Located near downtown Augusta,
Georgia close to the Savannah river, clay for brick manufacture has been
mined in this area for nearly a century. The ponds are
water-filled, abandoned clay mining pits. The clay mines were operated for many years by
the Merry Brick Company and are known locally as the "Merry Ponds." Boral Brick company
now operates the Brickworks.The main attraction of the brickyard ponds is the large numbers of migrating ducks that arrive in fall and winter. American Eagles are commmonly seen in the area.
To reach the Brickyard Ponds take the Gordon Highway (1) and turn South on Doug Barnard Parkway (56). Turn left immediately (0.1 mile) on Inner Plant Road which is unsigned. This road can also be reached by taking Doug Barnard Parkway North from the Bobby Jones Expressway (I-520) for about 2.9 miles. Take Inner Plant Road about 1.7 miles to the intersection with a well-maintained dirt road. A fish-shack can be seen on the right. The Brickyard Ponds are private property. Birders are welcome and can bird free of charge but must register at the fish shack before birding.
Alternatively, the fish shack can be reached by taking Laney-Walker boulevard to Arthern road (between 4th and 5th streets). Cross the CSX railroad tracks on Arthern road and turn right at Boral Bricks. The road will cross another set of railroad tracks which serve the brickyard and will take you to an intersection with Inner Plant Road. The fish shack can be seen straight ahead.
When birding the ponds,especially along the clay mining haul road, birders should be careful not to interfere in any way (parking, birding) with the trucks hauling clay. Also be aware that the current mining areas are off limits to birders when active mining is taking place. If these considerations are not followed, we could lose our permission to bird there. The brick company has been very accommodating about allowing us to bird there. We need to respect their area.
Augusta Canal
The Augusta Canal was built in 1845 to provide water power for local industry. It is
still in use for its original purpose and is Georgia's only designated National Heritage Area.
Birding the canal involves walking along its 8.5 miles of towpath and waterway
(motorized vehicles are not allowed). Birding habitat includes the canal waterway, the
Savannah River and patches of bottomland hardwood forest.
The canal can be accessed from either end. Detailed directions to the canal can be obtained at
the Augusta Canal website.
Click http://www.augustacanal.com/index.html
. A free self-guide tour map is available at the Interpretive Center
1450 Greene Street in Augusta.
Hitchcock Woods
Hitchcock Woods is a 2,000 acre Southern forest located in the midst of urban Aiken,
South Carolina. It is owned and managed by the Hitchcock Foundation, a non-profit
organization established by Thomas Hitchcock and his daughter, Helen H. Clark in 1939.
There are 65 miles of marked, sandy trails throughoust the 2,000 acre woods. In additon to
the upland forest, Hitchcock woods offers additional interesting bird habitats that
include wetlands, streams and rivers.
Hitchcock Woods is open daily from dawn until dusk. Due to its size, it is advisable to obtain
a map. These are available at the seven main entrances or by mail (Hitchcock Foundation, PO Box
1702, Aiken S.C. 29802. 803-542-0528). Further details and a downloadable map can be obtained
at the Hitchcock Woods Website.
Click http://www.hitchcockwoods.com
Augusta Levee and Lover's Lane
Following severe flooding in 1908 and 1915, a 15-20 foot high levee was constructed from
the headgates of the Augusta Canal to Butler creek. The Southern portion of the levee is
undeveloped and ideal for viewing migrating passerines. From the roadway on top of the levee
trees can be scanned from a relatively elevated position that helps prevent "warbler neck."
An unpaved portion of Lover's Lane runs to the levee. It passes through flooplain hardwood
forest, cypress-tupelo swamp, and grassy fields offering excellent habitat for migrants.
To reach Lover's Lane and the Levee take the Bobby Jones Expressway (I-520) to Laney Walker
Boulevard. Turn right on Laney Walker Boulevard and then immediately right again (0.1 mile)
onto Columbia Nitrogen road. Soon after turning onto Columbia Nitrogen road you will see a
swampy wetland on the right
(columbia Nitrogen Swamp) which is a good area to view wading birds, shorebirds and ducks in
season. Continue on the paved road about 2 miles to where the pavement ends. Continue on the
unpaved road until you reach the Levee.
The property adjacent to Lover's Lane and the Levee is private and some of it is posted so
birding should be confined to the roadways.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Operated by the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
is located on
1,100 acres just South of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. A central feature of the
Nature Park is an extensive series of constructed wetlands. In addition, beaver ponds, lakes,
natural swamps, creeks, and mixed deciduous-pine forests are found in the Park. These diverse
habitats attract a wide variety of passerine songbirds, wading birds, raptors and seasonal migrants.
In addition, wild turkey, beaver, river otter and muskrat are commonly seen. Access to the park
is via well-maintained trails and an extensive boardwalk.
Detailed descriptions of the birding venues and directions to the park can be found on
their Website. Click www.phinizyswamp.org
Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary
Located near Aiken, South Carolina
and Augusta, Georgia, Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary, situated along the Savannah
River contains 3,154 acres of upland pine forest, hardwood bottomlands, fields, lakes and streams, it is typical of much of the Coastal Plain
of Georgia and the Carolinas.
The wide variety of habitats contained within Silver Bluff offers spectacular wildlife viewing
opportunities. For the birdwatcher, Silver Bluff boasts a checklist with over 200 species,
including endangered Wood Storks!
Silver Bluff is actively managed to provide income from its forest products. The property
has been certified as a producer of environmentally sustainable timber products by
SmartWood under the Forest Stewardship Council system.
The Silver Bluff Audubon Education Center is a good starting point for birding the refuge.
To reach the Education Center, proceed to the intersection of South Carolina Highways
125 and 302 (approximately 4 miles southeast of Beech Island, SC on Hwy 125).
Turn Southwest on Silver Bluff Road. Travel 1.8 miles and you will come to a stop sign.
Continue straight, crossing Old Jackson highway. After 1.1 miles you will cross a set of
RR tracks. Travel a short distance and the paved road will become a sand/clay road.
From this point, proceed approximately one mile and you will see the education building
on the right side of the road.
Please respect all posted signs and gates. Wildlife, plants, and artifacts at Silver Bluff
are protected by Federal and State Law and by the National Audubon Society.
For more information on birding at Silver Bluff, call Paul Koehler at (803)471-0291. email:
pkoehler@audubon.org
Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve
Located on 400 acres in McCormick and Edgefield Counties, the Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve
is situated on a bluff and a narrow floodplain that harbors 15 rare plant species and a
mature hardwood forest typical of the Appalachian Mountains. The preserve offers good Piedmont
birding. One may also see the endangered Webster's salamander.
For directions to the preserve click
http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/wild/heritage/hp/stevenscrk/default.htm
Aiken State Park
This 1,067 acre park is located 16 miles East of Aiken, South Carolina. It contains four
spring-fed lakes and the South Edisto River. Habitat includes riverine swamp and dry
sand hills. There is a 3 mile nature trail and other hiking venues in the park. Directions can
be found at
Aiken State Park.
Super Sod Farm
The main attraction of the Sod Farm is migrating shorebirds in August and September.
These include Pectoral, Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpipers and American Golden Plover.
Horned Larks are easily seen on the sod. Species can vary from morning to afternoon.
The best birding is usually along Super Sod Boulevard but you should check all around.
Stay on the roads while in the sod farm and do not walk on the sod fields.
To reach the sod farm proceed to the intersection of I-26 and highway 301 approximately
6 miles east of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Turn West on 301 (toward Orangeburg).
In 0.7 mile you will see the office and entrance road to the Super Sod Farm on your left.
If the office is open, be sure to stop and let them know you are birding.
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Alternatively, you can turn left on a dirt road where the paved road ends and drive directly
to the Levee.
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