Bald Point State Park

Located on the south side of Ochlockonee Bay, this state park offers great birding and wildlife viewing, particularly in fall and winter. Its geography and location provide a prime vantage of the hawk migration in fall, as Peregrine Falcons, Northern Harriers and Cooper’s Hawks cruise down the beach. Overwintering shorebirds like Piping Plovers use the beach and estuary, and when horseshoe crabs are spawning in the spring, Red Knots, and Marbled Godwits gather to feast on the crabs’ eggs. In fall, the birding is very good the day after a cold front passes through the area. Over 25 species of wood-warbler have been recorded in the oaks and yaupon hollies situated along the park road and surrounding the parking area. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Groove-billed Ani are recorded annually and rarities like Tropical Kingbird have shown up in recent years. Walk the paved trail that leads to the marsh overlook; Clapper Rails and Marsh Wrens can be seen and/or heard from this vantage. An extensive hiking trail network begins 1.6 miles south of the main entrance gate, on the west side of the road, opposite the Sunrise Beach access. These trails are good for sparrows (winter) and Brown-headed Nuthatches (resident). Look for Wood Ducks around freshwater marshes, swamps and ponds, when water levels are favorable. The park is also a staging point for migratory butterflies in the fall. Large numbers of monarch, gulf fritillary, common buckeye, long-tailed skipper and Ocola skipper can be viewed.