Birdwatching

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Birdwatching at Milton "Buddy" Hopkins Nature Preserve

Milton "Buddy" Hopkins 1926-2007

The Milton "Buddy" Hopkins Nature Preserve is a 1-mile boardwalk loop around a grassy wetland area located off of Appomattox Rd in Fitzgerald. Its namesake was an avid birder from an early age, often walking through the woods before school identifying birds with a friend. It's been said that he hitchhiked barefoot to his first Georgia Ornithological Society (GOS) meeting at the age of 15. In 1975, the GOS published his book entitled "Bird Life of Ben Hill County Georgia and Adjacent Areas." Buddy was instrumental in the creation of the Nature Preserve. Now, bird watchers from near and far come to see approximately 100 different species of birds throughout the year.

For a list of recently spotted fine-feathered friends, check out ebird.org, where you can submit your own sightings as well! We're also in the Bird Watcher's Digest 2019 Birder's Directory.