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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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By Steve Phenicie
If you ever set out to see all 50 U.S. state birds, you won’t have to go far to get started. In fact, you’ll see a majority of them in Georgia, many of them in your backyard. Start off by looking at your feeder. See that Northern Cardinal? You’ve already knocked off seven states – North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia, Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky. Now look out on the lawn at that Northern Mockingbird. You’ve got five more – Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee. Any robins? You’ve picked up Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Michigan. That brown bird off in the thicket could be Georgia’s state bird, the Brown Thrasher. But look closely through the foliage because it could also be another brownish bird, the Hermit Thrush, which is Vermont’s bird. Or it could be the Northern Flicker, which is Alabama’s. Have you got a finch feeder? The American goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa and New Jersey, where it is called the Eastern Goldfinch, and of Washington, where it is known as the Willow Goldfinch. Do Eastern Bluebirds like your bird bath? You’ve now got Missouri and New York. How about Purple Finches? That’s New Hampshire. The Carolina Wren? South Carolina, of course. After that, the “seeing curve” starts to get steeper. The Baltimore Oriole, Maryland’s state bird, is sometimes seen in Georgia, and this year three of them showed up at Atlanta’s Christmas Bird Count. Minnesota’s state bird, the Common Loon, is visible in the winter offshore of Georgia’s barrier islands and at such inland lakes as Lanier and Hartwell. Louisiana’s bird, the Eastern Brown Pelican, inhabits Georgia’s coastal areas. You might see Rhode Island’s bird if you go to a chicken farm – it’s the domestic Rhode Island Red. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, the state bird of Oklahoma, isn’t common in Georgia, but you can sometimes catch one during migration. The Roughed Grouse, Pennsylvania’s state game bird (Pennsylvania does not have a state bird per se) is found in the mountains of northeast Georgia. There – you’ve seen 31 of the 50. For the others, you’re probably going to have to go out of state. Six states – Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas – use the Western Meadowlark, which is found mostly west of the Mississippi River. Idaho and Nevada use the Mountain Bluebird. Other state birds found mostly in the West: Cactus Wren, Arizona; Greater Roadrunner, New Mexico; California Quail, California; California Gull, Utah; and Lark Bunting, Colorado. Massachusetts uses the Black-capped Chickadee. Maine does not specify the kind of chickadee, but both the Black-capped and the Boreal are found there. South Dakota makes the Ring-necked Pheasant its state bird despite its status as an introduced species. The Nene, or Hawaiian Goose, whose range is limited to four islands of Hawaii, is the state bird, and Alaska’s is the Willow Ptarmigan, whose range extends around the northern regions of the world. Delaware uses the Blue Hen, a blue strain of American gamecock that is not recognized as a chicken breed. The University of Delaware calls its sports teams the Blue Hens, and the school keeps a small flock of the birds. You could also try to see the birds of the District of Columbia (the Wood Thrush, which is present in Georgia during the breeding season) and the U.S. territories: Guam, the Guam Rail; Northern Mariana Islands, Mariana Fruitdove; Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rican Spindalis (not official but endemic); and the Virgin Islands, the Bananaquit. American Samoa doesn’t have a bird although the eagle is found on the flag. How about the provinces and territories of Canada? A surprising number of them use birds also found in Georgia: Alberta, Great Horned Owl; Nova Scotia, Osprey; Ontario, Common Loon; Prince Edward Island, Blue Jay; and Yukon, Common Raven. Others are British Columbia, Steller’s Jay; Manitoba, Great Gray Owl; New Brunswick, Black-capped Chickadee; Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic Puffin; Northwest Territories, Gyrfalcon; Nunavut, Rock Ptarmigan; Quebec, Snowy Owl; and Saskatchewan, Sharp-tailed Grouse. Steve Phenicie is a retired journalist and a Birds Georgia member/dedicated volunteer. As Birds Georgia celebrates its Centennial, we're reflecting on a century of birding, conservation, and community. We're excited to share that an important piece of that history – the Birds Georgia scrapbook – now has a permanent home at the Atlanta History Center.
The scrapbook is now part of the Cherokee Garden Library within the Kenan Research Center, where it will be preserved and made accessible for generations to come. Filled with historical photos, newspaper clippings, documents, and birding field lists, the scrapbook chronicles our organization's evolution – from our founding as the Atlanta Bird Club in 1926, through our years as the Atlanta Audubon Society and Georgia Audubon, to today's Birds Georgia. This new home places Birds Georgia in excellent company. The Cherokee Garden Library holds more than 40,000 books, photographs, seed catalogs, and landscape drawings, including works by renowned naturalists John James Audubon, Mark Catesby, and John Abbot. By placing our scrapbook in the care of the Atlanta History Center, we're ensuring Birds Georgia's legacy is preserved alongside other historical and scientific resources. Researchers, birders, and history enthusiasts alike will be able to explore how our organization and Georgia's birding community have grown and changed over a century. MORE: VIEW OUR CENTENNIAL TIMELINE STORYMAP If you're interested in visiting the collection or viewing the Birds Georgia scrapbook, appointments can be scheduled through the Atlanta History Center. Please contact Staci L. Catron at (404) 814-4046 or [email protected]. We're grateful for this partnership and proud to see Birds Georgia's story preserved as we look ahead to our next 100 years. Birds Georgia welcomed three new directors elected by members to the Board of Directors at their annual meeting on December 7. Susan Berthelot, Brett Howell, and Kim Payne were elected for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2026. In addition, Jennifer Johnson McEwen and Amy Beth Sparks will return to the Board of Directors for a second three-year term. Paige Martin, Jon Philipsborn, and Esther Stokes will return to the board for a special one-year term. Marc Goncher, Senior Counsel, Regulatory, for Chick-fil-A, Inc., will serve for a third year as Board Chair in the organization’s 100th year.
Susan Berthelot is a retired corporate communications executive with over 30 years of experience, including senior roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Cox Enterprises, and Aon/Hewitt. Since retiring from a full-time corporate career in 2019, she has managed communications and outreach for MIT's Center for Gynepathology Research (remote role) and become an active volunteer with Birds Georgia. Throughout her career, she received more than 40 professional awards from organizations like the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the Associated Press. She served on various professional boards starting in the mid-1990s and on the board of directors for the Atlanta nonprofit VOX Teen Communications twice (from 2009-2011 and 2015-2017). As a Master Birder and bird photographer, Susan is enthusiastic about sharing her love for birds and photography. She can be found birding at locations across the Atlanta area and beyond every week. Brett Howell is a non-profit executive director and conservation entrepreneur with more than a decade of board-level leadership across nonprofit, corporate, and philanthropic sectors, known for helping boards move beyond ESG compliance to embed sustainability into strategy and growth. At the board level, Brett founded and chairs the Howell Conservation Fund, building a fiduciary board that has launched 15+ catalytic projects worldwide. Brett also serves as an executive director of the Atlanta Homeowners Association and advisor to the Loon Preservation Committee, and previously served on the board of AWARE Wildlife. While at Coca-Cola, Brett co-led the North American marine litter initiative under the company’s World Without Waste strategy, recognized by the U.S. EPA as a national case study. As COO of OneReef, Brett scaled operations to conserve 350,000 acres of reef and secured $500K+ in new philanthropic grants. As the first Walker Conservation Fellow at Georgia Aquarium, Brett pioneered entrepreneurial strategies for reef restoration, leading 20+ international seminars, co-directing market-based workshops, and building partnerships in Florida, Bonaire, Cuba, and Jamaica. This work was featured in Honored by The Explorers Club as one of the "Explorers 50: Fifty People Changing the World" (2022) and featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, NPR, and Nature. Kim Payne is a nature enthusiast and amateur photographer. While maintaining an active career as a financial executive, she enjoys birding and photography — not only in her backyard and around Atlanta, but also while traveling across the United States and around the world. Her photography focuses primarily on birds, landscapes, and wildlife. A native of Atlanta, Kim earned her B.S. in Accounting from Florida State University before returning home to begin her career in corporate finance. She spent 28 years at Rent (formerly PRIMEDIA/RentPath), starting as an entry-level accountant and ultimately leading the organization as Chief Financial Officer for 13 years, including serving as Interim CEO. During that time, she also earned her M.B.A. from Kennesaw State University. Most recently, after more than two years as CFO at Hooters of America, Kim now provides financial consulting services. While at Hooters, Kim served on the Board of Directors of the Hooters Community Endowment Fund, a charitable organization that provides grants to nonprofits within the Hooters system, with a special emphasis on supporting the fight against breast cancer. Kim's lifelong love of photography and wildlife naturally led her to focus on photographing birds and wanting to learn more about them. This curiosity inspired her to complete the Master Birder program with Birds Georgia, deepening her knowledge and engagement with the organization's work. “We are excited to welcome these exceptional leaders to the Birds Georgia Board of Directors,” says Marc Goncher, Board Chair. “Susan, Brett, and Kim share a passion for conservation and diverse expertise that will strengthen our mission and help us make an even greater impact as we mark our Centennial year in 2026.” Additional Birds Georgia board members include Joshua Andrews, Bill Bell, Michael Chriszt, Bob Cooper, Courtenay Anne Dusenbury, Colleen McEdwards, Ellen Miller, Scott Porter, Sally Sears, and Wink Weinberg. More about our Board and Staff  Photo by Sebastian Hagan. Michael Ayling was presented with the 2025 Scottie Johnson Spirit Award at the Birds Georgia Holiday Party and Annual Meeting on December 7, 2025.
With 71 hours of volunteer service in 2025, Mike gave his time, talent, and heart to our mission. A member of the Birds Georgia Photographers Network, Mike consistently showcases the beauty of Georgia’s birds and their unique habitats. His commitment extends far beyond the lens. Since 2023, Mike has been a driving force behind Project Safe Flight at the Drew Charter School, spearheading monitoring and meeting with teachers and staff to raise awareness about bird-building collisions and prevention. About the Scottie Johnson Spirit Award: In 2018, Birds Georgia lost an incredibly dedicated volunteer and dear friend, Ms. Eleanor Scott Johnson. Scottie, as her family and friends called her, was an avid birder and long-time volunteer for Birds Georgia. There wasn’t a task that Scottie wasn’t up for, whether that was giving educational presentations, walking a Project Safe Flight route, certifying wildlife sanctuaries, or writing the Ask Chippy column. Scottie always raised her hand to help us out. She was a nurse, a mother, a Master Birder, and a wonderful human being with an amazing spirit. Although we lost Scottie to cancer in 2018, we continue to celebrate her spirit, kindness, and perseverance annually by honoring an outstanding volunteer with the Scottie Johnson Spirit Award. by Heather Levy, Conservation Program Manager
Our neighbor to the south, Florida, is undeniably one of the birdiest states in the country. If you have spent time there, you have likely noticed the large brown signs featuring a Swallow-tailed Kite and reading “Great Florida Birding Trail” posted along county highways and in parks and refuges. Texas was the first state to officially create a birding trail back in 1996, followed closely by Florida in 2000, and these two remain among the largest and most well-known trails. In the last 25 years, many states have followed suit and developed birding trails that either span the entirety of the state or are concentrated regionally. To celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2026 and to provide a lasting impact for our state’s communities and birds, Birds Georgia is excited to become one of the 25+ states with a statewide birding trail. This effort will build upon the regional trails developed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Despite the name, a birding trail is not a single, continuous trail but rather a collection of exemplary birding sites. Georgia’s trail will feature sites statewide — from the mountains to the coast and everywhere in between — to celebrate and highlight our state’s biodiversity and natural resources. Individual sites will be grouped into regional sub-trails, providing opportunities to enjoy birding at a local level. In total, we envision a trail that spans more than 400 sites with over 50 sub-trails. The trail will connect nature-based tourism, education, and environmental stewardship and is geared toward birders and nature enthusiasts of all levels. It is no secret that birding as a hobby has soared in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic. As people were forced to stay home, birds became a source of solace for many. More people are not only birding in their own yards and local patches but also traveling farther afield to find birds. Over 2 million visitors come to Georgia annually seeking opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing. One of our staff’s favorite sayings is “birds mean business,” because it’s true. Annually, $10.6 billion is spent on wildlife watching in Georgia, bringing revenue to local businesses and communities. The development of a trail that highlights sites for both Georgians and travelers could have meaningful impacts on rural communities and local economies. Our goal is to make the Georgia Birding Trail welcoming to all levels of birders and nature enthusiasts by strategically selecting sites that are easily accessible and have ample amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, visitor centers, and interpretive signage. While these types of sites will make up the majority of the trail, we will also include other top birding hotspots that may not be as easily navigable. To make your trip planning and visiting experience as informed as possible, we will be collecting information for each site about access, amenities, and relevant website links. A website is currently in development that will contain maps of the sub-trails and individual sites, as well as general information on Birding 101, birding and photography ethics, and birding by habitat. By partnering with sites that offer educational opportunities through interpretation and nature walks, the trail will help amplify these efforts through collaboration. We want to foster a sense of stewardship and a deep appreciation for nature both near and afar, and learning is most effective when people feel comfortable and welcome. We are excited to offer continual bird walks, workshops, and talks geared toward a diverse range of audiences, and we hope to instill a feeling of community for like-minded folks and inspire the next generation of young environmental stewards. The official Georgia Birding Trail logo features the Southeastern American Kestrel, an iconic cavity-nesting falcon species. This subspecies of the American Kestrel is a non-migratory resident across the Southeast and requires open, fire-maintained sandhills, savannas, and grasslands. They are declining due to habitat loss, habitat mismanagement, and a loss of natural nest sites. The kestrel symbolizes power, beauty, and the vital connection between habitat health and conservation. You can find kestrels throughout the state by exploring the right habitat and keeping your eye to the sky, and several of our trail sites will be located in kestrel habitat. Partnerships are key for birding trails, and most statewide trail efforts are managed by multiple partners, including state agencies, state or local Audubon chapters, and state ornithological societies. We are excited to be partnering with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, local Audubon chapters, and Georgia tourism agencies to select, promote, and celebrate sites. Our growing list of partners is invaluable in helping with a project this large in scale, both geographically and conceptually. As we launch the trail next year, we will hold celebrations at select sites from each region to celebrate the trail, the local community and partners, and, of course, the birds. We will post event information on our website and in Bird Buzz. We look forward to birding with you at a trail site soon.  By Brooke Michael, Communications Coordinator
It all began with a handwritten note scrawled inside a copy of Chapman’s Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America: “Anyone interested in birds call C. R. W. Hemlock 2134. Please do this.” The note came from Carter R. Whittaker, the first president of the Atlanta Bird Club. At the group’s first meeting on March 15, 1926, held at Whittaker’s home, 14 bird enthusiasts gathered with a simple, clear mission: “For the protection and study of our native birds.” Nearly 100 years later, that vision has grown into Birds Georgia, the state’s longest continuously running bird conservation organization. For a century, we have worked to protect birds, restore habitats, and inspire communities across Georgia. In 2026, we invite you to be part of our Centennial Celebration – a year-long series of events honoring our legacy and launching the next 100 years of conservation. From guided birding trips and habitat restoration workdays to a special Centennial Bird Fest and Fall Flyway Festival, there will be something for everyone to honor the past while shaping the future. As part of this milestone, we’re also proud to announce the development of the Georgia Birding Trail, our Centennial legacy project. This statewide network of birding hotspots will protect habitats, boost eco-tourism, and inspire the next generation of conservationists. Birds connect us all. Join us in honoring our history – and help us build a future where birds and people thrive.  Adam Betuel has been named as Executive Director of Birds Georgia. Birds Georgia has named Adam Betuel as its new Executive Director. Adam has been with the organization since 2015 and previously served as Senior Director of Programs and Director of Conservation.
As Executive Director, Adam will be responsible for enhancing Birds Georgia’s programs through organizational development, impactful advocacy, and continued growth. In addition to these strategic initiatives, he will oversee a roughly $2 million budget and ensure the long-term viability of the organization through successful fundraising, in cooperation with the board and staff, to meet the financial and strategic needs of the organization. “Adam’s proven leadership in bird conservation and his deep commitment to Birds Georgia make him the ideal person to guide the organization into its next century,” says Marc Goncher, Chair, Board of Directors. “As we approach Birds Georgia’s 100th anniversary in 2026, Adam’s vision and dedication will help us celebrate a remarkable legacy while expanding our impact for the future of Georgia’s birds and communities.” Adam Betuel has led Birds Georgia’s conservation efforts for more than a decade, transforming the program from a single part-time role into a statewide team of six full-time professionals. He has secured and managed more than a million dollars in grants, expanded habitat restoration work, and cultivated philanthropic partnerships to advance the organization’s mission. Adam spearheaded the development of Project Safe Flight and Lights Out Georgia, now among the strongest bird-collision prevention programs in the Southeast. Adam has represented Birds Georgia at state, regional, and national conferences, been featured in various media outlets, and led dozens of Birds Georgia travel programs to birding destinations around the world. A trained ornithologist, Adam received his Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology and Animal Biology from The Ohio State University in 2007, and led a graduate study at Indiana State University from 2010 to 2015 on the molecular ecology and breeding behavior of the White-throated Sparrow. He just completed two terms as the second vice president of the Georgia Ornithological Society and is currently an official eBird Reviewer. He lives in Kennesaw with his wife and daughter. “It’s an incredible honor to lead Birds Georgia at such a pivotal moment in our history,” says Adam Betuel. “I’m excited to continue growing our conservation impact, connecting more people with nature, and celebrating 100 years of protecting and enjoying Georgia’s incredible birds.” Please join us in congratulating Adam on his new role!  Ring-necked Duck | Photo by Kyle Smith / Audubon Photography Awards By Steve Phenicie
“When I start renaming birds, that one is at the top of my list.” I once said that as my colleagues and I gazed at a Ring-necked Duck on a DeKalb County lake during a Christmas Bird Count. The person who named this bird must have missed an appointment with the optometrist. Oh sure, there’s a brown ring around the neck of the male, but it’s very hard to see. Meanwhile, the white rings on the bill are obvious. The male is a gleaming black, gray, and white. The female, which is brown, has a white ring toward the end of her bill, and the area around the base is a lighter color than her head. At a distance, look for the distinctive peaked head to help you identify this bird. This duck nests mostly in the northern United States and Canada and winters in the southern U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. In summer it can be found on freshwater marshes, ponds, and bogs, mainly in openings in forested country; in the winter it also likes rivers and bays. These ducks put their nests among dense sedges and other emergent plants, typically building them directly over the water or on floating vegetation; this helps protect them from land-based predators. They don’t do much nest building, however, until the female begins to lay eggs; at this time the nest is typically just a flimsy collection of bent-over plant stems. The female then makes a simple bowl out of sedges and other plants that she gathers from nearby. She lines the nest with her own down feathers. The finished nest is up to 11 inches across, with a cup two to four inches deep. There the female lays eight to 14 eggs, and there’s usually a ramp built to help her get in and out of it while incubating. Ring-necked Ducks feed by diving underwater, rather than by tipping up as “dabbling” ducks do, going after submerged plants and aquatic invertebrates. Plants they like include pondweed, water lilies, wild celery, wild rice, millet, sedges, and arrowhead. They also eat mollusks (swallowing them whole and crushing the shells in their gizzard) as well as snails, caddisflies, dragonfly nymphs, midges, earthworms, and leeches. Some cool facts about Ring-necked Ducks:
By Dottie Head, Co-Executive Director (Interim)
It is with many mixed emotions that we announce that the November issue of Wingbars newsletter will be the last. With the cost of printing and postage soaring, the advent of the 24/7 news cycle, and access to improved content creation, it no longer makes sense to produce a printed newsletter. We plan to continue offering great and timely content on our social channels, on our blog, and on our YouTube channel, as well as in our Bird Buzz e-newsletter and special digital publications. These digital communication channels allow us to quickly distribute relevant and timely content and also provide us with detailed, real-time metrics about what content is resonating with our members and other audiences. It is also more environmentally sustainable. We encourage you to follow us online and subscribe to our e-newsletter, Bird Buzz, to stay abreast of all of the fantastic stories and opportunities taking place across Georgia. |
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