Georgia has more than 400 bird species on its state list, and a strong network of Audubon chapters, bird clubs and refuges to help you find them. Here are the state’s main birding organizations, local clubs you can join for field trips, and some of the best places to watch birds.
- Statewide groupsBirds Georgia and the Georgia Ornithological Society
- Rare bird newseBird alerts and the GABO email list
- Best seasonsSpring and fall migration; winter on the coast
Statewide Organizations
Birds Georgia (formerly Georgia Audubon)
Statewide bird conservation and education group based in Atlanta, founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Bird Club. It was the Atlanta Audubon Society, became Georgia Audubon in 2020 and took the name Birds Georgia in 2023. Runs bird walks, classes, a habitat certification program and the Georgia Birding Network. birdsgeorgia.org
Georgia Ornithological Society
The state’s principal birding and bird research group, with spring and fall meetings, the journal The Oriole, conservation and research grants, and the Georgia Birders Online (GABO) email list. gos.org
Local Audubon Chapters & Bird Clubs
These chapters and clubs lead local field trips and programs. Most post schedules on their websites or Facebook pages; the Georgia Ornithological Society keeps an up-to-date list of Georgia bird clubs.
Albany Audubon Society
Albany and southwest Georgia. Facebook page
Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society
Augusta and Aiken, S.C., with field trips and education programs. augustaaikenaudubon.org
Coastal Georgia Audubon Society
Brunswick, St. Simons Island and the Golden Isles. Website
Columbus Audubon Society
Columbus and the surrounding area. Facebook page
Ocmulgee Audubon Society
Macon and middle Georgia. Facebook page
Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
Athens area, with bird walks, programs and a conservation grant. oconeeriversaudubon.org
Ogeechee Audubon Society
Savannah and the coast, with field trips, a Christmas Bird Count and local hotspot guides. ogeecheeaudubon.org
Southern Wings Bird Club
Gwinnett County club for beginners to experts. Facebook group
Rare Bird Alerts & Sightings
The old telephone rare bird hotlines have been replaced by online tools. Get free Georgia rare bird alerts on eBird, check recent sightings by county on eBird Georgia, or join the Georgia Birders Online email list run by the Georgia Ornithological Society.
Places to See Birds in Georgia
Birdsong Nature Center
A 565-acre former plantation near Thomasville with fields, woods and the famous Bird Window.
Dauset Trails Nature Center
Trails, wildlife exhibits and a farm area near Jackson.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
About 680 square miles of swamp, a Wetland of International Importance, with herons, ibises, sandhill cranes and red-cockaded woodpeckers.
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Former WWII airfield on the McIntosh County coast, known for its wood stork rookery and wading birds.
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Old rice fields along the lower Savannah River with a wildlife drive; excellent for waterfowl and wading birds.
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
Pine and hardwood forest near Juliette, home to red-cockaded woodpeckers.
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
About 4,000 acres of cypress lake and marsh near Lakeland.
Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge
A barrier island off McIntosh County, reached only by boat.
More: hummingbirds in Georgia and the Georgia Birding & Wildlife Trails.
Marsh BirdsState parks and refuges
HummingbirdsRuby-throats, March to OctoberSources we checked
Facts in this guide were checked against the agencies and operators that run these places:
- Georgia Ornithological Society: other Georgia birding clubs – chapter and club list
- Birds Georgia: what’s in a name – 2023 name change
- Georgia Birders Online
- eBird: Georgia rare bird alert
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.