Birdwatching varies with the part of the country you happen to be camping in or traveling through. Here are some specific tips for birdwatchers traveling in the southern states.
• You can find many species of upland and deciduous forest birds in the Appalachian Mountains not seen often in other areas.
• Alabama birders have put together a booklet and guide for the Alabama Birding Trail, which covers birding spots around the state. Pick up your free copy at visitor centers throughout the state.
• Some of the best birding in the country is along the Atlantic shoreline of the southern states.
• Great blue herons, egrets, and smaller wading birds can be seen in the shallow waters of sloughs, bays, ponds, rivers, and lakes.
• In lowland saltwater and freshwater marshes, in brackish water along creeks and estuaries, and behind barrier beaches watch for marsh birds not often seen in the rest of the country, like the Tricolored Heron (photo), White Ibis, Long-Billed Dowitcher, Royal Terns, and Wood Storks.
• Visit wildlife refuges, like Harris Neck in southern Georgia, where you can see nesting Wood Storks, which seldom venture north of Florida.
• Pick up the brochure, Georgia Birding Trail, from visitor centers, an excellent guide for birdwatching around the state.
Florida is a little different, so here are specific tips for birding in Florida.
• Paddling, either by canoe or kayak, is a good way to see the birds of the lowlands of Florida. Paddle quietly, keeping paddle splash to a minimum, conversations low, and movements small.
• Many neo-tropical birds never make it any further north than Florida, and many species can be seen here that are not seen in the rest of the country.
• In lowland saltwater and freshwater marshes, in brackish water along creeks and estuaries, and behind barrier beaches watch for marsh birds, like the Louisiana Heron, Roseate Spoonbill (photo), Sandhill Cranes, and Royal Terns diving for fish.
• You can find many species of upland and deciduous forest birds in the Appalachian Mountains not seen often in other areas.• Alabama birders have put together a booklet and guide for the Alabama Birding Trail, which covers birding spots around the state. Pick up your free copy at visitor centers throughout the state.
• Some of the best birding in the country is along the Atlantic shoreline of the southern states.
• Great blue herons, egrets, and smaller wading birds can be seen in the shallow waters of sloughs, bays, ponds, rivers, and lakes.
• In lowland saltwater and freshwater marshes, in brackish water along creeks and estuaries, and behind barrier beaches watch for marsh birds not often seen in the rest of the country, like the Tricolored Heron (photo), White Ibis, Long-Billed Dowitcher, Royal Terns, and Wood Storks.
• Visit wildlife refuges, like Harris Neck in southern Georgia, where you can see nesting Wood Storks, which seldom venture north of Florida.
• Pick up the brochure, Georgia Birding Trail, from visitor centers, an excellent guide for birdwatching around the state.
Florida is a little different, so here are specific tips for birding in Florida.
• Paddling, either by canoe or kayak, is a good way to see the birds of the lowlands of Florida. Paddle quietly, keeping paddle splash to a minimum, conversations low, and movements small.• Many neo-tropical birds never make it any further north than Florida, and many species can be seen here that are not seen in the rest of the country.
• In lowland saltwater and freshwater marshes, in brackish water along creeks and estuaries, and behind barrier beaches watch for marsh birds, like the Louisiana Heron, Roseate Spoonbill (photo), Sandhill Cranes, and Royal Terns diving for fish.
