2022 Spring Meeting
Description
2022 GOS Spring Meeting
The Georgia Ornithological Society’s Spring Meeting
May 20-22, 2022
The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge
Hiawassee, Georgia
Meeting Hotel Details
The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge
3499 Highway 76 West
Hiawassee, GA 30546
Call 706 896 2262 for reservations.
Indicate that you are attending the GOS Meeting to get our group rate.
King and Queen Rooms are $145 plus taxes and fees (resort view). Lakeview rooms are an additional $10.
Group Rate cutoff date is April 20, 2022.
SATURDAY NIGHT’S KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
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“A Private Lands Success Story: Conserving the Red-cockaded Woodpecker”
Robert T. Meyer
Woodpecker Conservation Specialist
Tall Timbers Research Station
Tallahassee, FL
Rob Meyer is a wildlife biologist and researcher with the Tall Timbers Research Station where he works on preserving the Red Hills region's native birds and other imperiled wildlife species. His research has revolved around the Red-cockaded Woodpecker for the past seven years investigating aspects of their life history including their diets, space-use, cavity creation, and the kleptoparasites to their cavities.
FRIDAY NIGHT’S PRESENTATION
“Using acoustic spatial capture-recapture to estimate owl population density in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, GA"
Lily Martin
Graduate Research Assistant
Warnell School of forestry & Natural Resources
University of Georgia
Lily is a master's student at the University of Georgia completing her thesis research this Spring. She also completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), receiving a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources in 2017. She has conducted avian field research in several National Parks throughout Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas over the past few years and plans to work primarily in endangered species conservation with a passion for raptors.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Friday, 20 May 2022
Dinner on Your Own
6:30 to 7:30 PM – Registration and Flocking (cash bar) 7:30 to 8:30 PM – Lily Martin
Lily Martin
“Using acoustic spatial capture-recapture to estimate owl population density in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, GA"
8:30 to 8:45 PM – Discussion of Saturday Field Trips
Saturday, 21 May 2022
Breakfast on Your Own
6:15 AM – First Field Trip Departs 2:30 PM – Field Trips Return
5:30 to 6:45 PM – Flocking (cash bar) and Poster Session
6:45 to 8:00 PM – President’s Address, Announcements, and Banquet Dinner 8:00 to 9:00 PM - Keynote Speaker:
Robert Meyer
“A Private Lands Success Story: Conserving the Red-cockaded Woodpecker”
9:00 to 9:30 PM – Discussion of Sunday Field Trips and Species Countdown
Sunday, 22 May 2022
Breakfast on Your Own
6:15 AM – First Field Trip Departs 2:30 PM – Field Trips Return
FIELD TRIP INFORMATION
Unless otherwise noted, all times are departure/return times to The Ridges Resort.
*For all Friday field trips, please meet your Field Trip Leader at the birding location at the designated start time.
*For all Sunday field trips, there will be no return trips to the hotel.
*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 sack lunch or snacks on all field trips. Be advised that most trip destinations do not have bathroom facilities.
SATURDAY, 21 May 2022
BRASSTOWN BALD
Leader: Patrick Maurice. Depart: 6:30 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $5.00 entry/parking fee, to be paid on-site.
Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain in Georgia with an elevation of 4,784 feet. The high elevation lends a more northerly flavor to flora and the fauna alike. For example, the vegetation is characterized by rosebay rhododendron, mountain laurel, yellow birch, mountain maple, and white pine; additionally, the botanically inclined may spy lingering sprouts of blight-stricken American chestnut trees. Target bird species, many at the southern limit of their breeding range, include Ruffed Grouse, Common Raven, Veery, Canada Warbler, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. TRIP RIGOR: MODERATE.
BURRELL’S FORD ROAD
Leader: TBA. Depart: 6:30 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $0.00.
Burrell's Ford Road gives easy access to the Chattooga River. This 7-mile road traverses through an exciting riverside forest with white pines and eastern hemlocks. A number of mountain species are found here; Ruffed Grouse, Blue-headed Vireo, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Worm-eating, Swainson’s, and Kentucky Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco, and maybe even a Red Crossbill. TRIP RIGOR: EASY (This trip will not involve much hiking. Rather, we’ll pull over several times on the way down to the river and back).
HALE RIDGE AND SURROUNDING AREA
Leader: John Patten Moss. Depart: 6:15 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $0.00.
Beginning at the intersection of Hale Ridge and Bald Mountain Roads, we’ll stop to listen for nesting Least Flycatchers around the Christmas tree farm. We’ll travel down Hale Ridge Road to Overflow Creek Road, passing through a number of different habitats. Mountain species found here include Red- breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Swainson’s, Kentucky, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, and Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird, and Scarlet Tanager. TRIP RIGOR: EASY.
IVY LOG GAP AND GUMLOG ROADS
Leader: TBA. Depart: 6:45 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $0.00.
This trip will start at the eastern entrance to Ivy Log Gap with stops along Byers Creek Road, Ivy Log Gap, Ravencliff Road, and Gumlog Road. Target species include Kentucky, Blackburnian, Cerulean, and Bay-breasted Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, thrushes, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Broad- winged Hawk, and Ruffed Grouse. We’ll make several stops along Forest Service roads to enjoy the species that depend on this section of national forest. Carpooling will be necessary to reduce the number of cars on the narrow and winding roads. TRIP RIGOR: EASY.
TRAY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
Leader: Charlie Muise. Depart: 6:30 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $0.00.
Tray Mountain, with an elevation of 4,430 ft. (1,350 m) is the 7th-highest peak in Georgia. The boundary line between White and Towns Counties bisects the mountain, but leaves the summit in Towns County. Tray Mountain is within the borders of the Chattahoochee National Forest and is part of the Tray Mountain Wilderness. Views from Tray Mountain include the Nantahala Mountains in North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia. This trip will feature migrant and nesting warblers, vireos, thrushes, and grosbeaks, in addition to great vistas, wildflowers, and other mountain flora and fauna. Access to the parking area is rather rough (passenger cars should be able to do it at slow speed). There will be a short but steep hike up and down on the same trail. The parking area is a good birding location, so participants may choose to hike only part way up. Carpooling is a must to reduce the number of vehicles. TRIP RIGOR: MODERATE.
SUNDAY, 22 May 2022
BRASSTOWN BALD
Leader: John Patten Moss/Patrick Maurice. Depart: 6:30 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 10. Cost: $5.00 entry/parking fee.
Brasstown Bald is the tallest mountain in Georgia with an elevation of 4,784 feet. The high elevation lends a more northerly flavor to flora and the fauna alike. The vegetation, for example, is characterized by rosebay rhododendron, mountain laurel, yellow birch, mountain maple, and white pine; additionally, the botanically inclined may spy lingering sprouts of blight-stricken American chestnut trees. Target bird species, many at the southern limit of their breeding range, include Ruffed Grouse, Common Raven, Veery, Canada Warbler, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. TRIP RIGOR: MODERATE.
BRAWLEY MOUNTAIN
Leaders: Charlie Muise. Depart: 6:30 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost $0.00.
This is a 4-mile hike (round-trip) that meanders up and down Brawley Mountain and follows a US Forest Service Road through the National Forest. Migrants and breeding birds are abundant, including numerous warbler species, thrushes, tanagers, and hawks. Target birds include Golden-winged Warbler and Worm-eating Warbler, Scarlet and Summer Tanager, and Broad-winged Hawk. A Ruffed Grouse or 2 along the trail is also possible. TRIP RIGOR: STRENUOUS.
BURRELL’S FORD ROAD
Leader: TBA. Depart: 6:30 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $0.00.
Burrell's Ford Road gives easy access to the Chattooga River. This 7-mile road traverses through an exciting riverside forest with white pines and eastern hemlocks. A number of mountain species are found here; Ruffed Grouse, Blue-headed Vireo, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Worm-eating, Swainson’s, and Kentucky Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco, and maybe even a Red Crossbill. TRIP RIGOR: EASY (This trip will not involve much hiking. Rather, we’ll pull over several times on the way down to the river and back).
IVY LOG GAP AND GUMLOG ROADS
Leader: Ed Maioriello. Depart: 6:45 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $0.00.
This trip will start at the eastern entrance to Ivy Log Gap with stops along Byers Creek Road, Ivy Log Gap, Ravencliff Road, and Gumlog Road. Target species include Kentucky, Blackburnian, Cerulean, and Bay-breasted Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, thrushes, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Broad- winged Hawk, and Ruffed Grouse. We’ll make several stops along Forest Service roads to enjoy the species that depend on this section of national forest. Carpooling will be necessary to reduce the number of cars on the narrow and winding roads. TRIP RIGOR: EASY.
RIDGES RESORT
Leader: You’re on your own! Depart: Whenever you wish! Return: N/A. Limit: No limit.
If you must leave a little early, please consider strolling around the Audubon-certified wildlife sanctuary at the Ridges Resort, then drive to the Blairsville Ingle’s supermarket to look for Willow Flycatchers along Butternut Creek. TRIP RIGOR: EASY.
SOSEBEE COVE AND POPCORN OVERLOOK
Leader: Larry Carlile. Depart: 6:30 AM. Return: 2:30 PM. Limit: 15. Cost: $0.00
Sosebee Cove is a picturesque high-elevation north facing cove forest covering 175 acres. Due to its northern facing orientation, Sosebee Cove has a rich diversity of shade tolerant trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The forest is a maturing second growth forest, although to many visitors the area has a feeling of being old-growth. The cove is a breeding ground for many of the mountain species we will look for, such as Wood Thrush, Veery, Chestnut-sided, Canada, and Black-throated Blue Warblers. TRIP RIGOR: MODERATELY DIFFICULT TRAIL, BUT SHORT IN DURATION.
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