The Georgia Highlands Wetlands shine in the winter. The central feature of the site, Paris Lake, is a very attractive body of water to decent flocks of diving ducks like Ring-necked Ducks and Redheads. These flocks usually feature smaller numbers of less common species like Canvasback and American Wigeon, so be sure to bring a scope to sift through the rafts. Gulls also frequent Paris Lake in numbers and can form quite a spectacle in the evening when they stream in for roost. Many of these birds forage at the active landfill northwest of the wetlands. Although the flocks are generally comprised of mostly Ring-billed Gulls, scan carefully through them to detect Bonaparte's and Herring Gulls. The wetlands at the northeast part of the property annually host Virginia Rails. Walk to the very back of the there-and-back boardwalk to listen for their pig-like grunt calls.
Spring and fall migration can be delightful times of year to stop by and visit Georgia Highlands. Pay special attention to migrants along the wetlands boardwalk, where anything from wrens to warblers to vireos can be seen foraging in the low riparian vegetation.
Vistors can cover this site in a comprehensive loop around Paris Lake with a quick trip down the boardwalk spur on the east side of the lake. The loop runs about 2.5 miles but is along a gentle grade on mostly hard-packed gravel.
Summer at Georgia Highlands Wetlands doesn't offer quite as much excitement as birding during the other seasons of the year, but it can be a good time to add patch birds like Northern Bobwhite and Eastern Meadowlark, which can be heard singing from the open habitats on the east side of the lake. Developments across the property line may be putting excessive pressure on these grassland birds, and their days at this locale may sadly be numbered.
The Georgia Highlands Wetlands shine in the winter. The central feature of the site, Paris Lake, is a very attractive body of water to decent flocks of diving ducks like Ring-necked Ducks and Redheads. These flocks usually feature smaller numbers of less common species like Canvasback and American Wigeon, so be sure to bring a scope to sift through the rafts. Gulls also frequent Paris Lake in numbers and can form quite a spectacle in the evening when they stream in for roost. Many of these birds forage at the active landfill northwest of the wetlands. Although the flocks are generally comprised of mostly Ring-billed Gulls, scan carefully through them to detect Bonaparte's and Herring Gulls. The wetlands at the northeast part of the property annually host Virginia Rails. Walk to the very back of the there-and-back boardwalk to listen for their pig-like grunt calls.
Spring and fall migration can be delightful times of year to stop by and visit Georgia Highlands. Pay special attention to migrants along the wetlands boardwalk, where anything from wrens to warblers to vireos can be seen foraging in the low riparian vegetation.
Vistors can cover this site in a comprehensive loop around Paris Lake with a quick trip down the boardwalk spur on the east side of the lake. The loop runs about 2.5 miles but is along a gentle grade on mostly hard-packed gravel.
Summer at Georgia Highlands Wetlands doesn't offer quite as much excitement as birding during the other seasons of the year, but it can be a good time to add patch birds like Northern Bobwhite and Eastern Meadowlark, which can be heard singing from the open habitats on the east side of the lake. Developments across the property line may be putting excessive pressure on these grassland birds, and their days at this locale may sadly be numbered.
