Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge - Birds seen in 2005
Saturday: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM SOLD OUT
Sunday: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM SOLD OUT
Leaders: Captains Suzanne Forsyth & Virginia Baisden
Limit: 12 participants per day
Fee: $70
This barrier island’s 5,618 acres include maritime forest, salt marsh, freshwater marsh and beach habitat. In 1975, 3,000 acres of the refuge were set aside as National Wilderness. Participants will be led through some of the island’s different habitat types, including the maritime forest which contains a variety of neo-tropical migrants this time of year and also Blackbeard’s magnificent, unspoiled beach where shorebird species such as American oystercatchers and endangered piping plovers may be seen. Migrant and wintering birds such as the marbled godwit and peregrine falcon are also frequent beach visitors. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, sun protection, lunch, drinks, snacks, rain gear, backpack, binoculars. A cooler with bottled water will be available for participants.
Trip Rigor: Moderate – Easy walking up to approximately 3 miles total. Boat travel can be cold and wet depending on current weather conditions – please dress accordingly.
Cumberland Island National Seashore - Birds seen in 2005
Sunday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Leader: Roger Clark
Limit: 20 participants
Fees: $4.00/person day use fee plus ferry fee* (see ferry fee schedule below.) These fees are paid on-site to Cumberland Island NS when you arrive for your trip (please have cash handy.) The festival charges no additional fee for this trip.
Ferry Fees
Adults - $15
Seniors (65 & older) - $12
Children (12 & under) - $10
*Registrants for this field trip must make their own ferry reservations. Festival staff will not do this for you. Ferry reservations may be made by phone or fax ONLY from 10am – 4pm, Mon. – Fri. The ferry is often filled up well in advance, so it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible. Call 1-877-860-6787 for reservations and information or visit them on the web at www.nps.gov/cuis.
Cumberland Island is the state’s southernmost and largest barrier island. This unique wildlife haven and site of historical mansions contains a wide variety of habitats including salt-water marshes, mud flats, tidal creeks, maritime oak forests, large sand dunes, inter-dune meadows, and expansive beaches just to name a few. Visitors in the fall often comment on the amazing variety of shorebirds, warblers and hawks. Keep an eye out for such species as the wood stork, peregrine falcon, American oystercatcher, American redstart and painted bunting. Participants will depart from the Cumberland Island Ferry dock in St. Marys, GA at 9:00 a.m. (check-in at 8:30 a.m.) and meet their guide at the Dungeness Dock on Cumberland Island at 10:00 a.m. After the guided tour and some free time in the afternoon, participants will return to the mainland on the ferry which departs at 4:45 p.m. (check with park officials for exact departure sites and check-in times). Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: Optical equipment (trip leader will have a spotting scope), hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes & rain gear, water, lunch & snacks, trash bag for packing out trash or shell collection.
Trip Rigor: Moderate – a minimum of three miles of easy walking. A short stop for lunch and a restroom break will be made near the Dungeness Mansion. Public restrooms and water fountains are available at four locations on the island including the Sea Camp Visitor Center.
From The Forest To The Sea
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Leader: Robert Smith
Limit: 30 participants
Fee: $70
Take a bus ride across Camden County to meet Robert Smith and the Captain and crew of the passenger vessel Just Bluffin’ as we follow the path that water and nutrients take down the Satilla River today. This is the same path taken by early settlers bringing timber and other resources to the port markets. We will begin near the site of an old lumber mill and undoubtedly pick up many birds of the hardwood floodplain. We will wind our way down the river keeping our eyes open for birds flitting across the channel and alligator eyes staring from the river margins. Two bald eagle nesting sites will also be passed along the way. As we enter the freshwater cutgrass marshes that were old rice fields, we will begin to pick up red-winged blackbirds, common yellowthroats, and more wading birds. The Just Bluffin’ will dock in Woodbine and allow the passengers to walk 6 to 12 blocks roundtrip over the greenway to one of the eateries in Woodbine for lunch. After lunch, participants will return to the Just Bluffin’, and shortly after departing Woodbine, the surrounding freshwater marshes will become brackish and more birds associated with the coast, such as rails, gulls, terns, and herons, will begin to appear. As the river widens and barrier islands loom on the horizon, we may be joined by bottle-nosed dolphins on our way across the corner of St. Andrews Sound to dock back on Jekyll Island. Inclement weather, especially advisories in the sound, may cause the trip to begin or end further up our route. Drinks and a restroom will be available on the covered pontoon boat.
Recommended Needs: insect repellent, snacks, binoculars, money for drinks on boat and lunch in Woodbine.
Trip Rigor: Easy - covered pontoon boat travel; short walk on paved walkways leading through birding territory for lunch.
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge - Birds seen in 2005
Friday: 6:45 AM – 2:00 PM
Leader: Steve Calver
Saturday: 6:45 AM – 2:00 PM
Leader: Chris Depkin
Sunday: 6:45 AM – 2:00 PM
Leader: Chuck Saleeby
Limit: 15 participants per day; 5 vehicles
Fee: FREE
Harris Neck NWR was a military airfield in WWII, and now has man-made impoundments, natural salt and brackish marshes, old fields, pine forests and maritime oak forests. Expect to observe a wide variety of migratory and resident water and land birds. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, sun protection, water/drinks, snacks/lunch, binoculars. Long pants and closed shoes are recommended due to cacti.
Trip Rigor: Easy – the refuge is flat, and our walks will be restricted to no more than a half-mile, driving from place to place.
Jekyll Island Natural History Walk
Friday: 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Saturday: 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Sunday: 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Leader: Frank Mirasola
Limit: 15 participants per day
Fee: $5
Walking about 1/2-mile through the dune ridges in a live oak maritime forest, participants will learn about Jekyll Island's formation, native flora and ecology. The discussion will include descriptions and displays of various marine creatures, including loggerhead turtles, alligators, whelks, crabs and shrimp. Be ready to spot shorebirds, waders and waterfowl.
Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, long sleeves and pants, sun protection, comfortable close-toed walking shoes, binoculars.
Trip Rigor: Moderate – some hill climbing required.
Jekyll Island State Park - Birds seen in 2005
Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Leader: Diana Churchill
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Leader: Eugene Keferl
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Leader: Eugene Keferl
Limit: 15 participants per day
Fee: $5
Jekyll Island State Park offers a variety of diverse habitats, including maritime forest, salt marsh, freshwater ponds, and ocean beach. Birds we hope to spot include migrating songbirds, wading birds, gulls and terns, as well as shorebirds. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, sun protection, snacks, water, binoculars, spotting scope.
Trip Rigor: Easy – expect to walk 1-2 miles.
Little St. Simons Island
Friday: 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM SOLD OUT
Leaders: Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell & Nick Van Lanen
Saturday: 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM SOLD OUT
Leaders: Giff Beaton & Nick Van Lanen
Sunday: 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM SOLD OUT
Leaders: Malcolm Hodges & Nick Van Lanen
Monday: 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM SOLD OUT
Leaders: Earl Horn & Nick Van Lanen
Limit: 11 participants per day
Fee: $75
Little St. Simons Island is an unspoiled birding paradise located off the north end of St. Simons Island. Since access is so limited, it is an excellent place to bird at anytime, but especially during peak migration. We will bird the extensive maritime forest for passerines as well as the beaches and marshes for shorebirds. For more information on the site, visit www.littlestsimonsisland.com. Lunch will be provided.
Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, sun protection, water, snacks, long-sleeves and pants, rain gear, backpack, binoculars.
Trip Rigor: Easy – two miles of easy walking.
Little Tybee Natural Heritage Preserve - Birds seen in 2005
Friday: 8:15 AM- 5:30 PM SOLD OUT
Saturday: 8:15 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 8:15 AM – 5:30 PM SOLD OUT
Leader: Captain Rene Heidt
Limit: 6 participants per day
Fee: $50
Little Tybee, owned by the state of Georgia, is an uninhabited barrier island lying just to the south of Tybee Island. It is made up of salt marsh interspersed with hardwood hammocks and fronts the Atlantic Ocean with pristine beaches that are nesting sites for Wilson's plovers. The American oystercatcher nests on oyster bars in the area as well, and is a common sight on our trips. We will see a variety of shorebirds with the possibility of the piping plover, Wilson's plover and the marbled godwit. We will depart by boat from a private dock on Chimney Creek and take the short ride through the salt marshes to Little Tybee. Expect to spend some time observing the local population of bottlenose dolphin in the Back River. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended needs: Please wear comfortable footwear with some grip to the sole and the ability to get wet. Dress accordingly for the weather keeping in mind that it is always colder out on the water. Bring binoculars, water, and lunch. A spotting scope will be provided. You may not want to risk bringing your scope out into the salt spray.
Trip Rigor: Easy – some agility required to get on and off the boat at the beach and dock.
Sapelo Island - Birds seen in 2005
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM SOLD OUT
Leader: Malcolm Hodges
Sunday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Leaders: Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell
Limit: 17 participants per day
Fee: $45 (Participants need to bring an additional $2 cash for ferry)
State-owned and largely undeveloped, Sapelo Island is the approximate mid-point of Georgia's barrier islands, the probable site of first European settlement (16th century missionaries) in Georgia. A 200-year history of wealthy private ownership of most of the island's 20,000 acres of upland and marshland preceded the establishment of the University of Georgia's Marine Institute (1953), R.J. Reynolds Wildlife Management Area (1969) and the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (1973). About 70 descendants of the Gullah culture established by freed slaves in 1865 still live in the community of Hog Hammock. Sapelo has miles of pristine beaches and dunes, inter-dune meadows and ponds, salt marshes and tidal creeks, grassy fields and mature maritime forest (live oak hammock) as well as pond-pine savanna. A mix of woodland, grassland, marsh, shore and seabirds in these varied habitats can be seen year round. Sapelo is also the only east coast location where Plain Chachalaca can be found. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: insect repellent, sun protection, long sleeves and pants, hat, water, snacks and lunch, rain gear, binoculars.
Trip Rigor: Moderate – open-air riding on flatbed pickup with benches; 2 miles of beach walking and up to 1 mile of road/trail walking. Boat travel can be cold and wet depending on current weather conditions – please dress accordingly.
St. Catherines Island
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM SOLD OUT
Leader: Royce Hayes, Jenifer Hilburn, and Steve Holzman
Limit: 9 participants;
Fee: $70 - All proceeds to benefit the Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival
St. Catherines Island Foundation, owners of St. Catherines is preserving the island as a wild laboratory committed to research, conservation projects and classes which are appropriate to the islands environment. This is a rare opportunity for birders to enjoy maritime forests, and undeveloped beaches (and maybe even sight a free-ranging lemur). St Catherines Island Foundation will provide transportation via a 30 minute boat ride through pristine salt marsh. All transportation on island is provided. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: Lunch (coolers will be available) Insect repellent, sun protection, snacks, water, binoculars, spotting scope.
Trip Rigor: Easy – expect to walk 1-2 miles.
St. Simons Island and Gould’s Inlet - Birds seen in 2005
Sunday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Leader: Mike Chapman
Limit: 15 participants; 5 vehicles
Fee: $10
St. Simons Island is one of the Golden Isles of Glynn County and a growing residential community. While it is developed, there are still a couple of must-see areas. The Gould’s Inlet area is one of the best shorebirding spots on the coast. Red knots, marbled godwits, piping plovers and others show how to share a beach with people and dogs. There are always a couple of surprises waiting for the nature lover and birder at the Gould’s Inlet and East Beach areas. This is a perfect half-day trip for those who don’t want to travel too far. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, sun protection, snacks, water, binoculars, spotting scope.
Trip Rigor: Easy – expect to walk 1-2 miles.
St. Simons Island Kayak
Friday: 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Leader: Cindy Janus –Southeast Adventure Outfitters
Limit: 15 participants per day
Fee: $50 (includes kayak rental)
Kayak through the beautiful marsh creeks in historic Bloody Marsh on St. Simons Island and out to the fabulous birding beach on the south end of Sea Island. We will get out of the kayaks and explore the two miles of undeveloped beach with a great view. This area is known to be a resting spot for many local birds as well as migrating species. Paddling through two ecosystems, enjoy the opportunity to see ibis, osprey, wood storks, American oystercatchers, tri-colored herons, bald eagles, royal terns, black skimmers, long-billed curlews, willets, and least terns. Lunch will not be provided.
Recommended Needs: Sun protection, water, snacks, shoes and clothing that can get damp, zip-lock bags for any non-waterproof cameras or binoculars.
Trip Rigor: Easy – Trip is geared for beginners and can be handled by anyone with moderate physical ability. Windy conditions can make the trip more challenging.
Laura S. Walker State Park
Sunset Wildlife Watch & Owl Prowl
Sunday, October 15
6:45 PM – 8:30 PM
FREE; Registration not required
End the day at beautiful Laura S. Walker State Park near Waycross where Sheila Willis of Native American-Naturalist Talks & Tours will guide participants along the shores of Laura Walker Lake. Wading birds will be heading to their roosts for the night while other animals such as owls and alligators start to become active. Participants will meet guides at the park office where a $3 per car entry fee will need to be paid. Bring a flashlight!
Directions: Laura S. Walker State Park is located 9 miles southeast of Waycross, Georgia on GA Hwy 177. From Jekyll Island: Take causeway to U.S. Hwy 17 and turn left (17 South). Continue past the I-95 interchange to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 82. Take Hwy 82 West towards Waycross and continue for 47 miles. Turn left onto Hwy 177 and continue to the park entrance. Travel time from Jekyll Island is approximately 1 hour.
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