NABS Trip to Wheeler NWR – Visitor’s Center and Garth Slough

We’ll first spend some time around the Visitor’s Center, including especially the wildlife observation building. There should be a few waterfowl around, perhaps considerable numbers of Sandhill Cranes in the fields beyond the observation pond and possibly a Whooping Crane or two, if some are in the area. We’ll then head to Garth Slough on the Refuge and bird along the Tennessee River and slough, looking for passing waterfowl, cranes, gulls and eagles, songbirds, raptors and possibly some shorebirds, depending on water levels. Overwintering sparrows should be around in numbers and we should see a good variety, including Song, Swamp, White-throated, perhaps Fox and White-crowned and, possibly, Lincoln’s. We’ll meet at the Wheeler NWR Interpretive Nature (Visitor) Center off Hwy 67. From I-65, take exit 334 and head toward Decatur; after crossing the water, the road to the Visitor Center will be on the left (34.547406 -86.951136). –Dwight Cooley, Leader (256-565-6239; sabrewing@earthlink.net)