Fireflies and Migration Magic in the North Georgia Mountains

May 8-10, 2026

This tour is sold out. Click the link below to join the waiting list.

Trip Leader: Melanie Furr, Feathers with Furr LLC

Special Guest: Becky Griffin, Pollinator Health Associate, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

Maximum Group Size:  10 people


Early May is especially magical for birding in the North Georgia mountains. Neotropical migrants are stopping over on their journeys farther north or settling in on their breeding grounds, and early arrivals and year-round residents are already nesting and tending young. The trees are dripping with color and song! Join Feathers with Furr for a weekend exploring migration-rich hotspots near Blairsville, GA, where it's possible to find as many as twenty species of warblers, as well as tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings, vireos, flycatchers, and more.

As an added bonus, to kick off the weekend on Friday evening, we will gather at dusk at with Becky Griffin, entomologist and founder of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, to learn about fireflies and, if temperatures are warm enough, enjoy a magical light display. With its high elevation and minimal light pollution, the area around Blairsville is perfect for firefly watching and star gazing. Becky will also join us for the weekend, lending her insights on what bugs the birds are eating!

Tour Fee:  $220

Tour fee does not include food, transportation, or lodging. Lodging recommendations will be provided to participants, and a group rate will be arranged, if possible.

Trip overview:

Friday evening:  The tour will kick off in Blairsville, GA with an optional early group dinner. After dinner, we will carpool to our firefly viewing location and learn about the fascinating lives of fireflies and common species that live in North Georgia.

Saturday, we will meet early at Brasstown Bald, the tallest peak in Georgia, where we will enjoy the morning chorus of birds. In addition to looking for several warbler species, including Canada, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Worm-eating, and Ovenbird, we’ll expect to see and hear a number of other neotropical species like Wood Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue-headed Vireo, and Scarlet Tanager. If we are lucky, we may encounter Common Raven, Red Crossbill, or Ruffed Grouse. After a break for lunch, we will visit some other hotspots/habitats in the area, wrapping up late afternoon to rest and have dinner.  (Saturday evening will be the rain date for firefly viewing.)

Sunday, we’ll check out of our hotel and get another early start, driving ~30 minutes south to start the day at Sosebee Cove, a high-elevation mature second growth forest with a diversity of stunning flora, including carpets of native plants and tremendous trees that give the feel of an old-growth forest. The ethereal songs of Wood Thrush and Veery echo through the cove, and breeding warblers include Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Hooded, and American Redstart. When we’ve had our fill of soaking in the tapestry of sights and sounds at Sosebee, we’ll head to Vogel State Park for one last short stop to scan the lake and use the restrooms before we say our goodbyes and head our separate ways.

Tour Pacing and Physical Difficulty:

Both days of the tour will start early, meeting at our first birding location at 7 AM.  We will have a ~90-minute break for lunch on Saturday and return to the hotel around 5 PM. On Sunday, we will conclude late morning.

Some of our birding will be done close to our cars on both paved and gravel roads, but we will also have a short hike each day (1-2 miles) on dirt trails with some short, but steep ascents.

Tour price includes:

  • Professional birding guide

  • Daily eBird lists and complete trip report

  • Firefly educational event and viewing

  • Coordination of group lodging and meals

  • Pre-trip information session on April 8 at 6 PM.

Tour Price does not include:

  • Transportation

  • Accommodations

  • Meals or beverages

  • Entry Fees (Participants will be advised about expected fees and are encouraged to purchase necessary passes prior to the trip.)

  • Other costs not specifically included in the tour price

Payment Schedule:

  • To reserve your trip – $50.00

  • Full payment must be made by March 25

Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation is received by ­­­­­March 25, a refund of all payments made will be given. After March 25, no refunds will be given, unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given, less a $25 administrative fee.

In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a full refund will be given.

Please email Melanie Furr at featherswithfurr@gmail.com with any questions about the tour.

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