See why the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) recognized the Altamaha River Delta as one of the major reserves for shorebirds. Little St. Simons Island, Egg Island, Little Egg Island Bar, and Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge, at the mouth of the Altamaha, have been protected for the last century. These islands are important as a stopover for migratory and wintering birds traveling between the Arctic and South America. There are very few places as valuable to such a large and diverse number of coastal birds in all the southeastern United States. Cruise around these islands with our expert leader. Lunch will not be provided but there is a good restaurant right at the boat dock.

Recommended Needs: Appropriate attire is shoes that can get wet and loose, comfortable clothing appropriate for the predicted temperature and weather conditions. Rain gear is a must, as well as sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Insect repellent, water, snacks/lunch, cameras, binoculars, and extra film are also recommended.

The Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area (WMA) offers one of the best overall birding sites in Georgia, especially in the fall. The habitat consists of a mixed pine/hardwood forest, floodplain forest, freshwater marsh shrubland, weedy fields and diked ponds. Specialties include mottled duck, least bittern, glossy ibis, painted bunting, rails, sparrows and ducks. We will be birding all accessible areas, looking for early arriving sparrows and ducks, as well as lingering migrants. Lunch will not be provided, but there are several good restaurants in the area.

Recommended Needs : Water-repellent boots, long sleeves and pants, insect repellent, sun protection, water, snacks, binoculars and optional spotting scope

Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge

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 - $17
Seniors (65 & older) - $15
Children (12 & under) - $12

*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

Trip Rigor: Fairly strenuous -- three to four miles of sometimes difficult trail-walking with no vehicular transportation. Participants must be prepared to carry all their gear by backpack. A short stop to picnic 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.

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. Visitors in the fall often comment on the amazing variety of shorebirds, warblers and raptors. Keep an eye out for such species as 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.). After birding the island 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, insect repellent, comfortable shoes & rain gear, water, lunch & snacks, trash bag for packing out trash.

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Located near Jekyll Island’s famous south beach, this bird banding station is situated in the midst of sand dunes and scrub forest. Each October, hundreds of migrating birds are captured in mist nets at this site. Captured birds include over 20 species of warblers. Birds are banded, aged, sexed, and measured. Scientists use data from JIBS to help understand migration patterns and population trends. Participants in the trip will have the opportunity to observe the removal of birds from nets, their measuring and banding, and possibly be able to release a bird. Lunch will not be provided.

Recommended Needs : Water, snacks, insect repellent, sun protection.

Jekyll Island offers a variety of diverse habitats, including maritime forest, salt marsh, freshwater ponds, and ocean beach. At the leader’s option, we will visit several of the better birding venues on the island, looking for migrating songbirds, wading birds, gulls and terns, raptors and shorebirds. Lunch will not be provided.

Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, sun protection, snacks, water, binoculars, spotting scope (optional).

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, too. This is an excellent trip for families.

Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, long sleeves and pants, sun protection, comfortable closed-toe walking shoes, binoculars.

Special Note : The field trips to Blackbeard, Little St. Simons and St. Catherines islands are among our most popular and can accommodate only a small number of visitors per trip. We therefore request that you refrain from registering for more than two of these island trips during this year’s festival. Your cooperation is appreciated.

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.

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 forages 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 piping plover, Wilson's plover and marbled godwit, plus an assortment of gulls and terns. Expect to spend some time observing the local population of bottlenose dolphin in the Back River. We will depart by boat from a private dock on Chimney Creek ( Tybee Island) and take the short ride through the salt marshes to Little Tybee.

Lunch will not be provided.

 * Participants in this field trip may wish to consider spending the night in the Savannah/Tybee area.

Recommended Needs : Please wear comfortable footwear with some grip to the sole and the ability to get wet. Dress suitably 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 exposing your scope to the salt spray.

* First timers only – please sign up for this trip only if you have never been to St. Catherines Island.

Special Note: The field trips to Blackbeard, Little St. Simons and St. Catherines islands are among our most popular and can accommodate only a small number of visitors per trip. We therefore request that you refrain from registering for more than two of these island trips during this year’s festival. Your cooperation is appreciated.

The St. Catherines Island Foundation owns this island and operates it for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. The Foundation aims to promote conservation of natural resources, the survival of endangered species, and the preservation of historic sites, and to expand human knowledge in the fields of ecology, botany, zoology, natural history, archaeology, and other scientific and educational disciplines. Wildlife abounds due to miles of unspoiled beaches, dense maritime forest and interior wetlands. Traces of a colonial era Spanish mission and well-preserved antebellum slave quarters enhance the visitor’s appreciation of the island’s history. Lunch will not be provided and cannot be purchased on the island.

Recommended Needs: Insect repellent, sun protection, long sleeves and pants, hat, water, snacks and lunch, rain gear, binoculars. A cooler with ice will be available for participants’ use.

St. Simons Kayak

Kayak through the saltwater creeks of 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 resident birds as well as migrating species, with opportunities 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/lunch, shoes and clothing that can get damp, zip-lock bags for any non-waterproof cameras or binoculars.