By Brooke Michael, Birds Georgia Communications Coordinator
It’s been a long, cold winter for birders.
Don’t get me wrong: winter birding can be fun. There are weird ducks, sneaky sparrows, and less foliage to contend with when trying to spot birds up in the trees. But nothing compares to spotting your first warbler of spring or seeing a Ruby-throated Hummingbird return to your feeder.
Spring birding in Georgia is a delight. Our resident Eastern Bluebirds and Carolina Wrens are busy building nests. Northern Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers are singing hundreds of songs to woo a mate. And above all, it’s migration season.
Millions of birds travel through Georgia along the Atlantic Flyway, a major migration route stretching from South America up the East Coast and into the Arctic. This corridor supports more than 500 species, including warblers, swallows, and vireos.
Georgia Bird Fest, hosted by Birds Georgia, is a month-long celebration of spring migration. From April 10 to May 10, we’re hosting dozens of events across the state to help people get outside and connect with nature. Events are designed for everyone, from beginner birders to seasoned wildlife photographers.
Georgia Bird Fest events include:
- Expert-led trips to birding hotspots like Pole Bridge, Heggie’s Rock, and Serenbe
- Guided walks at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta and Amerson Park in Macon
- Bird Banding Research with the Georgia Gwinnett College Bird Lab
- Birding and herping in Fernbank Forest
- Birding by Bicycle at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and by Canoe along the Chattahoochee River
- Little Sit and Birdiest Backyard Tour in Athens
- Fire Ecology and Birds at Sandhills WMA
- Walk-and-Talk with muralist Thomas Turner
- Birding and Journaling at the Atlanta History Center
- Overnight trips to the Georgia coast and to North Georgia
The highlight of the festival is the Georgia Bird Fest Summit, now expanded into a full weekend experience to celebrate our Centennial year. From April 24 to 26, participants can enjoy exclusive bird walks and special programming, culminating in a day-long Summit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Sunday, April 26. The Summit will feature artists and vendors, panels on bird photography and urban conservation, and a keynote address by George Armistead, founder of Hillstar Nature. Having led guided expeditions on all seven continents, Armistead brings a global perspective to modern birding. In his keynote, he will examine the bird walk itself: why we do it, how today’s issues and technology shape the experience, and what this shared pursuit reveals about us.
Registration is now open. Join us this spring and experience the wonder of migration alongside fellow birders across Georgia.
More info: https://www.birdsgeorgia.org/birdfest.html
This is sponsored content.
