Song Sparrow by Sally Stone, Audubon Photography Awards
Master Birder Program
Registration for the winter 2026 Master Birder Program is now open. Cost: $500 for current Birds Georgia Members / $540 for non-members (registration includes a one-year individual membership). Field trips occur across the metro Atlanta area.
Winter 2026 Agenda
Tuesday, February 24—7:00 to 8:30 PM Orientation
Thursday, February 26—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Identification and eBird
Saturday, February 28—8:00 AM Field trip to Lanierland Park
Tuesday, March 3—7:00 to 9:00 PM Birding Techniques and Apps
Thursday, March 5—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Songs & Calls, Part I
Saturday, March 7—8:00 AM Field trip to Cochran Shoals
Tuesday, March 10—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Song & Calls, Part II
Thursday, March 12—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Behavior
Saturday, March 14—8:00 AM Field trip to Dawson Forest
Tuesday, March 17—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Migration
Thursday, March 19—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Anatomy and Physiology
Saturday, March 21—8:00 AM Field trip to Panola Mountain Banding Station
Tuesday, March 24—7-9 PM Bird Ecology
Thursday, March 26—7-9 PM Bird Conservation
Saturday, March 28—11:30 AM-1 PM Graduation Lunch at Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse
Orientation and class sessions will be held virtually via Zoom meetings. Invitations will be sent to the email address provided at registration. Field trips will meet on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM (unless otherwise noted) and should conclude by 11:00 AM. Field trips are subject to change due to inclement weather and/or other unforeseen circumstances.
Course content includes classification and identification of birds, using eBird, birding apps and equipment, bird songs and calls, anatomy and physiology, bird ecology, bird behavior, flight and migration, and bird conservation. Upon graduation, Master Birders are encouraged to complete at least 10 hours of annual volunteer service for Birds Georgia or their local Audubon chapter to receive added membership benefits such as early registration opportunities and discounted event fees.
Attendance in all classes and field trips is necessary to gain enough knowledge and experience to become a Master Birder. Anticipated conflicts can be discussed with individuals. After graduation, all Master Birders are available to each other and the Birds Georgia staff via a Master Birder listserv which keeps everyone informed of volunteer opportunities and programs and events especially for Master Birders. Master Birders are also invited to join the Master Birder Facebook page to stay in touch with fellow Master Birders.
Tuesday, February 24—7:00 to 8:30 PM Orientation
Thursday, February 26—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Identification and eBird
Saturday, February 28—8:00 AM Field trip to Lanierland Park
Tuesday, March 3—7:00 to 9:00 PM Birding Techniques and Apps
Thursday, March 5—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Songs & Calls, Part I
Saturday, March 7—8:00 AM Field trip to Cochran Shoals
Tuesday, March 10—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Song & Calls, Part II
Thursday, March 12—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Behavior
Saturday, March 14—8:00 AM Field trip to Dawson Forest
Tuesday, March 17—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Migration
Thursday, March 19—7:00 to 9:00 PM Bird Anatomy and Physiology
Saturday, March 21—8:00 AM Field trip to Panola Mountain Banding Station
Tuesday, March 24—7-9 PM Bird Ecology
Thursday, March 26—7-9 PM Bird Conservation
Saturday, March 28—11:30 AM-1 PM Graduation Lunch at Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse
Orientation and class sessions will be held virtually via Zoom meetings. Invitations will be sent to the email address provided at registration. Field trips will meet on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM (unless otherwise noted) and should conclude by 11:00 AM. Field trips are subject to change due to inclement weather and/or other unforeseen circumstances.
Course content includes classification and identification of birds, using eBird, birding apps and equipment, bird songs and calls, anatomy and physiology, bird ecology, bird behavior, flight and migration, and bird conservation. Upon graduation, Master Birders are encouraged to complete at least 10 hours of annual volunteer service for Birds Georgia or their local Audubon chapter to receive added membership benefits such as early registration opportunities and discounted event fees.
Attendance in all classes and field trips is necessary to gain enough knowledge and experience to become a Master Birder. Anticipated conflicts can be discussed with individuals. After graduation, all Master Birders are available to each other and the Birds Georgia staff via a Master Birder listserv which keeps everyone informed of volunteer opportunities and programs and events especially for Master Birders. Master Birders are also invited to join the Master Birder Facebook page to stay in touch with fellow Master Birders.
