Feathers with Furr

We’re only a few weeks into spring, but I’ve already had the joy of going birding with hundreds of people of many ages and walks of life. These are just a few photos from recent programs with Shepherd Center, Dekalb County, Tucker City Parks, and Gwinnett County Schools. I love sharing the wonder of birds! Grateful to Vortex Optics for providing three pairs of new binoculars to use with students.

Looking forward to leading a series of free walks at my local Tucker parks!

Get ready to look to the skies! Our next Wild Walk is at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8 at Kelley Cofer Park. We are excited to have Melanie Furr lead this guided bird observation walk. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just someone who enjoys a peaceful morning in nature, Melanie's expertise will help you see the park in a whole new light.🐦☀🌳

To view the Wild Walk schedule, click here: https://tucker.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1272

Questions? Contact Charlie Chavez.
[email protected]

Join me at some of my favorite migration birding hotspots on May 16 for my latest Peach State Pop-up Tour—Birding Big Canoe. We’ll explore forests carpeted with native plants, walk a trail dotted with centuries-old indigenous cairns, and enjoy an explosion of blooming mountain laurel and sweeping mountain views as we search for birds. We expect to see a wide variety of neotropical migrants on their breeding grounds, including up to 10 species of warblers (or more). Learn more and register on my website at the link in my profile.

On the way home from a fun-filled weekend exploring Okefenokee Swamp NWR with the Atlanta Sierra Club, I took the scenic route, as I often do, stopping at new eBird hotspots along the way. I was delighted to stumble upon Ohoopee Dunes WMA—riverine sandhills that cover more than 9000 acres in Central Georgia. These inland dunes (up to 70 feet deep!) provide habitat for unique plants and animals that have evolved in this harsh, fire-adapted landscape.
Interpretive trail at Ohoopee Dunes WMA (photo 1); a recent prescribed burn (2); longleaf pine and turkey oak (3); gopher tortoise burrow (4); skyblue lupine (5); eastern fence lizard on longleaf pinecone (6).

With the return of spring, my monthly Atlanta Beltline birding outings with Shepherd Center have resumed, and what a way to kick off the season! As the participants were getting off the Shepherd bus, a Bald Eagle swooped in to hunt over a golf course lake, and everyone got to see it catch a small fish and eat it in flight. Later, we found a Barred Owl in a nesting cavity. (Can’t wait to check again at next month’s outing!) I’m excited that my friend Maggie, whom I met through Shepherd Center and who just started a job at Birdability, will be co-leading these outings with me this year.

Yesterday I hit a fairly significant eBird milestone—3000 consecutive days of submitting at least one checklist (8+ years). I’m not trying to break any records or compete with anyone; just making a daily effort to observe the birds around me and report them for science. In the process, I’ve learned to recognize seasonal patterns, birded all 159 counties in Georgia, and compelled myself to get outside even on days I’m inclined to stay indoors. How blessed I am to have the health to get out and see birds daily—and that the birds are there for the seeing! eBird

Bird lovers, especially my local Tucker peeps, I’ll be leading three free bird walks for the City of Tucker, the first one on April 8. Would love to see you there!

Wild Walks Wild Walks: Explore Tucker’s Parks With Us! Join us for our family friendly Wild Walks, a free, walking program that gets you moving, exploring, and connecting with nature in Tucker’s beautiful parks! Walks are often hosted by an educated biologist and alternate between morning and evening times...

Just a few spaces remain for my Fireflies and Migration Magic tour on May 8-10 in the North Georgia mountains. The dark mountain skies and high elevation are perfect for stargazing and firefly viewing, and we’ll have an expert entomologist joining us Friday night to share her knowledge. We’ll also be visiting around the peak of bird migration, and while we expect to see a wide variety of species, the warblers usually steal the show. 😁 These are just a few species we expect to see. Grab your spot before they’re gone! More details in the comments.

For those who guessed Salton Sea—you got it! The ancient terminus of the Gulf of California, trapped in a huge rift valley by sediment deposits from the Colorado River, this salty lake in the Colorado Desert hosts thousands of wintering Snow Geese, along with waterfowl, shorebirds, and more. The nearby Imperial Valley, an agricultural area sustained by the lake and its rich sediment deposits, supports grassland species and the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge’s poster bird, the Burrowing Owl. My friend Charlotte and I were treated to closeup roadside looks at a (presumed) nesting owl pair. Sadly, shrinking water levels and pollution from agricultural runoff threatens the wildlife that depends on this unique desert lake and habitat.

I just returned from a scouting trip for a possible future birding tour. It was a landscape of extremes—deserts, badlands, and a salty lake below sea level. Who can guess the location? These photos provide some clues.

Free program tomorrow! At Wild Birds Unlimited (Atlanta) at 2 PM. And for those north of town, I’ll be at Wild Birds Unlimited (Alpharetta) at noon.

LIVE IN-STORE EVENT - "Cheep Dates" Love in the Bird World!
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2 - 3 PM, IN-STORE, FREE
As spring arrives, birds tune up their vocal cords, put on their finest plumage & perfect their courtship displays preparing for the breeding season. Learn more about birds’ fascinating breeding & nesting behaviors in this fun presentation that shines light on the love and family life of birds.
🪑 Limited Seating Available. Come Early and Grab Your Seat. 🪑Some Standing Room Available