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Other Atlanta Metro
Birding Sites
We know there are lots of excellent birding spots in the metro area other than the
"big four" locations where AAS
leads regular migratory walks. We've listed here some of the other
birding spots where birding can be seasonally rewarding. Let us know
about good local birding sites in your area of town, and we'll include
them in our list. Email your suggestions to webmaster@gos.org.
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Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park
I-20 Exit 44, Douglas County
Creekside and upland trail system, lake: Migrants,
Waterfowl.
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
Decatur, Dekalb County
Beaver pond, upland and floodplain trails: Migrants, Herons.
Big Creek Greenway
Multiple access points in Alpharetta and Roswell, Fulton
County
Miles of paved walkway along Big Creek: Migrants, residents.
Tribble Mill Park
Grayson, Gwinnett County
Two lakes, walking trails: Migrants.
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Sweetwater
Creek State Conservation Park
Sweetwater Creek State Park is the Georgia
State Park closest to the metro Atlanta area. Seven miles of trails, shaded
streams, and a lake, which supports some interesting species during migration and in the winter, including Red-breasted Merganser, Common Goldeneye, and Greater Scaup, for the rarer species. Occasionally, Bald Eagles and Ospreys are seen there. An access trail leads to Sweetwater Creek itself and traverses a hardwood forest, leading to the creekside trail with its shoals area, extended trail system, and the ruins of an old Civil War mill. Birding is slower here in the summer since the main attraction at Sweetwater is the lake, bringing in the migratory and overwintering waterfowl.
Directions:
From downtown Atlanta, proceed on I-75/85 south a short distance and take I-20 west. Leave I-20 at the Thornton Road exit, the third exit west of the I-285 interchange. Turn left onto Thornton Road and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blair's Bridge Road, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and proceed to park. There is a $2 parking fee, payable at the park office or at self-pay stations. A map detailing the seven miles of woodland trails around the area is available at the office.
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Clyde
Shepherd Nature Preserve
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve is a 28-acre property in the
Medlock Park neighborhood of Decatur. The preserve opened in 1995 under the
management of a neighborhood organization with the goal of preserving
natural spaces in the South Peachtree Creek watershed.
The preserve includes wetlands and a four-acre beaver pond, emerging pine groves, wooded uplands, and floodplain bordering South Peachtree Creek. Wildlife habitat includes brush piles, deadfalls, dense brush, and the pond. These diverse habitats are home to beavers, foxes, turtles, snakes, frogs, rabbits, and dozens of species of birds.
Bird highlights include warblers, hawks, woodpeckers, flycatchers, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Hooded Merganser, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Great-horned Owl. Regularly seen in summer: Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Wood Thrush.
An observation tower funded by a gift from Atlanta Audubon offers a great view of the pond area. Visit the
CSNP website.
Directions:
From I-285 N or S: Take Hwy 78, Stone Mt. Freeway, exit west toward Decatur. Hwy 78 passes North Dekalb Mall and continues up hill past Banner Ford. At intersection of Hwy 78, North Decatur Rd, and Medlock Rd, take right on Medlock Rd. Follow Medlock Road 1/4-mile to Medlock Elementary School; go right on Wood Trail Lane. Pass one stop sign; travel another 200 yards to the preserve entrance.
From I-75/I-85 N or S:
I-85 north or south take North Druid Hills, exit east toward Decatur. Approx. 3 miles, go right on Hwy 78 (at North Dekalb Mall). Follow directions as above.
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Big Creek Greenway
Big Creek Greenway is a linear park in the city limits of Alpharetta that presently has two sections which eventually will be joined. The paved paths make handicapped access easy. Both sections follow Big Creek that then feeds into the
 Chattahoochee River. The lower section is more diverse in habitat and has a wide variety of birds and wildlife. At the wetlands area you might see Red-shouldered Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, or Wood Ducks. In the winter, Hooded Mergansers have been seen. The mature trees along the paved paths host all of the woodpeckers in Georgia except the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Barred Owls are seen fairly regularly. Many of the migrating warblers can also be seen in the spring and fall.
Directions:
400 north to Exit 8, Mansell Rd/Alpharetta exit. After exiting, turn right onto Mansell Rd. At the first traffic light, turn left onto
North Point Parkway (Smokey Bones BBQ on one corner and PF Changs on the other). Continue on North Point Pkwy to 3 or 4 lights staying in the right hand lane. Look for the Greenway entrance on the right just past the Ethan Allan store. For more information, check
http://alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=136
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Tribble Mill Park
Tribble Mill is a pleasant combination of several habitats and easy hiking out in the gently rolling country east of Lawrenceville. Check the map on the right just after the main gate, about 1/4 mile from the New Hope Rd. entrance. The park encompass about 2,000 acres. Enjoy the west half of the park for its almost total solitude (except on weekends) and two
lakes.
Park your car on the side of the road at the end of the roadside barrier beyond the left turn after the covered bridge. Take the trail into the woods and you'll very shortly find a very large pond in front of you. (The "Stay off the dam" sign is meant for horseback riders.)
Go to the right, over the earthen dam. Down below to the right is the northwest pond as well as scrub brush, which always harbors a good variety of birds. Green Heron and White Ibis have been seen on this pond. Further along the dam a little path goes off to the right across another small enclosed field that gives cover to approach the edge of the pond unseen by any birds on the pond.
Back up on the trail on the dam to the west, there are open fields and an unused small power line, home to anything from Eastern Bluebirds to Indigo Buntings, Swallows and an occasional Towhee and Meadowlark. Following the trail to the south and around the pond, you may surprise a Heron and maybe even a deer. Grebes and Loons have been seen here. Continuing in your car east on the main road, there is another shorter, wooded trail along the southern edges of the main lake. Park by the roofed picnic area. The trail is in the woods to the right. It generally tends to attract more users, but is quiet on week days. You'll see anything from Wrens to Waxwings or even a Hooded Warbler.
Directions:
From Atlanta: Take I-85 north to Rt. 316 to Rt. 124. Turn south (right) on Rt. 124 to Lawrenceville. From just east and south of Lawrenceville on Scenic Hwy #124 turn left (east) onto New Hope Rd and drive for about 8 miles. The park is on your right as you're cresting a small hill.
From Snellville: Go east on Rt. 78 about 1.5 miles and turn left (north) onto Rt. 84 (Grayson Hwy) straight through Grayson to New Hope Rd. and turn right onto New Hope Rd. The park is less than a mile on the right. |
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