Great Blue Heron. Photo by Don Kopanoff / Birds Georgia Photographers Network
georgia bird fest 2026
April 10 to May 10
Birds, y’all! It’s almost time for Georgia Bird Fest, Georgia’s premier birding event and the state’s largest bird and nature festival. This year is extra special as we celebrate Birds Georgia’s 100th Anniversary! From April 10 to May 10, join birders and nature lovers across the state for a whole month of birding trips, nature events, and educational webinars during our Flight of the Century.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, Georgia Bird Fest 2026 has something for everyone. Explore Georgia’s top birding hotspots on guided field trips, attend hands-on nature workshops, and hear from expert guest speakers.
Don’t miss our third annual Bird Fest Summit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. We'll have activities all weekend, with the main event on Sunday, April 26, featuring birding field trips, engaging presentations, and fun, family-friendly activities surrounded by the beauty of Piedmont Park.
Your participation in Georgia Bird Fest helps fund Birds Georgia’s conservation, education, and community engagement programs, supporting a future where both birds and people thrive.
Join us this spring for one of the most exciting birding events in Georgia, and take flight with us on our Centennial journey!
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, Georgia Bird Fest 2026 has something for everyone. Explore Georgia’s top birding hotspots on guided field trips, attend hands-on nature workshops, and hear from expert guest speakers.
Don’t miss our third annual Bird Fest Summit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. We'll have activities all weekend, with the main event on Sunday, April 26, featuring birding field trips, engaging presentations, and fun, family-friendly activities surrounded by the beauty of Piedmont Park.
Your participation in Georgia Bird Fest helps fund Birds Georgia’s conservation, education, and community engagement programs, supporting a future where both birds and people thrive.
Join us this spring for one of the most exciting birding events in Georgia, and take flight with us on our Centennial journey!
Note: We are continuing to add more Bird Fest events to this page. Check back often to
browse the most current Bird Fest offerings.
browse the most current Bird Fest offerings.
Join Us for the Georgia Bird Fest Summit
April 26, 2025
Flight of the Century
Keynote Address by George Armistead
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30309
April 26, 2025
Flight of the Century
Keynote Address by George Armistead
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Georgia Bird Fest Summit is coming home to the ATL! We'll convene at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on April 26 for the third annual Georgia Bird Fest Summit.
Birds Georgia is thrilled to welcome birding aficionado George Armistead as our 2026 Georgia Bird Fest keynote speaker.
George Armistead is the founder of Hillstar Nature, where he leads unforgettable birding and wildlife tours worldwide. Having guided expeditions on all seven continents, he combines deep expertise with contagious enthusiasm that inspires travelers of all experience levels. He is the author of Better Birding: Tips, Tools, and Concepts for the Field (Princeton University Press, 2015) and The ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Pennsylvania (Scott & Nix, Inc., 2016), holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and serves as an associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. George finds joy in every kind of birding, from seabirds and shorebirds to songbirds. When not leading tours or cheering on his favorite Philadelphia sports teams, he enjoys time at home with his wife, Kristin, and their dog, Sully.
Birds Georgia is thrilled to welcome birding aficionado George Armistead as our 2026 Georgia Bird Fest keynote speaker.
George Armistead is the founder of Hillstar Nature, where he leads unforgettable birding and wildlife tours worldwide. Having guided expeditions on all seven continents, he combines deep expertise with contagious enthusiasm that inspires travelers of all experience levels. He is the author of Better Birding: Tips, Tools, and Concepts for the Field (Princeton University Press, 2015) and The ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Pennsylvania (Scott & Nix, Inc., 2016), holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and serves as an associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. George finds joy in every kind of birding, from seabirds and shorebirds to songbirds. When not leading tours or cheering on his favorite Philadelphia sports teams, he enjoys time at home with his wife, Kristin, and their dog, Sully.
GEORGIA BIRD FEST COASTAL WEEKEND
APRIL 30 TO MAY 3, 2026
Snowy Egrets. Photo by Gabe Andrle
Join Birds Georgia Director of Conservation Gabe Andrle for an exciting weekend exploring the rich coastal habitats of the Georgia Bight during peak spring migration. Thousands of shorebirds depend on Georgia’s coast each year, offering outstanding opportunities to see species like Red Knot, Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, and breeding birds such as Wilson’s Plover and American Oystercatcher. The region is internationally recognized for its importance to migratory birds and offers exceptional diversity beyond shorebirds, including wading birds, raptors, rails, and colorful songbirds.
Birding hotspots around Brunswick and Jekyll Island provide fantastic coastal viewing, while an optional boat excursion through the wildlife-rich Altamaha River Delta offers chances to observe seabirds, terns, gulls, and other coastal specialties.
This easy-to-moderate adventure is a perfect way to experience some of the best birding the Georgia coast has to offer with expert guidance and great company.
Birding hotspots around Brunswick and Jekyll Island provide fantastic coastal viewing, while an optional boat excursion through the wildlife-rich Altamaha River Delta offers chances to observe seabirds, terns, gulls, and other coastal specialties.
This easy-to-moderate adventure is a perfect way to experience some of the best birding the Georgia coast has to offer with expert guidance and great company.
2026 Georgia bird fest t-shirt
Alexander Vidal is the artist for the 2026 Georgia Bird Fest T-shirts.
We're excited to launch our 2026 Georgia Bird Fest T-shirts featuring Atlanta's skyline and Piedmont Park, the city where it all started 100 years ago. This eye-catching design was created by Alexander Vidal. Check out Alexander’s work on his Instagram profile.
This year, we're distributing our T-shirts through Bonfire, and purchasers may choose to print this design on short- or long-sleeved T-shirts, with two different color options. Items will be directly shipped to you via Bonfire.
Special Note for Patrons and Trip Leaders: Birds Georgia no longer stocks T-shirts, and all inventory is now sold and managed via our online Bonfire store. Unfortunately, we can no longer provide complimentary T-shirts to patrons and field trip leaders. However, you are welcome to purchase a T-shirt in our Bonfire store.
This year, we're distributing our T-shirts through Bonfire, and purchasers may choose to print this design on short- or long-sleeved T-shirts, with two different color options. Items will be directly shipped to you via Bonfire.
Special Note for Patrons and Trip Leaders: Birds Georgia no longer stocks T-shirts, and all inventory is now sold and managed via our online Bonfire store. Unfortunately, we can no longer provide complimentary T-shirts to patrons and field trip leaders. However, you are welcome to purchase a T-shirt in our Bonfire store.
Become a centennial patron
By becoming a Centennial Patron at the $1,000 level, you will enjoy exclusive access to meaningful experiences and benefits throughout our Centennial year including early and priority registration access to all Georgia Bird Fest events. You will also experience patron-only events and field trips during Georgia Bird Fest and it won't end there. This is your all-in-one opportunity to engage deeply with Birds Georgia and celebrate this historic milestone throughout our whole Centennial year.
Benefits include:
Note: Donors making gifts through donor-advised funds or qualified charitable distributions may not receive certain benefits. IRS regulations prohibit donors from receiving goods or services in exchange for grants recommended from donor-advised funds. If your gift was made through a DAF, you may choose to decline associated benefits or purchase them separately.
Benefits include:
- Signature Early Access: Priority access and patron-only opportunities connected to Birds Georgia’s major Centennial moments, including Georgia Bird Fest and Fall Flyway Festival
- Invitation-Only Events & Gatherings: Exclusive Patron gatherings featuring special speakers and community celebrations
- Seasonal Patron Experiences: Special Patron-focused moments tied to spring and fall migration
- Bird Conservation and Native Plant Experiences: Hands-on, place-based opportunities that highlight Birds Georgia’s conservation work, including exclusive trips to Georgia Birding Trail Sites
- Local Partner Perks: Unique experiences and special access made possible through Birds Georgia partner
- Discounts and Limited-Edition Centennial Keepsakes: Year-long discounts to our online store via Bonfire and exclusive Centennial swag items available only to Patrons
Note: Donors making gifts through donor-advised funds or qualified charitable distributions may not receive certain benefits. IRS regulations prohibit donors from receiving goods or services in exchange for grants recommended from donor-advised funds. If your gift was made through a DAF, you may choose to decline associated benefits or purchase them separately.
Sponsor Georgia Bird Fest
Sponsorship opportunities support our signature events including Georgia Bird Fest which connects your brand with engaged, environmental leaders and community members statewide.
By sponsoring Georgia Bird Fest, your organization will:
Looking for deeper engagement? Consider becoming a Centennial Event Sponsor for expanded, year-round recognition during our historic 100th anniversary year.
By sponsoring Georgia Bird Fest, your organization will:
- Align with a trusted 100-year conservation legacy
- Connect with 100+ engaged Summit participants and thousands statewide
- Receive brand visibility through event signage, digital promotion, and on-site recognition
- Demonstrate leadership in sustainability and community impact
Looking for deeper engagement? Consider becoming a Centennial Event Sponsor for expanded, year-round recognition during our historic 100th anniversary year.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026
Centennial patrons
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Laura Adams and Andrew Feiler
Meg Anderson Meredith Bell William Bell and Sarah Catherine Tunkle Sally and Greg Bergquist Harry Beardsley Susan Berthelot Max and Carolyn Brown Kelly Burke Kathleen Casses and John Little Mike and Maxine Chriszt Howell Conservation Fund Kendall and Andrew Crosby Stephanie Dexter Linda DiSantis and Bob Kerr Courtenay & George Dusenbury Marc and Brynne Goncher John and Jean Hess Martha Hiatt and Michael Betuel Brett Howell Chris and Tes Hurst The Jackson Family Susan Jones Gus Kaufman Kim and David Kenley Mary Kimberly and Gavin MacDonald Angela Lewis and Brian Keever |
Paige Martin and Arjun Srinivasan
Teresa and John Mayes Jennifer Johnson McEwen Ellen Miller Simon and Sandy Miller Sandy Murray and Michael Clifford Marilyn O'Dell Jay Pakchar Kim Payne Mac and Suzanne Peden Steve Phenicie and Lisa Slotznick Betsy Phillips Lisbet Ann Phillips Irena Rowe Georgann Schmalz Sally Sears and Richard Belcher Gloria Seymour Donna Shapiro Jensy Shell Melissa Sisson and Carol Hayes Annemarie and Kurt Smith Esther and Jim Stokes Michelle Thompson Wayne and Jane Thorpe Susan Utley Michael Weaver Winkler and Lynn Weinberg |
Thank you to our Legacy
Georgia bird fest Patrons
Michael Ayling
Mary Ellen and Neil Brigham
Diane Hawkins-Cox and Family
Erin and Anthony Masciotra
Jay Pakchar
Laura Stanford
Diana Worthington-White
Mary Ellen and Neil Brigham
Diane Hawkins-Cox and Family
Erin and Anthony Masciotra
Jay Pakchar
Laura Stanford
Diana Worthington-White
Thank you to our Sponsors
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