WINTER 2026

Primary Feathers…

How Do Birds Survive Harsh Winters?

Learn how birds survive frigid temperatures and ways you can support them in winter.

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Introducing “Peach State Pop-up” Birding Tours…

My short “Pop-up” tours are designed to explore Georgia’s beautiful, off-the-beaten-path birding hotspots, highlighting fun, seasonal birding experiences, as well as other natural wonders and cultural experiences around the state. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and accommodations. Lodging recommendations will be provided for trip participants, and optional group meals will be arranged.

Check out my first two pop-up tours below, coming this February, and join me for a road trip around some of Georgia’s scenic, less-travelled places!

Wheeling through Wheeler

This January I hosted my inaugural Feathers with Furr birding tour, a four-day trip to Decatur, Alabama to explore Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and other local birding hotspots. The tour included full days of birding in different habitats with a dash of local history and culture. Given my 10-years working with the Shepherd Center, making the tour inclusive for two birders (now friends) with different access needs was especially meaningful. In spite of cold temperatures, I couldn’t have asked for a more fun and easygoing group, and the birds did not disappoint.

Upcoming Tours:

Peach State Pop-up: Winter Birding and Mennonite Buffet in Middle Georgia

February 7, 2026 — Half-day and full-day options

Middle Georgia, from Macon down to Americus, with its farm fields and quiet country roads, is an amazing place for winter birding, and some of the least visited counties often host the most unexpected birds. Every cattle pond holds the possibility of rare overwintering shorebirds or waterfowl, and huge flocks of blackbirds, a spectacle to behold, are worth scanning for Brewer’s Blackbirds or even something rarer. Say’s Phoebe’s, Vermillion Flycatchers, and even Short-eared Owls pop up almost annually in the middle part of the state. Aside from the exciting rarities, this rural part of Georgia is wintering grounds for numerous grassland species including Northern Harrier, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, and more. While we cannot guarantee sightings of any rarities, we will use the most up-to-date local information to shape our final itinerary. We’ll also enjoy a tasty local Mennonite buffet for lunch!

Peach State Pop-up: Birdsong and Trout Lilies in Southwest Georgia

Featuring Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve

February 28-March 1, 2026

Join Feathers with Furr to explore some off-the-beaten paths hotspots in Southwest Georgia, where birds that typically winter farther west or south often show up unexpectedly. Recent reports from the region include Vermillion Flycatcher, Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, and Long-billed Dowitcher, and grassland birds like Northern Shrike, Northern Harrier, and Brewer’s Blackbird are regularly seen. After a morning of birding near Bainbridge, including a stop in Brinson to look for an established population of White-winged Doves, and a break for lunch, we will visit the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, a 140-acre preserve in Grady County protecting millions of beautiful trout lilies and thousands of trillium.

Off the Beaten Path in Magical Montana: Where the Mountains Meet the Plains

June 16-22, 2026

Situated amid towering peaks, rushing rivers, and sweeping plains, with a vibrant downtown and eclectic food and cultural scene, Missoula will be our jumping off point for this five-day tour, offering a tantalizing diversity of birds and other wildlife set against a backdrop of vibrant wildflowers and spectacular landscapes. Two Spots Remain!

Tours in the Works for 2027:

March 2027 - Cambodia: Ancient Temples & Tailorbirds (2 weeks)

July 2027 - Vermont: Boreal Birds and Bicknell’s Thrush (1 week)

August 2027 - Southern Spain and the Solar Eclipse (10 days)

Make sure to follow Feathers with Furr on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on new trips and public events. Send me an email if you are interested in any of my 2027 tours, and I’ll make sure you get notified when registration opens.

Join me to at an upcoming program at your local Wild Birds Unlimited store in Atlanta, Woodstock, or Alpharetta to learn about hummingbirds, migration, the nesting cycle, and bird superpowers. I love sharing my passion for birds!

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Until next time, good birding!