Lee 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.
Lee County
1) The "Prison Loop" [Jan 2007]
YR, a pretty quick route
[DeLorme pg. 49, E-9, 10 and F-10]
Waders, shorebirds, gulls, swallows, waterfowl, open habitat; Wood Storks 2005; breeding Purple Gallinules reliable for many years, including 2005 & 2006; wintering waterfowl, Brewer's Blackbirds, gulls, or (rarely) Boat-tailed Grackle possible in winter. Head north on US 19 just out of the town of Leesburg. Turn left on Lagg Rd., and scan these pastures for shorebirds, Ibis, Cattle Egret, etc. (PHOTO 1) This area, and other open pastures, could have Brewer's Blackbirds in winter. When you deadend into Jordan Rd, turn right. There are large numbers of swallows in spring and fall on the wires along this road - mostly Barn and Northern Rough-wing but worth looking closely for Bank Swallow in migration. When you deadend into Prison Rd. (also called Pinewood Rd.), turn left. You will pass through two areas of pecan trees; in winter, it is worth stopping here briefly (be careful with traffic) to listen for Baltimore Orioles. At the first unnamed gravel road at the end of the second pecan grove on the left, turn left and scan the pasture to your right. You can continue on this road for a while and there may be Ibis, shorebirds, and swallows in the pastures; Ring-billed Gull likely, and Brewer's Blackbirds possible in winter. It is not clear if this is a public or private road so stay out of the way of farm workers and politely leave if asked. Get back to Prison Rd and turn right. Pass Jordan Rd and soon on the right is a large pond that is choked up with lilly pads (PHOTO 2 - but note this is in winter so it will look more lush and green in other seasons). Park in a white gravel area on the right with a small white sign reading "GDC Guard Line." Scope the lake carefully for Purple Gallinules, Least Bittern, waders, etc. in spring and summer. The same pond may have waterfowl and waders in winter. Also in winter, many Ring-billed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls congregate in this area in pastures. Just down the road on the opposite side from the pond is a weedy field that usually has a few White-crowned Sparrows in winter; listen for their pretty song. Be aware of blackbirds in this area in winter as well; this is a unique location for finding inland Boat-tailed Grackles, and Brewer's Blackbird may be present as well. When done, keep going past the prison itself on the right and you will hit US 19; turn right to return to Leesburg.
  PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2
Text and photos by KB.
2) Pond [N/A]
SBM
[DeLorme pg. 50, F-1]
Migrating shorebirds; has hosted Stilt Sandpiper. The Graves Springs Rd. pond is located near the intersection of Graves Springs Rd. and GA 32 in southeastern Lee Co. |
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Copyright 2010 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.
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