Each September, millions of migratory birds pass through Georgia on their journey south, relying on our state’s native plants for food, shelter, and rest. To highlight this important connection, Birds Georgia will host its annual Fall Flyway Festival, a month-long series of events designed to celebrate birds, native plants, and community.
From guided nature walks and volunteer workdays to webinars and wine tastings, this festival offers countless ways for Georgians to connect with both nature and one another.
“Fall is a spectacular time of the year to get outside and take in the spectacle of avian migration,” says Adam Betuel, Birds Georgia’s Interim Co-Executive Director. “Our Fall Flyway Festival is a time to learn about the vital connection between migratory species and the native plants that power their movements, and find ways to make our state as safe as possible for our feathered friends.
Festival Highlight: The Round Robin
The centerpiece of the festival is the Fall Flyway Festival Round Robin, scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell.
The day will begin with guided bird and plant walks along the center’s scenic trails and boardwalks, followed by expert-led workshops on creating healthy habitats for birds and pollinators.
The Round Robin will conclude with a keynote presentation by Dwayne Estes, Executive Director of the Southeastern Grasslands Institute. Known as the “Prairie Preacher,” Estes will deliver a talk titled, “Dreaming Big: Saving the Forgotten Grasslands of the Southeast.”
A Month-long Celebration
Throughout September and into early October, Birds Georgia and partners will host a robust lineup of Fall Flyway Festival events across the state. Highlights include:
- Statewide BioBlitz (Sept. 1 to 7): Teams will harness the power of community science to engage in a friendly competition to document Georgia’s biodiversity.
- Bird and Plant Walks at parks and preserves, from Mistletoe State Park in Columbia County to Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park in Atlanta.
- Volunteer Habitat Workdays at sites like RiverLands Gateway Park and the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.
- Webinars covering prescribed burning and backyard bird-friendly gardening.
- Wings and Wine (Sept. 20): A social gathering at Marietta Wine Market, blending conservation and community.
- Project Safe Flight Field Trip (Oct. 2): A hands-on experience exploring ways to reduce bird/building collisions.
For a full schedule and registration details, visit: https://www.birdsgeorgia.org/fall-flyway-festival.html
