Outings

Nature at Noon in Avondale Park

Join Alabama Audubon for our first Nature@Noon walk for the 2023 fall season. The September walk will be led by our Executive Director, Dr. Scot Duncan, as we visit Birmingham’s own Avondale Park. Birding along the forest edge in early fall is one of the best places to spot migrating warblers and other birds, and a great location to quickly build a long species list in the fall.

A BIRDWALK IN BIRMINGHAM’S AVONDALE PARK

REGISTRATION CLOSES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 @ 11PM
FREE WITH REGISTRATION / SPACE IS LIMITED

Join us for our first Nature@Noon walk for the 2023 fall season. Every month we offer an opportunity to participate in an hour-long, Friday lunchtime walk that explores different locations each month.

The September walk will be led by our Executive Director, Dr. Scot Duncan, as we visit Birmingham’s own Avondale Park. Birding along the forest edge in early fall is one of the best places to spot migrating warblers and other birds, and a great location to quickly build a long species list in the fall.

After quickly birding around the pond, we will walk uphill, and off the sidewalk, to bird from the grassy area along the forest edge. Sightings may include the Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, and the Tennessee Warbler.

AVONDALE PARK 4101 5th Avenue South Birmingham, AL, 35222

North Alabama Young Birders Club Walk

North Alabama Young Birders Club (NAYBC) will host a bird walk at Oakville Indian Mounds Park and Museum beginning at 8:30am. Bring your binoculars, camera, and some bug spray for a walk around Oakville’s spacious property to view a variety of birds in an array of habitats, from open fields, plentiful trees, swampy areas and the large pond that water fowl and herons enjoy. Participants are welcome, after the bird walk, to enjoy touring the museum on property and visit the two Middle Woodland-period Indian mounds our site hosts.

NAYBC serves young people ages 7-17 years old, and parents are welcome to accompany their child at the event. This event is free to attend.

1219 County Road 187
Danville, AL 35619

cchomeschool2017@gmail.com

AL Audubon RUFFNER MOUNTAIN & EAST LAKE PARK

FIELD TRIP TO BIRMINGHAM’S EAST SIDE

REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 @ 11PM
FREE WITH REGISTRATION / SPACE IS LIMITED

Join us as we visit two well-known birding destinations on the eastern side of Birmingham—Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve and East Lake Park.

Fall migration will be in full swing and we will likely encounter a full spectrum of migrants at Ruffner, including raptors, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, warblers and tanagers. East Lake will feature water birds, including both night-heron species, and perhaps migrating gulls, terns or waterfowl.

BIRDS, BEATS AND BACH

On Sunday, Sept. 24, Flagg Mountain will be the site of a special program showcasing Alabama musicians and experts in natural history. “Birds, Beats and Bach” will entertain visitors while introducing them to the beauty and significance of Alabama’s “first mountain.”

Musicians stationed at four sites around the top of Weogufka State Forest’s Flagg Mountain will perform works from the classical repertoire and original compositions as visitors stroll between stations. Experts from Alabama Audubon, the Alabama Trails Foundation and the Alabama Forestry Commission will be on hand to share information about the natural history of the mountain and Eastern Alabama, including Montane longleaf pines and the mountain’s diverse bird and plant species.

BCA’s Fall Fort Morgan Bird Banding

Interested in learning about the birds around us in a fun and engaging way? Then come join us this Fall at our public bird banding event in Fort Morgan, Alabama! Not only will you have the opportunity to get an up close look at a wide range of native and migratory birds, you’ll also be able to observe and learn about the process of bird banding and why it’s important to avian conservation efforts.
Our crew of licensed banders and experienced volunteers will share life history information about each species, and are happy to answer any questions you may have throughout the event. Photos are encouraged! This unique experience is our most anticipated public outreach event of the year. We can’t wait to see you there! BCA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely on public donations to be able to do events such as this one.

Please note: Even though our event is free, the Ft. Morgan Historic Site charges an entrance fee. Please make sure to pay the fee to help maintain the fort.

Things to keep in mind when visiting the station:
Remember bug spray, sunscreen, water/snacks, and chairs (if you plan to stay for an extended amount of time). Closed toe shoes are recommended.
If you have a disability and are concerned about access, please reach out to us in advanced so we can arrange your visit. Email: kyle@bandingcoalition.org.
Bring your friends and families but please leave your pets at home.

Contact for more info: kyle@bandingcoalition.org

Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve

JACK’S 444 Marietta Road Springville, AL, 3514

Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve covers 422 acres of Alabama Forever Wild property on County Road 9 in Springville near Homestead Hollow. The property contains pristine meandering creeks, lush forest, abundant wildlife, stunning flora, and trails for hiking and birding.

High points on the property offer views of the uppermost section of the Big Canoe Creek watershed, including beautiful Canoe Creek Valley and the opposing ridges of Pine and Blount Mountains.

About 80% of the main stem of Big Canoe Creek is flows through the watersheds 50-mile length, as do four of its major tributaries. Big Canoe Creek and its tributaries retain much of their forest cover, helping maintain critical habitat for rare aquatic species.

This trip will target over 40 species of residents and fall migrants, such as warblers, vireos, tanagers, towhees, cardinals, grosbeaks, flycatchers, nuthatches, wrens, sparrows, finches, woodpeckers, turkey, blackbirds, kingfishers, thrushes, phoebes, wood-pewees, hawks, owls, and more.

Coastal Birdfest

Birders and nature lovers from across the United States and Canada flock to south Alabama every year to experience one of the prime birdwatching opportunities on the Gulf Coast during fall migration. More than 370 bird species have been spotted at various locations along the Alabama coast, and BirdFest guides expertly lead attendees on boat and walking trips to some of the best birding spots in the area, including locations along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.

Alabama Coastal BirdFest takes attendees into the Mobile Delta, to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, historic Fort Morgan, and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, among other locations. New last year, a trip to our neighboring state, Mississippi, to the Sand Hill Crane Refuge. The four-day event also includes workshops on subjects such as hummingbirds, the basics of birding, monarch butterflies, and, new this year, workshops on how to use common birding apps, such as eBird and Merlin Bird ID, and understanding bird box design for specific species.

Year of Alabama Birding: Photography Workshop

Year of Alabama Birding Photography Workshops with Beth Cowan Drake 2023-2024!

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Email Lauren.Muncher@dcnr.alabama.gov*

Oak Mountain State Park

Sponsored by Alabama Tourism Department and Alabama State Parks

Join Beth Cowan Drake from Alabama the Beautiful for a photography workshop designed to teach the field techniques of bird photography. From numerous approaches to photographing different species of bird, she will explain how to control the variables to capture the image of a bird, discuss her personal settings for various images she has captured, and review her Lightroom editing technique. Beth’s many years of photography experience helps in understanding composition, balance, and form as she teaches all levels of photographers how to create artistic and
beautifully pleasing images. The time in the workshop belongs to you: Beth’s guidance will make your experience exceed your expectations.

Alabama State Parks Workshop Fee: $35 per participant