West Alabama | Greene | Best Seasons: Fall | Spring
The Lock 7 Recreation Area and West Damsite Park has two components: southern and northern. The southern section (left turn at the signage) is more open and park-like. It has a large paved parking area, a few picnic tables, and a shaded camping area. Of the two sections of the Park, this one has by far the greater amount of bird activity. The woods ringing the open park — surrounding the parking lot, picnic area, and camping area – have good numbers of woodland songbirds and woodpeckers. There are plenty of Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Phoebes, and Eastern Kingbirds (warm months only) working the open areas. Walk due east from the parking area to reach an inlet just below the dam that’s decent for herons and egrets. Look for Common Yellowthroats and Louisiana Waterthrushes in this area.
The northern segment of the recreation area consists of a paved parking pad and a boat ramp surrounded by a dense hardwood thicket. The boat ramp area is a fine spot to see and hear Northern Parulas and Prothonotary Warblers from April through September, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos are present in good numbers here. The parking pad overlooks the Black Warrior River. In late spring and summer, watch the open expanse to the east for soaring kites, vultures, and perhaps Wood Storks. The 3.9-mile drive on CR 53 passes through an extensive area of low-lying second-growth habitat. This area is home to many Prairie Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Common Yellowthroats, and Catbirds. Look and listen for Northern Bobwhites here, too.
GPS: 32.7866191 -87.8369601
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) (Mailing address)
Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes
34 Resource Management Dr.
Demopolis, AL 36732-1546
334-289-3540
From I-59/20 in Greene County, take exit 40 (Eutaw/Aliceville). Merge onto AL 14 E and pass through Eutaw (fuel, limited food, and lodging available). Remain on AL 14 E for a total of 4.5 miles. Turn right (south) on CR 53. The entrance to the recreation area (West Damsite Park) is 3.9 miles ahead.
Amenities Available: Boat Launch, Camping (tent/RV), Gravel or Dirt Trails, Picnic Tables
Nearby Sites

Backbone Boat Ramp
Backbone Boat Launch sits the banks of a creek which flows into Lake Demopolis and across from a flooded cypress slough. This small site may be easily birded in less than an hour. Prothonotary Warblers, Redstarts, Northern Parulas, and Yellow-throate …

Forkland Campground
This Corps of Engineers-maintained site is similar to most others along the Black Warrior system: boat ramp, picnic area, deep water, well maintained facilities. Expect the usual complement of riparian woodland songbirds, a few waders, and a few wate …

Runaway Branch Park
Runaway Branch Park has two segments – called RP I and RP II – that bound the same body of water from the east and west. Expect the water to draw spring and fall migrants and riparian-type breeding birds. Look for both kites and Wood Storks in summer …