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by Sheridan Alford
Each spring, Georgia Bird Fest brings people together through a shared appreciation for birds, nature, and community. This year, our Centennial celebration was no exception. From mountaintop hikes to coastal paddles, art showcases to conservation conversations, Bird Fest 2026 was a true reflection of how far this community has come and where we’re headed next. A Month of Birds, Community, and Discovery Over the course of the festival, 40 events took place across the state, offering something for every level of birder and nature enthusiast. Participants explored Georgia’s diverse landscapes through guided field trips, including birding by boat, canoe, and kayak; overnight hikes; and visits to habitat restoration sites. We were proud to collaborate with incredible partners like Georgia Rivers, the Trust for Public Land, the Georgia Native Plant Society, Jekyll Island Authority, and Ocmulgee Audubon Society to expand opportunities for people to engage with birds and conservation in meaningful, place-based ways. We also celebrated alongside the Atlanta History Center in their own Centennial year, marking a unique moment of shared legacy. From artist talks and creative showcases to hands-on conservation experiences, this year’s Bird Fest highlighted the many ways people connect with birds and with each other. The Summit: A Day to Gather and Reflect Our Bird Fest Summit, held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, was a standout moment of the festival. Set against a vibrant spring backdrop, the day brought together birders, artists, conservationists, and curious newcomers for a shared experience rooted in learning and connection. Throughout the day, speakers offered a wide range of perspectives that deepened our understanding of birds and the communities that surround them.
Beyond the stage, the Summit buzzed with creativity. Artists Chantelle Chapman and Raven Waters showcased their work, while Eagle Eye Book Shop and Wild Birds Unlimited offered books and birding gear for attendees to explore. We also shared a preview of an upcoming limited-edition illustrated playing card deck, an exciting glimpse at what’s ahead. Our partners were present in full force, providing tangible ways for attendees to stay engaged in conservation efforts across Georgia. Why It Matters As one of our largest annual events, Georgia Bird Fest plays a vital role in supporting Birds Georgia’s conservation, education, and community engagement work. Every field trip, workshop, and conversation helps build momentum toward a future where both birds and people can thrive. A theme that carried throughout the Summit, and the festival as a whole, was the strength of this community. In his remarks, Executive Director Adam Betuel reflected on the wonder of spring migration: that birds, many weighing less than a cellphone, undertake extraordinary journeys each year. It’s a reminder of both the resilience of these species and the importance of protecting the habitats they depend on. Looking Ahead We’re deeply grateful to everyone who participated in Georgia Bird Fest 2026, whether you joined us for a single hike or followed along for the entire month. A special thank you goes to our Centennial Patrons, whose support makes this work possible and sustains the festival's growth year after year. Bird Fest is more than a series of events; it’s a community in flight. And if this year is any indication, the future is full of possibilities.
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Birds Georgia is proud to announce the newest site enrolled in our Habitat Stewardship Program: the Chick-fil-A Support Center.
Spanning more than 70 wooded acres, the Chick-fil-A Support Center is an ArbNet-certified arboretum and serves as the company’s headquarters. The campus features extensive botanical gardens, walking trails, streams, ponds, and specialized tree collections, all designed to foster a “work full of life” environment. As part of maintaining both native and curated plantings, the site incorporates native trees such as magnolia, oak, and pine, along with native shrubs and wildflowers that provide valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife. Plans are also underway to install and maintain bird and bat boxes to further support native species. The Birds Georgia Habitat Stewardship Program partners with public and private landowners and managers to advance conservation through practical, science-based habitat improvements. The program connects participants with educational resources, technical assistance, cost-share opportunities, and other tools that help make stewardship efforts both impactful and sustainable. We are delighted to welcome the Chick-fil-A Support Center as a Habitat Steward and applaud their commitment to building places where birds and people thrive.  JD Downs serves as Birds Georgia's Director of Finance and Administration. By Steve Phenicie
(This is the 70th in a series on Birds Georgia volunteers, board members, and staff.) The next time you give Birds Georgia a million dollars (or any lesser sum), your generous contribution is sure to pass through the hands of JD Downs, the organization’s new Director of Finance and Administration, who began work in March. JD sums up her job as follows: “We at Birds Georgia create places where birds and people thrive, and I am the kind of person who loves creating an environment within an organization where the folks within the organization can thrive.” She does everything from paying the bills to human resources to insurance matters and keeping track of spreadsheets, budgets, and grants. And don’t forget the internet technology work. “Anything to do with money or keeping the lights on (except during Lights Out!) ,” she said. For about nine months in 2024 she was systems coordinator for Birds Georgia. Birding? She wasn’t hired for that, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a birder. She’ll be taking the Master Birder class in the fall and eventually hopes to lead field trips. Right now she tends her backyard feeders, “befriends crows,” (a bird she holds special affection for) and enjoys watching live bird cams. Her business background, volunteer work, and interests are extensive. Among them: Directly before coming to Birds Georgia she was finance manager at PAWS Atlanta, a no-kill shelter that finds homes for about 1,000 dogs and cats per year. She was the founder of Atlanta Tech Citizens, a collective of volunteers who worked to deepen the connections between tech professionals and nonprofits. She also had a long career in tech and user experience design where she worked for local startups like MailChimp, volunteer think tank Points of Light, and was a designer on healthcare.gov. She has been a board member, director of operations and treasurer of Y’all Rock Camp, an Atlanta music day camp for girls, trans, and gender expansive youth that offers them a chance to form a band and perform at the end of the week. She’s been on the board of her neighborhood association and was president of a condo association. She is a long-time musician but now focuses on painting – mostly birds and dogs so far. JD, a native of Atlanta, holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies and finance from Southern New Hampshire University and also has studied at Georgia State University. She and her husband, Koby, who works for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, live in Decatur with their two rescue dogs, James and Icee, and have a 21-year-old daughter, Mason, who is studying computer science at the University of Florida.  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.  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. |
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