Savannah, GA

Located at the mouth of the Savannah River, this 5,600-acre national monument consists of Cockspur Island, McQueen's Island and the adjacent salt marsh. These diverse habitats are home to 200 species of birds. A number of trails and areas on Cockspur Island afford wonderful birding and other wildlife viewing opportunities.

Specialties

Painted bunting, American oystercatcher, Wilson's plover, red knot, whimbrel, white ibis, great blue heron, snowy egret, osprey, bald eagle, seaside sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow and Nelson’s sparrow.

Tips

Look for painted buntings from spring through summer along woodland edges on Cockspur Island. This is an excellent place to see migratory songbirds in spring and late summer through fall. Clapper rails, seaside sparrows and marsh wrens can be seen or heard in the marshes around Fort Pulaski throughout the year. Shorebirds can best be seen along the shoreline at high tide. The beach at Fort Pulaski, created as part of Savannah shipping channel maintenance, provides additional roosting sites for birds. Large flocks of American oystercatchers that used to use Tybee north beach are now often seen at Fort Pulaski. Saltmarsh and Nelson’s sparrows can be found along marsh edges at high tide between November and April.

Other Wildlife Highlights

American alligator (around ditches and embankments); white-tailed deer, eastern corn snake and yellow rat snake.

Flora Highlights

Sabal palm (palmetto), coastal red cedar, sea oxeye daisy, spartina grass and yaupon holly.

Best Birding Seasons

Fees

Entrance fee. Check the NPS website for up-to-date pricing.

Website

https://www.nps.gov/FortPulaski

eBird Hotspot

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L448001

Address

U.S. Highway 80
Savannah, GA 31410