Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area & Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation - Darien, GA

Saturday October 21st we had 3 or 4 places to try today depending on if they were open or not. We have been encountering a few closures due to damage from Irma. 

The first place we stopped at was Butler Plantation and it was defunct and the roads not passable due to Irma.  We did see a Bald Eagle as we first got there. We also were checking out a woodpecker when a Cooper’s Hawk came down and attacked it. It didn’t get it as it flew off without the woodpecker. It appeared to be a Downy Woodpecker, though we didn’t get much of a look before it was chased away. There are some historical markers there and some remnants of the rice plantation.

 Greg's camera was in the trunk so I managed to get this one

just as I was ready to shoot another he took off...

 Butler Plantation & historical marker for famous authors that stayed there

 chimney of 19th century steam powered rice plantation

water flowed through this tidal gate to power the mill

 Butler Plantation - it was overgrown and some windows were broken

Pierce Butler and his daughter, Frances returned to Butler Island in 1866, and worked to rehabilitate the plantations. Pierce Butler died in 1867, but Frances continued for several years to manage the Island acreage. She wrote a book, “Ten Years On A Georgia Plantation,” an interesting and valuable account of life in this section during the Reconstruction. Owen Wister, famous author of “The Virginian,” and other novels, was the son of Sarah Butler, sister of Frances. He often visited Butler Island plantation.

 Palm Warbler

Fish Crow

The next spot we went to was the Altamaha Waterfowl management Area. Actually, the Butler Plantation is part of that as well and no permit is required to visit. A Water Management Permit was required for our second stop. Not really worth it to spend $60 to just use it for a couple of hours. (it’s an annual fee). We did see lots of Red-winged Blackbirds males and females. Lots of Palm Warblers. 3 Belted Kingfishers and a Tri-colored Heron. We couldn’t walk far as it was restricted without the pass. The marshes are beautiful, but this time of year the water birds are just not here yet. There were several Ospreys hunting. 

Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area 

 Tri-color Heron

Red-winged Blackbirds

 Eastern Wood Pewee

 Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler

 Osprey

 viewing tower

Connecticut Warbler

 this snake is of the "small & dead" variety (a welcome site after Water Moccasins & Copperheads)

its a  Common Garter Snake

 Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

 In keeping with the "dead theme", we came across this wild pig on the drive to lunch.

We stopped for lunch in Darien at a Mexican place called Blue Bay Mexican Grill. Greg’s shrimp tacos were good, but I had the weirdest nachos I have ever tasted. The meat tasted like dog food smells. The salsa tasted like tomato juice. The server was a very nice lady and interesting to talk to.

 "Alpo Nachos" lol

Shrimp Tacos

After lunch we followed a scenic bi-way to Fort King George. Much of it was closed due to Irma so we skipped it and went to our next stop which was Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation which is supposed to have good birding as well as the historic buildings. After we paid our admission, the lady said the nature trail was closed due to Irma. There was also an antique car show on the grounds. We walked about and saw a few birds and toured the plantation home and out buildings before heading home.

 Hofuyl Plantation House

dog house was added later

 side of the house

 laundry & garage

 kitchen

Hofuyl Dairy

 Pay Shed

 Servant's Quarters - duplex housed 2 families

 Eastern Bluebird

 Rice Mill Ruins

the part of the trail that was open

 viewing platform

 Ruby-crowned kinglet? If so it's a new bird for us.

We had one more place picked out, but it was too far to go in the time we had left. 

Tomorrow we are headed to St. Simons Island for birding and touring the lighthouse.