Birds of the Savannah NWR

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 Anyway you look at it, the Savannah refuge is an urban refuge with a paper mill spewing pollution and the huge gantry cranes of the Savannah Port visible from much of the wildlife drive. This only adds to the difficulty of making a winter resting place for migratory birds. A place to refuel, put on weight and mate for the summer nesting season usually in the North.

The refuge staff using controlled burns and manipulating water levels provide a marvelous wintering over habitat for some large numbers of waterfowl. One of the things the refuge staff has to contend with is salt water intrusion due to those wonderful people at the Corps of Engineers dredging the Savannah River. Is it possible to go anywhere that the Corps hasn't degraded habitat for wildlife?

Of interest to environmentalists who look for  healthy ecosystems having healthy predator and prey communities, is that Savannah NWR has numerous predators to control the waterfowl populations. The predator population is made up of alligators and bobcats, both of which were seen along the wildlife drive. So if you want a winter excursion for birding I would strongly recommend the Savannah NWR. 

When visiting the refuge, stop by the visitor center on highway 17 first for some great displays and friendly volunteers to help you. Make sure you watch the 11 minute video about the refuge.




SNOWY EGRET

GREAT BLUE HERON

  


BLUE WING TEAL



THE GREAT FISHERMAN



MALE HOODED MERGANZER



MALE AND FEMALE HOODED MERGANZER



NORTHERN SHOVELER AND HOODED MERGANZER

MALE MOTTLED DUCK



GREAT BLUE HERON AND WHITE IBIS



SNOWY EGRET FISHING

 

JUV. LITTLE BLUE HERON AND TURTLES

TRI COLORED HERON AND SMILING GATOR

SNIPE HUNT ANYONE?

I THINK THIS COULD BE CALLED REDHEAD CLOWN

COMMON GALLINULE IS NOT SO COMMON

THE WILDLIFE DRIVE CAN BE BREATHTAKING

I HAD NEVER NOTICED THAT ALLIGATORS ALWAYS SEEM TO BE SMILING



RED HEAD DUCKS