Walton 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.
Walton County
1) Lake Varner
W for Waterfowl
See Newton County
2) Briscoe Reservoir [N/A]
W for Waterfowl
[DeLorme pg. 27, A-9]
This reservoir just NW of Monroe does not have much public access, but might be checked during winter for interesting ducks, divers, or other waterfowl from late fall through early spring. A pretty good vantage point can be had on the shoulder of Double Springs Rd; be very careful parking and scoping from all roadside stops. You can plug this GPS point into a navigation or Google Maps to view the lake - N33 50.628 W83 46.698. Or, you can click HERE to view the lake on Google Maps. From US Hwy 78 north of Monroe, head north on N Broad St (GA Hwy 11) for 0.8 miles and take a left on to Double Spring Church Rd. In 1.2 miles, be careful to turn slight left to continue on this road. Approx. 2 miles rom this fork, you will probably see the deep end of the lake and the dam on your right across a large pasture. You may be able to park here on the shoulder and scan, but use your best judgement and be careful with traffic. Less than a mile farther down the road, you will deadend into New Hope Church Rd. Turn right. At the very next interesection, turn right onto Double Springs Rd and look for a wide area to park on the shoulder to scan the lake. Birds seen in Dec 2008 included Gadwall, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, and American Pipit.
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Copyright 2010 Ken Blankenship. All rights reserved.
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