Summer Tanager. Photo by Peter Hogan, Audubon Photography Awards.
Georgia Bird FEst 2023
april 22 to may 21, 2023
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR GEORGIA AUDUBON MEMBERS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 14, AT 7:00 AM REGISTRATION FOR NON-MEMBERS WILL OPEN ON MARCH 21
Birds, y'all! As Georgia's largest bird and nature festival, Georgia Bird Fest features a full month of activities, including guided field trips to Georgia's best birding hotspots, nature-based workshops, and guest speakers. Events are tailored to all levels of bird, nature, and outdoor enthusiasts—there's something for everyone during Georgia Bird Fest!
Your participation in Georgia Bird Fest supports Georgia Audubon's conservation, education, and community engagement programming. Thank you for helping us build places where birds and people thrive!
Your participation in Georgia Bird Fest supports Georgia Audubon's conservation, education, and community engagement programming. Thank you for helping us build places where birds and people thrive!
EVENT FULL? JOIN THE WAITING LIST
If the event you are interested in is full, please join the Wait List by completing our Wait List Form. Responses are time- and date-stamped, and as space opens in an event, we will contact people in the order in which they completed the Wait List Form. Payment, if necessary, will not be due until we contact you. Please contact us if you have questions or if you experience any difficulty with the Wait List.
If the event you are interested in is full, please join the Wait List by completing our Wait List Form. Responses are time- and date-stamped, and as space opens in an event, we will contact people in the order in which they completed the Wait List Form. Payment, if necessary, will not be due until we contact you. Please contact us if you have questions or if you experience any difficulty with the Wait List.
AFTER REGISTRATION
You will receive an immediate email confirming your registration. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam folder or contact us so that we may troubleshoot.
Registered participants will receive full event instructions, including meeting location, a list of what to bring, and contact information for their trip/workshop leader approximately 10 days in advance of the event. Instructions will be emailed to all registered participants using the email address provided during registration. Please be sure to use a valid email address and one that you check regularly during registration. If you do not receive a registration confirmation email or event instructions 10 days before your event, please contact Georgia Audubon at 678-973-2437.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you need to cancel your registration more than 7 days prior to the event, we will refund the registration fee less a 20% processing fee. Cancellations six (6) days or less prior to the event are non-refundable unless we can resell the spot. All events/classes are rain or shine unless otherwise noted. If a class or event must be cancelled because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, registered participants will receive a full refund.
You will receive an immediate email confirming your registration. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam folder or contact us so that we may troubleshoot.
Registered participants will receive full event instructions, including meeting location, a list of what to bring, and contact information for their trip/workshop leader approximately 10 days in advance of the event. Instructions will be emailed to all registered participants using the email address provided during registration. Please be sure to use a valid email address and one that you check regularly during registration. If you do not receive a registration confirmation email or event instructions 10 days before your event, please contact Georgia Audubon at 678-973-2437.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you need to cancel your registration more than 7 days prior to the event, we will refund the registration fee less a 20% processing fee. Cancellations six (6) days or less prior to the event are non-refundable unless we can resell the spot. All events/classes are rain or shine unless otherwise noted. If a class or event must be cancelled because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, registered participants will receive a full refund.
webinar all-access pass
Photo by Melanie Furr
Per Device: $32 per device
Enjoy access to the following webinars at a discounted registration fee when you purchase our Webinar All-Access Pass. You will be able to join each webinar live when it's scheduled, and you will also receive recordings of each webinar to view on-demand at a later time.
The following webinars are included with your Webinar All-Access Pass registration. You do not need to register separately for any of these webinars:
Each Webinar All-Access Pass is good for one device (computer, cell phone, tablet, etc.). Multiple people may view on the same device. You will receive separate registration confirmations for each Zoom webinar with instructions to join each webinar. Please be sure to use your correct email address and one that you check regularly when you register. We are unable to split these registrations among multiple email addresses.
Sales of All Access passes will end at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25 so that we may upload participants to all webinars.
Enjoy access to the following webinars at a discounted registration fee when you purchase our Webinar All-Access Pass. You will be able to join each webinar live when it's scheduled, and you will also receive recordings of each webinar to view on-demand at a later time.
The following webinars are included with your Webinar All-Access Pass registration. You do not need to register separately for any of these webinars:
- How to Identify Warblers and Enjoy Them More, Too (Tuesday, April 25)
- Gardening for Birds & Building Your Backyard Sanctuary (Tuesday, May 2)
- Raptor ID (Wednesday, May 3)
- Beginning Birder 101 (Thursday, May 11)
Each Webinar All-Access Pass is good for one device (computer, cell phone, tablet, etc.). Multiple people may view on the same device. You will receive separate registration confirmations for each Zoom webinar with instructions to join each webinar. Please be sure to use your correct email address and one that you check regularly when you register. We are unable to split these registrations among multiple email addresses.
Sales of All Access passes will end at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25 so that we may upload participants to all webinars.
saturday, april 22
Short-eared Owl by Eric Bowles
Webinar & Field Session: Introduction to Bird Photography
Webinar Class Session: Wednesday, April 19, 7:00 to 9:00 PM (via Zoom) Outdoor Field Session: Saturday, April 22, 8:00 to 11:00 AM Instructor: Eric Bowles Limited to 16 participants Cost: $50/person Location: Webinar via Zoom and Field Session at Blue Heron Nature Preserve (Fulton County) Whether you are using a compact camera, a phone, or a DSLR camera, you still want to create good bird photographs. Professional nature photographer Eric Bowles will guide participants in this two-part workshop, which features a live webinar via Zoom to cover the classwork session (April 19) and an in-person, outdoor field session for hands-on practice and instruction at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Buckhead (April 22). In this workshop, you’ll receive tips, suggestions, and answers to help you make better photos with your camera. We’ll talk about equipment and its limitations, exposure settings, focus, and basics of bird composition. 2 spots remain! |
CCWA Treatment Wetlands by Danielle Bunch
Birding the Restricted Treatment Wetlands of Clayton County Water Authority
8:00 to 11:00 AM Leaders: Danielle Bunch and Anne McCallum Limited to 10 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Hampton, GA (Henry/Clayton Counties) Difficulty Level: Easy Special Note: The majority of the treatment wetlands must be birded by car. Newman Wetlands Center’s Senior Conservationist, Danielle Bunch, and Anne McCallum will guide us on a tour of the restricted-access Treatment Wetlands area. Participants on past trips have observed lingering and resident waterfowl such as Wood Duck, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, and Northern Shoveler; American Bittern; rail species such as Sora, Common Gallinule, and American Coot; vireos; Marsh Wren; swallows; Osprey; nesting Bald Eagles; and more. This is your chance to check out a typically-restricted access site with recent unusual-for-the-area sightings, with a small chance for Limpkin and night-herons. This trip is not to be missed! This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
American Kestrel by Gary Grossman/Audubon Photography Awards
Birding at Pole Bridge Creek
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM Leader: Patrick Maurice Limited to 15 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Lithonia, GA (DeKalb County) Difficulty Level: Moderate; no restrooms The mixed habitat surrounding Pole Bridge Wastewater Treatment Facility has become a highly popular birding location among local birders in South DeKalb County, thanks in large part to a few rarities and several surprises that have been found here over the years. Although public access is limited, over 150 species of birds have been identified at this single location in the metro-Atlanta area. Join Patrick Maurice, one of the current Georgia Big Day record-holders, as we look for grassland birds such as Wild Turkey, Eastern Meadowlark, and possibly Bobolink. This is also a great opportunity to possibly find breeding American Kestrels, an uncommon sight in metro Atlanta. We will also look for migrating shorebirds, warblers, thrushes, and sparrows. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Scarlet Tanager by Richard Xuereb/Audubon Photography Awards
Exploring Nature at Chattahoochee Bend State Park I
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Leader: Malcolm Hodges Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Chattahoochee Bend State Park (Coweta County) Chattahoochee Bend State Park showcases a spectacular tract of wilderness in northwest Coweta County. Located in a graceful bend of the Chattahoochee River, the park is a haven for all types of recreation. We'll explore everything from granite outcrops and pine woodlands down to the bottomlands of the Chattahoochee River, looking for birds, plants, lichens, or anything animal, plant, or mineral we can find at this relatively new and underused state park. All flavors of spring migrants and resident Piedmont birds can be expected this time of year here, including Wild Turkey, tanagers, vireos, and an assortment of warblers. Note: This trip is also being offered on Sunday, April 30. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Purple Gallinule by Margaret Borge/Audubon Photography Awards
Eufaula NWR - Bradley Unit
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Leader: Wes Hatch
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Florence, GA (Stewart County)
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult; approximately 3-5 miles walking with no shade; no restrooms
Eufaula NWR, straddling the Georgia/Alabama state line, was established in 1964 to provide habitat for wintering waterfowl and other migratory and resident wildlife. The Bradley Unit of Eufaula, an Audubon Important Bird Area, adjoins the Chattahoochee River on the Georgia side and contains several ditched impoundments, weedy fields, as well as hardwood and floodplain forests.
Eufaula NWR hosts a number of resident and migratory birds, including a multitude of hard-to-find species in Georgia. As such, we'll hope to find King Rail; Barn Owl; Purple Gallinule; migratory and breeding warblers including Prothonotary; shorebirds; Least Bittern; wading birds such as Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret; Common Ground Dove; and lingering and resident waterfowl.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Leader: Wes Hatch
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Florence, GA (Stewart County)
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult; approximately 3-5 miles walking with no shade; no restrooms
Eufaula NWR, straddling the Georgia/Alabama state line, was established in 1964 to provide habitat for wintering waterfowl and other migratory and resident wildlife. The Bradley Unit of Eufaula, an Audubon Important Bird Area, adjoins the Chattahoochee River on the Georgia side and contains several ditched impoundments, weedy fields, as well as hardwood and floodplain forests.
Eufaula NWR hosts a number of resident and migratory birds, including a multitude of hard-to-find species in Georgia. As such, we'll hope to find King Rail; Barn Owl; Purple Gallinule; migratory and breeding warblers including Prothonotary; shorebirds; Least Bittern; wading birds such as Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret; Common Ground Dove; and lingering and resident waterfowl.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
sunday, april 23
Worskhop: Birds, Lines, & Words (Adults)
1:00 to 3:00 PM Instructor: Christy Knight Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Chastain Park Have you experienced remarkable encounters with birds you’d like to share with others? Award-winning naturalist author and illustrator, Christy Baker Knight, will lead us through the steps of capturing the essence of birding from the field journal entry to the line illustration and printed page. All ability levels are welcome! Please bring basic writing and drawing materials of your choosing: a favorite pen, journal, laptop or tablet. The instructor will provide paper, and pencils, as well as additional drawing supplies to share with the group. This event is open to people ages 18+! Directions: The location is Chastain Park Playground. Entrance is at Dudley Lane and there is parking along the one way road called Chastain Memorial Parkway. I'll also send a reminder with more details to participants closer to the event. (A version of this workshop is being held for ages 13-17 on April 30.) 4 spots remain! |
Red-cockaded Woodpecker by Gary Leavens / License CC BY-SA 2.0
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers at Piedmont NWR
8:00 to 11:00 AM Leader: Jim Ferrari Limited to 16 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Round Oak, GA (Jones County) Difficulty: Moderate, with driving on dirt roads through the refuge and short walks; no restrooms In 1999 Georgia became the first state in the nation to develop a statewide conservation plan to provide management options and protection of suitable habitat for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Historically widespread in the southeast, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker suffered severe population declines due to the loss of mature pine forests. Today, approximately 1% of the woodpecker’s original population can still be found across the southeast. We’ll caravan through several areas of the refuge to look for some of the 57 family groups that call Piedmont NWR home. Other key species we’ll keep an eye (and ear) out for during the trip are Northern Bobwhite, Bachman’s Sparrow, Wild Turkey, Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and plenty of other spring migrants. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Photo by Wes Hatch
Mud Creek Farm
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Leader: Wes Hatch Limited to 20 participants Location: Mud Creek Farm, Albany, GA (Dougherty County) Cost: $35/person Difficulty Level: Moderate with over 3 miles of walking Mud Creek Farm in Albany, GA, has been owned by the Fowler Family for the last 100 years. The late host to Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, Jim Fowler grew up on this property and later turned it into an Ostrich Farm with a number of other exotic species that still call the farm home. The farm is now taken care of by his children and nieces and nephews. This a unique property that hosts southern specialties such as Northern Bobwhite, Bachman’s Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and so much more. Plan to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the farm! Proceeds from this event will be split with Mud Creek Farm to support its longterm care. |
Birds and Lichen of Palm Creek
8:00 to 11:00 AM Leaders: Malcolm Hodges and Nathan Griswell Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Gwinnett County, GA Difficulty Level: Difficult terrain, dirt paths, possible slick rock, steep gradients This newly protected granite outcrop is in a fascinating conjunction of high-energy creeks, nestled in patches of mature pine and oak forests. Join Georgia Audubon friend Malcolm Hodges for a truly special experience at the as-yet-undeveloped "Palm Creek Park" (proposed name) outcrop in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Malcolm will lead a walk on county property (he’s recently retired as The Nature Conservancy's state ecologist); participants will see a very different-looking outcrop with odd outcrop-endemic plants and rich surrounding forests, and discuss the unique features of this special place. Birds will of course be on the menu, as will all aspects of natural history. Optional: bring lunch for a picnic on the shaded rock following our hike. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Blue Heron Nature Preserve
8:00 to 10:30 AM Leader: Rob McDonough Limited to 15 participants Cost: Free to attend, but registration required Location: Atlanta, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Easy, walking on packed dirt trails Discover the urban bird habitat at Blue Heron Nature Preserve. Our focus for this walk will be migratory species and year-round residents, including songbirds, woodpeckers, and waterfowl. This is an excellent field trip for beginning birders. Families are welcome. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Red-tailed Hawk by Tom Wilberding
CNC Community Day: Mural Grand Reveal
12:00 AM to 4:00 PM Early open for CNC Members ONLY: 11am Cost: Free Leader: Alicia Thompson Difficulty Level: Easy You’re invited to join CNC to celebrate the grand reveal of “The Flow”, CNC’s new mural by Atlanta Muralist Thomas Turner. The mural and the artist are deeply inspired by the Chattahoochee River. CNC is thrilled to share the new mural with you – our community! Be among the first visitors to CNC’s new mural. You’ll even get to enjoy our newly renovated aviaries along the Wildlife Walk, as well as the rest of our 127-acres and spring activities. The mural and the Community Day are made possible thanks to funding provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development. To help ensure the best experience for all, reservations are required to attend. Registration & Wait List for this event must be done separately from other Georgia Bird Fest events. Sign up here: CNC Community Day: Mural Grand Reveal |
Mural by Thomas Turner. Photo by Terrence Faircloth.
Bird Mural Scavenger Hunt
Leader: Sheridan Alford
Cost: Free. Registration NOT required
Difficulty Level: Easy but will require travel to reach site locations, open to all ages
Join the hunt for some of Atlanta’s feathered features in this year’s Mural Scavenger Hunt. We will kick off the game at the Chattahoochee Nature Center Community Day event on Apr 23, 2023. At this event, you can meet one of our area's most prominent muralists, Thomas Turner, and see his latest work at the CNC building. Each participant who submits Mural Scavenger Hunt Submission Form will be entered into a prize drawing, hosted at the Georgia Bird Fest Closing Celebration on Sunday, May 21 at Round Trip Brewing.
Submissions open April 23 and close May 19.
Game Rules:
No registration is required. Just show up!
Leader: Sheridan Alford
Cost: Free. Registration NOT required
Difficulty Level: Easy but will require travel to reach site locations, open to all ages
Join the hunt for some of Atlanta’s feathered features in this year’s Mural Scavenger Hunt. We will kick off the game at the Chattahoochee Nature Center Community Day event on Apr 23, 2023. At this event, you can meet one of our area's most prominent muralists, Thomas Turner, and see his latest work at the CNC building. Each participant who submits Mural Scavenger Hunt Submission Form will be entered into a prize drawing, hosted at the Georgia Bird Fest Closing Celebration on Sunday, May 21 at Round Trip Brewing.
Submissions open April 23 and close May 19.
Game Rules:
- Participation is open to all ages!
- Participants must include 1 photo per site (that includes themselves AND the mural per example)
- Must submit photos for 4 of the 7 scavenger hunt locations to be entered in the raffle
- Submissions are taken through this google form, (submit all photos on the same form!), 1 form submission per player
- 1 raffle entry per participant
No registration is required. Just show up!
Tuesday, April 25
Cape May Warbler by Andrew Dreelin
Webinar: How to Identify Warblers & Enjoy Them More, Too
A Holistic Approach to Bird Identification
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Instructor: Andrew Dreelin
Cost per device: $12 per device
Location: Webinar via Zoom
Love watching warblers but struggling to identify those fast-flitting beauties? Get excited because this webinar is for you! Together we'll walk through the warblers of Georgia, teaching you how to go beyond identifying birds by color and pattern alone, to applying subtle but powerful field marks like shape, contrast, behavior, call, and even posture to confidently identify warblers from combinations of small details. Georgia birder Andrew Dreelin learned these techniques while rapidly counting songbirds in "morning flight" during fall migration in Cape May, NJ, one of the world's best migration hotspots. However, these skills can be applied by anyone in any place and during any season, whether you’re in Georgia in fall, Costa Rica in winter, or Québec in spring.
By attending this webinar, you will not only acquire some fancy ID tips, but in learning to identify birds *holistically* by taking in each individual as a whole, you’ll also enhance your appreciation of these colorful migrants as you learn the unique aspects of each species. We'll even talk a bit about the best places to go if you want to revel in warblers during migration. Whether you’ve been looking at warblers for many seasons or just a few, there's something for birders of all skill levels to learn and apply in the field this fall and beyond.
Registration for this webinar will close at 5:00 PM on the date of the event to allow us time to upload the final participant lists. Please check your inbox for an email from Zoom with instructions for logging into the webinar.
A Holistic Approach to Bird Identification
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Instructor: Andrew Dreelin
Cost per device: $12 per device
Location: Webinar via Zoom
Love watching warblers but struggling to identify those fast-flitting beauties? Get excited because this webinar is for you! Together we'll walk through the warblers of Georgia, teaching you how to go beyond identifying birds by color and pattern alone, to applying subtle but powerful field marks like shape, contrast, behavior, call, and even posture to confidently identify warblers from combinations of small details. Georgia birder Andrew Dreelin learned these techniques while rapidly counting songbirds in "morning flight" during fall migration in Cape May, NJ, one of the world's best migration hotspots. However, these skills can be applied by anyone in any place and during any season, whether you’re in Georgia in fall, Costa Rica in winter, or Québec in spring.
By attending this webinar, you will not only acquire some fancy ID tips, but in learning to identify birds *holistically* by taking in each individual as a whole, you’ll also enhance your appreciation of these colorful migrants as you learn the unique aspects of each species. We'll even talk a bit about the best places to go if you want to revel in warblers during migration. Whether you’ve been looking at warblers for many seasons or just a few, there's something for birders of all skill levels to learn and apply in the field this fall and beyond.
Registration for this webinar will close at 5:00 PM on the date of the event to allow us time to upload the final participant lists. Please check your inbox for an email from Zoom with instructions for logging into the webinar.
thursday, april 27, to sunday, april 30
Marbled Godwits by Peter Brannon/Audubon Photography Awards
Registration & Wait List for this event must be done separately from other Georgia Bird Fest events.
Shorebird Weekend on the Georgia Coast
Pre-trip Shorebird ID & Virtual Orientation: Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 PM via Zoom
Coastal Birding Trip: Thursday, April 27, through Sunday, April 30
Leader: Adam Betuel
Limited to 17 participants
Cost:
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate, with two full days of birding along different terrains
Join Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, for this special workshop and coastal trip highlighting the northbound shorebird migration and exciting diversity of the Georgia Bight. Thousands of migrating shorebirds rely on our very own Georgia coast, including Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Marbled Godwits, Ruddy Turnstones, and more! This area is also vital for breeding shorebirds like Wilson's Plover and American Oystercatcher and has even been recognized as a landscape of importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. This two-part workshop consists of a class session on shorebird identification, to be held virtually on the evening of April 20.
The coastal trip kicks off with an optional Thursday evening gathering in Brunswick on April 27 at 6:30 PM (Silver Bluff Brewing). Friday morning we will start the tour with some birding stops on St Simons Island. Later in the morning, weather permitting, we’ll take a boat trip exploring the Altamaha River Delta at places such as the north end of Little St. Simons Island, Little Egg Island, and Wolf Island Bar. The charter will be hosted by Coastal Outdoor Adventures with CARE certified guides*. After returning to land, we’ll spend the afternoon birding on land, potentially at the Altamaha WMA targeting marsh birds that prefer the impoundment's fresh and brackish waters and lush vegetation.
Saturday will include birding stops at coastal hotspots that may include Jekyll Island, Gould’s Inlet, and the Andrew’s Island Causeway (all depending on recent bird activity). We will spend time targeting migrating songbirds, freshwater shorebirds, and as much diversity in species and habitats as possible. If we did not make it to Altamaha on Friday, we will spend time there today.
Sunday, we will have the very exciting opportunity to explore Little St Simons Island (LSSI). On LSSI, we will team up with the island's naturalists to explore various parts of the island and learn about the way this pristine place is managed and how it supports native flora and fauna. Using the lodge’s trucks, we will visit the island's seven miles of unspoiled beaches, make stops at various ponds home to breeding wading birds, and explore the pine and maritime forests that cover much of the island. We will depart the island at 3:30 pm and the trip will come to a close upon our arrival back at the Hampton River Marina.
The pace of the trip will be easy to moderate but the days will be very long and full of birdwatching (sunrise to late afternoon). Most walks will not exceed a mile, though multiple short walks are likely on a given day and can add up. Additionally, lots of time will be spent standing which can be tiring. While often very pleasant, this trip can be hot and bugs are always a consideration on the Georgia coast.
Registration fee does NOT include travel, entrance fee to Jekyll Island (if applicable), lodging, gratuities (optional - for boat captains/crew), or food expenses. A block of rooms at a hotel in Brunswick at a discounted rate will be set up for those wishing to stay at the same hotel as the group leader. Adam will share booking information with registered guests.
Registration & Wait List for this event must be done separately from other Georgia Bird Fest events.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list below. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
Pre-trip Shorebird ID & Virtual Orientation: Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 PM via Zoom
Coastal Birding Trip: Thursday, April 27, through Sunday, April 30
Leader: Adam Betuel
Limited to 17 participants
Cost:
- $530 for Georgia Audubon members
- $580 for non-members (includes a 1-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate, with two full days of birding along different terrains
Join Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, for this special workshop and coastal trip highlighting the northbound shorebird migration and exciting diversity of the Georgia Bight. Thousands of migrating shorebirds rely on our very own Georgia coast, including Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Marbled Godwits, Ruddy Turnstones, and more! This area is also vital for breeding shorebirds like Wilson's Plover and American Oystercatcher and has even been recognized as a landscape of importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. This two-part workshop consists of a class session on shorebird identification, to be held virtually on the evening of April 20.
The coastal trip kicks off with an optional Thursday evening gathering in Brunswick on April 27 at 6:30 PM (Silver Bluff Brewing). Friday morning we will start the tour with some birding stops on St Simons Island. Later in the morning, weather permitting, we’ll take a boat trip exploring the Altamaha River Delta at places such as the north end of Little St. Simons Island, Little Egg Island, and Wolf Island Bar. The charter will be hosted by Coastal Outdoor Adventures with CARE certified guides*. After returning to land, we’ll spend the afternoon birding on land, potentially at the Altamaha WMA targeting marsh birds that prefer the impoundment's fresh and brackish waters and lush vegetation.
Saturday will include birding stops at coastal hotspots that may include Jekyll Island, Gould’s Inlet, and the Andrew’s Island Causeway (all depending on recent bird activity). We will spend time targeting migrating songbirds, freshwater shorebirds, and as much diversity in species and habitats as possible. If we did not make it to Altamaha on Friday, we will spend time there today.
Sunday, we will have the very exciting opportunity to explore Little St Simons Island (LSSI). On LSSI, we will team up with the island's naturalists to explore various parts of the island and learn about the way this pristine place is managed and how it supports native flora and fauna. Using the lodge’s trucks, we will visit the island's seven miles of unspoiled beaches, make stops at various ponds home to breeding wading birds, and explore the pine and maritime forests that cover much of the island. We will depart the island at 3:30 pm and the trip will come to a close upon our arrival back at the Hampton River Marina.
The pace of the trip will be easy to moderate but the days will be very long and full of birdwatching (sunrise to late afternoon). Most walks will not exceed a mile, though multiple short walks are likely on a given day and can add up. Additionally, lots of time will be spent standing which can be tiring. While often very pleasant, this trip can be hot and bugs are always a consideration on the Georgia coast.
Registration fee does NOT include travel, entrance fee to Jekyll Island (if applicable), lodging, gratuities (optional - for boat captains/crew), or food expenses. A block of rooms at a hotel in Brunswick at a discounted rate will be set up for those wishing to stay at the same hotel as the group leader. Adam will share booking information with registered guests.
Registration & Wait List for this event must be done separately from other Georgia Bird Fest events.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list below. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that this event has its own cancellation policy. If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by March 15, 2023, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee + any credit card fees that have been incurred during the transaction). If notice of cancellation is received between March 17 and April 7, 2023, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee + any credit card fees that have been incurred during the transaction). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee + any credit card fees that have been incurred during the transaction). If a class/event must be cancelled because of weather or other unforseen circumstances, registered participants will receive a full refund.
*The Coastal Awareness and Responsible Ecotourism (CARE) program trains guides in best practices for water-based tourism to promote conservation and protect our coastal ecosystems. Learn more here!
saturday, april 29
Bouckaert Farm
7:30 AM to 12:00 PM Leaders: Nathan Farnau and Rick Taylor Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Fairburn, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Easy with mostly driving between spots with a few short walks on flat ground not to exceed 1/2 mile each. The 8,000-acre Bouckaert Farm is the brainchild of Olympian (equestrian) Carl Bouckaert. It is private land in south Fulton County bordered on the west/north by the Chattahoochee River. "Chatt Hills Eventing" is used primarily for high-level equestrian events, but is also a frequent site for movie making. Portions of Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Black Panther were filmed on the Farm. Netflix, HBO, Fox, and Paramount have also filmed on the property. Bouckaert Farm has only been birded a handful of times and just once during peak migration with a species total in the mid-70s including a half dozen sparrows and more than a dozen different warbler species. Join us as we look to add to this property's species list and explore the varied habitat of riparian woodlands, grassy meadows, mowed fields, ponds, and streams. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
American Redstart, by Dan Vickers.
Teens & Feathers: Teen Birding Trip
9:00 to 10:30 AM Leader: Gabe Andrle and Kiana Leveritte Limited to 15 participants between the ages of 13-17 and their parents Cost: Free/ there may be a fee for parking Location: Fernbank Forest Join us as we bird Fernbank Forest! This is a trip for teens ages 13 to 17 to explore the world of birds together in a safe space where curiosity is encouraged. First time birding? That's okay! Beginners and intermediate level birders are welcome to attend, and binoculars will be provided for those in attendance to use. We will be on the lookout for backyard birds and migrant species. Parents are welcome to attend as well. |
Photo by Roseanne Guerra
Birding Canoe Trip I
7:30 to 11:30 AM Trip Leaders: Roseanne Guerra and Mike Blakeney Limited to 14 participants Cost: $50/person Location: Roswell, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Moderate, must be able to sit in a canoe for several hours and must be able to paddle a canoe. Celebrate spring migration with our partners at Chattahoochee Nature Center! Commune with nature and join birding canoe guides as you explore the hidden backwaters along the Chattahoochee River. This 4-hour trip is a treat for birders of any skill level. Canoeing equipment, including personal flotation device, is provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. Please note that participants must be at least 14 years old. Please note: This trip is open to all participants! However, this trip specifically welcomes those with varying abilities to paddle in a safe and comfortable setting. CNC Canoe launch is ADA-inspired and includes a transfer bench so people who use a wheelchair or may have difficulty crouching can easily enter and exit our canoes. Upon registration, please indicate any special accommodations you may have by replying to the confirmation email so that we can be best prepared to host your paddling experience. |
Roseate Spoonbill by Eric Bowles
Webinar & Field Session: Intermediate to Advanced Bird Photography Tips and Techniques
Webinar Class Session: Wednesday, April 26, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Outdoor Field Session: Saturday, April 29, 8:00 to 11:00 AM Instructor: Eric Bowles Limited to 16 participants Cost: $50/person Location: Webinar via Zoom and Field Session at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve (Fulton County) You’ve got a good camera but your bird photographs are not quite as good as you’d like. What makes a great bird photo? How do you take better bird photos? How do you make images of difficult subjects such as birds in flight or songbirds in a wooded area? How do the situations affect your choice of camera settings? Professional nature photographer Eric Bowles will guide participants in this two-part workshop to answer all these questions and provide tips and techniques to help you make better bird photographs. Part One features a live webinar via Zoom to cover the classwork session (April 26), and Part Two features an in-person, outdoor field session for hands-on practice and instruction at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Buckhead (April 29). This workshop is best suited for participants with a basic understanding of cameras and photography. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Lionel Hampton Park. Photo by Park Pride.
Exploring the Birds and Trees of Lionel Hampton - Beecher Hills Park
5:00 to 8:00 PM
Trip Leader: Gabe Andrle
Cost: $35
Location: Lionel Hampton - Beecher Hills Park (Fulton County)
Limited to 15 participants
Difficulty: Easy, with 1 to 1.5 miles of walking along park trails with lots of stopping and standing to look at plants and birds.
Join Georgia Audubon's Habitat Program Manager, Gabe Andrle, for an evening stroll through Lionel Hampton - Beecher Hills Park in Southwest Atlanta. This 100+ acre nature preserve is home to both paved and natural-surface trails that meander through a largely mature forest. We'll explore the amazing trees in this park and be on the lookout for birds, including warblers, sparrows, vireos, and more.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
5:00 to 8:00 PM
Trip Leader: Gabe Andrle
Cost: $35
Location: Lionel Hampton - Beecher Hills Park (Fulton County)
Limited to 15 participants
Difficulty: Easy, with 1 to 1.5 miles of walking along park trails with lots of stopping and standing to look at plants and birds.
Join Georgia Audubon's Habitat Program Manager, Gabe Andrle, for an evening stroll through Lionel Hampton - Beecher Hills Park in Southwest Atlanta. This 100+ acre nature preserve is home to both paved and natural-surface trails that meander through a largely mature forest. We'll explore the amazing trees in this park and be on the lookout for birds, including warblers, sparrows, vireos, and more.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
SUNDAY, April 30
Birding at River Valley Ingredients (formerly American Proteins)
7:00 AM to Noon Leaders: Jim Flynn and Rick Taylor Limited to 12 Participants Cost: $35/person Location: Northeast Forsyth County Difficulty Level: Moderate. 100% on foot walking on pond edges and dirt roads. Special notice: This spot can be “fragrant.” Depending on environmental necessity, Tyson is going to try to shut off all pumps and all spraying during our visit, but the facility is renowned for its smell. Participants must sign liability waivers. River Valley Ingredients (formerly American Proteins) is a Tyson foods chicken rendering plant. Arguably the best birding spot, during migration, in Forsyth County (northeast), it has not been birded since Tyson bought the place in 2019. With approval from Tyson HQ in Arkansas, we are permitted special access. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Campbellton Park by Michelle Hamner
Birding the Riparian Forest at Campbellton Park
8:00 to 11:00 AM Trip Leader: Giff Beaton Limited to 25 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Chattahoochee Hills, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Moderate, no restrooms on site Campbellton Park is the newest greenspace addition to the city of Chattahoochee Hills, located in the southern portion of Fulton County, and features nearly 2,000 feet of frontage along the Chattahoochee River. Giff Beaton is the author of several books including Birding Georgia, Birds of Kennesaw Mountain, The Breeding Bird Atlas of Georgia, and Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast. He will guide the group as we explore the riparian forest, riverbank, and scrubby edges looking for lingering winter birds, returning summer breeders, and migrants passing through. Our species goal for this trip will be 50+, and we will have good chances at several warbler species such as American Redstart, Hooded Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush, and Northern Parula. Tanagers, flycatchers, vireos, sparrows, raptors, and perhaps an oriole species or two should also be expected. We'll keep our eyes and ears open for other surprises as well. This is a great opportunity to bird with one of Georgia's top birders and naturalists! This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Pine Warbler. Photo by Esther Little, Audubon Photography Awards.
Exploring Nature at Chattahoochee Bend State Park II
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Leader: Malcolm Hodges Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Chattahoochee Bend State Park (Coweta County) Chattahoochee Bend State Park showcases a spectacular tract of wilderness in northwest Coweta County. Located in a graceful bend of the Chattahoochee River, the park is a haven for all types of recreation. We'll explore everything from granite outcrops and pine woodlands down to the bottomlands of the Chattahoochee River, looking for birds, plants, lichens, or anything animal, plant, or mineral we can find at this relatively new and underused state park. All flavors of spring migrants and resident Piedmont birds can be expected this time of year here, including Wild Turkey, tanagers, vireos, and an assortment of warblers. Note: This trip is also being offered on Saturday, April 22. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Photo by Gavin Newsome
Workshop: Birds, Lines, & Words (Ages 13-17)
1:00 to 3:00 PM Instructor: Christy Knight Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Chastain Park Have you experienced remarkable encounters with birds you’d like to share with others? Award-winning naturalist author and illustrator, Christy Baker Knight, will lead us through the steps of capturing the essence of birding from the field journal entry to the line illustration and printed page. All ability levels are welcome! Please bring basic writing and drawing materials of your choosing: a favorite pen, journal, laptop or tablet. The instructor will provide clip boards, paper, and pencils, as well as additional drawing supplies to share with the group. This event is open to people ages 13-17! Directions: The location is Chastain Park Playground. Entrance is at Dudley Lane and there is parking along the one way road called Chastain Memorial Parkway. I'll also send a reminder with more details to participants closer to the event. |
sunday to monday, April 30 to May 1
Photo by Wade Chandler / Provided by Hike Inn
Birding the Hike Inn Trail & Overnight at the Hike Inn
10:00 AM on Sunday, April 30, to 3:00 PM on Monday, May 1
Trip Leader: Jay Davis & Carrie Harper
Limited to 14 Participants (assuming double occupancy - only 7 rooms available)
Cost:
Double Occupancy (shared room, 2 attendees): $270 per room
Single Occupancy (private room, 1 attendee): $210 per room - Limited - Please contact us by email if you would like a private room so that we may check availability.
Location: Dawsonville, GA (Dawson County)
Difficulty Level: Strenuous, 5-mile hike with significant elevation change
If you haven't been to the Len Foote Hike Inn, you are in for a treat. Nestled in the mountains north of Amicalola Falls, the location is beautiful, the stars at night are bright, and the best part is that after a challenging 5 mile hike, you have the opportunity to shower and eat a family-style meal. After dinner, a cozy game and puzzle room beckons. Accommodations are bunk beds (2 per room), with bathrooms and hot showers in a separate bathhouse.
We will meet at 10:00 AM at the Hike Inn parking lot at the top of Amicalola Falls in Amicalola Falls State Park. We will bird our way to the Hike Inn, which will take us 4-5 hours along a 5-mile trail. Birds we will likely see include Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Black-and-White Warbler and Hooded Warbler. The hike crosses small streams, traverses scenic ridges, and ambles through stands of mountain laurel and rhododendron.
Backpacker magazine included the trail as one of 36 “Best American Hikes” and the Inn is included on National Geographic Traveler’s “Stay List.”
After spending the night at the Hike Inn, we will bird our way back to the Hike Inn parking lot the following day, arriving back to the parking lot by 3:00 PM.
10:00 AM on Sunday, April 30, to 3:00 PM on Monday, May 1
Trip Leader: Jay Davis & Carrie Harper
Limited to 14 Participants (assuming double occupancy - only 7 rooms available)
Cost:
Double Occupancy (shared room, 2 attendees): $270 per room
Single Occupancy (private room, 1 attendee): $210 per room - Limited - Please contact us by email if you would like a private room so that we may check availability.
Location: Dawsonville, GA (Dawson County)
Difficulty Level: Strenuous, 5-mile hike with significant elevation change
If you haven't been to the Len Foote Hike Inn, you are in for a treat. Nestled in the mountains north of Amicalola Falls, the location is beautiful, the stars at night are bright, and the best part is that after a challenging 5 mile hike, you have the opportunity to shower and eat a family-style meal. After dinner, a cozy game and puzzle room beckons. Accommodations are bunk beds (2 per room), with bathrooms and hot showers in a separate bathhouse.
We will meet at 10:00 AM at the Hike Inn parking lot at the top of Amicalola Falls in Amicalola Falls State Park. We will bird our way to the Hike Inn, which will take us 4-5 hours along a 5-mile trail. Birds we will likely see include Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Black-and-White Warbler and Hooded Warbler. The hike crosses small streams, traverses scenic ridges, and ambles through stands of mountain laurel and rhododendron.
Backpacker magazine included the trail as one of 36 “Best American Hikes” and the Inn is included on National Geographic Traveler’s “Stay List.”
After spending the night at the Hike Inn, we will bird our way back to the Hike Inn parking lot the following day, arriving back to the parking lot by 3:00 PM.
Registration & Wait List for this event must be done separately from other Georgia Bird Fest events.
If you wish to join this trip, please email Sheridan Alford to check on room availability.
If you wish to join this trip, please email Sheridan Alford to check on room availability.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that this event has its own cancellation policy. If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by March 30, 2023, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee + any credit card fees incurred by Georgia Audubon in the transaction). If notice of cancellation is received between April 1 and April 10, 2022, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee + any credit card fees incurred by Georgia Audubon in the transaction).
Please note that this event has its own cancellation policy. If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by March 30, 2023, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee + any credit card fees incurred by Georgia Audubon in the transaction). If notice of cancellation is received between April 1 and April 10, 2022, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee + any credit card fees incurred by Georgia Audubon in the transaction).
Tuesday, May 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on coral honeysuckle by David M. Shipper/Audubon Photography Awards
Webinar: Gardening for Birds & Building Your Backyard Sanctuary
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Instructor: Ellen Honeycutt, Georgia Native Plant Society
Cost per device: $12 per device
Location: Online webinar via Zoom
Do you enjoy attracting birds and other beneficial wildlife to your yard? Do you know which types of plants will attract hummingbirds or which plants are the top producers of fruits for other birds? Do you have invasive plants you want to rid from your yard? Join Ellen Honeycutt from the Georgia Native Plant Society for this workshop on how to create a Wildlife Sanctuary on your own property. You’ll learn which plants give the biggest bang for your buck in terms of food production, shelter, and nesting sites and which plants you may want to avoid. Learn how to manage your Wildlife Sanctuary without the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides and where to go within north Georgia to source native plants for your own landscaping needs.
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Instructor: Ellen Honeycutt, Georgia Native Plant Society
Cost per device: $12 per device
Location: Online webinar via Zoom
Do you enjoy attracting birds and other beneficial wildlife to your yard? Do you know which types of plants will attract hummingbirds or which plants are the top producers of fruits for other birds? Do you have invasive plants you want to rid from your yard? Join Ellen Honeycutt from the Georgia Native Plant Society for this workshop on how to create a Wildlife Sanctuary on your own property. You’ll learn which plants give the biggest bang for your buck in terms of food production, shelter, and nesting sites and which plants you may want to avoid. Learn how to manage your Wildlife Sanctuary without the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides and where to go within north Georgia to source native plants for your own landscaping needs.
Registration for this webinar will close at 5:00 PM on the date of the event to allow us time to upload the final participant lists. Please check your inbox for an email from Zoom with instructions for logging into the webinar.
Wednesday, May 3
American Goldfinch on a purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Photo by Will Stuart.
Plant ID Workshop
6:00 to 8:00 PM Instructor: Gabe Andrle, Habitat Program Manager Cost: $35 Location: Henderson Park, Tucker Limited to 15 participants Difficulty: Easy. The group will walk roughly one mile with lots of stops along the way to discuss plants we encounter. Join Georgia Audubon's Habitat Program Manager, Gabe Andrle, for a beginner plant identification workshop where you will learn how to identify some of the most common native and non-native plant species of the metro Atlanta area. No experience is necessary. You will leave equipped with the basics for starting to understand what plants shape the many amazing ecosystems that birds rely on for survival. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Red-tailed Hawk, by Wink Gaines.
Webinar: Raptor ID with Georgann Schmalz
7:00 to 8:30 PM Leader: Georgann Schmalz Cost per device: $12 per device Location: Online webinar via Zoom From their hunting prowess to their majestic soaring, raptors captivate our attention with their gracefulness and power—be it from the trail or from the highway. More than a dozen species of raptors rule the skies over Georgia, but they can be difficult to distinguish at a distance. Learn the basics and the secrets to making raptor identification easy with ornithologist Georgann Schmalz. She will focus on behaviors, habitats, and enough general information that will make recognizing these birds in the field a “no-brainer.” Registration for this webinar will close at 5:00 PM on the date of the event to allow us time to upload the final participant lists. Please check your inbox for an email from Zoom with instructions for logging into the webinar. |
Friday, May 5
Black-throated Green Warbler. Photo by Jim Mail, Audubon Photography Awards.
Spring Migration at Cochran Shoals I
8:00 to 11:00 AM
Leader: Adam Betuel
Limited to 16 participants
Cost: $35/person (note that there is also a $5 daily parking fee per car that will be payable on-site, or you may display your annual National Park Service pass)
Location: Marietta, GA (Cobb County)
Difficulty Level: Moderate, with 2 to 3 miles of walking on flat paths
The Cochran Shoals unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is a favorite metro Atlanta birding spot due to its location along the Chattahoochee River that attracts a healthy mix of birds, especially during migration. During the height of migration, the species totals here reach the high 60s, with the highlight being a great variety of migratory warbler species, including Canada Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Blackburnian Warbler that forage in the trees alongside the river. This guided trip will be led by Georgia Audubon’s Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, and is an opportunity not to be missed.
Note: This event is also being offered on Friday, May 12.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
8:00 to 11:00 AM
Leader: Adam Betuel
Limited to 16 participants
Cost: $35/person (note that there is also a $5 daily parking fee per car that will be payable on-site, or you may display your annual National Park Service pass)
Location: Marietta, GA (Cobb County)
Difficulty Level: Moderate, with 2 to 3 miles of walking on flat paths
The Cochran Shoals unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is a favorite metro Atlanta birding spot due to its location along the Chattahoochee River that attracts a healthy mix of birds, especially during migration. During the height of migration, the species totals here reach the high 60s, with the highlight being a great variety of migratory warbler species, including Canada Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Blackburnian Warbler that forage in the trees alongside the river. This guided trip will be led by Georgia Audubon’s Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, and is an opportunity not to be missed.
Note: This event is also being offered on Friday, May 12.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
saturday and Sunday, may 6 and 7
Blackburnian Warbler. Charlie Trapani, Audubon Photography Awards
Warbler Weekend in the North Georgia Mountains
Pre-trip Orientation & Warbler ID Webinar via Zoom: Tuesday, April 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Weekend Birding Trip: 7:30 AM on Saturday, May 6, to 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 7
Leader: Theresa Hartz
Limited to 11 participants
Cost: $175/person
Location: Clayton, GA to Blairsville, GA
Difficulty Level: Moderate with full days of birding along different terrains
Stretch your neck and warm up those ears. It's time to prepare for spring migration! Theresa Hartz will lead participants to various hotspots in the North Georgia mountains, where it's possible to find more than 20 species of warblers, many of which will be singing on their breeding grounds. The group will visit some mountain hotspots as well as some new warbler-rich locations. This guided trip will be preceded by a classroom session on a date Tuesday, April 18. Registration fee does not include food or lodging.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
Pre-trip Orientation & Warbler ID Webinar via Zoom: Tuesday, April 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Weekend Birding Trip: 7:30 AM on Saturday, May 6, to 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 7
Leader: Theresa Hartz
Limited to 11 participants
Cost: $175/person
Location: Clayton, GA to Blairsville, GA
Difficulty Level: Moderate with full days of birding along different terrains
Stretch your neck and warm up those ears. It's time to prepare for spring migration! Theresa Hartz will lead participants to various hotspots in the North Georgia mountains, where it's possible to find more than 20 species of warblers, many of which will be singing on their breeding grounds. The group will visit some mountain hotspots as well as some new warbler-rich locations. This guided trip will be preceded by a classroom session on a date Tuesday, April 18. Registration fee does not include food or lodging.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
saturday, may 6
Serenbe by Vinod Babu
Birds of Serenbe
7:30 AM to 12:00 PM Trip Leaders: Gus Kaufman and Vinod Babu Limited to 15 Participants Cost: $35/person Location: Palmetto, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Strenuous with approximately 4 miles covered over uneven terrain; no restrooms on the trail Always a fan favorite and consistently boasting a species list of 60+, this trip is sure to book quickly. Bird the private trails of Serenbe, a planned community focused on sustainable agriculture, the arts, and well-being located in south Fulton County. Trails meander through a mix of habitat, including pine and hardwood forests, open meadows, and shrub/scrub. We can expect a big species count for this walk, including good numbers of birds like Kentucky Warbler, Prairie Warbler and Blue Grosbeak, which can be hard to find within Atlanta itself. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Photo of artwork by Thomas Swanston
Tour of StudioSwan Art Gallery
1:00 to 3:15 PM Trip Leader: Thomas Swanston Limited to 20 Participants Cost: FREE Location: Chattahoochee Hills, GA, 6 miles from Serenbe Difficulty: Easy Journey with us to StudioSwan as we explore the wonders of migration through the artworks of nationally recognized artist Thomas Swanston. His artworks are prominently featured in Atlanta at the Johnson Lowe Gallery. With 45 solo and 85 group exhibitions, Thomas' artwork leans heavily into the themes of time, longevity and renewal of the seasons using the Sandhill Crane as his visual cornerstone. This event will be a wonderful follow-up to what is in store for the Serenbe field trip. |
Northern Parula by Shirlay Donald / Audubon Photography Awards
Exploring Mason Mill Park
8:00 to 11:00 AM Leaders: Author Jonah McDonald and Jamie Vidich Limited to 20 participants Cost: Free to attend, but registration is required Location: Decatur, GA (DeKalb County) Difficulty Level: Moderate, 3 miles of walking Join Ranger Jonah McDonald (DeKalb County's Park Naturalist at Mason Mill Park) and Jamie Vidich for a 2- to 3- mile walk through the various bird habitats at Mason Mill Park: wetland, lake, riparian, and forest. Ranger Jonah will also offer information about the plants, animals, and history of this unique urban park. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Photo by Christopher Joe.
Birding the Black Belt with Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Central Time) Trip Leader: Chris Joe and Kiana Leveritte Limited to 20 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Newbern, AL Difficulty: The Joe Farm trail is unpaved, cut grass. Most of the distance will be covered on a trailer, with stops to get out and bird. During this tour, we will be transported on an 18-foot hayride trailer over 6 miles of trails. Perry Lakes consists of typical wooded terrain with modest inclines; the trail leading to the river becomes very sandy and soft, so wear shoes that can get muddy! Join Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours for a half-day of birding in Alabama's Black Belt! We will spend the morning on a birding tour of the Joe Farm, a family-owned, award-winning Black Angus Farm that boasts over 200 acres of pasture, bottomland hardwood, and riparian ecosystems, hosted by Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours. Participants are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the farm following the tour. This event is in partnership with Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours |
Chuck-will's-widow, by Nathan Farnau.
Nightjars After Dark at Altama WMA (Glynn County)
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Trip Leader: Clark Rushing
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: $35/Person
Location: Brunswick, GA (Glynn County)
Difficulty: easy, flat terrain, short walking distance
Join University of Georgia’s Dr. Clark Rushing for a night trek as you search for this year’s species of concern, the Chuck-Will’s-Widow. Enjoy a short presentation about the species and the research being done before the sun sets. Then spend an hour looking and listening for birds. Depending on time, there will also be a possibility to do some radio telemetry of marked birds! A fantastic opportunity to hear the largest nightjar species in it’s coastal habitat.
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Trip Leader: Clark Rushing
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: $35/Person
Location: Brunswick, GA (Glynn County)
Difficulty: easy, flat terrain, short walking distance
Join University of Georgia’s Dr. Clark Rushing for a night trek as you search for this year’s species of concern, the Chuck-Will’s-Widow. Enjoy a short presentation about the species and the research being done before the sun sets. Then spend an hour looking and listening for birds. Depending on time, there will also be a possibility to do some radio telemetry of marked birds! A fantastic opportunity to hear the largest nightjar species in it’s coastal habitat.
Sunday, may 7
Least Bittern by Josh Jackson
Phinizy Swamp
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Leader: Peter Stangel and Kathy Harte Location: Augusta, GA (Richmond County) Limited to 20 participants Cost: $35/person Difficulty Level: Easy – walking on grassy or gravel berms and hard-packed paths. No wheelchairs or strollers (we do have one staircase to go down) Minutes from downtown Augusta, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park offers you the chance to see wetland and forest-dwelling species, such as Great Blue Heron, Red-shouldered Hawk, Painted Bunting, and American alligator, in their natural habitats. This trip will take you on a 2.5 mile loop to explore a diversity of birds and their habitats! This trip is co-hosted with Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society. |
Eastern Screech-Owl by Matt Cuda/Audubon Photography Awards
Nocturnal Birds at Pine Log WMA
5:15 to 10:00 AM Trip Leaders: Shannon Fair and Roseanne Guerra Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: White, GA (Bartow County) Difficulty: Moderate, driving on dirt roads. No restrooms. Early risers will be rewarded with a cacophony of nocturnal bird calls from species such as Eastern Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s-widow, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, and Eastern Screech-owl. As day breaks, we’ll be treated to the dawn chorus of dozens of breeding and migratory warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and more. Traveling with high-clearance vehicles at Pine Log WMA is recommended. The group will meet at Pine Log WMA to begin birding by 5:15 AM; please factor in your driving time to Pine Log WMA. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Photo by Jim Qualls.
Longview Cattle Farm
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Leader: Sheridan Alford and Dottie Head
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Senoia, GA (Coweta County)
Difficulty Level: Moderate; will require caravanning from spot to spot, no long walks planned.
David and Rita Brown purchased the 400 acres that make up Longview Cattle Farm in 1991, land that was badly eroded at the time due to improper timber management. A 35-foot riparian buffer of natural regeneration and native vegetation was restored along each side of the Little White Oak Creek and associated wetland areas. Today, this active cattle farm features pastureland, pineywoods, bottomland forest, and scrubby edges.
We will caravan in our own cars (high-clearance vehicles are recommended) to multiple spots around the farm. We'll begin at the Brown's residence, where they host a large colony of breeding Purple Martins in the martin condos erected for these beautiful swallows.
We will also visit an area of pineywoods, where we'll hope to find Red-headed Woodpeckers and maybe even catch a glimpse of one of the shy Fox Squirrels that frequent the area.
Out in the pastures, we'll look for Eastern Meadowlark, sparrows, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and possibly Loggerhead Shrike. And, of course, we'll keep eyes and ears open for migrating warblers, tanagers, and vireos.
5 spots remain!
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Leader: Sheridan Alford and Dottie Head
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Senoia, GA (Coweta County)
Difficulty Level: Moderate; will require caravanning from spot to spot, no long walks planned.
David and Rita Brown purchased the 400 acres that make up Longview Cattle Farm in 1991, land that was badly eroded at the time due to improper timber management. A 35-foot riparian buffer of natural regeneration and native vegetation was restored along each side of the Little White Oak Creek and associated wetland areas. Today, this active cattle farm features pastureland, pineywoods, bottomland forest, and scrubby edges.
We will caravan in our own cars (high-clearance vehicles are recommended) to multiple spots around the farm. We'll begin at the Brown's residence, where they host a large colony of breeding Purple Martins in the martin condos erected for these beautiful swallows.
We will also visit an area of pineywoods, where we'll hope to find Red-headed Woodpeckers and maybe even catch a glimpse of one of the shy Fox Squirrels that frequent the area.
Out in the pastures, we'll look for Eastern Meadowlark, sparrows, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and possibly Loggerhead Shrike. And, of course, we'll keep eyes and ears open for migrating warblers, tanagers, and vireos.
5 spots remain!
Thursday, May 11
Photo by Dottie Head
Webinar: Beginning Birder 101
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Instructor: Melanie Furr
Cost: $12 per device
Location: Online via Zoom webinar
Birds are fascinating, familiar, and accessible–their colors and songs add beauty to our everyday lives. If you’d like to get started with birding or improve your birding skills, join ornithologist and birder extraordinaire Georgann Schmalz for a how-to class that will help you develop your skills and enhance your enjoyment of our feathered friends. In addition to learning key identification techniques, we’ll share information on choosing the best optics, field guides, and smartphone apps to enhance your birding experience, as well as how to participate in community science projects like eBird and grow your life list. Your newfound skills are sure to enrich your enjoyment of the outdoors and keep your mind active!
Registration for this webinar will close at 5:00 PM on the date of the event to allow us time to upload the final participant lists. Please check your inbox for an email from Zoom with instructions for logging into the webinar.
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Instructor: Melanie Furr
Cost: $12 per device
Location: Online via Zoom webinar
Birds are fascinating, familiar, and accessible–their colors and songs add beauty to our everyday lives. If you’d like to get started with birding or improve your birding skills, join ornithologist and birder extraordinaire Georgann Schmalz for a how-to class that will help you develop your skills and enhance your enjoyment of our feathered friends. In addition to learning key identification techniques, we’ll share information on choosing the best optics, field guides, and smartphone apps to enhance your birding experience, as well as how to participate in community science projects like eBird and grow your life list. Your newfound skills are sure to enrich your enjoyment of the outdoors and keep your mind active!
Registration for this webinar will close at 5:00 PM on the date of the event to allow us time to upload the final participant lists. Please check your inbox for an email from Zoom with instructions for logging into the webinar.
friday, may 12
Nickajack Bat Cave by Zach Bopp
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Summer Tanager. Photo by Megumi Aati, Audubon Photography Awards.
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Sunset Kayak Tour at Nickajack Bat Cave
6:30 to 8:30 PM Leader: Zach Bopp and Sebastian Hagan Limited to 19 participants Cost: $85/person Location: South Pittsburg, TN Difficulty level: easy; slow to moderate-paced kayaking - no experience required. Join Georgia Audubon and Chattanooga Guided Adventures to see endangered gray bats begin their nightly hunt for insects! The Nickajack Bat Cave and Wildlife Refuge in the Tennessee River is the summer roost for up to 100,000 of these animals. Enjoy a 3-mile paddle around Nickajack Lake to the cave entrance, during which you may be lucky enough to observe such local treats as osprey and bald eagles. Take in the thrill as thousands of bats leave the cave at dusk. Reflect with your new friends about the dangers white-nose syndrome poses to the bat population and its impact on the ecology of other species in the area. Bring your binoculars and enjoy the sights on this bat cave kayak tour! All kayaking equipment is provided, including your kayak, lifejacket, paddle, guide, group throwbag, group towline, group first aid kit, and kayak light. Attendees should bring appropriate clothing layers (long sleeve synthetic shirt and board shorts with a set of synthetic pants are recommended) and a 1-liter water bottle. Please note: Participants must be 7 years old and a min of 50 lbs in order to join the trip. Children must be at least 9 years old in order to paddle in a solo kayak. There will be three tandem (2-person) kayaks available. Please note the special cancellation policy for this trip: If you need to cancel a trip at least 14 days from the trip, you may cancel and receive a less a $20 processing fee. If you need to cancel between 13 days 8 days before your trip a 50% refund will be processed, Cancellation received 7 days or less before the trip are not refundable unless we can fill the spot, in which case a refund will be issued less a $20 processing fee. Registration & Wait List for this event must be done separately from other Georgia Bird Fest events. This trip is now full but additional spaces may be available. If you would like to register, please reach out via email to Sheridan Alford to see if we can accommodate your party. |
Spring Migration at Cochran Shoals II
8:00 to 11:00 AM Leader: Adam Betuel Limited to 16 participants Cost: $35/person (note that there is also a $5 daily parking fee per car that will be payable on-site, or you may display your annual National Park Service pass) Location: Marietta, GA (Cobb County) Difficulty Level: Moderate, with 2-3 miles of walking on flat paths The Cochran Shoals unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is a favorite metro Atlanta birding spot due to its location along the Chattahoochee River that attracts a healthy mix of birds, especially during migration. During the height of migration, the species totals here reach the high 60s, with the highlight being a great variety of migratory warbler species, including Canada Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Blackburnian Warbler that forage in the trees alongside the river. This guided trip will be led by Georgia Audubon’s Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, and is an opportunity not to be missed. Note: This event is also being offered on Friday, May 5. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
saturday, may 13
Photo by Evan Barrientos / Audubon Rockies
Pollinator Conservation and Agriculture with the Oxford Organic Farm
9:00 to 11:00 AM Instructor: Daniel Parson, Farmer/Educator at the Limited to 20 people Cost: $35/person Location: Oxford, GA (Newton County) Difficulty Level: Easy, but not suitable for participants with bee allergies or phobias The Oxford Organic Farm is a living laboratory for Emory University students on the Emory at Oxford campus who want to learn about food systems, farming, and environmental stewardship. This exciting event will have three parts: first, we will explore the biodiversity of the insect world, and how beneficial insects are attracted to the farm for pest control using techniques that you can try at home. Then, you will get a taste of the farm with light refreshments made from ingredients grown on the farm. The program will conclude with an up-close look at our bee colonies as we open the hives to learn about honey bees! Bee suits will be provided. Plants will be available for purchase after the event, including vegetables, flowers, and natives. |
Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot, Reko, by Zoo Atlanta
Guided Tour of the Birds of Zoo Atlanta I
1:15 to 3:15 PM Leader: Zoo Atlanta Avian Conservation Staff Limited to 10 Participants Cost: $35/person Location: Atlanta, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Easy, walking along paved trails at Zoo Atlanta. Ages 10+ Join a guided tour of Zoo Atlanta’s avian collection with members of the bird program staff. You’ll learn about the conservation programs they are working on and get the insider’s scoop on fascinating birds such as the Kori Bustards, Kookaburra, Chilean Flamingos, and more. Guests are invited to stay after the tour to enjoy the other attractions at Zoo Atlanta but early admission will not be available (Zoo rides and food are not included). Due to COVID restrictions, the guided tour will take place on the guest pathway. We will be unable to access portions of the Zoo that are not open to the public. **Please note that an identical guided tour of Zoo Atlanta is also scheduled for Saturday, May 20 This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Photo by Roseanne Guerra
Birding by Canoe along the Chattahoochee River
7:30 to 11:30 AM Trip Leaders: Roseanne Guerra and Jay Davis Limited to 14 participants Cost: $50/person Location: Roswell, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Moderate, must be able to sit in a canoe for several hours and must be able to paddle a canoe. Celebrate spring migration and Migratory Bird Day with our partners at Chattahoochee Nature Center! Commune with nature and join birding canoe guides as you explore the hidden backwaters along the Chattahoochee River. This 4-hour trip is a treat for birders of any skill level. Canoeing equipment, including personal flotation device, is provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. Please note that participants must be at least 14 years old. An Additional Canoe Trip is being offered on Saturday, April 29. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Arabia Mountain, by Dottie Head.
Killdeer and Killer Views at Arabia Mountain
6:00 AM to 9:00 AM Instructor: Robert Astrove Limited to 20 people Cost: $35/person Location: Stonecrest, GA Difficulty Level: Moderate, includes hiking up rock incline and moderate distance. Join a guided sunrise hike to learn about Arabia Mountain’s ecology and monadnocks as we take in the spectacular views. We’ll hike peaks and forest edges in search of calls, flight patterns, and species signatures in Arabia’s diverse landscapes. The Arabia Mountain NHA spans 40,000 acres of the Georgia Piedmont, encompassing powerful historic sites, beautiful greenspace and two massive granite outcrops (called “monadnocks”). Explore a landscape that has taken 400 million years to form. |
sunday, may 14
Photo by Melanie Furr.
Sunday FUN Day: Take Flight at the Michael C. Carlos Museum
1:00 to 4:00 PM
Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University
571 South Kilgo Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
Birds are found on every continent on Earth and have also inspired artists throughout time and around the globe. Join us for a celebration of the abundance of birds in the Carlos Museum’s galleries with a SmARTy Pack family guide to birds of the Americas, bird-related art activities, and opportunities to learn how we can protect these creatures that tell us much about the health of our ecosystems today. Sunday FUNday is a free drop-in program for all families and includes admission to galleries.
1:00 to 4:00 PM
Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University
571 South Kilgo Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
Birds are found on every continent on Earth and have also inspired artists throughout time and around the globe. Join us for a celebration of the abundance of birds in the Carlos Museum’s galleries with a SmARTy Pack family guide to birds of the Americas, bird-related art activities, and opportunities to learn how we can protect these creatures that tell us much about the health of our ecosystems today. Sunday FUNday is a free drop-in program for all families and includes admission to galleries.
saturday, may 20
Photo by Stephen Ramsden
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Trip Leader: Stephen Ramsden Limited to: 20 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Decatur, GA (DeKalb County) Difficulty Level: Moderate, walking on level packed dirt trails. Ages 8+, please. Stephen W. Ramsden, Director and Founder of the global STEM nonprofit “Sunlit Earth,” will host a beginner birder hike through one of intown Atlanta’s best birding spots, the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve. Photographers are welcome, and the hike is open to all skill levels. Clyde Shepherd is a 28-acre nature preserve located in DeKalb County. Featuring many different habitat types in a small area, including a pond and wetlands area, emerging pine forest, low shrub meadow, and wooded uplands, this birding hotspot attracts many exciting species each spring, including migrating warblers, breeding waterfowl, and sometimes some uncommon surprises! This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
African Grey Parrot, Congo, by Zoo Atlanta
Guided Tour of the Birds of Zoo Atlanta II
1:15 to 3:15 PM Leader: Zoo Atlanta Avian Conservation Staff Limited to 10 Participants Cost: $35/person Location: Atlanta, GA (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Easy, walking along paved trails at Zoo Atlanta. Ages 10+. Join a guided tour of Zoo Atlanta’s avian collection with members of the bird program staff. You’ll learn about the conservation programs they are working on and get the insider’s scoop on fascinating birds such as the Kori Bustards, Kookaburra, Chilean Flamingos, and more. Guests are invited to stay after the tour to enjoy the other attractions at Zoo Atlanta but early admission will not be available (Zoo rides and food are not included). Due to COVID restrictions, the guided tour will take place on the guest pathway. We will be unable to access portions of the Zoo that are not open to the public. **Please note that an identical guided tour of Zoo Atlanta is also scheduled for Saturday, May 13. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Photo by SE SEFTA, Flickr Creative Commons
BeltLine Biking Tour of Atlanta's Birds & Trees
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Leaders: Sandy Murray and Ken Boff Limited to 15 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Begins in Historic Washington Park (Fulton County) Difficulty Level: Medium, must have biking ability and equipment Join Georgia Audubon and Trees Atlanta for a guided biking tour of West Atlanta to explore our local species of birds and trees! Starting at Historic Washington Park, we will look for migrating birds and learn about the trees they depend on as we travel south down the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail. Along the way, we will make several stops, including Trees Atlanta’s Westside Azealia Collection and Persimmon Woods. We will travel approximately 1.3 miles in each direction on the BeltLine trail, starting and ending in Washington Park. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing for the weather and for biking. You must bring your own bike and safety equipment; no equipment is provided on this trip. Washington Park is hilly, so please anticipate inclines as you are biking. |
Woodstork, by Frederick Wassmer/Audubon Photography Awards
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Trip Leader: Ray Chandler and Chad Posick Limited to 12 participants Cost: $35/person Location: Townsend, GA (McIntosh County) Difficulty Level: Easy, driving the wildlife drive and stopping for short walks on packed dirt trails to view ponds. Harris Neck has served as a premier nesting, foraging, and wintering habitat for many species of wildlife. Signature species include Wood Storks, which nest in a large colony on Woody Pond, and the colorful and uncommon Painted Bunting, which favors nesting habitat in the refuge's maritime scrub areas. The refuge encompasses six man-made freshwater ponds, as well as extensive salt marsh, open fields, forested wetlands, and mixed hardwood/pine forest. This diversity of habitat makes the refuge an important resource for migratory birds (342 species of birds have been seen on the refuge and 83 species breed here). We will drive the wildlife drive through the refuge, stopping along the way to view birds and other wildlife (including alligators!) at the various ponds. This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time. |
Red-tailed Hawks by Sheryl Rubin, Audubon Photography Awards
Live Raptor Show at CNC Aviary
1:00 to 3:15 PM
Leader: Kathryn Dudeck
Limited to 10 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Roswell, GA (Fulton County)
Difficulty level: Easy
From owls to hawks, eagles to vultures, join Chattahoochee Nature Center for a guided tour of their Wildlife Walk, home to rehabilitated, non-releasable birds of prey. Get an up-close look at species of raptors found across Georgia with educator and wildlife rehabilitator, Kathryn Dudeck, who will share their natural history, personal stories that brought them into CNC’s care, and introduce you to a special avian ambassador. Afterward, feel free to explore the 127 acres of Chattahoochee Nature Center’s property and the variety of birds that call it home.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
1:00 to 3:15 PM
Leader: Kathryn Dudeck
Limited to 10 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Roswell, GA (Fulton County)
Difficulty level: Easy
From owls to hawks, eagles to vultures, join Chattahoochee Nature Center for a guided tour of their Wildlife Walk, home to rehabilitated, non-releasable birds of prey. Get an up-close look at species of raptors found across Georgia with educator and wildlife rehabilitator, Kathryn Dudeck, who will share their natural history, personal stories that brought them into CNC’s care, and introduce you to a special avian ambassador. Afterward, feel free to explore the 127 acres of Chattahoochee Nature Center’s property and the variety of birds that call it home.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list HERE. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
Sunday, May 21
2023 Closing Keynote
May 21, 2023
Round Trip Brewing Company, Atlanta
Round Trip Brewing Company, Atlanta
Photo by Juliette Mills
Featuring David Lindo
"The Urban Birder"
3:00 to 6:00 PM
In-person at Round Trip Brewing Company
1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
$35 per person
Book purchases available - please see below
This event is now full, and we are no longer accepting registrations.
"The Urban Birder"
3:00 to 6:00 PM
In-person at Round Trip Brewing Company
1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
$35 per person
Book purchases available - please see below
This event is now full, and we are no longer accepting registrations.
Join us for our culminating Georgia Bird Fest event, in-person at Round Trip Brewing Company in Atlanta. Enjoy light appetizers and a selection of Round Trip's seasonal brews (for adults 21+). We'll celebrate our Georgia Bird Fest event leaders, volunteers, and sponsors for a great month's worth of activities.
About the Speaker
Celebrated Urban Birder, David Lindo, inspires people to re-look at their urban environments, where over 20% of the globe’s bird species have been recorded, sometimes without us noticing. David's keynote address will challenge us to appreciate and conserve the birds that share our city lives.
He is the author of The Urban Birder, Tales From Concrete Jungles, #Urban Birding, How To Be An Urban Birder, and The Extraordinary World of Birds.
In 2020, David was shortlisted for the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) Columnist of the Year Award. He was also on the 2021 judging panel of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year and is a judge on both the Bird Photographer of the Year and The British Wildlife Photography Awards. He has regular columns in Nature’s Home (RSPB), Bird Watching Magazine (UK), and recently, Bird Watchers Digest (US). Plus, he has written countless articles on urban birds, urban conservation, and wildlife in general for many websites, publications and magazines and plus, the forewards to several books. He is a regular television and radio presenter and has been featured on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 in the UK as well as other TV and radio channels around the world including CBS in the United States.
David was recently named as the 7th most influential person in wildlife by BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Our partners at Eagle Eye Book Shop will be on hand at the closing celebration selling a selection of David Lindo's books as well as a variety of other outdoor- and bird-related publications. To prepurchase books via Eagle Eye Bookshop, please click HERE.
He is the author of The Urban Birder, Tales From Concrete Jungles, #Urban Birding, How To Be An Urban Birder, and The Extraordinary World of Birds.
In 2020, David was shortlisted for the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) Columnist of the Year Award. He was also on the 2021 judging panel of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year and is a judge on both the Bird Photographer of the Year and The British Wildlife Photography Awards. He has regular columns in Nature’s Home (RSPB), Bird Watching Magazine (UK), and recently, Bird Watchers Digest (US). Plus, he has written countless articles on urban birds, urban conservation, and wildlife in general for many websites, publications and magazines and plus, the forewards to several books. He is a regular television and radio presenter and has been featured on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 in the UK as well as other TV and radio channels around the world including CBS in the United States.
David was recently named as the 7th most influential person in wildlife by BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Our partners at Eagle Eye Book Shop will be on hand at the closing celebration selling a selection of David Lindo's books as well as a variety of other outdoor- and bird-related publications. To prepurchase books via Eagle Eye Bookshop, please click HERE.
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN FOR GEORGIA AUDUBON MEMBERS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 14, AT 7:00 AM
REGISTRATION FOR NON-MEMBERS WILL OPEN ON MARCH 21
REGISTRATION FOR NON-MEMBERS WILL OPEN ON MARCH 21
limited edition bird fest 2022 t-shirt
Get your Limited edition georgia bird fest 2023 t-shirt
This year’s Georgia Bird Fest T-shirt features the Chuck-will’s-widow, selected by members as the 2023-2024 Georgia Audubon Species of Concern.
This year’s artwork was designed by bird artist and graphic designer Alex Tomlinson. A limited number of Georgia Bird Fest T-shirts featuring this year’s artwork are available in our online store. Proceeds support Georgia Audubon’s conservation, education, and community engagement efforts.
Limited quantities remain:
$26 + tax and shipping
This year’s artwork was designed by bird artist and graphic designer Alex Tomlinson. A limited number of Georgia Bird Fest T-shirts featuring this year’s artwork are available in our online store. Proceeds support Georgia Audubon’s conservation, education, and community engagement efforts.
Limited quantities remain:
$26 + tax and shipping
Thank you to our georgia Bird Fest partners and host sites
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
thank you to our patrons
Anonymous (3)
Laura Adams, Andrew Feiler, and Brickworks Gallery
The Allvine Family
Meredith Bell
Sally and Greg Bergquist
Laura and Sam Breyfogle
Max and Carolyn Brown
Todd and Hope Burtner
Paul Campbell
Dan and Debbie Colvin
Jay Davis
Terri Davis
Linda DiSantis and Bob Kerr
Stephanie Dunn and Dustin Farist
Courtenay and George Dusenbury
Marc and Brynne Goncher
Nancy Hamilton
Diane Hawkins-Cox and family
Phyllis Hawkins and Mark Seaman
Scott Hayes and Scott Porter
Maureen Healy
John and Jean Hess
Susan Jones
Angie Lewis and Brian Keever
Trish Killian
Mary Kimberly and Gavin MacDonald
Margaret Lamb
Melinda Langston
Cindy Lederman
Charles Lindamood III
Susie Maclin
Paige Martin and Arjun Srinivasan
Constance McKee
Barbara McNamara
Ellen Miller
Paul Miller
Sandy and Simon Miller
Tom Mills
Jim and Sally Morgens
Marilyn O'Dell
Tom Painter and Carla Roncoli
Steve Phenicie and Lisa Slotznik
Chadd Reynolds
Katharine Robey
LeeAnne Richardson and James Diedrick
Irena Rowe
Jensey Shell
Larry Stephens
Teresa and Meredith Stickels
Esther and Jim Stokes
Jared Teutsch and Angela Trethaway
Susan Utley
Laura Voight
Michael Weaver
Lynn and Winkler Weinberg
Diane Worthington-White
Laura Adams, Andrew Feiler, and Brickworks Gallery
The Allvine Family
Meredith Bell
Sally and Greg Bergquist
Laura and Sam Breyfogle
Max and Carolyn Brown
Todd and Hope Burtner
Paul Campbell
Dan and Debbie Colvin
Jay Davis
Terri Davis
Linda DiSantis and Bob Kerr
Stephanie Dunn and Dustin Farist
Courtenay and George Dusenbury
Marc and Brynne Goncher
Nancy Hamilton
Diane Hawkins-Cox and family
Phyllis Hawkins and Mark Seaman
Scott Hayes and Scott Porter
Maureen Healy
John and Jean Hess
Susan Jones
Angie Lewis and Brian Keever
Trish Killian
Mary Kimberly and Gavin MacDonald
Margaret Lamb
Melinda Langston
Cindy Lederman
Charles Lindamood III
Susie Maclin
Paige Martin and Arjun Srinivasan
Constance McKee
Barbara McNamara
Ellen Miller
Paul Miller
Sandy and Simon Miller
Tom Mills
Jim and Sally Morgens
Marilyn O'Dell
Tom Painter and Carla Roncoli
Steve Phenicie and Lisa Slotznik
Chadd Reynolds
Katharine Robey
LeeAnne Richardson and James Diedrick
Irena Rowe
Jensey Shell
Larry Stephens
Teresa and Meredith Stickels
Esther and Jim Stokes
Jared Teutsch and Angela Trethaway
Susan Utley
Laura Voight
Michael Weaver
Lynn and Winkler Weinberg
Diane Worthington-White
