October is when rare-in-this-area species, such as Red-necked Phalarope, Philadelphia Vireo and Yellow-headed blackbirds have been recorded. Inland, resident Florida Sandhill Cranes are seen, while the coast has Roseate Spoonbills, Sanderlings, American Oystercatchers, Whimbrels and Marbled Godwits. We shall see warblers, migrating and resident accipiters, buteos, falcons, Northern Harriers, ospreys and eagles.
Migrating passerines are seen in large numbers, including Swainson's Thrushes, Black-throated Blue Warblers, American Redstarts, and Northern Waterthrushes. A visit to the Jekyll Island Banding Station gives us the chance to see some of these birds up-close-and-personal.
We shall also visit the home site of one of America's most endangered species, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Travel to Savannah. Meet your fellow bird-watchers over dinner.
(D)
Day 2:
Early to Cockspur Island for a walk through forest and open fields near the river. We shall undoubtedly see some of our 8 species of woodpeckers, Ospreys, Fish and American Crows, Boat-Tailed Grackles, Northern Cardinals and a variety of warblers, including Common Yellowthroats.
On to a boat ride if the weather permits. We'll search for Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphins and then head for a prime birding spot that promises a variety of "peeps," including Black-bellied Plover and wading birds. Often Whimbrels can be found here too.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
To Savannah National Wildlife Refuge with walks and van rides to see the birds that use the impoundments of this former rice plantation. Duck species that winter here are arriving, and we may see Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintails and American Wigeon. Shrubs hide Yellow-rumped Warblers, Carolina Wrens, Eastern Towhees and Swamp and Savannah Sparrows. Migrants recorded here include Magnolia, Black-throated Green and Worm-eating Warblers. Weather permitting, we will take a boat ride on the Savannah River, through freshwater marsh and swamp to an 18th century rice trunk. In October 1999, this trip produced Stilt Sandpipers and a manatee as well as a Bald Eagle that nests nearby.
(B) (L)
Day 4:
To Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge with its freshwater ponds, woods and grassy fields. Probable sightings include Common Ground Doves, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flickers, Eastern Bluebirds, House and Carolina Wrens, Brown Thrashers, Palm Warblers, and Vesper and Savannah Sparrows. Tree Swallows wheel above in their thousands. Last October, we saw Wood Storks, Black-crowned Night Herons, Cattle Egrets and Northern Harriers.
On to the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area. Soras and other rails are often found here, and Pied-billed Grebes play hide and seek. Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlins, and Peregrine Falcons were here in 1999.
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Day 5:
To the western side of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge where the Suwanee River begins its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The Swamp's cypresses, with their draperies of Spanish moss, are beginning to change color around the black-water lakes. In this wooded part of the Swamp, we are likely to see Wood Ducks, Black and Turkey Vultures, Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, and White-eyed Vireos. Warm days bring out the alligators, and we will look out for white-tailed deer, otter, and gray foxes.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
To the eastern side of the Okefenokee where the more open, marsh-like areas attract flocks of wading birds, Great Egrets and White Ibis. The Florida Sandhill Cranes await the arrival of their northern relatives, the Greater Sandhill Cranes. Upland areas should provide us with Wild Turkeys, Brown-headed Nuthatches, and Pine Warblers. Walks, a drive and a boat ride should also let us see Anhingas, Red-shouldered Hawks, Gray Catbirds and migrant warblers such as American Redstarts. With luck, in the early morning, we may see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. We saw bobcat and a mink from the boardwalk last year.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
To Jekyll Island beach. Many gulls that are rare in the southern US, such as Glaucous Gulls, often turn up among the hundreds of Laughing, Ring-billed, and Herring Gulls. Pelicans, Black Skimmers and terns gather in large groups to rest and preen. We actually saw "thin as a rail" Clapper Rails in the salt marsh here last year, and we might see late-departing Roseate Spoonbills.
We have entree to the Jekyll Island Banding Station, where migrating birds are mist-netted and banded. Species that we might be able to examine in close-up include Swainson's Thrushes, Grey Catbirds, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Palm Warblers, American Redstarts, Northern Waterthrushes, Common Yellowthroats and Indigo Bunting.
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Day 8:
Return home with your memories of a true southern birding adventure.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
UK: Double occupancy: £613. Single: £781
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Georgia USA
Birdwatching
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