick, brushy understory such as Chinese privet. Do not play any audio in this area; you will not need it - in spring and early summer you will easily hear several males singing on territory especially earlier in the day. After crossing a small creek, you will eventually reach the river itself. Park to the side near some metal posts - unless you have a pretty tough 4x4 vehicle the road is not passable from this point on but there is lots of great birding to do on foot. NOTE: A massive storm and tornados caused severe damage in this area and at the nearby National Wildlife Refuge of the same name in spring 2008. However, the roads should be cleared of downed trees and the disturbance may actually benefit Swainson's Warblers and other scrub-loving species of birds. You can get open views on the river (PHOTO 4) to check for waders or divers, and Mississippi Kites may be observed overhead in spring and summer. The area is reasonably popular with fishermen and people fooling about with ATVs and trucks, so early morning is best. Further south on Hwy US 23 / Alt 129, just past the county line (and so in Twiggs County), there are two parking lots for the NWR: first, for the Longleaf Pine trail on the left and, second, for the Beaver Swamp Trail on the right. Visit the refuge website to view a good map showing the location of both trails (and Bonds View Rd), a bird list, and details of when the trails are closed for firearm hunts. In spring and summer the Beaver Swamp trail is also good for a variety of bottomland forest breeders including Prothonatory Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Summer Tanager, Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Duck, and Mississippi Kite. The NWR brochure describes the possibility of wintering wildfowl, but the trails do not seem to access appropriate areas.
   
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4
Text by KB & Steve Barlow; Photo 1 by SB, others KB
Butts
1) Bucksnort Rd [March 2007] 
late Sp-Su for breeding birds, PM
[DeLorme pg. 34, A-1]
Open habitat, several pairs of Dickcissel 2005-2007; Bobolinks during migration, other open habitat spp. breed here like Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, etc. Get off at Exit 201 and head west (right coming south, left coming north) Turn right at the first light - Bucksnort Rd. You'll pass a truck wash, gas station, etc. In about 2-3 miles you will come into expansive wheat fields on both sides of the road, you can't miss it. You will come through a smaller field before the main area, so be wary and keep going until it really opens up (PHOTO 1). Slow down and listen for singing Dickcissel and look along the power lines; there are two side streets on your right that you can pull off and park safely away from traffic to listen and scan the power lines - Harkness Rd first, then Foster Rd which is more in the center of the area. You will also hear Eastern Meadowlarks singing, and possibly Blue Grosbeak, Grasshopper Sparrow, or Indigo Bunting. A little further along and you'll come to Fenner Rd on the left; turn here and park to the side. This is another nice spot to get out and walk around. In migration you may see or hear Bobolinks; always check an area of shrubs and trees in the field to your right (north) for them an other birds. If you continue down this road, you'll come to a nice creek crossing that is worth birding in migration as well. In early spring (March) some of these fields may be planted with blooming clover which is real eye-candy for folks not accustomed to this saturation of fuchsia pom-poms (PHOTO 2).
 
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2
Text and photos by KB
Carroll
1) SouthWire/Richard's Lake and Walker's Lake [Feb 2007]
W for waterfowl
[DeLorme pg. 25 E-6 & pg. 24 E-5]
These two lakes may host interesting waterfowl, and are worth a check from late fall through early spring. Notably, they hosted a group of up to four rare Common Mergansers from Jan-Feb 2007. Also seen were Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, and Ring-billed Gull. From I-20 west of Atlanta, get off at Exit 24 and head south for 11.7 miles on Hwy 61/166 (Bankhead Hwy). Turn left at a light onto Northside Dr to continue on Hwy 166. In 1.8 miles, go through a light with Hwy 27/16 and notice the strange six-story prison on your left at this light. At the next light (0.9 miles down the road), take a right onto Blandenburg Rd. In 0.3 miles, you'll see the lake ahead. Turn right onto Wind Song Ct on your right and park on the shoulder. From here you can walk down Blandenburg road which crosses the lake and scope from there; be very careful because local traffic moves fast. You can gain another good vantage point by driving across the lake and taking the first left onto Strickland Rd and parking in a small picnic area on your left. To get to Walker's Lake, go back to Hwy 166 and turn right. Continue for 3.5 miles to a T-intersection and turn left onto Tyus-Carrollton Rd and in just 0.2 miles take another left to continue on this road (there is a Marathon gas station on the left at this light - the road is very new here so some GPS systems will not show the intersections properly). After 1.1 miles, turn left onto Old Camp Church Rd. You'll pass through a residential area and some open pastures. Exactly 1.2 miles from Old Camp Church Rd, turn right onto Willie Walker Rd. After just 0.3 miles, turn left onto Walker Lake Rd. From here, you'll pass through a new neighborhood being built in a former rural pasture with three total lakes, all visible from the road. The largest (on the left side) is Walker's Lake. You can get fairly open views from the road; make sure to be respectful of private property and don't block the roads - you are, after all, in a neighborhood. Photos 1-3 show views of SouthWire/Richard's Lake while Photos 4 and 5 show extremely distant views of Common Mergansers mixed with Ring-necked Ducks and Hooded Mergansers.
    
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5
Text and photos by KB.
2) McIntosh Reserve [Sept 2007]
PM, May-June for breeding birds
[DeLorme pg. 25, F-7]
1046 W. McIntosh Circle, Whitesburg GA. Phone (770) 830-5879. You can reach the town of Whitesburg on several routes from either I-20 or I-85 SW of Atlanta. From the traffic circle in Whitesburg at the intersection of GA Hwy 5 and US 27 in eastern Carroll County, go south on GA Hwy 5 for 2.2 miles and turn left onto West McIntosh circle; there is a small brown park sign here on Hwy 5 for the McIntosh Reserve. Stay on this road, and you'll come through the main gate which is open from 7:30am-8pm daily (PHOTO 1). Exactly 1.5 miles from Hwy 5, you'll come to the office and pay station. If you are not a resident of Carroll County, you will pay a $2.00 fee at the window, and make sure to ask for a map of this 600-acre area. Continue in on the main road, and you'll come through some open fields with mature deciduous forest edge habitat, and pass the grave of Chief McIntosh along with a reproduction of his home (PHOTO 2). Soon the paved road will bear to the left, and you should follow a gravel fork to the right, which descends just a bit into a massive open field bordering the Chattahoochee River (PHOTO 3). You'll come around the near end of the field and park under a good, wide strip of river birch, sycamores, walnuts, and a few oaks that separates the field from the river (PHOTO 4). Scan the river for interesting waterfowl, waders, or divers - primarily in winter. In migration, Spotted Sandpiper or waterthrushes may be seen on the muddy banks or logs along the edge of the river, and Bald Eagle is known to nest along the river in this area. Various sparrow species may also be found near the field in winter, including Fox Sparrow. Walking all along the edges of this huge field in primetime migration will take you through a good diversity of habitat and could easily fill an entire morning with productive birding. Along the river, the isolated strip of tall deciduous trees can attract several flocks of migrants, which can be followed fairly easily on the River Trail as they move up or down stream; this may help you to pull more positive ID's out of the flocks. Birds you may find include Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, Eastern Wood Pewee, Yellow Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and more. As you loop around the far end of the field away from the river, you'll notice that the hardwoods start to give way to lots of willow trees, box elders, river birch, and alders as a flooded beaver pond and related muddy creeks appears through the trees (PHOTO 5). This scrubby area is just great habitat, and is good for Yellow Warbler in migration, as well as Common Yellowthroat, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Indigo Bunting, Great-crested Flycatcher, waterthrushes, possible Empidonax flycatchers, and more. When you come all the way back near where you split from the paved road, you'll notice a trail heading into the woods on the side of the field opposite the river. This will take you through more wooded habitat, and then along the back side of the beaver pond area (PHOTO 6). There are many other trails in the area to explore, which are shown somewhat clearly on the map you can pick up at the office. There are campsites along the river with picnic tables and grills, and the area is popular for horseback riding (with room for trailers at the campsites) and mountain biking, and unfortunately also for flying model airplanes; they can be loud and annoying if present. The facility also has restrooms, picnic shelters, and a children's play area. As you head towards the entrance to the property, turn right onto a one-way loop road after you pass the McIntosh house (which will now be on your left). Park when you see a children's play area, which includes a mini water park (no longer in service) along with restrooms that are well-maintained. Bird the edges of this open area thoroughly (PHOTO 7); there is a creek that runs just inside the edge of the woods here. Birds you may encounter include species mentioned earlier along with Hooded Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Canada Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Pine Warbler, flycatchers, and (more rarely) Blue-winged Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and possibly waterthrushes or Acadian Flycatcher on the creek itself. The property is under-birded, features a nice diveristy of habitat and, being along a major river, it has great potential during migration. Visit this park website or this one.
      
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5 PHOTO 6 PHOTO 7
Text and photos by KB.
3) Carrollton Land Application Facility [Sept 2007]
PM, W for waterfowl
[DeLorme pg. 24, E-5]
This is a large property with diverse habitats including open fields, scrubby edge habitat, bottomlands, a marsh, and a large holding reservoir for treated water. It cannot be accessed freely by the public, but field trips will be offered in the future (one is in the works for Nov 2007). You can contact Stanley Tate, the Birding Community's ambassador to the facility, to discuss field trips or small group visits. When you enter the gate of the facility, you will immediately notice sprinkler heads all around, which the facility uses to apply treated water to the soil. On your left are long strips of woods that have been separated by the cuts made to lay the water pipes; listen for calling or singing birds and stop when you hear something interesting. On your right, you'll soon come into expansive open fields (PHOTO 1) with more sprinkler heads. This area may hold open habitat species like sparrows, Indigo Bunting, or Blue Grosbeak; Eastern Meadowlark or Bobolink are also possible. You will soon come to a gravel road on your left, which will descend to the water treatment facility buildings and a large holding pond (PHOTO 2). This pond can be productive for wintering waterfowl and migrating shorebirds. You may encounter Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, peeps, and more. The pond is surrounded by great habitat, and it is best to bird your way around the edges on a gravel track, starting on the near side. This area is bordered by a scrubby field that gives way to some willow, box elder, and alder-dominated brush habitat (PHOTO 3). During migration you may find birds like Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, Common Yellowthroat, or (speculatively) rarer species such as Blue-winged, Golden-winged, or Nashville Warbler in these areas. As you round the end of the pond, you'll come along the back side which has a beautiful cattail-filled marsh (PHOTO 4). In winter, this area may also have a few ducks or waders; Sora has been found and Virginia Rail is possible in winter. Also in winter, all the brushy edges here and elsewhere on the property should produce some good sparrows such as Song, Swamp, White-throated, Field, and perhaps a few uncommon species will turn up as well. As you walk along the far side of the pond, you are next to a swamp with lots of dead snags; this area is great for woodpeckers, including Red-headed, Red-bellied, Hairy, Downy, Pileated, and Northern Flicker. The canopy and mid-story here may also produce flocks of migrants in spring and fall. Unfortunately, you cannot complete a loop back to your vehicle because part of the facility is fenced off; return the way you came - maybe you'll find a few birds you missed the first time. Back at the main road, turn left and you'll soon descend to the other access gate, which is just before a bridge over the Little Tallapoosa River. Turn right onto a gravel track in front of this gate, which will take you along some nice bottomland habitat next to the river. Stop when you hear something interesting, and take your time to bird this area. You may find species such as Acadian Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, waterthrushes along the creek, and Empidonax flycatchers; Swainson's Warbler has been detected and may breed here. When you're finished here, you will leave the way you came. The mayor of Carrollton has been very gracious to offer access to this property to the Birding Community, so be sure to have Stanley pass along our appreciation when you visit!
   
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4
Text and photos by KB.
4) Buffalo Creek Swamp [Sept 2007]
PM, W for waterfowl
[DeLorme pg. 25, E-6]
A quick and enjoyable stop at this pretty wetlands may produce interesting waterfowl, waders, or sparrows in winter and/or a few migrants in spring and fall. From the overpass intersection of the Carrollton By-Pass and US Hwy 27 south of the city (where there are plenty of restaurants to patronize if you're birding Carroll County), head west on the by-pass for 1.1 miles and turn left (south) onto Hays Mill Rd. In 2.6 miles, turn right onto Laurel Rd. This road is only paved for about 30 yards and then becomes gravel; there are some washboards so drive slowly. In 0.7 miles, park well to the side of the road in the middle of a large swamp in the floodplain of Buffalo Creek. You may see Anhinga, Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, Blue-winged Teal, or other water-relating species out in the marsh. The brushy habitat along the road may hold sparrows in winter such as Swamp, White-throated, or Song; the same areas may have migrants in spring or fall and there are always lots of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fighting over access to prolific jewelweed in September. There are many snags out in the swamp where you may find Red-headed and other woodpeckers socializing. Just before you reach the swamp, you crossed over a creek on a wooden bridge. Walk back to this area, which is full of willows and alders, and look and listen for birds like Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting, Magnolia Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, and you may be lucky to find a waterthrush in the area as well.
Text and photo by KB
Cherokee
1) Boling Park [Sept 2007]
PM, May-June for breeding birds
[DeLorme pg. 20, C-2; lower left corner of grid, where the "Bus 5" highway icon is]
This multi-use sports complex makes for a nice walk during migration along the Etowah River just outside the town of Canton. From I-575, get off at Exit 16 and head west for 0.8 miles where you'll dead-end into Hwy 5 at a light. Turn right, cross the bridge over the Etowah River, and immediately after crossing the bridge (0.5 miles from the light), turn left at the sign for Boling Park. You will wind your way through soccer and baseball fields and other sports facilities, with the river on your left; after you walk the main trail you may wish to wander this area to look for more birds later. Continue to the end of the pavement where you will park at a jogging trail (two Port-o-jons are found here). Begin birding at the very large open field which is surrounded by a gravel jogging trail (PHOTO 1). Work your way to the side along the river, which is dominated by river birch, oaks, walnuts, dogwood, and privet, where you may have flocks of migrants working the trees. Keep an eye and ear out for species like Red-eyed, White-eyed, or Yellow-throated Vireo, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Kentucky Warbler, Great-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Parula, thrushes, and more. On the river itself, you may hear and see Belted Kingfisher, and Louisiana Waterthrush breeds here as well. Keep birding along the trail, and you'll soon come through the woods briefly and then to a second open field with a few mature deciduous trees out in the middle (PHOTO 2). The edges of this field are especially choked up with an understory of Chinese privet, and you may encounter Canada Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, or (rarely) Blue-winged Warbler or Swainson's Warbler in these areas. Cedar Waxwings and Yellow-rumped Warblers may be found feeding on the berries of this plant in early spring. The whole area is also good for woodpeckers (Red-bellied, Hairy, Downy, Pileated, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Northern Flicker) as well as both White-breasted and Brown-headed Nuthatches. At the end of the second open field, the trail becomes dirt and heads back into the woods and to the left, over the "Boy Scout Bridge" (PHOTO 3) which will take you over a feeder creek. From here, the trail follows the Etowah River (PHOTO 4) as it flows over shoals down to the headwaters of Lake Allatoona. When open views of the river are afforded, take your time to relax, sometimes on some pretty rock outcroppings, and to try to detect flocks which may be working up or down-stream... the river provides the most open views into the canopy. You can keep following the trail (PHOTO 5) through some nice bottomland forest with scattered massive tulip poplars and sycamores, until you'll leave the river and head into some upland habitat that has been cut more recently and is just about all planted pine; at this point it's best to turn around and head out the way you came. From early March to mid-April, this area can be great for Crappie and White Bass fishing, as they head upstream to spawn. Every year the same old thing will catch fish after fish on a good day when they are running - a lead-head jig (1/8 oz.) in a bright color (orange, chartreuse) rigged with a plain white curly-tail grub. Yeah, it's simple... but deadly ;)
    
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5
Photos and text by KB.
Clarke
1) State Botanical Gardens [May 2008]
IBA, PM, May-June for breeding birds
[DeLorme pg. 22, H-3]
A nice area for a walk during migration or early summer, with a good mix of hardwoods and pine, along with bottomland habitat along the Middle Oconee River for both migrating and breeding birds, and a good place to get married (OK, so we did!). From I-85 (NE of Atlanta), take Hwy 316 east towards Athens. Approaching Athens, you will come to a major intersection with Loop 10, which encircles the city. Get in the righthand lane and split right onto the loop heading east. Get off at S. Milledge (Exit 6), and turn right at the bottom of the exit. About one mile south of Loop 10, you will see the entrance to the State Botanical Gardens on the right (PHOTO 1). You will drive through a gate for the property, then come into an area of parking lots on your right. Start at the Orange Trailhead, which will be on your left with an informational sign as you enter the parking areas (PHOTO 2). You will descend into a nice hardwood forest (PHOTO 3). Listen for Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Summer Tanagers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and of course all kinds of migrating species in spring and fall like warblers, thrushes, etc. You will then come to a creek, where Acadian Flycatchers breed. As the habitat becomes scrubbier, listen and look for Kentucky and Hooded Warblers and Common Yellowthroats, with White-eyed Vireos in open areas and Black-and-White Warblers singing back in the woods. You will pass an open swampy area on the right (PHOTO 4); this is a great area for dragonflies, and woodpecker species including Red-headed and Hairy Woodpecker. Next, you will come to the Middle Oconee River (PHOTO 5) and the trail follows it to the right. Thick, scrubby areas (and Chinese privet) along here are known to host breeding Swainson's Warbler, plus Hooded Warbler and Kentucky Warbler; Louisiana Waterthrush is relatively common along the river itself so listen and look for them when the trail affords an open view of the river. Do not play any audio recordings in this area. The trail will eventually come to a powerline cut (PHOTO 6); here you can continue straight along the river to pick up the White Trail for a longer loop through the property that will take you through more bottomland habitat along the river. Or, you can turn right and walk up through this open area which is good for Indigo Bunting, Common Yellowthroat, and butterflies, and continue birding your way back to your car through the gardens along your choice of trails and roads, and of course enjoy all the beautiful plants on display (PHOTOS 7-8)! Examples of migrants you may find include Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Redstart, Palm Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, and Northern Waterthrush. Visit the garden website to view a good map of the property.
       
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5 PHOTO 6 PHOTO 7 PHOTO 8
Text and photos by KB & RC.
2) Whitehall Forest, University of Georgia [N/A]
PM, late Sp-Su for breeding birds (limited access, see NOTE)
[Delorme pg. 22, H-3]
From the Athens Loop 10 perimeter, take exit 6 (Milledge Ave) and turn right. Go about 2 miles to the end of Milledge, veer right at the fork. Drive across Whitehall Rd and into the entrance of Whitehall Forest. This is the field laboratory for UGA’s Forest Resources Department. It offers similar birding as the nearby State Botanical Gardens, with mixed hardwood forest at the confluence of the North Oconee and Middle Oconee Rivers. Best during passerine migration, but also good for hardwood forest breeding species of the piedmont. The first stretch of road just inside the gate is good for open habitat birds like Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Kingbird, and Orchard Oriole. Drive straight down the main road to the very end where you will find a parking area at the Flinchums Phoenix meeting hall. Birding the edges of the parking area can be productive in migration; there is a Black Gum tree on the southwest edge of the lot (opposite the meeting hall) that can be good for thrushes and other migrants in fall when the fruits are ripe. Walk up onto the deck of the meeting hall and around the right side to the back deck, which offers a good view into the upper canopy of the trees below. The stairs at the back corner of the building lead to a short trail that takes you down to the North Oconee River floodplain. This area is good for breeding species like Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, and Wood Thrush, and in migration can have numerous species of warblers, tanagers, and vireos. Continue downstream and right to the river confluence, where the Middle Oconee River comes in from the right. Follow the Middle Oconee upstream to an old dam and mill area. Open scrubby areas here and farther down the trail at the powerline clearing are good spots for migrant warblers in spring and fall. The old roadway path eventually winds to the right and away from the river uphill and comes out at the paved road. The brushy areas and pines here can be good for Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, and sometimes Prairie Warbler. Turn right at the paved road and a short walk will bring you back to the parking area. NOTE: This is a research facility; public access is limited to weekdays only from 8 am to 5 pm, and is strictly enforced. Aside from the trails around the river, there are several gravel roads traversing the property. When birding these locations, please be considerate of any research plots you may come upon, bird from the roadside only, do not leave the road. Visit the area website. Text by Mark Freeman.
3) UGA Intramural Fields / Lake Herrick [June 2007]
PM, W for waterfowl
[DeLorme pg. 22, H-3]
A nice area for a walk during migration, and may be worth a quick check in winter for waterfowl. Interesting birds since 2005 include Yellow Warbler, Palm Warlber, Black-and-white Warbler, waterthrushes (Northern possible in migration), Spotted Sandpiper, breeding Green Heron; both kinglets (Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned) and Brown Creeper in winter. From I-85 (north of Atlanta), take Hwy 316 towards Athens. Approaching Athens, you will come to a major intersection with Loop 10, which encircles the city. Get in the righthand lane and split right onto the loop heading east. Get off at College Station Rd (Exit 7), and turn left at the bottom of the exit. Go under the highway and through the immediate light for folks entering/exiting on the other side. At the very next light, turn left into the intramural fields area. Follow this road around the fields until you see tennis courts on your left. Turn at the very next road and continue to a parking area with a boardwalk (PHOTO 1). This will lead you down to the lake and a shallow arm that may have Spotted Sandpiper or Waterthrush at the edge. Listen and look for Green Heron, Belted Kingfisher, and Great-blue Heron. In winter, scan the lake for waterfowl (PHOTO 2). When you cross the bridge, you can turn left for a shorter loop walk around the lake, through nice mixed pine and hardwood habitat, and then through some parking areas and along the roads you came in on for good passerine migrant birding. In winter look for kinglets or a more rare Brown Creeper. You can also turn right after the bridge, which will create a longer loop, passing through more similar woodland habitat and another smaller pond that may be interesting as well before returning to Lake Herrick to complete the loop described previously. From late winter until early summer (when it gets too darn hot), Lake Herrick is also a great bass fishing site. I recommend plastic worms like Zoom finesse junebug or watermelon with purple glitter. In late spring/early summer when weed mats form in some areas, small fish fry are major targets of big bass along the edges of the weeds and the top-water action with a Heddon Pop-R or Zara Puppy can be killer!
 
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2
Text and photos by KB.
4) Sandy Creek Park (Lake Chapman) [May 2008]
PM, W for waterfowl
[Delorme p. 22, F-3]
A nice mix of upland pine and oak woods, open fields, and a large pond for wintering waterfowl, including Snow Goose and Ruddy Duck in 2006. The turn off for Sandy Creek Park is on the east side of US 441 about 2.7 miles north of the Athens perimeter bypass. There is a $3.00 fee to enter the park.
Clayton
1) E.L. Huie Land Application Facility and Newman Wetlands Center [Jan 2008]  
YR
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
[DeLorme pg. 26, F-3]
A special thanks to Carol Lambert, who manages the Newman Wetlands Center and regularly leads field trips and reports birds from several area locations to the online ListServ GABO-L. This area is a must-visit for Atlanta area birders, especially from mid-fall to mid-spring when a vast array of migrants may be seen along with great numbers of wintering waterfowl within easy driving distance of the city. It's a great place to get practice with waterfowl identification, with large numbers of birds out on open water to scope at your leisure - regulars include Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, American Coot, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, etc. The Newman Wetlands Center offers a great Waterfowl Workshop every winter. In winter you can also expect American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Least Sandpiper; of course rarities will show up as well. Since 2004, the ponds at E.L. Huie have hosted Long-tailed Duck, Eared Grebe, Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Willet, Mottled Duck, Vesper Sparrow, White-rumped Sandpiper, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and much more. The nearby Newman Wetlands Center has a nice variety of habitat with a trail and boardwalk through wet swamps and surrounding woodlands, which offer great birding - especially in migration. Depending on season, you may see Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Winter Wren, flycatchers, several species of vireo and thrush, along with a rainbow of wood warblers in migration. Always check the feeders around the nature center building, too. Here is an alternative way to get to the area from points south on I-75, from James Brooks (in other words, may be better for folks not coming from near the Tara Blvd exit as described in Beaton's book). I-75 north or south to Exit 221 at Jonesboro Rd, west of McDonough GA. Travel due west on Jonesboro Rd approx 6.3 miles, then turn right at the light onto Freeman Road. Travel 1.3 miles to the Wetlands Center on the left; be aware that there is a very sharp bend in the road just past that point. Proceed past the bend and Shamrock Rd (which goes to Lakes Shamrock and Blalock), and continue another 1.9 miles to Dixon Industrial, turn right and you should see the gate about 1/4 mile on the left. Enter the E L Huie pond complex. As you drive over the top of the ramp, the pump house pond is immediately visible; the south pond is up the slight rise to the left, and the two north ponds are off to the right past the pump house building. Visit the area website.
    
Mid-west Pond NE Pond NW Pond Pumphouse Pond South Pond
Text and photos by KB.
Cobb
1) Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park [Sept 2008]  
IBA, PM
See Beaton's BirdingGeorgia.
[DeLorme pg. 20, G-1]
A site of a major Civil War battle in 1864, this mountain is so important for migrating birds that it was designated as Georgia's first Important Bird Area (IBA). Documented very well for nearly two decades, this migratory Mecca is one of the best spots to see neotropical migrants anywhere, not just in the state but east of the Mississippi River. If you are in the Atlanta area in spring or fall and looking for a little birding get-away, it is not to be missed as it is just a 30-minute drive from downtown and very close to I-75. Some of Georgia's most accomplished birders have devoted endless hours to visiting the mountain and documenting the birds they observe, with a colorful rainbow of wood warbler species being of particular interest. From I-75 heading north away from Atlanta, get off at Exit 267B which will put you heading west on Highway 5 towards Marietta, but not for long; as soon as you cross back over I-75, exit to the right when you see a sign for Hwy 41. From points north, when you're coming south on I-75 get off at Exit 267 and follow signs that say "to Hwy 41." When you get to the light at Hwy 41, turn right and go through one traffic light. At the next light, you will see a BP gas station and a McDonald's diagonally to your right; get in the left turn lanes and turn left here onto Bells Ferry Rd. Immediately after making the turn, you'll pass a Subway sandwich shop on the right - get into the long righthand turn lane and turn right at the first light, which is Old Hwy 41. Go over a RR bridge, and then through one light (with Louise's Restaurant on the corner) and soon you will see the mountain and the battlefield on your left (PHOTO 14). Turn at the next light onto Stilesboro Rd, and then left into the Visitor Center parking lot; if you get there later in the morning on a busy weekend, you may have to park on the gravel shoulder of Old Hwy 41 just past Stilesboro Rd. There isn't really a "wrong" way to bird the mountain, except maybe to use the foot trail instead of the road, because the road offers much more open views, allows more people to position themselves to see a bird, and often gives you the advantage of looking at eye level or even down into the canopy to help avoid the dreaded "warbler neck." One problem with the road, though, is that it is shared by pedestrians, motor vehicles and bicyclists so you must be vigilant. Being that it is on a mountain, the road is fairly narrow, with steep drop-offs and blind curves. Due to various concerns brought to their attention by the DOT, starting in early 2007 the park has been re-visiting access to the road and is considering several options, one of which includes closing it to all foot traffic! The Birding Community has let their voice be heard on the issue, and you can contact the park office via US mail to do the same, as the situation is still pending. When you park at the visitor's center during migration, you will usually see a small group of birders forming near a fork in the Mountain Road (just beyond the parking lot); the right fork leads over to two houses that are actually park administrative buildings (PHOTO 1). Just as you start down this short road, you'll pass under some large trees that can have good flocks of birds during migration. Just beyond the houses, bird the woods surrounding a fenced maintenance area but do not go beyond the gate. Next, backtrack down the spur road and bird the woods along the edges of the large grassy field to your left (PHOTO 2). Your shoes may get wet with morning dew, but often it's well worth it with low, scrubby-relating birds along the edges like Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Tennessee Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-eyed Vireo, or (rarely) Nashville Warbler. This field is often skipped by visiting birders but should not be! Another good idea is to take a few minutes to bird around the parking lot (PHOTO 3) and the trees around the visitor's center. There are some very tall tulip poplar trees towering above a shady picnic area opposite the visitor's center that may have Baltimore Orioles or other birds feeding on their flowers in spring. Below these, along the edge of the parking lot by the picnic area is a black gum tree that can be covered up with thrushes and vireos eating its fruit in the fall. When you're finished at the bottom, it's time to head up the mountain. The woods on your right and left just after you walk past a small IBA sign and through a gate are usually good - you may have Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, and other birds here. A brief foray up the foot trail to a scrubby, wet drainage area with lots of Chinese privet may produce Kentucky Warbler or even Louisiana Waterthrush but both of these species are rare at KMT (especially waterthrush). Continue up the road, birding your way past a Civil War monument and into the woods (PHOTO 4). The woods here tend to be kind of slow, but birds pop up now and then. Winter Wren is sometimes found in early spring down the slope to your left, and the same area can be good for Hermit Thrush (winter). You will come around a right curve in the road, and the canopy opens up just a ways up the road (PHOTO 5); this area up to a painted pedestrian crossing can be productive for flocks of migrants. The road will curve to the right again just past the pedestrian crossing with an area of pines to your left - not surprisingly Pine Warblers live here year-round and are very vocal in spring. Continue birding up the road, staying alert for feeding flocks that are sometimes given away by noisy chickadees or titmice, until you come to a large open area (PHOTO 6; known as "the first big open area"). Check the tops of any snags here for perched birds, and take your time working the scrubby vegetation along the road on both sides for White-eyed Vireo, Worm-eating Warbler, Hooded Warbler, or (rarely) Blue-winged or Golden-winged Warbler, Nashville Warbler, or Wilson's Warbler. On clear days there is a great view of downtown Marietta with Atlanta on the horizon in the distance. After another brief plunge into the woods, the road curves sharply to the right and you'll see a rock outcropping on your right. This long stretch (PHOTOS 7 & 8) can be great for flocks of migrants, and a benefit here (as mentioned earlier) is that the road cut allows you to look downhill into the canopy below. At the end of this stretch, you will reach a few boulders, a bench, and an informational sign on your left (PHOTO 9). This area is known as "the saddle," because it is part of a saddle-like ridge connecting big Kennesaw Mountain to Little Kennesaw, which is now directly in front of you. The low scrubby area below the bench has turned up all kinds of great birds, and it is also worth walking down the foot path a ways to explore this habitat more. The saddle is also a good location for a daytime hawk watch or a nocturnal thrush count (though permission must be obtained from the park for the latter). As you continue to climb on the road, you'll reach another large open area that is uphill to your right with several small dead trees and lots of low, brushy habitat; this is called the "snag area" (PHOTO 10). The brushy habitat here may turn up species mentioned in the "first big open area," along with many other interesting birds; Eastern Wood Pewees like to use the snags as perches. Eventually you will come to the upper parking lot, with another good open area of low vegetation and edge habitat downhill on the left just before the parking lot (PHOTO 11). Bird the edges of the parking lot, especially if there is a flock, and then enjoy a nice view of Atlanta before heading up the stairs to the summit trail (PHOTO 12). The trail up to the top of the mountain (PHOTO 13) can be covered up with migrants on a good day when several flocks are working the area; it can also be a dead zone on bad days. When the birds are there, here is a true opportunity to experience migratory birding bliss with birds like Cerulean Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, and more. It's also possible to get a bad case of "warbler neck" because the tall canopy is directly overhead. The summit itself is frequented in migration by large chattering groups of Chimney Swifts performing acrobatics overhead. Keep an eye on the sky here while you take a break and enjoy the views, because migrating or local raptors may appear as well, including Turkey or Black Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, or (rarely) Peregrine Falcon or Osprey. When you're done birding at the summit (where you can get another view of the snag area from above), you can return the way you came or walk over the summit and down a rocky foot path on the other side which will intersect the road at "the saddle" where you can turn left to head back down. Bob Zaremba has a great website on birding Kennesaw Mountain which includes season-specific daily trip reports, which are updated on a regular basis. You can also email him (see his site for address) and subscribe to an email group to receive daily reports of the birds seen at the mountain during migration. A definitive source for information concerning how to bird the area, seasonal occurence of species (including extremely helpful bar graphs), and much more is another one of Giff Beaton's books - Birds of Kennesaw Mountain, which can be purchased (along with Birding Georgia) at GOS Publications. You can also visit the park website. A particular attraction of the mountain for a lot of birders is the rapidly declining Cerulean Warbler - especially in spring. Along with this species, a typical walk on the mountain in the peak of spring or fall migration may encounter warblers such as Blackburnian, Worm-Eating, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Prairie, Tennessee (esp. fall), Chestnut-sided, Yellow-throated, Blackpoll (spring only), Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird (usually heard only), Hooded Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and many more. Each season also turns up a few rarities and uncommon birds; in recent years these include Warbling Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, MacGillivray's Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Wilson's Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and Blue-winged Warbler. In addition to all the warblers, a variety of thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, and other migrants use the mountain to rest and fuel up. Pay attention to the Atlanta Audubon Society web page for free guided walks on the mountain in migration.
       
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5 PHOTO 6 PHOTO 7 PHOTO 8
     
PHOTO 9 PHOTO 10 PHOTO 11 PHOTO 12 PHOTO 13 PHOTO 14
Text by KB, Photos by KB & RC
2) The Acworth Lake Loop [Feb 2007] 
W for waterfowl and gulls, PM
[DeLorme pg. 19, F-10]
This route is primarily best for wintering waterfowl, though the bridge over the dam between lakes Acworth and Allatoona does host nesting Cliff and Barn Swallows, and they may be joined by Northern Rough-winged Swallows or (rarely) Bank Swallows during migration. Some of the wooded areas at the various vantage points will host birds during migration, and a few resident and wintering passerines as well. There may also be gulls in winter or terns in migration. Start at I-75 Exit 278 (Glade Rd) and head south for 0.4 miles to a light with Lake Acworth Dr, turn RIGHT (this is Hwy 92). In 1.4 miles turn left into a small recreation area on Lake Acworth. The road actually goes over the dam between Lake Acworth and Lake Allatoona, and you can scope both lakes and view nesting swallows by walking around this area (PHOTO 1 & 2). Be extremely careful crossing the road to scope Lake Allatoona and when you leave in your car later - it is very busy and fast-moving. When done, carefully turn left on Hwy 92 and cross the bridge. In 0.6 miles, take the first available left turn onto Ragsdale Rd. In 0.5 miles, you will see water on your left and right. Park on the shoulder and scope the small arm of the lake to your right (PHOTO 3); both dabbling and diving ducks may be here, along with herons or egrets. You can also backtrack about 0.2 miles and go into a little park (South Shore Park) on the other side of the road for a different view of Lake Acworth (PHOTO 4). Continue down Ragsdale Rd for 0.2 miles and take a sharp right onto Acworth Due West Rd., then follow it for 1.2 miles until it deadends into Nance Road and turn left. In 0.5 miles, turn left into the entrance for Cobblestone Golf Course. Park as soon as you see spaces on the left (where the driving range is), and you can scope the upper end of the lake and a marshy area from a knoll next to the parking area (PHOTO 5). Do not venture onto the golf course and be polite not to distract golfers trying to tee off below you! Return to Nance Rd and turn left for 0.4 miles, then left again at the first light onto Main Street. Go through a commercial area, and through a light with Cowan Rd. Drive slowly through historic Acworth (neat shops and restaurants here), and just after the last block of shops, look for Academy Rd on your left (this is exactly 2.0 miles from Nance Rd). Turn left, and go through a stop sign at a school. This road will end at a small parking area with a boardwalk where you can scope the lake (PHOTO 6). When you leave, you'll see that you cannot return on Academy because it's one-way; turn right to head down Beach Dr. At the end, you'll come into a boatramp parking area and Acworth Beach, which offers very open views of most of the lake (PHOTO 7). When done, turn right out of the gravel parking area onto Seminole Rd, and turn left at a stop sign with Dallas Rd, and you'll find yourself back at Academy where you can turn right to get back to Main St. Turn left onto Main St, and 0.25 miles later you will connect back to Hwy 92 to finish your tour; note that when you see the overpass for Hwy 92, you actually have to turn left just before going under it to curve up to a right turn onto the road. Just a few spp. worth mentioning since 2006 - Horned Grebe, Caspian Tern, Herring Gull, Black Tern, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Ducked, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser.
      
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5 PHOTO 6 PHOTO 7
Text and photos by KB.
3) Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (also Fulton County)
PM
See Beaton's Birding Georgia.
a) Cochran Shoals Unit [Oct 2008]  
PM, late F-W for wrens and sparrows
[DeLorme pg. 20, H-2]
Along with
Kennesaw
Mountain, Cochran Shoals is one of the premier birding locations in metro
Atlanta. It is at its best during migration, but also offers unique late fall birding and some interesting wintering birds as well. The
Chattahoochee
River is an important migrant corridor, and the property features a variety of habitats including bottomland, swamp, willow and alder thickets, marsh, some upland woods, and a well-established sparrow field. The only complaint birders have here is that there are also lots of humans attracted to this habitat - from bikers to joggers to families, and their dogs. This may be true, but the birds happily go about their business in spite of all the people so it is well worth a little patience and a few evasive maneuvers to enjoy the birds of Cochran Shoals. You can access the area from either the southern or northern end. From points north, use
Georgia 400, exit at Abernathy Rd and head west (turning right at the bottom of the exit). Go through a light with Roswell Rd, and when you reach Johnson Ferry Rd (there is a light and a church on your right), turn right. Cross the
Chattahoochee
River and take a left immediately onto Columns Dr, and follow it to the end where the parking lot is located. Note that you will pass the Johnson Ferry South Unit (Area 2) on your way down Columns Dr on the left, which is a nice stop as well (see description below). You can also use I-285 to access either end. To get to the north end, get off at Riverside Dr and head north. After a sharp right curve, you'll come to a light with Johnson Ferry Rd. Turn left and cross the
Chattahoochee river, then follow the directions above. To get to the south access, heading east on I-285 get off at Northside Dr and go straight through the light at the top of the exit. Turn left at the next light onto New Northside Dr. Go straight through the next light, which is for people exiting I-285 coming west (if you are one of these people, turn right at the light at the top of the exit). From this light, you will curve around to the left through some office buildings, then come to a light with Northside Dr. Go straight through the light and you are now on the access road - Interstate North Pkwy. Cross over the river and turn right immediately into the parking lot. The parking fee for all CRNRA areas is $3.00; if you live in the
Atlanta area, they are such good birding spots that a $25.00 annual pass is a no-brainer. Along with good numbers of the more commonly occuring species of migrating wood warblers, thrushes, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers, Cochran Shoals often hosts an array of unique species that are otherwise uncommon in the metro area. Both Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush may be found in migration along the river bank and in any low, wet areas. It is also a good place to find Canada Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and areas of thick brush will sometimes produce a rare Connecticut Warbler in May. Spotted Sandpipers can be seen on the rocks out in the river, where interesting waterfowl may also be found from fall-early spring such as Blue-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Mallard, or (rarely) Northern Pintail; secretive Wood Ducks breed in hidden sloughs and are often seen at river's edge or flying down the river at dawn or dusk. Great Blue Herons nest in colonies on large pines along the river every year. Other waders may also be found on the river or skulking in the swamp/marsh, such as Green Heron (breeds), Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, or Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (all uncommon to rare) or Snowy Egret (very rare). Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks soar overhead, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks stalk the woods, and Osprey may be seen flying along the river with a fresh catch. Even Bald Eagles have been seen along the river! Groups of migrating vultures, Broad-winged Hawks, and Sandhill Cranes might be spotted cruising over at high altitude. The many dead snags in swampy areas are perfect for a rare Olive-sided Flycatcher, which is found here semi-annually in spring or fall. The same dead trees are a woodpecker's paradise, and indeed Cochran Shoals is by far the most reliable location in
Atlanta to find Red-headed Woodpeckers - and lots of them! In addition to these striking breeding birds, all the other "regular" woodpecker species may be found quite readily, including Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, along with plenty of Brown-headed and White-breasted Nuthatches. The sparrow field (see directions later) is a unique and special feature of this property. During fall migration (and more rarely in spring), a rare Henslow's Sparrow or (much rarer) Le Conte's Sparrow might be flushed; Lincoln's Sparrow has become a regular visitor in October in small numbers, among good numbers of Song and Swamp Sparrows. You may find the occasional Savannah or Vesper Sparrow (migration only), and rarities such as Grasshopper Sparrow and Dickcissel have made brief appearances as well. The field is also an important stop-over for both Marsh and Sedge Wrens. In mid-October it is actually possible to encounter all five species of wrens that occur in
Georgia if you spend some time around in the field. Along with the two species above you may also find a House Wren in the field, while the surrounding woods will produce many Carolina Wrens and the occasional Winter Wren. Other birds that use the field at various times of year include Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Indigo Bunting, Palm Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird (accumulating to plague proportions in mid-October), Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird, and when part of the field is flooded you may even find the odd shorebird such as Yellowlegs or Solitary Sandpiper (both rare). NOTE: Birders must take care in the sparrow field not to cause wanton destruction of the vegetation. Be ethical, tread lightly, do not create new paths if there is obviously a narrow foot trail present. Furthermore, do not over-stress the special birds of the field by over-pishing or flushing them too many times, and do not use audio playback in the field! The southern parking area on Interstate North Pkwy is closer to the city and I-285, so I will begin a suggested birding route from there. Park and pay your fee or display your pass and head north on the wide gravel jogging trail. In spring and fall, listen for noisy Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, or the chips of Yellow-rumped Warblers to alert you to the presence of flocks of migrants working the trees along the river in the canopy, the mid-story, and low brushy areas anywhere along the trail. You may encounter several species of wood warblers including: Pine, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Yellow-throated, Black-throated Blue, Tennessee, Magnolia, Prairie, Palm, Northern Parula, and American Redstart (more common); Blackburnian, Cape May, Worm-eating, Blackpoll, Canada, Kentucky, Orange-crowned, Yellow, and Ovenbird (uncommon); Blue-winged, Nashville, Wilson's, or Connecticut (rare) among a few others. It is not unusual to find 12 or more species of warbler in one day during prime time migration at Cochran Shoals! Other interesting migrants - a few of which also stay to breed - include vireos such as Red-eyed, White-eyed, Blue-headed, Yellow-throated (last two uncommon), and Philadelphia (rare except mid-late September); thrushes such as Swainson's, Wood, Hermit, Gray-cheeked, and Veery (latter two uncommon); flycatchers including Acadian and other tricky Empidonax species including Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee, and Eastern Kingbird; and both Scarlet and Summer Tanagers. Eventually you will see a brown wildlife viewing sign on your left marking a boardwalk (PHOTO 4). Take your time birding this interesting swampy area all the way back to where the boardwalk becomes a dirt path, which you can follow to the right to circle the back side of the swamp where a recent huge blow-down (fall 2008) has created a nice open viewing area. This area may produce waterthrushes, Empids, typical warblers (see above), breeding Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and many other birds mentioned earlier. In spring you may rarely encounter a Prothonotary Warbler in this area, catch a glimpse of a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron skulking back in the alders, or in fall you may enjoy scores of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds zipping around the prolific jewelweed flowers. Head back to the main jogging trail on the river, and continue heading north and take the next side trail on the left (PHOTO 5) which takes you into the heart of the swamp/marsh, which you were skirting around on the boardwalk and dirt trail earlier. You are now in the heart of Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Yellowthroat, Orchard Oriole, and Red-winged Blackbird country; you can also view a lone pine from here where Great Blue Herons have attempted to nest and where on lucky occasions you may spot a perched Green Heron or (rarely) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Areas of jewelweed (small bright orange flowers) may be covered up with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in fall. Check all snags in migration for rare Olive-sided Flycatchers; in late fall Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrows, and (uncommonly) Rusty Blackbirds begin moving in for the winter. If you have more time, you can use the swamp trail to create a long loop on the west side of the property (see map below). Another possibility is to take a dirt side trail on your left just after the west gravel trail takes a sharp right curve to head north. This will take you past a beaver pond and then into some upland woods habitat and a powerline cut which may produce a few more migrant flocks and will bring you back down into the boardwalk area from the other direction; this area is not birded very often but is interesting. Usually I just turn around and head back to the river. Any time you get an open view on the river, take a look. Northern Rough-winged Swallows sometimes congregate here by the hundreds; mixed in during spring migration you may also try to spot Barn Swallow (more common), Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, and Tree Swallow (all uncommon) or Bank Swallow (rare) along with scores of Chimney Swifts. Just north of the swamp trail, you'll come to a boarded-up former restroom building, and behind it is the sparrow field mentioned earlier (PHOTO 2). It is always worth a walk around this field because, as detailed earlier, you might find any number of birds relating to it in various seasons. When you're done at the sparrow field, continue north over a foot bridge and then past a wooded area on your left with a creek flowing through it; check the edge of the woods here. About 200 yards further north, you will notice a well-worn foot path split off to the right, with a concrete sewer access unit near the beginning (PHOTO 1). This is known as the "Philly Vireo Trail," so-called because fall walks have produced up to four of this normally scarce species! See the maps below, which shows where the trail is located. The corridor with the trail (PHOTO 3) was actually created by a sewer/water line cut; this fortuitously isolated a narrow strip of woods right along the riverbank, so if a flock is working in this area they tend to move up or down the river and can be easier to follow, which helps you get more looks to sort through the birds... unless, of course, they bail out across the trail into deeper woods. When you get to the end of the Philly Vireo Trail it will re-join the jogging path; from here you can either continue north about 200 yards where the jogging trail loops around to the left past the north parking lot and then comes back down on the west side of the property to create a long loop (mentioned earlier) or you can turn around and bird your way back to your vehicle. It is notable that the western trail corridor is much more open with a wide, grassy strip along its length. This is perfect for good numbers of Indigo Buntings, and Blue Grosbeak has been seen here on multiple occasions in spring.
     
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5 MAP
Text and Photos by KB, map by National Park Service (edited by KB)
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b) Johnson Ferry South Unit (Area 2) [May 2008] 
PM, late F-W for sparrows
[DeLorme pg. 20, H-2]
See previous section for detailed directions. This is a less-often birded unit during migration, but has some great habitat and is certainly worth a stop. Park in the lot and bird the edges of the over-grown fields around the parking lot. At the northen end of the lot (opposite the parking fee station), there is a row of mimosa trees along the edge of the field, with a large oak tree and sycamore tree adjacent. In 2006, there was a large pile of mulch that provides a nice elevated view (PHOTO 1). This area can be simply "covered up" with good birds in fall (see Henderson Park, Dekalb County, for a description of mimosa trees). Warblers like American Redstart, Magnolia, Prairie, Hooded, and others will be feeding along with Eastern Wood Pewees and Acadian Flycatchers. Several species of Empidonax flycatchers have been seen, so get to know the key field marks in case Least or (rarely) Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are present. Bird your way back towards Columns Dr. In the fields in fall, there are lots of pokeweed bushes with berries that attract many birds - mainly mimid thrushes like Northern Mockingbirds, Gray Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers, but other birds may be feeding here, too. Eastern Kingbirds like to flycatch from the saplings in this area during migration. As you get near Columns Dr, there is a nice low, wet area with lots of willows. You may find Yellow Warblers here, along with other wood warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. In fall, the area has lots of jewelweed and you will find Ruby-throated Hummingbirds harrassing each other (and other birds!) as they feast on the flowers' nectar. In September 2006, there were several cuts made in this area for a gas line, which offer nice access to see more birds, though it can be muddy after wet weather. Head back towards the parking fee station, where there is a trail along the river. Just to the right (though the trail doesn't go here, really) are a few large oak trees, several of which have virginia creeper vines which yield berries in fall that many birds love. Watch for fluttering, feeding birds along the trunks and main branches; many will be Swainson's Thrushes or Red-eyed Vireos, but Veeries or Gray-cheeked Thrushes may be present if you're lucky. Head down the trail to the left (upstream) and soon you'll come to the other side of the mimosa trees. This area of the woods will also hold many birds that are relating to the mimosas and to a huge oak tree that is above your head. There is large a dead snag here that often has pewees on it, but look carefully because an Olive-sided Flycatcher is bound to show up here eventually. In this same area, a creek crossing provides a nice spot to look for waterthrushes, and you can also get down to the river to scan for birds here. As you bird down the trail, you'll notice a large wetland through the trees on your left. There are a few places where the woods are open enough to allow you to get to the edge to scan. The trail eventually comes to another overgrown field, which is good for sparrows in winter. You can bird the edges for migrants, then return the way you came. All the fields back around the parking lot are also good for "sparrow tromping" in late fall and winter (PHOTO 2). I have not seen a Henslow's or LeConte's Sparrow yet, but I have found Lincoln's and Vesper Sparrows, along with Sedge and Marsh Wrens. Most sparrows you find will be Song and Swamp Sparrows, but a few Savannah may be here, and there will be White-throated Sparrows as well. Swamp Sparrows tend to be closer to the marshy area behind the parking lot, and a few Field Sparrows may pop up anywhere as well. A nice treat here are somewhat reliable wintering Fox Sparrows (red type). The best spot seems to be an area in the field south of the parking lot (downstream), past a large group gazebo. Continue to the edge of the field where saplings are starting to grow near the woods and you may get one to pop up by "pishing" (PHOTO 3). The north field at the end of the trail along the river has similar habitat and may host a few Fox Sparrows as well. Another special bird for this area is American Woodcock. You can enjoy their "peent" calls and twittering aerial displays from the brushy fields as it gets dark from late January through early March, though clear views are generally not possible due to low lighting conditions (which is the case for woodcock observation in general).
  
PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3
Text and Photos by KB
c) Johnson Ferry North Unit [Aug 2007] 
PM, late F-W for sparrows
[DeLorme pg. 20, G-3]
This area is located directly on the east side of Johnson Ferry Rd at its intersection with Columns Drive (see directions above). The parking lot is very popular with cyclists who bike on Columns Drive, but you can usually find a spot. This Unit features more of the same type of birding as the two mentioned above in this section: a mix of an open scrubby field, low wet areas, and hardwood-dominated riparian forest along the Chattahoochee River. There is a wet area dominated by willows adjacent to the parking lot which may have Yellow Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and Louisiana or Northern Waterthrush in migration. As you begin down the gravel trail, you'll pass through a wet weedy field with an old park service building to your right. In winter, the field will host Song and Swamp Sparrow, with a few White-throated and Field Sparrows closer to its edge with the woods as well. In October-early November, you may be lucky enough to find a Henslow's Sparrow or Sedge Wren here, but the chances are better at Cochran Shoals. You can walk behind the building to get a view on the river for waterfowl, and to bird a strip of deciduous trees along the bank for migrant flocks. Back in the field at its east end, you'll find an area of dead pine snags with a large beaver swamp at their base. They are home to a group of Red-headed Woodpeckers, and if you're very lucky you may find an Olive-sided Flycatcher at the pinnacle of a snag in migration. This area is also good for White-breasted Nuthatch and other woodpeckers, Common Yellowthroat, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, waterthrush, and more. You can explore the trails in the area looking for flocks of migrants and other birds mentioned in the previous two Units.
5) Heron Rookery [July 2006]
late Sp-Su
[DeLorme pg. 19, F-9]
This area regularly hosts nesting Great Blue Herons, and a few immature White Ibis showed up, June-July 2006; Wood Duck, Kentucky Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Great-crested Flycatcher may also be encountered. A rare Mourning Warbler made a one-day appearance in spring 2007. Start out from Hwy 41, between its intersections with Acworth Due West Rd and Hwy 92 (where it is called Lake Acworth Rd). Go SW on Mars Hill Road from US 41 for 1.5 miles to County Line Road and turn right. After 0.8 miles you will see Old Stilesboro Rd on the right, turn here. The marsh is 0.4 miles down on the left. There is a gravel parking area for hunters on the right before you get to the marsh. Park there and walk down the road and you will see the nests in the tree tops on your left. Scan the swamp for herons, ibis, and egrets. Be careful - folks drive fast and there is a blind curve near the swamp.
5) Cobb International Blvd Area [Dec 2007] 
W for waterfowl, PM
[DeLorme pg. 20, G-1]
Worth checking in winter (ducks) and migration, this marginal habitat still represents an interesting mix of marshy areas and lakes in the middle of ugly suburban sprawl. Pied-billed Grebe, Ringed-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Palm Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Snipe, sparrows, etc. Start by heading SW on Cobb International Blvd, from Hwy 41 near McCollum Airport (if you are coming west on Chastain Rd., you actually go straight across Hwy 41 and you're on this road). You'll see a lake on your right after 0.5 mile; pass it and turn right on Battle Dr. (just after a postal service building). Turn right at the 2nd driveway and park behind that building by a row of bushes - the lake is directly behind them and there is good access and good habitat as well - marsh grass, wet areas, scrub, willows, and some deciduous and pine trees (PHOTOS 1 & 2). There are usually Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers in the pines, who are often joined by Golden-crowned Kinglets in winter. It is private property, but I've never been approached by anyone and locals fish on the lake all the time so apparently access is not an issue with the businesses on the lake; still, I would be wary of anyone in the area - employees or other folks using the lake - and be ready to leave if need be. Go back to Hwy 41 and turn right. In less than a mile, you will turn right at the first light onto Ellison Lakes Rd, a residential area made up of townhomes and apartments. After tur | | |
