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Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area

Swallow-tailed Kite

Swallow-tailed Kite (Tom Wilson/GNPA)

Darien, GA

The Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area consists of 3,154 acres of managed waterfowl impoundments and some 27,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods and cypress-tupelo swamps. Impoundments built as part of Ducks Unlimited's M.A.R.S.H. (Matching Aid to Restore States' Habitat) program provide an excellent wildlife viewing area with several towers. The impoundments are on the remains of an old rice plantation. Many of the rice fields are managed to benefit waterfowl and other wildlife species. Limited parking is available on the east side of U.S. Highway 17 in front of an old dairy barn. Another parking area and wildlife viewing tower are located on the west side of Highway 17 across from the Champney boat ramp, about 1/3 mile from the highway.

Specialties

Wood stork and other wading birds, swallow-tailed kite, bald eagle, king rail, least bittern, painted bunting, mottled duck, wood duck, white ibis, glossy ibis, black-bellied whistling duck.

Tips

Look for common snipe feeding in exposed muddy areas and rails darting through the vegetation in the impoundment. In fall and winter, black ducks, pintails, green-winged teal, northern shovelers and other waterfowl can be seen in the impoundment. In the summer, look for wood ducks and black-bellied whistling ducks, which often nest in duck boxes around the impoundment. Bald eagles can be spotted in winter and spring.

Other Wildlife Highlights

Altamaha is a great place to spot American alligators.

Best Birding Seasons

  SPRING SUMMER FALL WINTER
Raptors     ✓ ✓
Shorebirds ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Songbirds ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Wading Birds ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Waterfowl     ✓ ✓

Fees

A hunting license, fishing license or lands pass is required for property access.

PURCHASE A LICENSE

Website

https://georgiawildlife.com/altamaha-wma

eBird Hotspot

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L589433

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Amenities

Boat Ramp
 
Cabins
 
Camping
 
Dock/Pier
 
Fishing
 
Hunting
✓
Nature Center/Museum
 
Picnic
 
Primitive Camping
✓
Restrooms
 
Trails
✓
Viewing Platform/Blind
✓
Visitor Center/Gift Shop
 
Water Fountains
 

Trail Sites

  • Fort Pulaski National Monument
  • Tybee Island: North Beach
  • Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center
  • Skidaway Island State Park
  • J.F. Gregory Park
  • Fort McAllister State Park
  • Fort Morris State Historic Site
  • Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
  • Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area
  • Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site
  • St. Simons Island: Gould’s Inlet & East Beach
  • Jekyll Island: North End Beach
  • Jekyll Island: Causeway
  • Jekyll Island: South End Beach
  • Crooked River State Park
  • Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
  • Cumberland Island National Seashore
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