Welcome to the Talladega National Forest Oakmulgee Ranger District and the Pearson Gap Birding Loop. This 9-mile walking and driving loop includes 12 QR code interpretive sites. These sites feature information about the diversity of bird species living in and visiting this ecosystem, as well as, the specialized forest management that provides their necessary habitat. To explore this loop, turn left onto Highway 5 as you exit the ranger station. Go west on US Highway 82. Travel 11 miles and turn left onto Bibb County Road 1. Travel 1.52 miles to Forest Service (FS) 737. Turn right on FS 737. The first interpretive sign will be 0.21 miles on the left.
1) P-burn and understory | 33° 0′ 27.73″ N 87° 18′ 10.44″ W
2) Active RCW clusters | 32° 59′ 59.70″ N 87° 18′ 19.48″ W
3) Wetland Trail; Hiking trail along USFS spur road (old logging road) | 32° 59′ 54.44″ N 87° 18′ 20.99″ W
4) Upland Birding Trail | 32° 59′ 22.69″ N 87° 18′ 25.48″ W
5) Ridgetop: longleaf with lightning strike | 32° 59′ 9.02″ N 87° 18′ 34.50″ W
6) Historic tree hike | 32° 59′ 22.69″ N 87° 18′ 25.48″ W
7) Open field habitat—Food plot | 32° 59′ 28.78″ N 87° 18′ 28.90″ W
8) Historic tree | 32° 59′ 25.00″ N 87° 18′ 44.33″ W
9) Stand replacement fires | 32° 59′ 7.07″ N 87° 18′ 7.01″ W
10) Off-site loblolly | 32° 58′ 52.18″ N 87° 18′ 8.65″ W
11) Overstocked longleaf stand | 32° 58′ 18.79″ N 87° 18′ 8.75″ W