From east to west, there are three parking areas off Old Federal Rd. for this Forsyth Co. Parks & Recreation 226-acre property:

Lot 1 GPS) 34.3104, -84.2272
Lot 2 GPS) 34.3126, -84.2303 (bathrooms are located at this lot)
Lot 3 GPS) 34.3117, -84.2333

There are three main habitats:

• open fields (formerly a hayfield & model airplane airfield)
• riparian corridor
• mixed upland forest

A paved walking trail (1.25 miles.) around a big field has just recently been added to the park.  The north side of the trail borders a narrow strip of mature hardwoods with a mainly privet understory along the Etowah River. Use lots 1 or 2 to access this walking trail.

There are two dirt nature trail loops west of the field & lot 2. The length of the trails combined is 1.2 miles. The easternmost nature trail loop, the most productive of the two, is accessible from lot 2 or lot 3 (from lot 3, turn right – east – to walk this loop). Part of this loop winds its way along the narrow Etowah River floodplain for a short distance, but most of the trail traverses deciduous upland forest.

The shorter westernmost nature trail loop is directly accessible from lot 3. When entering the trails from this lot, turn left (west) for this loop, which traverses tightly packed pines & mature deciduous forests.

All these trails are more or less interconnected.  If you bird the whole property, expect the spend about 3-4 hours, half of that if you only cover the walking trail around the field or the upland forest loops.

For those so inclined, note that a canoe/kayak launch along the Etowah River Watertrail is located at lot 2.

Most productive during migration (both spring & fall), when warbler, vireos, grosbeaks, flycatchers, thrushes, tanagers, and other migrants that are on the move.

During nesting season, expect the more common northern piedmont species, e.g., Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed, White-eyed, and Yellow-throated Vireos, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak, and Barred Owl. Northern Parula and Yellow-throated Warblers may also nest along the river.

The large open field has traditionally hosted nesting Killdeer and Eastern Meadowlarks, the latter a species that is getting more difficult to find due to rapid land use changes in the county. Since the summer of 2022, the field is composed of a large, manicured center lawn and a slightly wilder, but broad. perimeter. It is unknown how this will affect the meadowlark nesting success.

Winter has traditionally attracted the usual northern piedmont species, such as Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Savannah, White-throated and Song Sparrows, and Blue-headed Vireo. Vesper Sparrow may also be occasionally found.

Since the park is located near a large dump to the west, keep your eyes open for flocks of gulls (mostly Ring-billed Gulls) commuting over the park between Lake Lanier and the dump during the colder months.

The large open field has only recently (late summer 2022) been open to the public. The expanse of sky that can be scanned from the field offers an opportunity to view species that may not traditionally use the habitats contained withing the park. Osprey, Bald Eagle & the aforementioned gulls, are examples, and the skies should be watched in all seasons for hawks.

Managed by Forsyth Co. Parks & Recreation. Web site (includes a link to a map, hours of operation, & amenities):

https://parks.forsythco.com/Parks-Facilities/Parks/Eagles-Beak-Park

See "Tips for Birding".