NPS Photo- Jonah Snead. Did you know that President Carter and Rosalynn Carter are avid birdwatchers? That's right our former President and First Lady have a soft spot for our wonderful, feathered friends! In addition to bird watching, they've participated in the Breeding Bird Survey route which runs near Plains, GA, and Americus, GA. President Carter himself has also created a number of paintings of some of the birds he has seen. From sweet songs of Indigo Buntings in the spring and summer to the majestic flight and trumpeting call of the Sandhill Cranes in Fall and Winter, Sumter County, GA has a diverse array of bird species that can be found throughout the year! Springtime means the return of the sweet songs of birds like the Yellow-throated Warbler fills the air. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Purple Martins, and others are beginning to return for the summer. You may even be able to spot species like Cerulean Warblers, Ovenbirds, and Bobolinks who are passing through as they travel further north to reach their breeding grounds. As summer begins, migration is winding down and birds have begun nesting. Some of the species you may spot include the Indigo Bunting, Summer Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, and if you're lucky you might even spot a beautiful Painted Bunting, a favorite of the Carters! In fall birds such as Sandhill Cranes, American Redstarts, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Scarlet Tanagers are migrating south to their wintering grounds. We also begin to see some of our wintering birds arrive including the Winter Wren, Northern Shoveler, and Ring-necked Duck. Winter means birds such as the Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cedar Waxwings, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Golden-crowned Kinglet are settling in for the next few months. Keep your eye out for the Vermillion Flycatcher which is a rarity for the area!
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Last updated: October 17, 2023