Piedmont

Piedmont NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Piedmont https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont_National_Wildlife_Refuge Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is located in central Georgia. It is primarily an upland forest dominated by loblolly pine on the ridges with hardwoods found along the creek bottoms and in scattered upland coves. Clear streams and beaver ponds provide ideal wetland habitat for wood ducks and other wetland dependent species. The red-cockaded woodpecker, a native bird of the southern US, is an endangered species because the older age pine forests it requires for nesting and roosting have been cleared throughout most of its range. The refuge currently has 50 active family groups. The diversity of habitats provides a haven for over 200 species of birds, including many species of neotropical songbirds, and 50 species of mammals.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge Bird List photo: Northern Cardinal Nick Milam Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is located in the wild and beautiful rolling clay hills of the lower Georgia Piedmont. The Refuge, which contains 36, 000 acres, was purchased under the Resettlement Act in the 1930's when erosion, the boll weevil, and finally the great depression made it impossible for the small farms to provide a living for their owners. Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge This blue goose, designed by J. N. “Ding” Darling, has become a symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. photo: White throated Sparrow Nick Milam photo: Red-cockaded Woodpecker USFWS Today, through the efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Refuge is once again a forest. It hosts loblolly pines on the ridges with hardwoods found along the creek bottoms and in scattered upland coves. Clear streams and beaver ponds provide the ideal wetlands for migrating waterfowl. Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge now serves as a model of forest ecosystem management for wildlife. Except for a short time during managed deer and turkey hunts, most of the refuge is open for bird watching. The public use facilities at the Visitor Center and Allison Lake are open year round. Access to most parts of the Refuge is by gravel road and foot travel paths. A parking area and three wildlife trails are located adjacent to Allison Lake. The 0.9 mile Allison Lake Trail provides viewing opportunities for wintering waterfowl along the lake. Wood ducks utilize the artificial nest structures in Allison Lake and their broods may be seen during spring and summer months. An observation platform and a photo blind is found along the trail and is best for viewing wintering waterfowl and wading birds. The Pine and Creek Trails make up a 1.3 mile loop that leaves the Visitor Center and passes through rich habitats of pine and bottomland hardwoods to connect with the Allison Lake Trail. This trail involves some moderate walking. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker Trail starts at Allison Lake and travels through an active cluster site. Redcockaded Woodpecker cavity trees are characterized by accumulations of pitch at the entrance to the cavity and are marked by a painted white stripe at the base of the tree. Redcockadeds are more active around the cluster site during April-July. The trail also provides opportunities to observe the songbirds that use various forest habitats. The trail is 2.9 miles round- trip and involves some moderate walking. Viewing Tips The observation of birds in their natural habitats is becoming an increasingly popular recreational activity. Viewing entertainment can be greatly enhanced if binoculars or a spotting scope is used. This equipment assists in bird identification and enables one to observe the birds from a distance, thus minimizing disturbance. Birds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon periods, so this is the best time to birdwatch. Checklist Notes The following list contains over 200 species of birds confirmed as occurring on the Refuge. Besides U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel, reliable volunteers in the field have contributed many of the observations recorded. This list will be updated periodically to include new sightings or changes. Visitors making noteworthy observations are urged to inform the Refuge Manager of details such as observers, dates, site of observation, and the species seen. Season Symbols SP - Spring, March through May S - Summer, June through August F - Fall, September through November W - Winter, December through February Abundance Symbols C - Common; certain to be seen in suitable habitat O - Occasional; seen only a few times during season U - Uncommon; present, but not certain to be seen R - Rare; seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years * - Endangered Species SP Grebes ___Pied-billed Grebe ..................................... u S F W u u u Cormorants and Darters ___Double crested Cormorant .................... ___Anhinga. .................................................... r r Bitterns, Herons and Ibises ___American Bittern ..................................... ___Least Bittern ............................................ ___Great Blue Heron. ................................... u ___Great Egret .............................................. o ___Snowy Egret ............................................ o ___Little Blue Heron .................................... r ___Tricolored Heron ..................................... ___Cattle Egret ............................................. ___Green Heron ............................................ o ___Black crowned Night Heron .................. ___Yellow crowned Night Heron ................. ___White Ibis. ................................................ Geese and Ducks ___Snow Goose ............................................... ___Canada Goose ........................................... o ___

To Highway 83 4 5 7 2 1 Sugar Hill Road Stalkinghead Creek 6 2 11 9 2 12 Allison Creek 12 4 11 5 3 4 3 River Road 3 B. Russell Road Round Oak Juliette Road JULIETTE N Legend Refuge Boundary 13 Allison Lake 8 14 16 FIRE TOWER 18 16 25 27 POWER LINE 15 17 Jarrell Plantation Road Jones County Monroe County Paved Roads County Clay Roads POWER LINE 22 21 19 Ocmulgee River 10 Falling Creek 10 8 6 2 17 EAST JULIETTE EXIT 186 I-75 and FORSYTH 8 miles Little Falling Creek Falling Creek 19 20 JARRELL PLANTATION STATE PARK Rocky Branch 24 26 22 23 Caney Creek Road NEW HOPE CHURCH 28 ROUND OAK Pippin Road WAYSIDE 34 20 31 Refuge Graveled Road Visitor Center 87 Deer Check Station Little Rock Wildlife Drive 29 Ponds Rivers & Creeks Church Hitchiti Experimental Forest: (roads on the Hitchiti may or may not be open to vehicles) Five Points Road 33 FORSYTH 10 miles 33 32 Non-Refuge Land 1–34 1000 Acre Management Compartments Camping area Approximate location of areas closed to entry Public Fishing Area Boat Ramp Access MACON Ocmulgee River 0 Kilo Fire Tower Road Howard Roberts Road 32 Butler's Creek Miles 1 0 30 GRAY 5 miles Five Points Road 2 1 Applications for the spring turkey hunts will be available in January and must be returned to the refuge office by 12 noon on February 24, 2021. A public drawing will be held at 1 pm February 24, 2021. Man-drives for deer All applicants will be mailed a notification of selection with directions for payment of permit fee. No credit or debit card payments will be accepted. Payment must be in the form of personal check, money order, certified check or cashier’s check. If payment is made in person at the refuge office, cash will also be accepted. Contact the refuge office for more information or to report any violations of refuge regulations at 478/986 5441. Caney Creek 23 Applications for the youth/wheelchair deer hunt must be returned to the refuge office by 12 noon on September 9, 2020 and the drawing will be held at 1 pm. Possess, place, and/or hunt over any feed or attractants (baiting) GRAY 5 miles 18 Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge • 718 Juliette Road • Round Oak, Georgia 31038 • 478/986 5441 General Prohibited Activities Taking, collecting or disturbing any artifact, property, plant, wildlife or part thereof; other than that specifically permitted by refuge regulation Taking or possessing frogs, turtles, snakes, or other amphibians or reptiles Entering refuge during deer firearms hunts without a refuge quota hunt permit Entering refuge hunt areas during refuge turkey hunts without a refuge quota hunt permit Possession or use of alcoholic beverages except in the designated camping area. Possession of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of state and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). Hunting or shooting from or within 50 yards of a road open to vehicle travel or 200 yards of a building Possess or hunt with buckshot U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Piedmont Discharge of weapons in the campground Possess or use of any suppressor on any firearm National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations 2020-2021 Use of trail or game cameras or leaving any other electronic device on the refuge Possess or use of any night vision or thermal imaging equipment Possess or use of any electronic calls Training dogs or release of birds Falconry Driving metal objects into trees or hunting from a tree in which metal objects have been driven Marking trails with flagging, blazing, painting, paper, trash or other devices Off road vehicle travel. Vehicle travel is limited to open graveled roads unless posted otherwise Use of ATVs, UTVs or other off road vehicles Leaving vehicles, boats, or trailers on refuge overnight Overnight camping and/or parking, except as permitted during big game hunts and only in Pippins Lake campground by permitted hunters Blocking refuge road, boat ramp, or gate with vehicles or vehicle travel around a closed gate Bicycles on foot travel roads or off road. Bicycles are restricted to gravel roads designated open to vehicles. Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Permit 2020-2021 When signed and in your possession, this brochure serves as your permit for fishing, small game, deer archery, and raccoon hunts. Your signature acknowledges your understanding of the regulations contained herein. Quota hunts require an additional Refuge specific special use permit. You must have this brochure in your possession for ALL hunting and fishing, in addition to state license requirements. Disturbing, annoying, or interfering with other persons Use audio equipment, noise making devices, or generators after 10 pm or before 6 am in the c