|
DESCRIPTION: Camden County is the southernmost county along the Georgia coast and a unique transitional area where Florida meets the rest of the country. Travel with Robert Smith through some of eastern Camden County’s remarkable birding spots from Woodbine’s Satilla River Boardwalk to the salt marsh of historic St. Mary’s. Experience the distinctions between fresh water wetlands and salt marsh. The first stop will be Woodbine Waterfront Park where we will embark with Satilla River Outfitters on a boat trip through grassy freshwater marshes along hardwood bluffs and end up in brackish marshlands near St. Andrews Sound. After a walking trip up the Coastal Georgia Greenway in Woodbine, the group will make a quick stop at McIntosh Sugar Works Mill. The last stop will be Crooked River State Park, where the park’s naturalist, Jessica Aldridge will join Robert Smith to help interpret this Colonial Coast Birding Trail site. We will ramble through the maritime forest, pinelands where prescribed fire has been reintroduced, and along the marshes edge. Some of the birds that might be seen on this trip are rails, night herons, ground doves, white pelicans, wood storks, and a variety of warblers and buntings. This trip is great for beginners who want an overall look at birds and the natural areas they depend on. Lunch will not be provided, but there are several good restaurants in the area, especially in scenic St. Marys.
Recommended Needs : Insect repellent, sun protection, water, snacks/lunch, binoculars/scope.
Trip Rigor : Fairly easy – some walking on several trails around a mile or less.
Your
Leaders:
Jessica Aldridge is currently the Assistant Manager for Crooked River State Park. She has been a naturalist for six years, five of which were on the Atlantic coast from Florida to Georgia. Her degree is in Animal Ecology with emphasis on interpretation of natural resources from Iowa State University. She studied marine science at the University of New Castle in Australia and has been involved in the Sea Turtle Project on Sea Island. She loves birding, kayaking and most of all educating others about our natural resources!
Robert Smith is the Forest & Wildlife Biologist for Cabin Bluff Land Management in Camden County, Georgia. Robert has worked to help manage habitats for a wide variety of game and non-game wildlife in the southeastern US. Robert enjoys birding, wildlife photography, and other outdoor activities in his spare time.
|
