Did a little birding Saturday morning, 07/01/06, in Spalding County (Piedmont Region of GA).  Found some great birds for the piedmont, at least in my opinion. 

 

One problem with Spalding is that there are no good accessible areas to bird that I am aware of, so it mainly consisted of just driving around.  I also quickly drove by Lake Horton (without parking) in Fayette County.

 

First I met with Mike Ivie early in the morning to search for Anhingas.  Mike and I have found them in Spalding though we weren't sure if anybody believed us since the ACOGB (2003) lists them as quite rare and doesn't mention any breeding records.

 

We found a pair and a nest. 

 

We also had Little Blue Herons and I heard a Yellow Warbler.  Then I left Mike and birded some other areas.

 

Highlights from West Spalding County with Mike Ivie:

 

Anhinga (2 adults with chicks)

Yellow Warbler (1)

Little Blue Heron (3)

 

Highlights from other spots in Spalding County:

 

Common Moorhen (1)

Snowy Egret (1)

Little Blue Heron (1)

Mississippi Kite (1 always nice this far north)

Cooper's Hawk (2)

Double-crested Cormorant (1)

Eurasian Collared-dove (8)

Grasshopper Sparrow (10+)

 

Highlights from Lake Horton:

 

American Coot (2)

Snowy Egret (1)

Little Blue Heron (3)

Spotted Sandpiper (1 seemed a bit odd)

Osprey (1)

 

I guess I or someone needs to check to see if the American Coots are breeding since there are only two records of this in the ACOGB.  I thought I saw the Black Swan, but it was too far off to tell.  I didn't see the Mute Swans, but they fly to different areas.  Also, didn't see the White Ibis that I had not too long ago.

 

Good Birding!

 

Eric Beohm

Griffin, GA