Days are longer, temperatures are higher, and the birds are singing of the arrival of spring. The sun crept up the tree line as a handful of bird watchers armed with binoculars gathered at the Botanical Garden parking lot to begin a venture in the woods to spot birds.

In this chosen season and area, these birders were able to see a wide spectrum of birds: blue jays, finches, red belly wood pecker, wrens, tufted titmouse and also the warblers migrating north from Central America.

“[Bird Watching] is stimulating,” said Ramona Masters, a local bird lover. “It is like working a puzzle. When you see a bird you see a piece to the puzzle, it’s really exciting when you see a new bird.”

In May 2008, the Georgia State Botanical Garden was named the 47th Important Bird Area (IBA) in Georgia by the National Audubon Society, according to Alison Huff, a member of the Oconee River Audubon Society.

“Three other volunteers and I gathered enough data for over two years and then submitted it to the National Audubon Society for the Botanical Gardens to be recognized as an IBA,” Huff said.

The IBA label means that the Botanical Garden is acknowledged by National Audubon Society as a haven for many different birds where they can breed, feed and rest along their migratory path.

“This is why this area is so important for birders; it is so diverse,” said Jonathan Grey, field trip coordinator and graduate student in forestry. “We get herons in these wetlands and all other types of birds,”

Not only is the location good for bird watching but spring is a preferred time to bird watch, said Jim Mcminn, a member of ORAS.

“The foliage on the trees has not come in yet so it is easier to see the birds and the birds are in their picture book breeding plumage,” said Mcminn.

The ORAS’s bird walks are open to non-members and no level of bird knowledge is required.

The birders have their next outing on April 4 at Whitehall Forest, 750 acres of woods owned by the University that is located in the piedmont region of Clarke County. Whitehall Forest was also named an Important Bird Area along with the Botanical Gardens.

The ORAS has monthly meetings every first Thursday at 7 p.m. at the ENSAT building at the Sandy Creek Nature Center. For more information please visit www.oconeeriversaudubon.org.