You don't have to be an expert, but it helps to know your subject in advance. As any field biologist will relate, luck often plays a significant role in spotting wildlife. You can greatly improve your chances of being in the right place at the right time, however, by understanding a little about the daily activity patterns and biology of the animals you wish to see. Field guides to birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects, and other animal groups, as well as those for tracks, nests, and food habitats, contain answers to these kinds of questions. Most bookstores and libraries carry such references, which typically provide maps showing the approximate distribution of each animal and describe the habitats in which it can be found.
Some birds are migratory, spending only part of the year in Georgia.
Early morning is when birds tend to be most active. If you're not a morning person, you can still observe owls and other nocturnal birds. The distinctive calls and songs of many birds are often the best way to locate and identify them. Some species perform most of their daily activity in or near wetlands, others in open meadows, and still others deep in the forest interior. Noting the kind of habitat a bird is using may also provide clues to its identity, particularly for birds that occur in a limited range of habitats.