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Hikers Learn About Diverse Bird Species at Euharlee Wildlife Refuge
photo courtesy of Shannon Fair
With the fall bird migration in full swing, avid birders recently attended an educational hike at the 107-acre Euharlee wildlife refuge on Dobbins Mountain. The hikes, which were hosted by Cartersville Ranch and the City of Euharlee, provided members of the Atlanta Audubon Society, Coalition for the Right Road and others with the opportunity to learn about several different types of native and migratory birds and their habitat.
Joshua Spence, who has 16 years of experience in bird identification in north Georgia, led the birding hike through the refuge and noted 53 bird species. Participants heard and saw many types of birds, but various species of tanagers, warblers and vireos were the most common neotropical birds observed.
Many agreed that the highlight of the hike was three adult bald eagles having a dispute over a fish. As the hike was concluding, a bald eagle dove towards the lake and grabbed a fish approximately 200 to 300 feet from the hikers and the remaining two bald eagles gave chase for the eagle’s catch. Other notable highlights included a sharp-shinned hawk pursuing a woodpecker through the wildlife refuge and a confirmed sighting of the declining Cerulean Warbler.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “The Cerulean Warbler is one of the species of highest concern in the eastern United States because of a small total population size and significant declines throughout its range. The Cerulean is under consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act and is listed on the Audubon Watchlist.”
An adult bald eagle grabs a fish from the lake on Cartersville Ranch. The eagle was one of three adult bald eagles that were utilizing the ranch’s lake as a source for food. (photo courtesy of Shannon Fair)
Kent Percy, member of the Atlanta Audubon Society, said, “It was a beautiful hike through the wildlife refuge’s contiguous hardwood forest, which contains a wide array of birds and wildlife. It would be tragic to see the 411 Connector come through here. If there are other options to build the road, I certainly hope the Georgia Department of Transportation looks very closely at its alternatives before destroying the easement. You cannot recreate what is here.”
Hike leader Josh Spence discusses color markings and other information about the Cerulean Warbler with local birding enthusiast and blogger Jean Pell. (photo courtesy of Cory Stewart)
While many were excited about the numerous types of neotropical birds observed, others remarked at the beauty and habitat quality of the wildlife refuge.
“I was very impressed with the diversity of bird species we observed on the hike,” said Atlanta birder Ruth Marley. “The property and conservation easement are beautifully maintained. It is wonderful that there are so many vines, great cover and protected areas for the birds. More importantly, it should be kept this way.”
Percy added, “This is something you cannot find in your backyard. You can see cardinals and blue jays all you want, but you cannot observe this many different types of birds; unless you get into an area that has a lot of forest. You hate to see some of this being destroyed for a road that could be done elsewhere.”
Designated as a significant wildlife refuge by the City of Euharlee in 2010, the conservation easement on Dobbins Mountain was certified for special conservation status last year by the DNR because it protects wildlife habitat through the conservation of high priority species and habitats.
Hikers Learn About Diverse Habitat and Rare Species at Euharlee Wildlife Refuge
With spring in full bloom, approximately 75 birding and wildflower enthusiasts participated in educational hikes at the 107-acre Euharlee wildlife refuge on Dobbins Mountain. The hikes – hosted by Cartersville Ranch and the City of Euharlee – provided members of the Atlanta Audubon Society, Georgia Ornithological Society, Georgia Botanical Society, Georgia Native Plant Society and Coalition for the Right Road with the opportunity to learn about several different types of wildflowers, plants, birds, butterflies and other animals.
Joshua Spence, who has 16 years of experience in bird identification in north Georgia, led the birding hike through the easement and noted 58 bird species. Participants heard and saw several types of birds, but the great-crested flycatcher and summer tanager were the most common neotropical birds observed.
Jennifer Hackemeyer, a birding enthusiast, said, “I have been birding for more than 20 years all over Georgia, and I saw some birds on Dobbins Mountain that I’ve never seen before.”
“It was wonderful to see that male summer tanager give us such a show,” stated Jean Pell, a birding and wildflower blogger from Taylorsville, Ga. “Plus, I was able to learn some bird songs from Josh, such as the summer and scarlet tanagers.”
Hike participants look into the pines on top of Dobbins Mountain, as a male summer tanager flies from tree to tree.
While many were impressed with the variety of birds observed, others remarked at the beauty and habitat quality of the conservation easement.
“The habitat is very high quality, and it appeared to be a really nice forest with a good diversity of trees and understory plants,” noted Jim Ferrari, president of the Georgia Ornithology Society. “I think you get a great sense of the diversity of migratory species – tanagers, grosbeaks and warblers.”
Jim Allison, who is a leading expert on Southeastern wildflowers, butterfly enthusiast and botanist for 13 years at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), led the wildflower hike through the easement. During the hike, attendees were able to learn about and photograph the red-spotted purple butterfly, Alabama black cherry tree, Robin’s plantain, fire pink, cut-leaf buttercup and more. The most notable find during the hike was the state-protected Pink Ladyslipper, a native orchid.
“It was a beautiful property, a wonderful trip, and we appreciate the ranch and City of Euharlee opening up the property for us,” said Jim Drake, president of the Georgia Botanical Society. “We saw a variety of wildflowers, the Pink Ladyslipper and several other beautiful flowers. It’s just a really great place.”
The state-protected Pink Ladyslipper, a native orchid, was discovered within the conservation easement on Dobbins Mountain.
Designated as a significant wildlife refuge by the City of Euharlee in 2010, the conservation easement on Dobbins Mountain was certified for special conservation status last year by the DNR because it protects wildlife habitat through the conservation of high priority species and habitats.
“A conservation easement is a great way to preserve unique resources, such as the Euharlee Wildlife Refuge,” said Hackemeyer. “It’s different than a state park or national wildlife refuge, because it’s really not developed or presented for large public access. Because of that, it makes the easement all the more special.”
