Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area

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.

Laura S. Walker State Park – Sunset Wildlife Watch & Owl Prowl

End the weekend 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 their guide at 6:45 PM at the park office where a $3 per car entry fee will need to be paid. Bring a flashlight! Long sleeves and pants and insect repellent are also recommended. The trip will end at the park at 8:30 PM.

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 inter-change to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 82. Take Hwy 82 West toward 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.

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 Natural Heritage Preserve

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.