Schedule:

Birds and Lichen of Palm Creek

8:00 to 11:00 AM
Leaders: Malcolm Hodges and Nathan Griswell
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Gwinnett County, GA
Difficulty Level: Moderate with variable terrain, sloping paths, possible slick rock, and a couple of stream crossings

This protected granite outcrop is a fascinating conjunction of high-energy creeks, nestled in patches of mature pine and oak forests. Join Birds Georgia friend Malcolm Hodges for a truly special experience at the as-yet-undeveloped "Palm Creek Park" (proposed name) outcrop in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Malcolm will lead a walk on county property (he’s recently retired as The Nature Conservancy's state ecologist); participants will see a very different-looking outcrop with odd outcrop-endemic plants and rich surrounding forests, and discuss the unique features of this special place. Birds will of course be on the menu, as will all aspects of natural history. Optional: bring lunch for a picnic on the shaded rock following our hike.

Birds of Serenbe

7:30 to 11:30 AM
Trip Leaders: Gus Kaufman and Vinod Babu
Limited to 15 Participants
Cost: $35/person
Location: Palmetto, GA (Fulton County)
Difficulty Level: Strenuous with approximately 4 miles covered over uneven terrain; no restrooms on the trail

Always a fan favorite and consistently boasting a species list of 60+, this trip is sure to book quickly. Bird the private trails of Serenbe, a planned community focused on sustainable agriculture, the arts, and well-being located in south Fulton County. Trails meander through a mix of habitat, including pine and hardwood forests, open meadows, and shrub/scrub. We can expect a big species count for this walk, including good numbers of birds like Kentucky Warbler, Prairie Warbler and Blue Grosbeak, which can be hard to find within Atlanta itself.

Birding by Bicycle

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Leaders: Ranger Jonah P. McDonald, Joy Carter, and Ken Boff
Limited to 15 participants
Cost: Free
Location: Begins in Historic Washington Park (Fulton County)
Difficulty Level: Moderate, must have biking equipment and ability

Join Ranger Jonah, Joy Carter, and Ken Boff for a “Birding by Bicycle” adventure. Your trip leaders are avid birders and Jonah and Ken are also long-time bicycle commuters. They invite you to join them for 6-miles of biking and 1.5 miles of walking. The route is entirely on PATH trails and quiet neighborhood streets and allows us to visit 4 very different habitats in which to view birds. Please arrive with a well-functioning bicycle, helmet, water bottle, snack, binoculars, bike lock, and backpack for valuables. Helmets are REQUIRED on this trip. Participants are responsible for their own safety while on their bicycles.

Bird Banding with the GGC Bird Lab

6:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Leaders: Maribel Fernandez, Instructor of Biology at Georgia Gwinnett College and Dr. Mia Malloy
Limited to 20 participants
Cost: $35
Location: Harbins Park
Difficulty Level: Easy

Join the Georgia Gwinnett College Bird Lab for a banding day starting at 6:00 am for banding or starting at 8:00 am for point counts (birding on a system). This is part of a project to evaluate the effect of urbanization on bird diversity. Participants will be able to aid in important research and choose whether they would like to do both banding and point counts or 1 of the 2.