Birding

Like Watching Birds?

Then Georgia's Wildlife Resources Division Areas (WRDs) are perfect for you! There are 106 WRD areas listed for bird watching below that are located in 7 Regions. Enjoy!

Dahlonega is near two great WRDs in Region 2 with such wonderful wildlife as Deer and Bear, Turkey, Small Game, Raccoon, Opossum, Fox, Bobcat, Raccoon, Opossum, Waterfowl, Feral Hogs. Located in Lumpkin and Union counties.

Chestatee WMA - 25,000 acres
Blue Ridge WMA - 38,900 acres. Located 10 miles north of Dahlonega
Directions From Dahlonega: To the Jones Creek check station: Travel 9 miles west on Hwy. 52 to Nimblewill Rd.; turn right and go 2.4 miles; turn right on USFS Rd. #28 and go 2.4 miles to USFS Road #77; take left fork to check station. To the Rock Creek check station: Take GA 60 north for 28 miles to jct. with USFS Road #69; turn left and go 1 mile to the check station.

Contact Information
Wildlife Game Management - (770) 535-5700
Non-Game Wildlife & Natural Heritage - (770) 918-6411
Law Enforcement - (770) 535-5499

Golden-winged Warblers

The golden-winged warbler, a diminutive bird splashed with bright-yellow highlights, had it good in the Southern Appalachians 100 years ago. The golden-winged warbler is a federal species of concern - only about 12 pairs of golden-wings still nest here.

• Small (4.25 inches long), active bird.
• Markings on mature males include yellow forehead, black mask (with white underneath) and yellow patches on wings.
• Eats insects (mostly moth caterpillars) and spiders.
• Breeds near the ground in shrub areas along forest edges. Winters in tropical forests.
• Only 12 breeding pairs documented in Georgia, all in Chattahoochee National Forest’s Brawley Mountain area between Dahlonega and Suches.
• Species is declining across its range due to habitat loss and expansion of blue-winged warblers. Listed as a federal species of concern and a high-priority species in Georgia’s Wildlife Action Plan. Golden-wings are expanding into the Northwest.
• “Mated” males sing a different song, making the location of breeding pairs easier.
• Quotable: “They’d make terrible poker players,” DNR’s Nathan Klaus, referring to how singing males often stop and look toward where their mate’s nest is.