Sea Islands/Coastal
Georgia’s sea islands and coastal zone boast diverse habitats and birdlife, characterized by salt marshes, tidal creeks, and barrier islands. The nutrient-rich estuaries, where the mighty rivers meet the sea, serve as nurseries for wildlife, making it a prime birdwatching destination with over 330 species regularly seen here. Coastal cities like Savannah, Darien, Brunswick, and St. Marys provide easy access to birdwatching as well as dining, lodging, and other experiences.
Wildlife Management Areas along the coast highlight high-quality habitat, managed with birds in mind: from waterfowl and rails at Altamaha WMA to Bachman’s Sparrows and other fire-dependent pineywoods species at Ceylon WMA. Not to be missed, Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Townsend features the state’s largest Wood Stork rookery at Woody Pond.
Georgia has 14 major barrier islands, including Tybee, St.Simons, Jekyll, and Cumberland, which host ecosystems such as salt marshes and maritime forests. The salt marshes, dominated by the tides, support diverse species, from the smallest Least Sandpiper, who weighs in at just one ounce (!) to the great American White Pelican, who boasts a 9-foot wingspan. The maritime forest is home to towering Live Oaks, whose limbs are often coated in Spanish Moss, and host songbirds, woodpeckers, and other wildlife. Freshwater sloughs within the forest and dunes attract wading birds, amphibians, and alligators. The eastern side of each barrier island features wide sandy beaches, with nesting shorebirds like the Black Skimmer, Least Tern, Wilson’s Plover, and American Oystercatcher best observed with care (and a spotting scope!). During migration, you may find Red Knot, Piping Plover, and various species of gulls and terns as they relax on the shore or feed along in the surf.
Birds are not the only thing that nest on and migrate along Georgia’s coast! You may also see nesting Loggerhead sea turtles in summer, migratory Gulf Fritillary Butterflies in fall, and the return of the North Atlantic Right Whale each winter.
