Townsend, GA

One of seven refuges administered as part of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex, Harris Neck has more than 2,700 acres of saltwater marsh, freshwater impoundments, mixed deciduous forests and open fields. These habitats support an amazing array of birds: 342 species have been seen on the refuge. The four-mile paved Wildlife Drive through the refuge provides excellent opportunities to see a diversity of habitat types and wildlife. Harris Neck has six hiking trails of varying lengths. It also has the largest wood stork colony in the state, and includes many other nesting wading birds. The refuge is one of two sites in Georgia where roseate spoonbill nesting has been confirmed, though not annually. Woody Pond affords excellent opportunities to see and photograph wading birds.

Specialties

Wood stork, painted bunting, numerous wading bird species, wintering waterfowl, sparrows.

Tips

The best time to view wood storks, great egrets, snowy egrets, black-crowned night-herons, anhingas and other wading birds is during nesting season, which begins late February/early March. Nesting wading birds are best viewed with a spotting scope. Look for painted buntings in late spring through summer at refuge office feeders, as well as in shrubby habitat throughout the refuge.

Other Wildlife Highlights

The Visitor Contact Station has a native plant garden that attracts a variety of pollinators. Other wildlife of note include American alligators, butterflies (especially during spring and fall migrations), bobcats and wild turkeys.

Best Birding Seasons

Fees

None.

Website

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/harris_neck

eBird Hotspot

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L199269

Address

5000 Wildlife Drive NE
Townsend, GA 31331