Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area—Cochran Shoals Unit
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is a series of protected areas along the Chattahoochee River corridor in the metro Atlanta area. Each of these units is maintained by the National Park Service. The Cochran Shoals Unit in Cobb County is used by hundreds of runners and cyclists daily for exercise. It's also a favorite spot for birders, though the crowds can sometimes interfere with birding.
photo courtesy of Joe and Monica Cook Photography	The Cochran Shoals unit is one of the key Atlanta Audubon sites for spring and fall migration walks, second only to Kennesaw Mountain. During the height of migration, the species totals here reach the high 60s, with occasional major finds popping up such as Olive-sided Flycatcher and Lincoln's Sparrow in the fall and Connecticut Warbler in the spring. All of Georgia's woodpeckers except the Red-cockaded are found here. Read more about the state of the Chattahoochee and what the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is doing to protect the river. For more information, see Birding Georgia by Giff Beaton (Falcon Publishing, 2000).

Directions: Cochran Shoals is located on the west bank of the Chattahoochee, just north of I-285, making it easy to find on the map at "10 o'clock" on the Perimeter. Take I-285 to the Northside-Powers Ferry Rd. exit (exit 22). If you are going west on I-285, turn right at the first light onto Interstate North Parkway. Stay on this road as it curves west, through an intersection and crosses the river. After crossing, the parking lot is an immediate right.

If you are going east on I-285, continue east to the second light, then turn left (north) and cross the bridge over I-285 and continue through the traffic light on the other side onto Interstate North Parkway, then continue with instructions above. From this lot, a wide trail leads north along the river for about 1.5 miles before ending in a residential development. The trail loops around to come back out near the beginning point, for a nice overall 3-mile course. There is a $2 parking fee using the pay boxes in the parking lots or a $20 annual pass from the Park Service.

Fernbank Forest

Fernbank Forest, located behind Fernbank Science Center, is the Atlanta area's only tract of uncut suburban woodland. At 65 acres in size, the forest affords 25 species of trees, with some specimens of White Oak measured at over 225 years old. Paved trails meander by well signed plants and trees. The forest has a birdlist of 155 species compiled by Georgann Schmalz, former Fernbank ornithologist. Songbird migration can be exciting here, as well as the resident avian population, including six species of breeding woodpeckers. This forest tract is an incredible natural island amid urban sprawl. Directions: Fernbank Science Center is located at 156 Heaton Park Drive, Decatur. From I-285, take Stone Mountain Expressway (US 78) toward Decatur. It becomes Scott Blvd; turn right at Coventry Rd, then left at first light (Heaton Park Dr). From downtown, take Ponce de Leon toward Decatur and bear left after RR bridge, then left on Coventry Rd. and as above. The forest is open free to the public Sunday through Friday, 2 to 5 PM, and on Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Visitors go through the Center and exit the rear door to gain access to the forest, signing in at the registration book at the gate. Checklists are available at the Center's front desk.   "The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park has always been known to have excellent birding habitat. But as the mountain itself has been birded more carefully in the past several years, it has been "discovered" to be the rich migrant stopover it is. While the mountain has always enjoyed the reputation of being the best Atlanta location for observing fall raptor migration movements, we now know that the treelines up and down the paved road to the summit can yield an exciting passerine display. The 3,000-acre Kennesaw National Battlefield Park is the first location in Georgia to be designated by the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. Bob Zaremba's Kennesaw Mountain Birding website contains some excellent examples of birding on the mountain.

photo by Robert Schwartz

For more information, see Birding Georgia by Giff Beaton (Falcon Publishing, 2000).

Directions: Take I-75 to exit 269, Barrett Parkway. Go west on Barrett Parkway approximately two miles to Old Route 41 and take a left (look for a little brown sign on the right at that intersection pointing left to the Battlefield). Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Stilesboro Road, then a quick left into the visitor center parking lot. Checklists are available at the Visitors Center.

E. L. Huie Land Application Facility
The E. L. Huie facility, owned and operated by the Clayton County Water Authority, is the metro area's singular best all-around birding area if you are looking for variance in habitat and species. It is one of the best inland locations for shorebirds and waterbirds in the state. There are five ponds inside the facility, and birders can drive the dikes for good views at each pond. The Newman Wetlands Center is farther down Freeman Road on the right, just beyond the bridge. The self-guided boardwalk tour through the wetlands can yield Prothonotary and Kentucky Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush during nesting season. For more information, see Birding Georgia by Giff Beaton (Falcon Publishing, 2000).	photo by Vic Williams
Directions: Take I-75 south beyond I-285 to US 19/41 (Tara Blvd., exit 235); drive south for 8.2 miles to Freeman Rd. and turn left. The Clayton County Authority office is a quarter-mile down Freeman Rd. on the right. The pond complex is across the street. Call the Wetlands Center for information about birding at both sites: 770-603-5606.