Georgia Bird Fest
Schedule:
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.
Birding the Restricted Treatment Wetlands of Clayton County Water Authority
8:00 to 11:00 AM
Leaders: Danielle Bunch and Anne McCallum
Limited to 18 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!
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!
Birding at Cooper's Furnace
One spot remains!
8:00 to 11:00 AM
Leaders: Shannon Fair
Limited to 12 participants
Cost: $35
Location: Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area, Cartersville,
Difficulty Level: Easy but lots of walking.
Coopers Furnace is one of North Georgia’s most popular day use areas. Nestled on the Etowah River, this park features rolling hills, waterfront tree lines and hardwood forested trail. Join us as we explore this lush space in search of woodpeckers, warblers and water birds.
Birding at Cannan Farms
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Trip Leaders: Malcolm Hodges and Hal Avery
Limited to 12 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Pine Mountain (Harris County)
Difficulty: Moderate, 2-mile walk
Join us for a unique educational opportunity to look for birds among a variety of habitats including longleaf pine stands, early successional uplands, hardwood uplands, riparian hardwoods, and a spring fed lake. Birder Malcolm Hodges will point out birds in each habitat and landowner Hal Avery will accompany us sharing his management techniques in converting his family dairy farm into this extensive wildlife habitat.
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.
