 Barred Owl. Photo by Steve Rushing, Birds Georgia Photographers Network by Steve Phenicie Little did the Barred Owl know that it was participating in a historic occasion. One hundred years to the day after the Atlanta Bird Club held its first bird walk on March 21, 1926, Birds Georgia held a centennial walk to commemorate the event. The place was the same – Emory University – although the walk a century ago didn’t start until 9:30 a.m., a bit late by today’s standards. On this year’s walk, the Barred Owl was perched only about 10 feet above the ground and just few feet from the path. It was quite willing to pose for pictures as the approximately 15 birders led by Bert Pearce oohed and aahed about it. The birders also saw about 30 other species, including a couple of Wood Ducks, a Pied-billed Grebe or two, and an early Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. As the group was tallying its totals, a Great Blue Heron flew overhead as if to say “Don’t forget me,” and later a Mallard appeared at the last moment. So how has birding changed in the last century? Technology, of course, has made a difference. Remember being in the middle of a mosquito-infested swamp when it was raining and windy and you just had to know right then whether Roseate Spoonbills nest in North Carolina? You hauled out your dog-eared field guide – perhaps kept in a plastic bag – and started thumbing through it as the rain pelted your face (and the book). No more. You reach for your phone and quickly get your answer from apps such as Merlin and Audubon. By the way, Roseate Spoonbills don’t nest in North Carolina. Another significant change is how we count birds. In the old days, we used paper checklists such as the local “Checklist of the Birds of Atlanta.” It’s possible that the birders on that first walk in 1926 just wrote down what they saw on a tablet, but paper checklists have been around a long time. Thomas Jefferson came up with what is likely the first published birding checklist in his 1785 book, “Notes on the State of Virginia,” which included 125 species he had observed. Nowadays, of course, we have eBird, which is good not only for enumeration but terribly handy when you want to know whether there have been any Ruddy Ducks around Murphey Candler Park lately or who is seeing what at Constitution Lakes. And today we don’t even have to leave our homes as video cameras focused on nests provide close-ups of birds going about their business. Birders of 1926 had a chance to see some birds that we can’t see today because they are extinct. The Carolina Parakeet and the Passenger Pigeon were already gone by then, but the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, last seen in the U.S. in 1944, and the Bachman’s Warbler, which disappeared in the 1980s, were hanging on. Some things haven’t changed so much. Binoculars were around in 1926, of course, with one source saying that their origins effectively go back to the invention of corrective eyeglasses in late 13th century Italy. Ones specifically designed for birding began appearing late in the 19th century. Spotting scopes for birders, although they have become more sophisticated, have existed since about 1893. Finally, birding’s mid-winter extravaganza, the Christmas Bird Count, was well-established by 1926, having been started in 1900.  Birders at Birds Georgia's Centennial bird walk on March 21, 2026.
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 Birds Georgia trip to Costa Rica in 2024. Photo by Susan Berthelot We're excited to share that Birds Georgia has been named a 2026 Global Vision Award winner by Travel + Leisure.
The Global Vision Awards recognize individuals and organizations around the world that are leading the way in sustainable and environmentally responsible travel. We’re honored to be included among this year’s winners. Since our founding in 1926, Birds Georgia has worked to protect birds and the places they need while helping people discover the joy of birding and the outdoors. Our Travel Program is a natural extension of that mission. Through small-group trips led by expert guides, we create meaningful opportunities for people to experience birds and wildlife in remarkable places. Seeing migration in action, exploring diverse habitats, and sharing those moments with fellow nature enthusiasts often sparks a deeper appreciation for conservation and the natural world. “We’re honored to receive this recognition from Travel + Leisure,” said Adam Betuel, Executive Director of Birds Georgia. “Experiencing birds and their habitats firsthand creates powerful connections to nature and inspires people to protect the places wildlife depends on.” This award reflects the passion of our staff, guides, partners, and travelers who believe that experiencing nature firsthand inspires lifelong conservation values. Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards will be featured in the magazine’s April 2026 issue. View a full list of winners here. We’re grateful for this recognition and excited to continue creating travel experiences that connect people and birds. As we celebrate Bird Georgia's Centennial year in 2026, writer Steve Phenicie imagines what the celebration may look like 100 years from now. The date is Friday, March 15, 2126, and Birds Georgia is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a big wingding. The executive director begins the program with a few announcements (as executive directors always like to do):
So will it really be like this a century from now? You won’t know unless you attend! Save the date – Friday, March 15, 2126, 7 p.m. sharp!  L to R: Board Chair Marc Goncher, Board Vice Chair Esther Stokes, Board Member Jon Philipsborn, Communications Coordinator Brooke Michael, Executive Director Adam Betuel, Rep. Mary Frances Williams, Board Member Sally Sears Birds Georgia goes to Washington! (Kind of.)
The Georgia House of Representatives recognized 2026 as the Year of the Georgia Birding Trail in celebration of Birds Georgia's Centennial year. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver and Rep. Debbie Buckner and introduced on the House floor by Rep. Mary Frances Williams on March 10, acknowledges the importance of birds, birding, and conservation to Georgia’s natural heritage and economy. The Georgia Birding Trail is the legacy project of Birds Georgia’s 100th anniversary. When complete, the trail will form a network of hundreds of birding hotspots organized into regional loops spanning the state – from the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia’s coastal marshes. Each location will be carefully selected for its accessibility, amenities, habitat quality, and diversity of birdlife. By guiding visitors to some of the state’s best places to experience birds, the Georgia Birding Trail will help showcase Georgia’s remarkable biodiversity while making birding more accessible to residents and visitors alike. “We’re grateful to Rep. Oliver, Rep. Buckner, and Rep. Williams for recognizing the importance of birds and conservation in Georgia, and to our Board member Sally Sears for championing this resolution,” said Executive Director Adam Betuel. “We’re excited to launch the Georgia Birding Trail in 2026 and help more people discover the remarkable birds and habitats that make Georgia so special.” In addition to connecting people with nature, the initiative aims to support local communities and conservation efforts across the state. Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in the United States and generates significant economic benefits through travel and ecotourism. Stay tuned! We'll be announcing more updates on the Georgia Birding Trail this year. Every spring and fall, millions of birds migrate across Georgia under the cover of darkness. But our night skies are getting brighter. Artificial light from cities and buildings can confuse migrating birds, causing them to become disoriented and collide with glass structures. Light pollution can also disrupt birds’ internal clocks and interfere with their long-distance migrations.
To help reduce these risks, Birds Georgia sends Lights Out Alerts during peak migration nights each spring and fall. These alerts (usually eight to ten nights per season) remind people to reduce or turn off unnecessary lighting to help birds travel safely. Spring Migration: March 15 to May 31 The spring migration period begins March 15, and we encourage everyone to reduce or eliminate outdoor lighting through May 31 whenever possible. If turning off lights for the entire migration period isn’t feasible, please reduce lighting on peak migration nights announced through our Lights Out email and social media alerts (Follow us on Facebook | Instagram ). Simple Steps to Help Migrating Birds On peak migration nights, small changes can make a big difference:
Studying Bird-Building Collisions in Georgia This spring marks the 11th year of Project Safe Flight, a research initiative led by Birds Georgia to document bird-building collisions across the state. Since launching in 2015, volunteers have collected data from more than 6,000 birds representing 141 species that died after colliding with buildings. In 2023, the project expanded to coastal Georgia with monitoring routes in Savannah and Brunswick, while continuing established routes in metro Atlanta. In Spring 2025, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were the most commonly collected species; In Fall 2025, Tennessee Warblers surpassed Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as our most commonly collected species. Across the project’s history, the most frequently documented species include:
Generally, Atlanta experiences fewer collisions in spring, as many birds take alternate routes to breeding grounds. However, collisions increase in the fall, when returning migrants and newly fledged birds head south. Research from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology ranks Atlanta as the fourth deadliest U.S. city for birds during fall migration and ninth during spring migration. Help Collect Data: Report Collisions with dBird You can still contribute to this research even if you can’t volunteer regularly. If you find a dead or injured bird that may have collided with a building, report it using dBird. Simply visit dbird.org on your phone or computer and submit details about the location, species, and condition of the bird. Including a photo is especially helpful. These reports help Birds Georgia better understand where and how often bird-building collisions occur across Georgia, guiding future conservation efforts. Birds Georgia and the Bird City Network are excited to welcome Chattahoochee Hills as the newest certified community in the Bird City Georgia program, a statewide initiative that recognizes cities working to protect birds, conserve habitat, and engage residents in bird-friendly practices.
With this designation, Chattahoochee Hills becomes the second certified Bird City in Georgia, recognizing the city’s commitment to bird conservation, habitat protection, and community engagement. The certification was approved by the Chattahoochee Hills City Council on February 10, 2026, after the city submitted an application meeting all 12 requirements in the program’s Action List — a set of bird-friendly practices focused on habitat conservation, reducing threats to birds, and promoting public education. “Chattahoochee Hills has set a remarkable example for communities across Georgia,” said Birds Georgia Executive Director Adam Betuel. Key actions that helped the city earn the designation include: Habitat Conservation: Chattahoochee Hills follows a nationally distinctive 70/30 conservation land-use framework, preserving roughly 70% of the city as greenspace, forest, and farmland while concentrating development in designated areas. The policy protects wildlife habitat and maintains ecological connectivity across the landscape. Reducing Threats to Birds: The city has adopted a Dark Skies Ordinance requiring dark-sky-compliant lighting, helping reduce light pollution that disrupts migratory birds and other wildlife. Community Education: Partnerships with local schools and environmental organizations provide nature-based learning opportunities that help students and families explore birds, habitats, and biodiversity. Chattahoochee Hills will also participate in World Migratory Bird Day, joining communities across the Americas to celebrate migratory birds and raise awareness about their conservation needs. The Bird City Network, a collaboration between American Bird Conservancy and Environment for the Americas, connects communities working to create healthier environments for both birds and people. Birds Georgia invites communities across the state to join the Bird City Georgia initiative and take action to protect birds and their habitats. Learn more about the program: https://birdcity.org/georgia by Sepala Weliwitigoda Across the bay, a kayak split the mist. A heron, cloaked in cobalt reverie, stood still as time upon a granite stone. One leg tucked tight, the other poised in thought, its eye fixed on the glassy, dimpled tide. He waited—not for fish, but for the breath of something deeper, surfacing at last-- a truth too slow to rise, too sharp to flee. The river held its secrets just below, while fog returned to swaddle what we know.  Great Blue Heron. Photo by Tim Kuhn / Audubon Photography Awards The Great Blue Heron often appears motionless in shallow water—focused, poised between patience and movement. To encounter a heron in this state is to feel the
pace of solitude: space to breathe, to meditate, and to ponder thoughts and ideas carried quietly within. For a moment, the world slows, as if attention itself has been invited—or granted. The life of the Great Blue Heron is inseparable from water. It depends on healthy wetlands—quiet shorelines, floodplains, estuaries, and shallow rivers where fish and amphibians remain abundant and waters retain ecological balance. Because of this reliance, the heron has long been regarded as an indicator of environmental health. Where herons thrive, wetlands are often functioning well. Where they disappear, the loss usually signals deeper disruption long before it becomes obvious elsewhere. Yet the heron’s significance extends beyond biology. Across many ancient cultures, herons were regarded with reverence long before modern science provided explanations for natural systems. In Indigenous traditions across North America, herons were associated with wisdom, patience, and self-reliance; their presence often signaled abundance and the assurance of sustenance. In ancient Egypt, herons were linked to the soul and the passage between worlds. In Chinese and Japanese art, folklore, and literature, they appeared as emblems of balance, longevity, purity, and the ability to move between elements—water, earth, and air. These traditions were not grounded in data, but in sustained observation and lived experience with the natural world. Reverence fostered social cohesion and psychological steadiness at a time when nature’s uncertainty could not be explained scientifically. The heron’s quiet self-reliance served as an example to individuals and families facing sickness, scarcity, and despair—particularly in the production and gathering of food. Today, science has given us extraordinary insight into how ecosystems function and why species like the Great Blue Heron depend on ecologically sound wetlands. What science cannot compel, however, is care. No legislation or dataset can require people to notice a bird standing at the water’s edge, or to feel responsibility for the habitat that sustains it. Laws can protect wetlands, but their effectiveness ultimately depends on human behavior—on attention, restraint, understanding interdependence, and a willingness to coexist thoughtfully with other forms of life. As wetlands deteriorate through development, pollution, and climate-driven change, herons often respond quietly. Their absence can speak as clearly as their presence. In this way, the Great Blue Heron becomes both witness and messenger, revealing change not through alarm, but through silence. Perhaps what is needed now is not a return to ancient belief, but a rational reverence—a way of seeing informed by science and experience, guided by respect. Modern knowledge can explain why wetlands matter; reverence gives us reason to care. Together, they offer a framework for stewardship that serves birds, forests, waters, and people alike. To watch a Great Blue Heron fish is to observe patience as survival. Nothing holds its attention except the present moment. Nothing is rushed. In that quiet discipline lies a lesson. When we learn to notice the heron clearly, we may also begin to notice the health of our wetlands—and our own responsibilities—more honestly. Care, like balance, begins with attention.  By Steve Phenicie
(This column, which ran in Wingbars for 11 years, will continue electronically. This is the 69th in a series on Birds Georgia volunteers, board members, and staff.) Not many birders can say they’ve worked to fight leprosy. Or run the Boston Marathon. Or worked for the governor of Puerto Rico, the Pennsylvania Legislature, and the U.S. Congress. But Courtenay Dusenbury, treasurer of Birds Georgia’s Board of Directors, can. Courtenay, a native of Wisconsin, later lived in State College, Pa., where her father was employed at Penn State University. She graduated from Penn State herself, then engaged in a long series of interesting endeavors. Along the way she earned a masters degree of public health in health economics. After working for the Pennsylvania State Senate and deciding that wasn’t quite for her, she went to Puerto Rico to visit friends. There she landed a job in the commonwealth’s government and ended up working in various roles for five or six years. She then worked for Congress as a legislative director for three different lawmakers. Such a person is in charge of the positions that the person is going to take – determining what is in bills and their practical impact. After that came her 25-year career at Emory University’s Global Health Institute. Among the things she did was to help the university set up a global partnership to deal with leprosy, the only tropical disease that didn’t have an umbrella organization working on the problem. She had no experience with this disease but did have expertise in working with ministries of health in various countries to develop their own CDCs. Today leprosy remains a problem, even in the United States, but progress is being made, Courtenay says. Courtenay has been birding since she was a child, following in the footsteps of her mother. When she was growing up they had a couple of acres of their own and were surrounded by farmland, so they spent a lot of time in the woods, with or without binoculars. For many years she didn’t bird, but seven or eight years ago her interest grew as she got more free time. After her parents moved to Georgia in 2000, they birded together. Courtenay has been on Birds Georgia trips to Alabama and Florida and hopes to try some of the overseas offerings. She is also on the Decatur team of Project Safe Flight. Those are the people who, in the name of science, get up at an ungodly hour to find dead birds that have hit buildings overnight. She also helped Decatur earn the Bird City designation and has aided the Habitat Restoration Team with seed collecting. Her yard is a Birds Georgia-certified wildlife sanctuary. As for running, she isn’t doing any marathons right now but is training for a half-marathon. Her Boston Marathon was in 2018. “I’m proud of it, but I’ll probably never do it again,” she says. Courtenay has been retired for 2½ years. She and her husband, George, live in Decatur and have two adult sons who live nearby. George V works for a Belgian IT company, and William is about to start graduate school. Birds Georgia has received two Bill Terrell Avian Conservation Grants from the Georgia Ornithological Society to strengthen habitat restoration and shorebird protection along Georgia’s coast.
The grants will fund dune stabilization and grassland restoration on Jekyll Island and support implementation of Georgia's newly updated Bird Island Rule in collaboration with Manomet Conservation Sciences and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. "Coastal Georgia is home to some of the most important bird habitats in the state," said Adam Betuel, executive director of Birds Georgia. "These generous grants from the GOS will help ensure a thriving future for ecosystems that support everything from nesting plovers to migrating shorebirds.” Jekyll Island Restoration On Jekyll Island, Birds Georgia will restore and manage 15 acres of globally imperiled southern coastal plain dune and maritime grassland habitat. These coastal dune ecosystems are rapidly eroding due to sea level rise, storms, invasive species, and human impacts. The project will stabilize dunes, strengthen ecosystem function, and increase climate resilience by planting 10,000 native grass and perennial plugs – featuring culturally significant species like Muhlenbergia sericea (sweetgrass) – to support wildlife and honor the heritage of the Gullah-Geechee community. Bird species expected to benefit from this project include:
"We’re creating a resilient, living system that both protects cultural heritage and fosters biodiversity,” said Gabe Andrle, director of conservation for Birds Georgia. “This project offers a model for restoration that can be replicated throughout coastal Georgia." Bird Island Rule Implementation The second grant will strengthen habitat protection for shorebirds and seabirds at critical offshore bars and islands that provide essential nesting, feeding, and roosting habitat throughout the annual cycle. Originally established in 1998, Georgia's Bird Island Rule protected five key offshore sites from human disturbance. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently updated the rule to include Brunswick Bird Island, Cumberland Dividings, and Ogeechee Bar, sites that have become increasingly important as dynamic coastal processes create new bird habitats. The amended rule enables seasonal closures using in-water buoys and signage, prohibits dogs year-round, and improves enforcement capacity through DNR's Law Enforcement Division. The project addresses two critical threats to beach-nesting birds: human disturbance and predation. Clearly marked closures, cell-enabled trail cameras, and trained beach steward volunteers will reduce disturbance and enable real-time reporting to law enforcement. Monitoring data will evaluate the effectiveness of seasonal protections. To address predation – particularly owl predation at Cumberland Dividings – trained wildlife professionals will humanely trap, band, and relocate owls away from nesting colonies, with adaptive management measures in place if needed. These combined efforts will enhance nesting success for Georgia's priority coastal bird species. "After successful monitoring in 2025, we’re now ready to take action,” said Betuel. “The updated Bird Island Rule gives us the tools we need to protect critical nesting sites and reduce threats from disturbance and predation.” As Birds Georgia celebrates its Centennial year, these coastal conservation efforts reflect a century-long commitment to protecting birds and habitats across our state. Birds Georgia has completed months of hands-on habitat restoration at the historic Wilburn Farm in the Davidson–Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, breathing new life into 19 acres of open grassland in the South River watershed. Supported by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program, this project marks Birds Georgia’s seventh award from the program and its third focal site in the South River watershed.
Before invasive plant removal began, Birds Georgia partnered with the Georgia Native Plant Society Stone Mountain Propagation Program for a seed collection workday. Those seeds were grown into native plants and later installed on-site, jumpstarting biodiversity and restoring a resilient ecosystem. Over the course of the project, staff and volunteers removed invasive trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, including:
They then planted more than 1,000 native plants, creating high-quality habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. This included native grasses such as broomsedge and splitbeard bluestem, as well as native forbs including blazingstar, coreopsis, and butterfly milkweed. Bird species such as the Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow have already been observed making use of the improved space. "For years, the ecological value of Wilburn Farm was limited by non-native grasses that blocked native plants from thriving, reducing habitat for wildlife and affecting watershed health," said Gabe Andrle, Director of Conservation. "With this restoration, we're bringing back the critical native grassland habitat that has been disappearing rapidly across the Southeast. We hope Wilburn Farm becomes a sanctuary for birds and a place where the community can enjoy and connect with this revitalized landscape." Wilburn Farm dates back to the late 1800s. After being abandoned during the Great Depression, the property was purchased in 1953 by Ross Wilburn, who repaired the house, built a pond, and constructed a horse barn. DeKalb County acquired the property in 2000, adding it to the Davidson–Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. The South River watershed, where Wilburn Farm is located, is a vital yet often overlooked resource in metro Atlanta. Spanning roughly 544 square miles, the South River provides critical habitat for migratory and breeding birds and is one of only two rivers in Georgia with an urban origin. Nearly 40% of the watershed lies in southern DeKalb County. This project, along with Birds Georgia's other efforts within the watershed, serve as a model of bird-friendly habitat and protect South River-adjacent communities from flash flooding and other effects from climate change that are disproportionately impacting communities of color. Wilburn Farm is the fifth grant that Birds Georgia has received to complete habitat improvement work in the South River Watershed, including three grants for work at different areas within Panola Mountain State Park, at Lyon Farm, and now at Wilburn Farm. This is the seventh award that Birds Georgia has received from The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program, which seeks to develop nation-wide community stewardship of local natural resources, preserving these resources for future generations and enhancing habitat for local wildlife. Grants seek to address water quality issues in priority watersheds, such as erosion due to unstable streambanks, pollution from stormwater runoff, and degraded shorelines caused by development. The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program is sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) with major funding provided by U.S Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, FedEx, Southern Company, and SalesForce. |
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