5-17-2026: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
- The rookery is currently closed to all public visitation.
- Re:Purpose Savannah remains open during their normal retail hours, Th-Sa, 9-4.
- The closure includes projects to improve rookery access.
- New visiting instructions forthcoming.
- Penciled for June reopening.
5-16-2026
- First Green Heron babies spotted.
5-14-2026:
- First Snowy Egret babies spotted.
5-12-2026:
- Observed alligator total increased to 4.
5-8-2026:
- I received permission to purchase and install a sign to make finding the path simple, and to warn of alligators.
- Instructions updated. Photo posted below as a reply.
- The peninsula area is currently closed off. An egret has babies in the nest, and walking that area causes stress. It has been closed for a while, but I forgot to update the guide.
- Clarified gate location based on feedback. Updated current insect situation. Firmed up Monday as off-limits.
5-9-2026:
- Received reports of spoonbills in the area.
- 3 Green Heron nests with eggs on the edges of the lake. See if you can spot all 3.
- Most Great Egrets have hatched.
- Egrets
- Over two-hundred birds on island.
Quick Links:
About the Guide
Introduction
Location
Parking
Hours
Where to Go
What to Bring
When to Visit
What Birds Will I See
Alligators
Bird Guide
Tours
Miscellaneous
About the Guide
This post is a visitors guide for the egret rookery at Re:Purpose Savannah.
This is an unofficial guide. Although I am known as “the bird guy” over there, I don’t work for Re:Purpose Savannah, nor do I represent the owners of the property.
Introduction
Just a few miles east of downtown, over on Re:Purpose Savannah’s property, there is a little lake that sits up against the edge of the marsh. In the middle of that little lake sits a tiny island. Every year, that tiny island hosts an incredible display of nature.
Each spring, about 50-60 breeding pairs of great egrets and snowy egrets descend upon the island to build their nests. By the summer, there will be 120-180 new egrets. The number of birds on the island will approach 300 in total.
There is a path that runs all the way around the lake, allowing 360ยฐ views of the island. One part of the path takes you within ~50 feet of the island.
Re:Purpose Savannah and the property owners are kind enough to let people come see the birds. Please be respectful of the property.
Location
The property is at the far east end of E. Gwinnett Street, on the northeast corner of the intersection with Minnesota Ave. 2302 E. Gwinnett St.
Parking
Parking instructions will be updated soon.
Hours
The rookery is currently closed to public access. Please see the update at the top of this guide.
Where to Go
This information will be updated soon.
What to Bring
- Insect repellent. Depending on the time of year, you can expect sand gnats, biting flies, and mosquitoes. I recommend Picaridin.
- Binoculars. If you have some, bring them for amazing views.
- Camera. You will be able to get nice shots with just about any camera.
- Water and Sunscreen. It’s not a strenuous walk, but there is no shade for a lot of the path. A 30-minute visit has been known to take 2 hours!
When to Visit
The rookery is currently closed to the public, but this information remains relevant.
There are usually birds in the area starting around the first of the year. Egret breeding activity really ramps up around the end of February. First babies typically hatch in late-March or April. The vast majority of the birds will abandon the island and disperse during July and August.
What Birds Will I See
In general, you can expect to see:
- Ibis from Jan 1 through the end of Feb
- Great egrets from Mar 1 – July
- Snowy Egrets from Mar 15 – July
- Green Herons from Apr 1 – July
There is also a chance to see any of these species at any time:
- Anhingas
- Little blue herons
- Yellow-crowned night herons
- Black-crowned night herons
- Tri-colored herons
- Roseate Spoonbills
- Great blue herons
- Cattle egrets
- Cormorants
- Woodstorks
- Bitterns
- Pelicans
- Assorted raptors (red-shouldered hawks, osprey, bald eagles, etc.)
- Assorted woodpeckers (pileated, red-bellied, downy, etc.)
- Assorted interesting small birds (American bluebirds, painted bunting, various nuthatches, etc.)
Alligators
There are alligators present. There are currently at least 4. They vary in length, up to about 6 or 7 feet long. They generally avoid people.
That is not an excuse to let your guard down.
- No small dogs
- No small children near the water
- Absolutely no swimming
Do not approach, harass, or feed the alligators. If an alligator is blocking your path, it is just not your day.
I don’t recommend that you touch the water at all, considering it is egret poop soup.
Bird Guide
I have created a guide for use while at the rookery. It will help you identify most of the colonial waterbirds that you are likely to see, and allow you to learn a bit more about each species. I have seen a few new species at the rookery since I made the site, and I hope to update it soon.
The guide is here: https://lastbutnotlost.com/rookery/
If you lose the link, there is a QR code by the water’s edge (if you go left) that you can scan, or there is one at the Re:Purpose Office.
Tours
There is no official tour. I am happy to meet anyone over there for a guided tour. I don’t have a script or anything. It would just be a walk-and-talk. I am considering asking Re:Purpose if I can setup some tours in exchange for donations (donations for them, not me).
Miscellaneous
I work hard as a volunteer to keep the path and water free of trash. The tide is relentless, always bringing in more trash. If you notice any trash, please let me know so I can go get it. If you notice someone leaving trash or doing something that could harm the birds or other wildlife in any way, please snap a photo of them if possible and send it to me.