Walker County
Birding Locations |
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Legend
Su = summer
F = fall
W = winter
Sp = spring
YR = year-round
[July 2005] = Most recently checked by KB
[N/A] = Not yet checked by KB
 = Location is within +/- 10 miles of the indicated interstate highway. This is especially helpful for out-of-town birders who may be passing through Georgia while travelling and would like to get a quick birding fix. This is also helpful for birders planning a "Big Day," where staying close to a major interstate corridor is essential for covering the greatest diversity of habitats in 24 hours.
 = Location is a "Georgia Birding Hotspot." Though this designation is subjective, it generally means that the area should be given high priority when planning a birding trip to a region. Some Hotspots offer incredible, productive birding virtually year-round (Jekyll Island), while the best birding of the year may be more seasonal at others (Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park).
SBM = Shorebird Migration; this very generally refers to mid-March thru May in spring and mid-July thru mid-October in fall. Fall is the prime shorebird season. Baird's and Buff-breasted Sandpipers likely only in fall. Peak passage of specific species is quite variable.
PM = Passerine Migration; this very generally refers to April and May in spring and August thru mid-October in fall. This includes all songbirds - wood warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, flycatchers, etc. Peak passage of specific species is quite variable. Spring migration is much more concentrated and birds are often in colorful breeding plumage. Fall migration is more spread out; fall wood warblers can be notoriously difficult to identify (or even impossible to determine sex), with numerous juveniles which do not exhibit the same obvious field marks as adults.
IBA = Important Bird Area; the aim of the IBA Program is to identify and conserve key breeding and feeding sites for birds. An Important Bird Area is a place that provides essential habitat for one or more species of bird, whether in breeding season, winter, or during migration. These sites are considered to be exceptionally important for bird conservation; see Georgia's IBA Webpage.
Walker County
1) Chickamauga National Battlefield Park (Walker and Catoosa Counties) [July 2008]
PM, Su for breeding birds
[DeLorme: p. 12, grid B-4]
Chickamauga National Battlefield Park can be very good for woodland migrants including warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, and orioles. In July-August 2004 a rare Bewick's Wren was reported, but was not seen by all searchers. The Snodgrass Hill area of the park has been particularly productive. From I-75 (north of Atlanta) get off at Exit 350 (Hwy 2) and head west; there should be signage on the interstate for the park. When you come into the town of Fort Oglethorpe, you will come to a major intersection with US Hwy 27, turn left to head south. This will go straight into the park, and the Visitor's Center will be on the right soon after you enter. See exhibits on this bloody Civil War battle and get maps here. A tour is available. Snodgrass Hill is in the NW part of the park. View a PARK MAP.
2) Queen City Lake (a.k.a. Lake Howard) [N/A]
W for waterfowl
[DeLorme: p. 12, grid E-4]
Located north of the town of Fayetteville on US 27. Use your DeLorme to help guide you to the lake, and once in the area you will want to explore smaller roads to gain views of the lake and bird the immediate area for non-waterfowl species like sparrows or blackbirds. Be respectful of any private property in the area, and be careful on road shoulders while scoping the lake. Species seen since 2001 include Snow Goose, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Fox Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Osprey, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull.
3) Edwards Sod Farm [Dec 2006]
SBM
[DeLorme pg. 12, grid E-5 and pg. 13, grid E-6 (On the seam of the atlas, at a community labeled "Villanow")]
Read about Birding Georgia's Sod Farms
Located at 11825 hwy 136 Lafayette, Georgia 30728. From the town of LaFayette, head east on GA Hwy 136 until you reach a T-intersection with Hwy 151; turn left to continue following Hwy 136. In 1-2 miles, watch carefully for Hwy 136 signs, and turn right to stay on it. In 4-5 miles, you'll see the sod farm open up on the left (north) side of the road. This is in the vicinity of mile marker 29. Just after crossing over a small creek, look on the left (north) side of the road for a dirt road/pull-out accessing part of the farm. You can park here, but make sure you are not blocking the farm access road. Scope the east sod field from this vantage point. You can then walk the shoulder of the road (be very careful here!) to get another vantage point on the west fields. The creek crossing has lots of cover and trees, so listen and look for passerines here as well while you walk over the bridge to scope the farm. The only good observation points for this sod farm are from the shoulder of Hwy 136, which has fast-moving traffic, so be alert, stay well off the road and use good judgement.
Aerial photo from an online advertisement (property is apparently for sale as of 12/15/06)
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Copyright 2008 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.
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