When you turn onto the causeway, make an immediate left on a side road with a white sign that reads “Gisco Marina” and park on the right shoulder near the sign. Get out and scan the mudflats in this area for shorebirds, such as Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Black-bellied Plover, Willet, Semipalmated Plover, Dunlin, and more. A warning that here and at the Visitor’s Center later the biting insects can range from non-existent to truly unbearable so don’t get caught without a strong repellant (10% DEET minimum). At 4.3 miles down the causeway from US 17, turn left into the Visitor’s Center for some air conditioning, brochures, cold sodas, clean restrooms, and more tidal birding. The mud flats that can be viewed from the northwest side of the Visitor’s Center will also produce a mixed bag depending on the season, with rarities showing up from time to time. You may see Roseate Spoonbill, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Marsh Wren, waders, and lots of other shorebirds; Reddish Egret and even Long-billed Curlew have been observed. When you’re finished here, continue another 2.2 miles beyond the Visitor’s Center (total of 6.5 miles from US-17) onto Jekyll Island. -KB

Description: The Jekyll Island Causeway cuts across the marshes of Glynn County, made famous by the poet Sidney Lanier. These rich salt marshes are home to an amazing array of birds and other wildlife. Two different sites along the causeway are identified as being great places to watch birds.

Types of Birds: Shorebirds, wading birds, birds of prey, waterfowl

Best Birding Seasons: Shorebirds (all), wading birds (all), birds of prey (all) waterfowl (winter)

Specialties: Osprey, bald eagle, clapper rail, northern harrier, roseate spoonbill, red knot, black-necked stilt, white ibis, wood stork

Tips: Shorebirds are best seen at low tide from mid-summer through spring. Look for nesting ospreys in spring and summer. Listen for clapper rails and marsh wrens in the salt marshes. Watch for northern harriers flying low over the marsh in winter. Look for roseate spoonbills in summer.

Fee: None.
From Georgia Colonial Coast Birding Trail

From the early Native Americans to guests from around the world, the story of our island has been captivating the imaginations of explorers for generations.

In 1733, General James Oglethorpe named Jekyll Island in honor of Sir Joseph Jekyll, his friend and financier from England. In the late 1800s, Jekyll Island became an exclusive hunting club for families with names like Rockefeller, Morgan, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer, and Baker. The once private retreat is now part of The Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District, one of the largest preservation projects in the southeast.

In 1947, the Governor and the Georgia state legislature established Jekyll Island as a State Park. Today, the island is a special sanctuary for each of us – and the Jekyll Island Authority is proud to share our island’s history.