In the heart of Burke County, Georgia lies a nondescript farm pond—a roughly one-acre Carolina bay. The Southern Swiss Dairy pond is surrounded by farms, pasture land, and Brown Swiss cows. Since the first eBird report submitted in January of 2004, 138 species have been added to this hotspot.
In Fall and Winter months, the pond is a great location for a variety of dabbling and diving ducks—Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, and Ring-necked Duck. Common Gallinule and American Coot also frequent the shallow water. Numerous migrating shorebirds are drawn to the habitat. Least Sandpipers are the most common peep, but Semipalmated Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper can often be found. Larger shorebirds include Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Killdeer are usually well represented. Canada geese are common. Less common are Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose. The surrounding fields, fences, and power lines are often good for doves, harriers, falcons, and hawks. From April to August, the Southern Swiss Dairy Pond is a good place to find Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
Notable rarities include Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Willet, as well as Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and American Golden Plover.
In the heart of Burke County, Georgia lies a small nondescript farm pond—a roughly one-acre Carolina bay. The Southern Swiss Dairy pond is surrounded by farms, pasture land, and Brown Swiss cows. Since the first eBird report submitted in January of 2004, 138 species have been added to this hotspot.
In Fall and Winter months, the pond is a great location for a variety of dabbling and diving ducks—Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, and Ring-necked Duck. Common Gallinule and American Coot also frequent the shallow water. Numerous migrating shorebirds are drawn to the habitat. Least Sandpipers are the most common peep, but Semipalmated Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper can often be found. Larger shorebirds include Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Killdeer are usually well represented. Canada geese are common. Less common are Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose. The surrounding fields, fences, and power lines are often good for doves, harriers, falcons, and hawks. From April to August, the Southern Swiss Dairy Pond is a good place to find Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
Notable rarities include Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, and Willet, as well as Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and American Golden Plover.
In the heart of Burke County, Georgia lies a small unassuming nondescript farm pond—a roughly one-acre Carolina bay. The Southern Swiss Dairy pond is surrounded by farms, pasture land, and Brown Swiss cows. Since the first eBird report submitted in January of 2004, 138 species have been added to this hotspot.
In Fall and Winter months, the pond is a great location for a variety of dabbling and diving ducks—Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, and Ring-necked Duck. Common Gallinule and American Coot also frequent the shallow water. Numerous migrating shorebirds are drawn to the habitat. Least Sandpipers are the most common peep, but Semipalmated Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper can often be found. Larger shorebirds include Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Killdeer are usually well represented. Canada geese are common. Less common are Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose. The surrounding fields, fences, and power lines are often good for doves, harriers, falcons, and hawks. From April to August, the Southern Swiss Dairy Pond is a good place to find Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
Notable rarities include Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, and Willet, as well as Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and American Golden Plover.
In the heart of Burke County, Georgia lies a small unassuming farm pond—a roughly one-acre Carolina bay. The The Southern Swiss Dairy pond is surrounded by farms, pasture land, and Brown Swiss cows. Since the first eBird report submitted in January of 2004, 138 species have been added to this hotspot.
In Fall and Winter months, the pond is a great location for a variety of dabbling and diving ducks—Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, and Ring-necked Duck. Common Gallinule and American Coot also frequent the shallow water. Numerous migrating shorebirds are drawn to the habitat. habitat. Least Sandpipers are the most common peep, but Semipalmated Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper can often be found. Larger shorebirds include Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Killdeer are usually well represented. Canada geese are common. Less common are Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose. The surrounding fields, fences, and power lines are often good for doves, harriers, falcons, and hawks. From April to August, the Southern Swiss Dairy Pond is a good place to find Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
Notable rarities include Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, and Willet, as well as Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and American Golden Plover.
In the heart of Burke County, Georgia lies a small unassuming farm pond—a roughly one-acre Carolina bay. The Southern Swiss Dairy pond is surrounded by farms, pasture land, and Brown Swiss cows. Since the first eBird report submitted in January of 2004, 138 species have been added to this hotspot.
In Fall and Winter months, the pond is a great location for a variety of dabbling and diving ducks—Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, and Ring-necked Duck. Common Gallinule and American Coot also frequent the shallow water. Numerous migrating shorebirds are drawn to the habitat. Least Sandpipers are the most common peep, but Semipalmated Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper can often be found. Larger shorebirds include Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Killdeer are usually well represented. Canada geese are common. Less common are Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose. The surrounding fields, fences, and power lines are often good for doves, harriers, falcons, and hawks. From April to August, the Southern Swiss Dairy Pond is a good place to find Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
Notable rarities include Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, and Willet, as well as Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and American Golden Plover.
