Join Naturalist Journeys for a coastal Georgia birding and natural history tour on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. The highlight of our journey is three nights booked at Little St. Simons Island, a private barrier island preserved for wildlife; we cap off the trip with time in the southern jewel of Savannah. Visit inter-dune scrub and maritime forest for migrant land birds, salt marsh for rails, tidal creek and river shoreline for wading birds, and watch for seabirds and shorebirds from long, golden beaches—a tremendous variety of wildlife and habitats awaits your exploration. Georgia’s barrier islands are designated as Landscapes of Hemispheric Importance for shorebirds by the Western Shorebird Reserve Network … visit and see why!

Superb birding sites include Harris Neck NWR where easily accessible managed freshwater ponds and saltwater marsh feature a range of waterfowl, waders, and other waterbirds including all the herons and egrets, Glossy Ibis, and Mottled Duck. Brushy fields and paths in classic maritime forest habitat give entry to resting and feeding areas for a wide range of wrens, sparrows, and migrating landbirds. The Altamaha Wildlife Management area, a former rice plantation, is managed to attract and feed waterfowl and shorebirds. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Mottled Duck, Wood Stork, American Bittern, four species of rails, and more await.

On this Georgia nature tour, we reach St. Simons Island, a barrier island, by causeway, which provides expansive marshlands and waterways, sandbars, and beaches. Gould’s Inlet on the southeast corner of the island is known as the best beach viewing in Georgia for shorebirds, gulls, loons and terns. During migration this is a good place to see Red Knot and Whimbrel. Spend two relaxing nights in an uniquely decorated, stately room at the charming St. Simons Inn by the lighthouse. Enjoy a boat tour from Jekyll Island on the Intracoastal Waterway for possible dolphin and manatee sightings, and close up views of shorebirds and waterfowl.

The crown jewel of the journey is a three-night stay on Little St. Simons Island, where only 32 guests at a time reside overnight in order to preserve its quiet character. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded on the 11,000-acre Little St. Simons Island, one of Georgia’s stunning “Golden Isles,” accessible only by boat. Join naturalist-led tours to many of this extraordinary natural sanctuary’s best viewing areas, observation towers, and blinds. A birder’s paradise, miles of paths and boardwalks on this magical island await you! Return to the lodge for cocktails and social hour before sitting down to delicious gourmet organic meals of low-country, farm-to-table cuisine and a serene environment in which to rest for the next day’s adventures.

Round out the tour with an afternoon in and around Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia. Tour the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, with towering live oaks, wading birds, and American Alligator. And take time to enjoy the historic district surrounding the Marshall House, with classic local cuisine at the farewell dinner.

Tour Highlights

• Enjoy three lovely boutique hotels and indulge in classic low-country cuisine
• Look for migrating Red Knot and Whimbrel, Wood Stork, Black Skimmer, and American Oystercatcher along with Painted and Indigo Buntings
• Visit key sites along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, including St. Simons Island, the best beach viewing location in Georgia for shorebirds, gulls, and terns
• Board a ferry to the private Little St. Simons Inn located on its own island, where 11,000 acres of almost entirely undeveloped wilderness, miles of beach, and established trails await
• Explore gracious Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia, established in 1773 and a strategic port city in both the American Revolution and the Civil War
• Enjoy cooler weather and migration diversity, timed to maximize your enjoyment

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Fri., Sept. 27    Arrivals in Savannah | Savannah NWR

Welcome to Georgia! Upon your arrival at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), gather your bags and take a free shuttle to your nearby airport hotel. Those arriving by 2:00 PM will join our guide for several hours birding locally at nearby Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, the largest wildlife refuge on the Georgia coast. The refuge is a short distance from Savannah and one of a chain of seven refuges that stretch 100 miles along the coastline, featuring fresh and saltwater marshes, tidal rivers and creeks, bottomland hardwoods, maritime forests, barrier island beaches, and more. 

Though the refuge is undergoing repair and renovation of the 3,000 freshwater impoundments system, access is available to several special sites. Take the less-than-one-mile walking loop around Kingfisher Pond seeking open water species, and ramble on easy trails around the visitor center for a view into cypress swamp along with pollinator and bird-attracting gardens. Watch for Black-bellied Whistling-duck, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Red-belied Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireos and Carolina Wren among many other species, including your first alligators of the tour! Later arrivals are encouraged to arrive by 6:00 PM to join the group for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. 
Accommodations at the Hyatt Place Savannah Airport (D)

Sat., Sept. 28    Harris Neck NWR | St. Simons Island

This morning we drive to the southern tip of St. Simons Island, birding along the way as we work out way south. Options for stops depend on recent sightings and may include a return visit to Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. About half way to St. Simons Island, Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge encompasses six man-made freshwater ponds, as well as extensive salt marsh, open fields, forested wetlands, and mixed hardwood/pine forest. This diversity of habitat makes the refuge an important resource for over 340 species of migratory and resident birds. We can expect to see our first of many Wood Storks,—Harris Neck is home to the largest Wood Stork colony in Georgia—plentiful waders, woodpeckers, Eastern Towhee, and warblers like American Redstart, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, and more, all in muted fall plumage. These sites are stops on the Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding Trail, steeped in human and natural history, and promise a range of species along with easy walking to stretch your legs as you travel south.

We arrive in time to settle into your charming and unique boutique accommodations, home for the next two nights. St. Simons Island is the largest of the “Golden Isles of Georgia.” St. Simons Inn by the Lighthouse has only 34 spacious and uniquely decorated rooms in a boutique setting. It is located across the street from the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum, an historic property. Settle in, take a stroll, and then enjoy dinner as a group to go over our daily checklist and to discuss plans for tomorrow.
Accommodations at St. Simons Inn by the Lighthouse (B,L,D)

Sun., Sept. 29    St. Simons Island & Jekyll Island

We spend the day birding St. Simons Island. From inter-dune scrub and maritime forest for migrant land birds to salt marsh, tidal creek and river shoreline for rails and wading birds, to watching for seabirds and shorebirds on the beach, there is a wide variety of wildlife and habitats to explore. 

In a full day, we see much of the island’s natural and historical sites. Birding sites today are chosen depending on recent sightings and weather conditions. Gould’s Inlet on the southeast corner of the island is known as the best beach viewing in Georgia for shorebirds, gulls, loons, and terns. During migration this is a good place to see the Arctic nesting Red Knot and Whimbrel, too. A island rich in history, original coastal Native American tribes, Spanish missionaries, colonial and American Revolution soldiers, cotton plantations and the slave trade, as well as the Coast Guard and other WWII facilities have all left their mark. 

We will cross the Jekyll Island causeway, a great location for wading birds and Wood Stork. After birding on the island and lunch, as a special treat, we take an hour and a half calm water boat trip in a Coast Guard certified vessel along inland waterways and mashes to bird, and to enjoy close views of dolphins and other wildlife (manatees are a possibility!), and enjoy the low-country scenery from the water. Return to the inn with time to relax before an early dinner. 
Accommodations at St. Simons Inn by the Lighthouse (B,L,D)

Mon., Sept. 30 – Wed., Oct. 2    Little St. Simon Island

We depart St. Simons Island today for a short, mid-morning ferry ride to Little St. Simons Island, your base for three full days. A crown jewel of Georgia’s famed Golden Isles and accessible only by boat, Little St. Simon Island’s pristine beaches, undeveloped wilderness, and abundant wildlife provide many opportunities for exploration and birding. The entire 11,000-acre island is under easement protection by The Nature Conservancy, ensuring that the ecological integrity of the island endures. The island's undisturbed beaches and woodlands are a haven for a number of threatened and endangered species.

Half and full day trips on foot and by boat with local naturalists let us explore the island’s 330 plus bird species and wildlife. Evening owl prowls add excitement and new species to your trip list; possible species include Great Horned, Eastern Screech, and Barn. Roseate Spoonbill are common on the island, and depending on the course of migration, flocks of Tree Swallows may be present. We decide at breakfast each day which of this extraordinary natural sanctuary’s best viewing areas, observation towers, and blinds to visit. And if you want to take some time to relax or bird and explore independently; there are bicycles, fishing tackle and kayaks available for your use, a map of birding hot spots, and the seven acres of private beach to stroll.

View fall warblers, swallows, and other passerines moving through during migration, along with shorebirds staging and passing through, and huge numbers of Peregrine Falcon on migration. With luck, you may see a few last turtle nest excavations as their nesting season comes to a close. Butterflies abound including Zebra Longwing, Long-tailed Skipper, Gulf Fritillary, Monarch, White Peacoc and Little Yellows. And marsh plants are turning shades of yellow, red, and orange as fall proceeds. Keep an eye out for active reptiles including skinks, lizards, and snakes. For those interested in trying their hand at fishing, Bluefish, Tarpon, Reds, Spotted Sea Trout and Flounder are possibilities. 

Return to the lodge for cocktails and social hour before sitting down to delicious gourmet organic meals of low-country, farm-to-table cuisine and a serene environment in which to rest for the next day’s adventures. 

Your stay on the island features the privately-owned Lodge on Little St. Simon Island, the only accommodation on the island. This is a small boutique hotel serving no more than 32 guests at a time. All meals are at the lodge or taken out for picnics. Menus feature regional cuisine, organic produce, hand crafted cheeses and beer/cider, and local seafood. 
Accommodations at The Lodge on Little St. Simon Island (B,L,D)

Thurs., Oct. 3    Savannah

While it may be difficult to contemplate saying goodbye to this island paradise, a very special final day awaits you. With packed bags, we depart early morning for the ferry ride to the mainland and drive back to Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia, established in 1773 and a strategic port city in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. An optional stop on our way may take time for a bit of birding to fill in any missing species or search for new sightings. Once we arrive, enjoy a trolley tour of the waterfront and Historic District, where twenty-two park-like squares featuring moss-draped live oaks retain the original town plan prescribed by founder James Oglethorpe with pre-Civil War architecture at every turn, and learn about its storied and complicated history. Or take the afternoon to explore on your own. 

Our hotel for the night, Marshall House—build in 1851 and Savannah’s oldest historical hotel—is centrally-located in the very center of the historic district. Rooms are elegantly appointed and comfortable. Be sure to return from your explorations in time for the nightly wine reception in the library! Your farewell dinner tonight is at the Olde Pink House, a classic Savannah restaurant featuring local cuisine. After dinner, stroll back to the hotel with stops to visit shops along the cobblestone streets. 
Accommodations at Marshall House (B,L,D)

Fri., Oct. 4    Departures

For those departing the city of Savannah, while you may leave at any time, in order to have a relaxed breakfast and walk before returning to the airport, we suggest flights out after 1:00 PM. 

And we are glad to help you extend your stay as you wish. For those planning to remain, we can transport you to an airport hotel, or you can catch a taxi or shuttle to your destination from the hotel or the airport. (B)

 

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the tour is $4590 DBL / $5995 SGL, per person based on double occupancy from Savannah. The cost includes seven nights’ accommodation, all meals as noted in the itinerary, airport transfers, land and boat transportation during the journey, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. Not included in the tour cost is round-trip airfare to and from Savannah, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, and gratuities for luggage handling or other services. Guide gratuities are at your discretion.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

Arrival Details: Please plan flights to arrive September 27, 2024 no later than 2:00 PM

Departure Details: Please plan flights to depart October 4, 2024 after 1:00 PM

Travel Tips: If you want to arrive early and rest up from your travels, you can book an early night at our first night tour hotel, the Hyatt Place Savannah Airport. You can book a room online and send us the confirmation number, with the goal being you won’t have to switch rooms. Another option is to extend your stay in the historic part of Savannah and book additional nights at our last night tour hotel, The Marshall House. We’ll have the afternoon to explore historic Savannah on our last day of the tour, but there are plenty of things to see in the area if you want to explore more. River Street on the waterfront is great for shopping and dining. Bonaventure Cemetery, which sits on a bluff of the Wilmington River in east Savannah, has been a public cemetery since 1907 and famous for its tree-lined roadways, unique sculptures, and associated folklore. Forsyth Park is home to the city’s most famous fountain that was installed in 1858 and modeled after fountains in Paris. It’s also a good birding spot. Or you can spend more time strolling through the historic part of the Savannah with its 22 park-like squares with Spanish moss-draped live oaks that help make the city so beautiful and unique.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

• Andrew Haffenden
  

  Andrew has birded all the southern coastal states, from South Carolina to Texas, and more diverse states and habitats from the mossy rainforests and mountains of Washington to the conifers and bogs of Minnesota to the winter seabirds of New York's Long Island. The dry and desert states of the Southwest have been favorites of Andrew's, from the furthest southwest point in the US to the high mountains and plains of Northern Colorado. Further afield, numerous visits to Mexico, 25+ trips to Central America and 17+ trips to northern South America including Guyana has enabled Andrew to become familiar with the birds of those regions. Some 15 tours to Greater Antilles places him in the top 20 eBirded species in the Greater Antilles. Andrew’s also birded and led tours to several other Caribbean Islands. In addition to Dauphin Island he also leads Naturalist Journeys tours in the Southeast US and Central/Southe America. His many trips to Southeast Asia, and of course a lifetime of experience in Australia and New Zealand round out his wildlife experiences.

  Photo credit: Peg Abbott

  Other trips with Andrew Haffenden

  • Guyana: Unspoiled Wilderness
    October 17 - 29, 2024
  • Christmas in Costa Rica
    December 21 - 29, 2024
• Dan Donaldson
  

  Dan Donaldson is an accomplished naturalist-birder based in Northeastern Ohio and has been guiding for Naturalist Journeys for nearly 20 years. Dan has developed his skills while working as a naturalist for a local park district for 25 years as well as with his full-time job as director of the local soil and water conservation district. Acustomed to varied audiences from novices to experts, Dan incorporates much more than just identification in his tours and programs. Dan has led tours for The Nature Conservancy, National Parks Conservation, and other tour companies. While now an international guide, his specialization in birding locales ranges from the Great Lakes to coastal destinations ranging from the Maritime Provinces of Canada and Maine, to the Florida Keys.

  Other trips with Dan Donaldson

  • Ohio: The Biggest Week in Birding
    FULL - Check out New Hampshire's Mt. Washington
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  • Ohio: The Biggest Week in Birding
    FULL - Check out Georgia Coastal Birding!
    May 8 - 15, 2024
  • Classic Alaska: Birding & Wildlife: Anchorage, Nome, Seward & Kenai Fjords
    FULL - Check out Alaska Sampler in August!
    June 4 - 13, 2024, w/Utqiagvik extension
  • Cape May: Fall Migration
    October 8 - 14, 2024
  • Cape May: Fall Migration
    October 15 - 21, 2024
  • Costa Rica Birding & Nature
    January 22 - 29, 2025, w/Pacific Coast extension

Essential Information +

Packing List +

Suggested Reading List +

Useful Links +

• Shorebird School on Alabama’s Dauphin Island
  Coming August 2024
• Maine's Monhegan Island
  September 17 - 24, 2023
• Cape May: Fall Migration
  October 8 - 14, 2024