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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Georgia · Southeast

ModerateOfficial Site
Habitat
WetlandForestMarsh
Best Seasons
WinterSpring
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

November-April

Entrance Fee

$5 per vehicle

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily; visitor center 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

About This Location

The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest intact freshwater ecosystems in North America, spanning nearly 400,000 acres of blackwater swamp and prairies. Canoe trails offer intimate encounters with Sandhill Cranes, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and numerous wading birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Sandhill CraneRed-cockaded WoodpeckerBarred OwlProthonotary WarblerAnhinga

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Purple Finch (Eastern)

Haemorhous purpureus

3/4/2026558 Savannah Rd, Richmond Hill US-GA 31.82557, -81.277521 observed

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

3/4/2026Horizon1 observed

Rock Pigeon

Columba livia

3/4/2026Lost Corner Preserve1 observed

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

3/4/2026Clayton Co. Water Authority--Lake Blalock (Henry Co.) (limited access)2 observed

Willet (Eastern)

Tringa semipalmata

3/4/2026Tybee Island--South Beach1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

3/4/2026Turtle Haven1 observed

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

3/4/2026Murphey Candler Park1 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Private Residence, Tybee Island US-GA1 observed

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

3/4/2026Backyard

Great Egret

Ardea alba

3/4/2026Cauley Creek Park1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

3/4/20262450 Ashbourne Dr, Lawrenceville US-GA 34.02379, -84.016641 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/4/2026Jekyll Island--South Beach1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/4/2026Carter's Lake Visitor Center1 observed

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

3/4/2026Lake Lanier--West Bank Park1 observed

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

3/4/2026Lake Lanier--West Bank Park1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

3/4/2026Sandy Creek Park1 observed

White-eyed Vireo

Vireo griseus

3/4/2026North Oconee Access Rd. Sparrow Field2 observed

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Myiarchus cinerascens

3/4/2026Harris Neck NWR--Woody Pond1 observed

Canvasback

Aythya valisineria

3/4/2026Roswell Riverwalk--Azalea & Willeo Rd. Wetlands1 observed

White-eyed Vireo

Vireo griseus

3/4/2026Athens-Clarke Co. Landfill1 observed

Recent Observations

Mallard

Home

3/4/2026

2 birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

1 birds

Great Blue Heron

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Robin

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

2 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

9 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Lakeshore Lane, Towns County

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

Flippen Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Flippen Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Chipping Sparrow

Flippen Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Eastern Bluebird

Public Access to Lake Shore (west side)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Public Access to Lake Shore (west side)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Field Sparrow

Public Access to Lake Shore (west side)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Song Sparrow

Public Access to Lake Shore (west side)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

Public Access to Lake Shore (west side)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Towhee

Public Access to Lake Shore (west side)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

Public Access to Lake Shore (west side)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Paddle the canoe trails for the most immersive experience

  2. 2

    Listen for Barred Owls at dawn and dusk

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Visitor Center
Canoe Trails
Campground

Nearby Attractions

  • Stephen C. Foster State Park

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Winter Birding Tips: How to Bird in the Cold

7 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼
The best months to visit Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for birding are November-April. The best seasons are Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Notable species at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge include Sandhill Crane, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Barred Owl, Prothonotary Warbler, Anhinga. The area supports wetland, forest, marsh habitats.
How difficult is birding at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Birding at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
Is there an entrance fee at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?▼
The entrance fee at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is $5 per vehicle. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily; visitor center 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What amenities are available at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Canoe Trails, Campground.