Harris Neck Refugewildlife
At Woody Pond: the refuge manager recommends visiting between early March and August for up-close views of Georgia's largest wood stork nesting colony and other colonial wading birds (FWS story, The Wildlife Refuges of I-95), not Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge's own peak dates. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Woody PondThe second pond along the four-mile wildlife drive, home to Georgia's largest wood stork nesting colony; the Woody Pond Trail is 0.46 mile, with a short wheelchair access path (0.05 mile)
- Four-mile wildlife driveA one-way drive through or near all of the refuge's habitats and historic sites, open daily sunrise to sunset; pull over anywhere, lock your car and walk the trails you pass
Nearby
- Pinckney Island Refuge53 miin May
- St. Marks Refuge198 mi3 separate phases, from MaySatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Carolina Sandhills Refuge208 mi3 separate phases, from April through OctoberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Noxubee Refuge452 mi3 separate phases, from May
- National Key Deer Refuge481 mi3 separate phases, from May and JuneSatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Sequoyah Refuge830 miMarch – SeptemberSatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
The year at Harris Neck Refuge
- Woody Pond wood stork nesting colony: the manager's recommended visit, early March to AugustMar–Aug
- Managed deer hunts: a three-day archery hunt in October and a one-day shotgun hunt in NovemberOct–Nov
- Excellent waterfowl viewing (December and January)Dec–Jan
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge?
We don't have local timing for Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge yet. At Woody Pond: the refuge manager recommends visiting between early March and August for up-close views of Georgia's largest wood stork nesting colony and other colonial wading birds (FWS story, The Wildlife Refuges of I-95): between early March to August. That's for that one spot, not the whole place, and not a forecast.
Is it the season at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: between early March to August, at one spot.
What will I see at Woody Pond?
In spring, egrets, herons, ibis and wood storks begin nesting there; by summer the rookery is busy with young hatchlings, and alligators patrol the water around it. As nesting ends in fall, migrating birds and butterflies arrive.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Wildlife Watching ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I get out of my car at the pond?
Yes. Pull over anywhere along the drive, lock your car and walk the trails you pass; cars must stay on the wildlife drive, and hikers and cyclists are asked to stay on marked trails.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I fly a drone or feed the birds?
No. Drones are prohibited, and feeding, capturing or harassing wildlife is strictly prohibited unless authorized by permit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
Only inside your car: pets may ride along on the wildlife drive but aren't allowed out of the vehicle, on trails or anywhere else on refuge land.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge?
Woody Pond: the second pond along the four-mile wildlife drive, home to Georgia's largest wood stork nesting colony; the Woody Pond Trail is 0.46 mile, with a short wheelchair access path (0.05 mile); Four-mile wildlife drive: a one-way drive through or near all of the refuge's habitats and historic sites, open daily sunrise to sunset; pull over anywhere, lock your car and walk the trails you pass.
What is Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Excellent waterfowl viewing (December and January) (Dec–Jan), Managed deer hunts: a three-day archery hunt in October and a one-day shotgun hunt in November (Oct–Nov) and Woody Pond wood stork nesting colony: the manager's recommended visit, early March to August (Mar–Aug).
How we know · Sources (6)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service story: The Wildlife Refuges of I-95 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Wildlife Watching (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Auto Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Hunting (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)