The Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge: Savannah's Birding Paradise

The Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge is located about an hour's drive south of Savannah along the South Newport River near the Georgia coast. The refuge can be reached from Interstate 95. Harris Neck is one of a series of refuges on the coast that form the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), which administers the refuges, because they are "located on the Atlantic Flyway, the islands are important to migrating waterfowl.'' Many endangered and threatened species nest here, especially in the rookeries of Harris Neck.

The 2,762-acre Harris Neck refuge has a fascinating history. In 1864, after slavery ended, a group of African Americans settled at Harris Neck and had small but thriving farms. They lived there until 1942, when the federal government seized the land to build an airport as part of the country's coastal defense against German submarines. Georgia Trend tells what happened next: "The government promised to return the land after World War II. Instead, the 2,700 acres fell into the hands of [local] county leaders, who said they needed it for an airfield, but used it for private enterprises, including a drag strip, gambling joint and house of ill repute.'' In 1962, the federal government, disgusted by the misuse of the land, took it back and created the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. Melissa Fay Greene's book Praying for Sheetrock details this period of the area's history.

Because of its position between the inland coast and the outer barrier islands, Harris Neck has a wide variety of habitats, including, according to the FWS, "salt marsh, mud flats, thickets, open fields, freshwater impoundments, and mixed pine-hardwood forest.'' This variety is what makes the area appealing to so many different types of wildlife. In addition, several manmade ponds are maintained by the FWS to act as nesting and feeding areas. During the summer, these ponds host wading birds like egrets and herons, but the FWS is most interested in the endangered wood stork. Harris Neck is a favorite breeding ground for the bird, which has been making a comeback. Billy Brooks, who oversees the recovery of the stork for the FWS, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that, "in the next few years, ... it is possible the stork species' status will be changed from endangered to threatened.''

During the winter, smaller water birds, mostly ducks by the thousands, gather at the refuge. Songbirds like warblers, buntings, vireos and thrushes are common during migrations. Raptors like kestrels, harriers, falcons, ospreys and bald eagles can be seen be seen hunting at any time of the year. Other wildlife in the refuge includes many animals common to Georgia, like the opossum, armadillo and white-tailed deer. Several 12-foot alligators are also known to live at Harris Neck.

There is no visitor's center at the refuge, but there are fifteen miles of roads and trails that can reach most habitats on the island. Deer hunting is permitted seasonally by permit, and there are two fishing piers. Feral hog hunts are occasionally scheduled, as hogs destroy the habitats of the other wildlife. Educational programs can be created for any group by contacting the FWS.

Internet reviews of the wildlife refuge are consistent - "If you enjoy wildlife and especially birds, Harris Neck is not to be missed.'' Birders, photographers and casual hikers all agree that this is a stunningly beautiful, peaceful place. One woman said, "I love this place because it takes me away from the real world and I love the birds!'' The Sherpa Guide lauds the efforts of the Fish & Wildlife Service, saying that the "freshwater ponds and dikes ... represent an excellent example of wetland management.'' Harris Neck is not only a refuge for wildlife; it would seem to be a refuge for us, too.