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 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, spotting scope optional. A cooler with bottled water will be available on the boat for participants.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Bring out your own scopes and cameras, or get behind ours, and experience some hands-on digiscoping. Lots of time will be allotted for specific questions and the demonstration of particular techniques. And, if the birds and weather cooperate, we should bring back some good images and have plenty of opportunities to observe a host of bird species. To get the most out of today’s outdoor practice session; participants are encouraged to take Steve and Clay’s Friday classroom workshop on Secrets of Digiscoping (see Workshops and Seminars).

Recommended Needs : Insect repellent, long sleeves and pants, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, water and snacks, binoculars, your digital camera, and (optional) spotting scope.

Trip Rigor : Easy – less than a mile of walking.

Hampton River Marsh Tour

Penholoway Swamp Wildlife Management Area

Station yourself with the trip leader at the south end of Jekyll Island and watch the migrating raptors and songbirds stream by as they make their way south along the dunes. Practice identifying birds in flight by using silhouette and flight characteristics. A great way to see a lot of birds without miles of walking! You can even bring a beach chair if you like…Last year Cameron found a Franklin's Gull on South Beach. What will he find us this year.

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

Sapelo Island

State-owned and largely undeveloped, Sapelo Island is the approximate mid-point of Georgia's barrier islands and 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.

Come discover Woodbine on the Satilla River. Woodbine was founded in 1908 when the railroad was built along the coast. One hundred years later, the railroad is gone but Woodbine is still here. This community is working to reinvent itself as a coastal greenway. They have taken out the tracks and put in a trail, the Woodbine Riverwalk. This unique trail begins at the river following a boardwalk up to the old railroad bridge, now a viewing platform, and then the walk continues along an area the community is in the process of restoring, planting native plants in order to attract a wide variety of birds.

Then join the Satilla RIVERKEEPER Gordon Rogers for a relaxed kayak paddle on the Satilla River. Participants will learn about this river, as well as the plants and wildlife that depend on it.

Lunch will not be provided.

Recommended Needs : Sun screen and hat, water, snacks, rain gear, binoculars and camera/extra film.