US-GA-Altamaha+Wildlife+Management+Area--Butler+Island+Plantation+House+area

Also, see Altamaha Wildlife Management Area
 * =Birding in Georgia=

McIntosh County
=Altamaha Wildlife Management Area= =Butler Island Plantation House= Darien, GA 31305 Butler Island Plantation House webpage Altamaha Wildlife Management Area webpage Georgia's Colonial Coastal Birding Trail map

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Altamaha WMA--Butler Island Plantation House area
Coordinates: 31.3547111, -81.4474586 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Butler Island Plantation House
One of the largest plantations in the South was the Butler Island Plantation, located just south of Darien, across the Darien River on what is now US Highway 17. The story of the plantation is a fascinating one, beginning in the 1790s, when Major Pierce Butler planted the land on the Altamaha Delta, which provided perfect conditions for growing rice. In 1838, the major's grandson, Captain Pierce Butler, who married the famous and beautiful British stage actress Fanny Kemble, arrived at the plantation for a six-month working visit. Kemble, who was not familiar with the reality of slavery, immediately became very opposed to the treatment of the slaves. She penned her feelings and eventually published the notes in a book called "Journal of a Resident on a Georgia Plantation," which some say helped persuade the British to oppose slavery and the Civil War.

The plantation site is now owned by The Nature Conservancy, and the land (excluding the house) is open to the public for picnicking, fishing and birding. Sunsets can be dramatic, as the setting sun creates reflections of brilliant color in the Butler River. From Butler Island Plantation House webpage

About Ansley Hodges M.A.R.S.H. Project (Altamaha Wildlife Management Area)
This viewing area is situated within the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area where an impoundment was constructed as part of Ducks Unlimited's M.A.R.S.H. (Matching Aid to Restore States' Habitat) program. The impoundment is located on the remains of an old rice plantation. Many of the rice fields are managed to benefit waterfowl and other wildlife species.

Types of Birds: Birds of prey, shorebirds, songbirds, wading birds, waterfowl, raptors

Best Birding Seasons: Songbirds (all), shorebirds (all), wading birds (all), waterfowl (fall and winter), raptors (fall and winter)

Specialties: Wood stork, swallow-tailed kite, bald eagle, king rail, painted bunting, mottled duck, wood duck, white ibis, glossy ibis

Tips: Look for common snipe feeding in exposed muddy areas. In summer, look for wood ducks. In fall and winter, black ducks, pintails, green-winged teal, northern shovelers and other waterfowl can be seen in the impoundment. Look for rails darting through the vegetation in the impoundment. Bald eagles can be spotted in winter and spring.

Directions: Take Exit 49 on I-95 at the junction of I-95 and GA-251 (Briardam Road). Travel east on GA-251 to the junction of SGA-R 251 and US-17. Turn right (south) on US -7 and continue through Darien. The entrance to the Ansley Hodges M.A.R.S.H. Project will be approximately 3.5 miles on the right. From Altamaha Wildlife Management Area webpage



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