The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Located only 3 miles from the University of Georgia campus, the Botanical Garden is a premier birding spot in the Athens area. In 2007 it was listed as an Important Bird Area, one of only 50 such sites in the entire state!

The best birding is generally down along the white trail, which follows the Oconee River, but any of the numerous trails can have good birds. A total of 151 bird species have been spotted here, including many species of warblers.

eBird species list
Google Map
Official Website

Sandy Creek Nature Center and Park

The Sandy Creek Nature Center and Sandy Creek Park are also excellent local birding spots. The two parks are connected by the 4 mile Cook's Trail, which follows the North Oconee River.

Enjoy small ponds, wetlands, and riparian bottomlands along the trails. The large lake at the Park is a good place to spot waterfowl. Wood Duck, Prothonotary Warbler, and many other species are common along Cook's Trail.

We are trying to get Sandy Creek Nature Center noted as an Important Bird Area, so we need your lists! Please enter your sightings into eBird so we can get this area official recognition!

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Google Maps: SC Nature Center - SC Park
Official Website

Bear Creek Reservoir

The reservoir is easily the best place in the Athens area to see waterfowl. When water levels are low, keep an eye out for shorebirds along the water's edge. Please enter your bird sightings into eBird, as we don't have a lot of information about this place.

There are four main observation areas for the reservoir. The first is along the dam on Savage Road. Look for American Pipits and sparrows in winter, and Common Yellowthroats in summer.

Secondly, take a right onto Old Savage Road from Savage Road to see some of the back, quiet bays of the reservoir. Look for Wood Duck and Hooded Mergansers.

Along Route 330 is a fishing pulloff and small parking area. Although the lot is closed when the water is low, there is enough space near the road for two cars to park. Walk down to the water's edge for a good look at most of the lake. There is another pulloff along a rise about a half mile down the road. This is a good spot to see the bay behind the water control facilities.

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University of Georgia's Whitehall Forest

Although closed to the public, we host several bird walks a year at this spectacular forest. Owned and operated by the University of Georgia, Whitehall sits at the confluence of the North Oconee and Little Oconee Rivers.

The managed pine forests have high numbers of Brown-headed Nuthatches, woodpeckers, and a variety of warblers and thrushes. Please feel free to join us on our formal walks in this beautiful forest!

Whitehall Forest was recognized with the State Botanical Garden as an Important Bird Area in 2007.

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Google Map