Birding at St. Simons Island

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East Beach on St. Simons Island, which includes Gould’s Inlet, is a residential area with some county owned land as well. It is a prime birding area for shorebirds, gulls, and terns. The best time to bird is in or around high tide, especially in the afternoon with the sun at your back. The slough area, west of the mouth of the inlet, is always changing and interesting. The surrounding upland areas are great place to see Painted Buntings. Birds regularly seen here include Black Skimmers, Laughing Gulls, Royal and Caspian Terns, American Oystercatchers, Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Double-crested Cormorants, and Brown Pelicans. Rare birds have been sited here, also, like the Reddish Egret. Gould’s Inlet has limited parking, plus there are no restrooms. There are, however, approximately 12 parking spaces for cars. St. Simons has several miles of public beach that include picnic area and bathroom facilities. It's a short drive from the Villa. There is a large parking area on the beach at the Maritime Center (at 1st Street off Ocean Blvd).