(Map produced using Microsoft Streets 98)

Jekyll Island: Jekyll Island is another barrier island treasure! It is owned by the state of Georgia and managed by the Jekyll Island Authority. There are no set operating hours, but there is a Fee to get on the island. Because of the size and diversity of Jekyll Island, it is described in three sections: the causeway, the south end, and the north end. Of course, the entire island and beaches are wonderful birding areas, but these three areas should get you started.

Causeway: As you turn onto the Jekyll Island causeway road, you pass through the old gateway to the Jekyll Island Club, a defunct group of America’s wealthiest from the late 1800s and early 1900s. There are several places to pull over and bird on the causeway, but be careful as traffic moves fast on this road. There are extensive sand flats and salt pans, salt marshes and creeks at which you can see Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlins, Whimbrels. Least Terns, and a host of other shorebirds. Long-billed Curlews have been spotted here, but not on a regular basis. Approximately 4 miles on the left is the Visitor’s Center. Here there are formal parking spaces and exposed marsh areas to view even more shorebirds.

South End: The south end of Jekyll is a well known birding spot. On the beach itself are several species of gulls and terns, many shorebirds, and sometimes wanderers such as South Polar Skuas and Parasitic Jaegers. A Northern Wheatear was found and photographed in 1998 in a small residential area on the south end of the island. This seems to be the place to catch glimpses of rare birds. There are several boardwalks through the scrub-shrub habitat and several parking lots to park at on the South End. St. Andrew’s Picnic Area is a great place to start and it can be found where Riverview Drive becomes Beachview Drive. A walk out from this area takes you to where the St. Andrews Sound meets the Ocean. You can walk around to the ocean side and head back in through the scrub-shrub at the 4-H Center or the Soccer Complex. Or you can do this in reverse - begin at the Soccer complex and end at St. Andrews Picnic Area. These will be long and hot walks in the summer, so be sure to bring water and sunscreen. Also, parts of the beach will be impassable during high tides, so be sure to pay attention to tide stage and weather.

North End: Each section of Jekyll Island is unique and the North End is no exception. Follow Beachview Drive to the North End until you reach the Clam Creek Picnic Area on St. Simons Sound. Up here there is a fishing pier and a driftwood beach. This is a good place to watch gulls and terns and Brown Pelicans as they follow behind the fishing boats.

No matter where you go on Jekyll Island, you will be happy that you came here. It is a wonderful bird watching area and a great vacation spot.

Hours: The island is run by the Jekyll Island Authority and is always open. The entry fees have changed in 1999.  A one-day (no re-entry) pass is $3, a one-day (one re-entry) pass is $4, a 3 day (unlimited re-entry) pass is $12, a 7 day (unlimited re-entry) pass is $24.

Directions: Take Exit #6 off of I-95 and head east on U.S. 17 approximately 8 to 10 miles to the Jekyll Island Causeway. Follow the Causeway to Jekyll Island. It is well marked. For more information, you can call or write the Jekyll Island Welcome Center, P.O. Box 13186, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527, 1-877-453-5955. Or visit their web site at www.jekyllisland.com.

Text provided by Mary Elfner