ANNOUNCING
The Georgia Ornithological Society’s
Fall Meeting
October 7-10, 2016
Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center
1175 Beachview Drive
Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527
SATURDAY NIGHT’S KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
"Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer"
Dr. Peter Marra
Director, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
Washington, D.C.
REGISTER
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Dr. Peter Marra earned an M.S. degree from Louisiana State University, a Ph.D. from Dartmouth College, and has been at the Smithsonian Institution since 1999, where he is the Director of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. He has authored over 180 peer-reviewed papers published in journals such as Science, Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, and Conservation Biology. He co-edited the frequently cited book "Birds of Two Worlds". Pete’s upcoming book entitled "
FRIDAY NIGHT’S PRESENTATION“Fightin’ Females: Sex and Hormones in the Florida Scrub-jay” |
Stephen Ferguson
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Mr. Ferguson earned his B.A. from the College of Wooster (OH) and has worked on dark-eyed juncos, saltmarsh sparrows, and captive zebra and Gouldian finches. His dissertation research focuses on aggression and physiology in the Florida scrub-jay, especially the role and behavior of females. His project and has received national and international funding, including the GOS Terrell Research Grant. Science has taken him across the country (and the world!) in pursuit of birds, the results of which he is excited to share at Jekyll Island.Meeting Hotel Details
Villas by the Seas Resort and Conference Center
1175 Beachview Drive
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Call (800) 841-6262 or (912) 635-2521 for reservations.
Website: Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center Home Page
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Room Type |
Islandside |
Oceanside |
Occupancy |
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Mini or Studio Villa |
$99 |
N/A |
1-2 |
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1 Bedroom |
$119 |
$129 |
1-2 |
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2 Bedroom |
$149 |
$159 |
1-4 |
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3 Bedroom |
$179 |
$189 |
1-6 |
Use the group code “GOS” to receive the group rate.
Cut-off date for GOS rate is 7 September 2016.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE |
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Friday, 7 October 2016Meet Field Trip Leaders in the Field5:30 - 6:30 PM - Dinner on Your Own6:30 - 7:30 PM - Registration and Flocking (cash bar)7:30 to 8:30 PM - Speaker: Stephen Ferguson "Fightin' Females: Sex and hormones in the Florida Scrub-Jay8:30 to 8:45 PM - Discussion of Saturday Field Trips |
Saturday, 8 October 2016Breakfast on Your Own
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Sunday, 9 October 2016Breakfast on Your Own6:45 AM – First Field Trip Departs
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Monday, 10 October 2016Breakfast on Your Own
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Field Trips
Note: All departure/return times are to/from Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center, unless otherwise noted.
For all Friday field trips: meet your Field Trip Leader at the birding location at the designated start time.
For all Monday field trips: there will be no escorted return trips to Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center.
For your personal comfort, safety, and enjoyment, always bring your binoculars, spotting scope, sturdy walking shoes, layers of clothing, rain gear, insect repellent, sun screen, water, and a lunch or snacks on all field trips. Be advised that many field trip destinations do not have bathroom facilities, so plan accordingly.
FIELD TRIP INFORMATION
FRIDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2016
ANDREWS ISLAND CAUSEWAY AND DISPOSAL SITE - Trip is Full
Leader: Nathan Farnau. Meet Nathan at the intersection of the Andrews Island Causeway and US Highway 341 at 11:00 AM. Trip ends at 3:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Andrews Island is currently managed by the Department of Transportation and access is restricted, so take advantage of this rare opportunity. The causeway leading to the Disposal Site is a special treat with frequent sightings of Roseate Spoonbills, Clapper Rails, American White Pelicans, American Avocets, and sparrows. The Disposal Site serves as a depository for dredged spoil from nearby waterways and attracts a wide range of migrating, breeding, and wintering birds. When water is plentiful, shorebirds, wading birds, and ducks are present in large numbers. At high tide, many shorebirds use it as a resting site when their usual feeding areas in the surrounding channels are flooded. We are seeking permission to carpool into the Disposal Site, but walking may be necessary. Come prepared.
GLENNVILLE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Leader: Gene Wilkinson. Meet Gene at the water treatment facility at 9:00 AM. Trip ends at 1:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Join Glennville resident Gene Wilkinson for a two-mile hike around the impoundments of this wonderful birding site for waterfowl, rails, waders, raptors, and songbirds. Trip rigor: Easy, with quite a bit of walking.
JEKYLL ISLAND BANDING STATION (JIBS)
Leader: Charlie Muise. Meet Charlie at JIBS at 7:30 AM. Trip ends at 11:30 AM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00, but donations to keep JIBS up and running are much appreciated.
The Jekyll Island Banding Station is a non-profit all volunteer bird banding station operating on the south end of Jekyll Island since 1978. Dedicated licensed banders and bird enthusiasts band Neotropical passerines during fall migration for scientific study and education. Visitors will have excellent photo opportunities and will be given a tour of mist netting operations. Trip rigor: Easy. Note: If you can’t attend one of the “official” trips to JIBS, Charlie says, “Drop by any time!”
SAPELO ISLAND
Leaders: Malcolm Hodges and James Fluellan. Depart 6:45 AM. Return 6:15 PM. Limit: 15 participants. Cost: $25 (paid with your registration) plus a $5.00 ferry fee (paid at the dock).
Although this island is known to birders as the only Georgia location for the much sought after (and elusive) Plain Chachalaca, this 16,000 acre, 11-mile long island has a rich history and a diverse assemblage of birds within its pristine maritime forests, marshes, and beaches. Trip rigor: Moderate, with quite a bit of walking.
SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2016
ANDREWS ISLAND CAUSEWAY AND DISPOSAL SITE
Leader: Steve Calver. 11:00 AM. Return: 2:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Andrews Island is currently managed by the Department of Transportation and access is restricted, so take advantage of this opportunity. The causeway leading to the Spoils Site is a special treat with frequent sightings of Roseate Spoonbills, Clapper Rails, American White Pelicans, American Avocets, and sparrows. The Spoils Site serves as a depository for dredged spoil from nearby waterways and attracts a wide range of migrating, breeding, and wintering birds. When water is plentiful, shorebirds, wading birds, and ducks are present in large numbers. At high tide, many shorebirds use it as a resting site when their usual feeding areas in the surrounding channels are flooded. We are seeking permission to carpool into the Spoils Site, but walking may be necessary. Come prepared.
ALTAMAHA SOUND BOAT TRIP
Leaders: Tim Keyes and Captain Phillip. Meet at the Jekyll Island Wharf at 8:15 AM. Return: 4:00 PM. Limit: 40 participants. Cost: $65.00.
Join Tim and Capt. Phillips as you cruise around Wolf, Rhetts, Little Egg, and Little St. Simons Islands on Captain Phillips new pontoon boat, while viewing flocks of shorebirds that roost in and around the Altamaha Sound. Trip rigor: Easy, but be prepared for rough water. Note: The boat will depart from the Jekyll Island Wharf promptly at 8:30 am.
ALTAMAHA WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AREA
Leader: Wes Hatch. Depart: 7:00 AM. Return: 1:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
The 27,000 acre Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area near Darien consists of 3,154 acres of managed freshwater and brackish waterfowl impoundments, bottomland hardwoods, and cypress-tupelo swamps. It is one of the premier waterfowl migration areas in Georgia. It also provides habitat for a tremendous diversity of other birds including Wilson’s Snipe, Common and Purple Gallinules, White and Glossy Ibises, numerous species of egrets and herons, Black-necked Stilts, migratory shorebirds, and a wide range of raptors, falcon, and owls. Birding is from the dikes or observation towers. Trip rigor: Easy, with quite a bit of walking. Note: You must possess a GORP pass to access this WMA. Passes can be purchased online for $3.50 for a three-day pass or $19.00 for an annual pass. For more information or to purchase and print a GORP pass, go to www.georgiawildlife.com/Georgia-Outdoor-Recreational-Pass.
ALTAMA PLANTATION WILDIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Leaders: Gene Keferl and Bob Sattelmeyer. Depart: 7:00 AM. Return 2:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Join Gene and Bob at this brand new state-owned 3,986-acre Wildlife Management Area situated on a tributary of the Altamaha River and adjacent to the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area. Formerly a rice plantation, the property has maritime forest, tidal creeks, old rice paddies and dykes, ponds, and managed pine plantations. Trip rigor: Moderate, with quite a bit of walking.
JEKYLL ISLAND BANDING STATION (JIBS)
Leader: Charlie Muise. Meet Charlie at JIBS at 7:30 AM. Trip ends at 11:30 AM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00, but donations to keep JIBS up and running are much appreciated.
The Jekyll Island Banding Station is a non-profit all volunteer bird banding station operating on the south end of Jekyll Island since 1978. Dedicated licensed banders and bird enthusiasts band Neotropical passerines during fall migration for scientific study and education. Visitors will have excellent photo opportunities and will be given a tour of mist netting operations. Trip rigor: Easy. Note: If you can’t attend one of the “official” trips to JIBS, Charlie says, “Drop by any time!”
SAPELO ISLAND- Trip is Full
Leaders: Malcolm Hodges and Nathan Farnau. Depart 6:45 AM. Return 6:15 PM. Limit: 15 participants. Cost: $25 (paid with your registration) plus a $5.00 ferry fee (paid at the dock).
Although this island is known to birders as the only Georgia location for the much sought after (and elusive) Plain Chachalaca, this 16,000 acre, 11-mile long island has a rich history and a diverse assemblage of birds within its pristine maritime forests, marshes, and beaches. Trip rigor: Moderate, with quite a bit of walking.
SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2016
ANDREWS ISLAND CAUSEWAY AND DISPOSAL SITE / GOULD’S INLET
Leader: Patty McLean. 11:00 AM. Return: 3:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Andrews Island is currently managed by the Department of Transportation and access is restricted, so take advantage of this opportunity. The causeway leading to the Spoils Site is a special treat with frequent sightings of Roseate Spoonbills, Clapper Rails, American White Pelicans, American Avocets, and sparrows. The Spoils Site serves as a depository for dredged spoil from nearby waterways and attracts a wide range of migrating, breeding, and wintering birds. When water is plentiful, shorebirds, wading birds, and ducks are present in large numbers. At high tide, many shorebirds use it as a resting site when their usual feeding areas in the surrounding channels are flooded. After Andrews Island, Patty will lead you to Gould’s Inlet on St. Simons Island to look for shorebirds, gulls, terns, and herons. We are seeking permission to carpool into the Disposal Site, but walking may be necessary. Come prepared.
CANNON’S POINT, ST SIMONS ISLAND
Leaders: Gene Keferl and Bob Sattelmeyer. Depart 7:00 AM. Return: 1:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Join Gene and Bob at this conservation area owned by the St. Simons Land Trust. This 608-acre nature preserve comprises maritime forest, salt marsh, and tidal creeks. Trip rigor: Easy, with quite a bit of walking.
CLAYHOLE SWAMP WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Leader: Mike Chapman. Leader: Mike Chapman. Meet at the Winn Dixie on US HWY 3141 N (5420 New Jesup HWY) at 7:30 AM. Return: 2:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Mike will lead you to this 5,242-acre Wildlife Management Area. Like many Georgia WMAs, it is managed for fiber production, but also contains extensive bottomland hardwoods swamps and maritime forests likely to harbor migrating fall warblers.
CUMBERLAND ISLAND
Leader: Bob Sargent. Depart: 7:00 AM. Return: 6:30 PM. Limit: 20 participants, minimum of 8. Cost: $32.00 ($28.00 ferry fee + $4.00 day use fee). This trip will be cancelled if fewer than 8 sign up.
Join Bob on Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island to bird pristine forests, undeveloped beaches, and expansive marshes. The island has one of the largest remaining coastal maritime forests and 9,800 acres of the island have been designated by Congress as a Wilderness Area. Moderate, with considerable walking. Note: Advanced reservation for the ferry is required. Call (877) 860-6787 or visit http://www.cumberlandislandferry.com to make and pay for ferry reservations in advance. Plan to pay the day use fee of $4.00 at the Mainland Visitor Center at check-in.
JEKYLL ISLAND BANDING STATION (JIBS)
Leader: Charlie Muise. Meet Charlie at JIBS at 7:30 AM. Trip ends at 11:30 AM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00, but donations to keep JIBS up and running are much appreciated.
The Jekyll Island Banding Station is a non-profit all volunteer bird banding station operating on the south end of Jekyll Island since 1978. Dedicated licensed banders and bird enthusiasts band Neotropical passerines for scientific study and education during fall migration. Visitors will have excellent photo opportunities and will be given a tour of mist netting operations. Trip rigor: Easy. Note: If you can’t attend one of the “official” trips to JIBS, Charlie says, “Drop by any time!”
JEKYLL ISLAND HOT SPOTS
Leader: Diana Churchill. Depart 7:00 AM. Return: 2:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Join Diana and visit the many hot spots of Jekyll Island. The tides will determine the order of places you visit. You’ll trek out to South Beach hoping for that stray rarity among the terns, gulls, and other shorebirds and maybe some cute plovers along the rack line. Hopefully you’ll pick up a few migrants on the way to and from the beach. The amphitheater will be checked for night herons, waders, and passerine migrants. The group will hit Clam Creek looking for more luck with migrants and maybe a couple of raptors. You’ll head out the Jekyll Island Causeway to the Visitor's Center to check the mudflats and saltmarsh for shorebirds and sparrows respectively. The trip should end by lunchtime. Bring adequate water, bug repellent, snacks, a spotting scope, and comfortable hiking boots. Trip rigor: Easy.
JEKYLL ISLAND WELCOME CENTER BIG SIT
Leader: Lydia Thompson. Limit: no limit. Cost: $0.00
Meet Lydia at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center observation tower. She will be there all day scanning for shorebirds, waders, gulls, terns, and songbirds. No need to sign up for this one, just drop in for a few minutes or a few hours on your way to or from other field trips. Trip rigor: Easy.
SAPELO ISLAND
Leaders: Malcolm Hodges and John Mark Simmons. Depart 6:45 AM. Limit: 15 participants. Cost: $25 (paid with your registration) plus a $5.00 ferry fee (paid at the dock).
Although this island is known to birders as the only Georgia location for the much sought after (and elusive) Plain Chachalaca, this 16,000 acre, 11-mile long island has a rich history and a diverse assemblage of birds within its pristine maritime forests, marshes, and beaches. Trip rigor: Moderate, with quite a bit of walking.
MONDAY, 10 OCOTOBER 2016
ANDREWS ISLAND CAUSEWAY
Leader: Bob Sargent. Depart 7:00 AM. No return trip to hotel. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Join Bob for a trip down the Andrews Island Causeway. The causeway is a special treat with frequent sightings of roseate spoonbills, clapper rails, American white pelicans, American avocets, shorebirds, and sparrows.
GLENNVILLE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Leader: Gene Wilkinson. Meet Gene at the water treatment facility at 9:00 AM (it will take you ~1.5 hours to drive there from Jekyll Island). Trip ends at 12:00 PM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
Join Glennville resident Gene Wilkinson for a two-mile hike around the impoundments of this wonderful birding site for waterfowl, rails, waders, raptors, and songbirds. Trip rigor: Easy, with quite a bit of walking.
JEKYLL ISLAND BANDING STATION (JIBS)
Leader: Charlie Muise. Meet Charlie at JIBS at 7:30 AM. Trip ends at 11:30 AM. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00, but donations to keep JIBS up and running are much appreciated.
The Jekyll Island Banding Station is a non-profit all-volunteer bird banding station operating on the south end of Jekyll Island since 1978. Dedicated licensed banders and bird enthusiasts will band Neotropical passerines during fall migration for scientific study and education. Visitors will have excellent photo opportunities and will be given a tour of mist netting operations. Trip rigor: Easy. Note: If you can’t attend one of the “official” trips to JIBS, Charlie says, “Drop by any time!”
PAULK’S PASTURE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Leader: Mike Chapman. Meet at the Winn Dixie on US HWY 341 N (5420 New Jesup HWY) at 7:30 AM. No return trip to the hotel. Limit: 20 participants. Cost: $0.00.
This WMA has bottomland hardwoods and early successional habitats (clear-cuts and a powerline right-of-way). Join Mike as you comb the area for fall migrants. Trip rigor: Easy.