Field Trip: Laurel Hill Drive at Savannah NWR

(Member registration opens 10/5; nonmembers on 10/12)

Explore the dikes and impoundments of the Laurel Hill Drive with Master Birders Karen Seminary and Rachel Green. Meet in the parking area to carpool for the 4-mile driving loop. We will stop often, get out of the cars to look and listen, and sometimes set up the spotting scope for better views. We expect a variety of herons, egrets, bitterns, gallinules, possibly rails, coots, wintering ducks, etc. in the water. Resident songbirds and sparrows can be found in the treed hammocks and along the road. The birding here is so interesting, it can take up to 4 hours or more to cover the 4-mile drive!

 We have protection in our cars, so the weather need not be perfect. But we might have a cold wind. The dikes are mostly open to the weather, so watch for messages from your leaders in case we need to reschedule. Bring binoculars, water & snacks, extra jacket.

Directions:  Take Rte 170 (Okatie Hwy) west from Bluffton toward Savannah (about 6 miles or so).   Rte 170 curves and turns and changes names, but stay on 170!   It will join Rte 17, then split again, so keep right to stay on Rte 170. In about 2 miles, you will see the Laurel Hill Drive entrance on your left, on a curve.  Make a signal to  turn well ahead of time and be CAREFUL.  Rte 170 can be dangerous with logging and other large trucks, especially on weekdays.

[Note that the Visitor Center is on Rte 17, so do not use that in your GPS.

Member tickets are $12.00; Nonmembers are $14.00. Limited to 15 people.