The Richmond Hill Christmas Bird Count (RH CBC) may be just a bit over 3 months away (Wednesday, December 20 to be exact), but it is not too early to start planning for this year's CBC. In that vein, Shannon Matzke, Naturalist at The Ford Field & River Club (FF&RC), has invited Count Coordinator/Compiler Stan Gray to give a presentation on the history and future plans for the RH CBC. Stan’s presentation will be open to anyone who are considering joining the RH CBC this December. Registration is required for entry into FF&RC (see below) Following the presentation, the group will break up into small teams and bird the 1800-acre Ford property until noon.

Meet in The Ford Visitor Parking Lot, 48 Ford Way, Richmond Hill by 9:00 AM, after which we will convoy to the site of Stan's presentation at the Deepwater Marina.

Leaders: Stan Gray and Shannon Matzke
Pre-registration required to gain access to FF&RC. Register at this event by September 27 at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0944AEA62EA2FA7-ford

For more information about or to sign-up for the Ogeechee Audubon supported CBCs, visit our CBC page here.

We will be monitoring Mississippi & Swallow-tailed Kite feeding locations to choose an appropriate location. Exact location is to be determined. 

We will be limiting the trip to 12 people. You must register to participate!

Leaders: Diana Churchill and Mark Woodruff.

Please email Diana Churchill dichurchbirds@gmail.com to register.

Ogeechee Audubon will return to this famed local site after an extended period of closure to repair and protect against storm damage and rising sea levels. Highlights at this time of year should include Common and Purple Gallinules, Black-necked Stilts, and wading birds.

We will be limiting the trip to 20 people and 5 vehicles so as not to overwhelm the pull-offs on the Drive. You must register to participate!

Leader Matt Tozer.

Rigor: Easy, will stay close to the vehicles.

Registration is required – email Matt Tozer (mctozer@yahoo.com). Please be willing to carpool during the trip.

Activity at the pond should be hopping with nesting wood storks and egrets. Meet at the entrance gate at 9:00 am. (711 Sandtown Road Savannah, GA 31410).

Rigor: Moderate with 1-2 miles walking.

Limit 25 people, please email Leader Eric Swanson to register.

Leader: Eric Swanson ericgreggswanson@gmail.com 309-721-4357.

Target species will include winter birds and early spring migrants. Meet at the Wormsloe Entrance at 8:30 am. 7601 Skidaway Rd., Savannah, GA 31406.

Trip rigor: Moderate

Leaders: Katie Higgins kt.higgins@uga.edu 912-677-2067, Pam Smith & and Gretchen Gremlinger.

Reservations required as Ogeechee Audubon will make a donation to Wormsloe to cover entrance fees.

Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0944AEA62EA2FA7-oasfield

We’ll be exploring this spectacular property for wintering birds and early spring migrants. Ogeechee Audubon is happy to continue our partnership with the Ford by offering this trip for Ford Residents and OAS members. Meet at the Main Entrance 48 Ford Way, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 at 8:30 am.

Trip rigor: Moderate with a good bit of walking.

Leaders Shannon Matzke & Diana Churchill. dichurchbirds@gmail.com 912-604-7539.

Advance Reservations required. CURRENTLY THIS EVENT IS FULL, a waitlist is available, email Diana to join the waitlist.

Meet at the Folkston Entrance to the NWR at 9 am for a walk on the boardwalk, the old homestead, and possibly the upland trail. (4155 Suwanee Canal R d., Folkston , GA 31537 )

Cost: Entrance fee -$5 per car (America the Beautiful National Park and Federal Lands Pass accepted) plus bring $$ for the concession stand for lunch or bring your own lunch.

Limit 10 people with pre-registration required. Contact leader to register.

Leader Brittany Dodge (brittmarie24@gmail.com) 912-800-5361.

Trip rigor: Easy to moderate.

On your own option: After the OAS field trip, Brittany Dodge, a naturalist who formerly worked at Okefenokee NWR, is willing to guide a 1 1/2 to 2 hour paddle after lunch. This trip is NOT sponsored by Ogeechee Audubon. Bring $$ for this activity.

Limit 10 people with pre-registration required. Please contact Brittany Dodge (brittmarie24@gmail.com) 912- 800-5361 if interested and also ask for details as to when and where to meet for this activity.

Note: Each activity listed requires registration. You should clarify the activity (or both) in which you wish to participate when registering.

We be on the lookout spring migrants and lingering winter birds.

Limit 12 people with advanced reservations required – Please email leader Chris Brown okstatevet92@gmail.com.

Leader: Chris Brown

Difficulty - Moderate with extensive walking.

5960 SR-17 Guyton, GA 31312

We will looking for lingering winter birds and early spring migrants. Meet at the entrance to Wormsloe at 8:30 am.

Limit 15 people with reservations required – THIS EVENT IS FULL

Ogeechee Audubon will be picking up the per person entry fee - usually $10 or $6 if we have 15 people.

Leader: Katie Higgins

Difficulty: Easy

7601 Skidaway Rd, Savannah, GA 31406

This one is for the Early Birds! Meet at 6:15 am at Love’s Truck Stop at 8436 Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill. Difficulty Moderate. Target species are American Woodcock, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Henslow’s Sparrow and more. Limit 15 people.

Leader Larry Carlile. l.carlile259@comcast.net.

Pre-registration required

This is a rare opportunity to visit this private property owned by the Cay family. It has a diversity of habitats including grassy fields, ponds, old rice trunks, pine forest and oak woodlands. Leader Diana Churchill. High clearance vehicles best with a limit of 5 vehicles. Masks required if carpooling, unless members of same household.

Leader Diana Churchill

Trip Rigor: Moderate

Pre-registration required
Please contact Diana at dichurchbirds@gmail.com or 912-604-7539 for directions and further details.

Ogeechee Audubon Society will join Earth Month Savannah by conducting in-person bird walks in Forsyth Park. We will wander the park in search of migratory warblers, vireos, tanagers, buntings, flycatchers and more. Leader: Diana Churchill

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . You will receive a confirmation of attendance. We will meet at the fountain at the north end of the park at 7:45 am.

Limit 8.

If you wish, you may donate $5 that will go directly to benefit Earth Day Savannah.

We will search for spring migrants, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman’s Sparrow and more. Leader: Steve Wagner.

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . Meet at the main gate at 8 am.

Limit 8.

Ogeechee Audubon Society will join Earth Month Savannah by conducting in-person bird walks in Forsyth Park. We will wander the park in search of migratory warblers, vireos, tanagers, buntings, flycatchers and more. Leader: Diana Churchill

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . You will receive a confirmation of attendance. We will meet at the fountain at the north end of the park at 7:45 am.

Limit 8.

If you wish, you may donate $5 that will go directly to benefit Earth Day Savannah.

A perfect time of year to stroll through the park-like setting of the beautiful 51 acre gardens looking for migrating birds. The Gardens attract a wide assemblage of species. Designated as an eBird Hotspot, 146 species have been reported on the grounds. A special treat will be to see Stan Gray’s River of Iris! Leader: Stan Gray

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . Meet in the parking lot at 8 am.

Limit 8.

Ogeechee Audubon Society will join Earth Month Savannah by conducting in-person bird walks in Forsyth Park. We will wander the park in search of migratory warblers, vireos, tanagers, buntings, flycatchers and more. Leader: Diana Churchill

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . You will receive a confirmation of attendance. We will meet at the fountain at the north end of the park at 7:45 am.

Limit 8.

If you wish, you may donate $5 that will go directly to benefit Earth Day Savannah.

Ogeechee Audubon Society will join Earth Month Savannah by conducting in-person bird walks in Forsyth Park. We will wander the park in search of migratory warblers, vireos, tanagers, buntings, flycatchers and more. Leader: Diana Churchill

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . You will receive a confirmation of attendance. We will meet at the fountain at the north end of the park at 7:45 am.

Limit 8.

If you wish, you may donate $5 that will go directly to benefit Earth Day Savannah.

We will search for Marsh Wrens, Seaside Sparrows, Nelson Sparrows, and shorebirds during a high tide. We will also search for early spring migrants. Leaders: Diana Churchill and Eric Swanson.

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . Meet at the front gate at 8:45 am

Limit 8.

This is a beautiful site featuring wetlands and river setting. We will search for wading birds, raptors, woodpeckers, early migrants and various sparrows. Leader: Pam Smith

Reserve your spot by signing up at ogeecheeaudubon.help@gmail.com . Meet at Chief Of Love Road (technically Chief O F Love Road)

Limit 8.

Join Mary Lou Dickson and a guest host on a special day-long field trip to Bear Island and Donnelley WMAs. (Open event to read more about this special field trip)

Trip rigor: Birding near vehicles with minimal amount of walking.

Please register with Mary Lou prior to February 16 at marylou@dicksonimages.com or by phone at 919-559-6898.

PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED --
Join Ogeechee Audubon at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge to learn how to identify ducks that have stopped at the refuge to overwinter.

We will first start … (open event for more details)

Explore - Observe - Learn

Join Isaiah Scott to explore the colorful summer birds in the cypress swamps of New Ebenezer Retreat Center.

Free admission and lunch is $10. To register or ask questions, text (912) 659-7985 or email Isiahescott843@gmail.com.