Wilson Dam and Waterloo, in particular, have been noted across the state for impressive congregations of winter birds such as waterfowl, eagles, and gulls, as well as a long list of rare or vagrant species to the state.
Add to these incredible avian attractions an area rich in history and culture. From the early Native Americans who left us their mysterious mounds to the trials and tribulations of the Civil War, this area has a great deal to offer. Enjoy world-renowned southern hospitality, and be sure to drop by the Coon Dog Cemetery for a bit of local flavor impossible to find anywhere else
Bankhead National Forest – Central Firetower
Bankhead National Forest (Site # 14, Northwest Loop) encompasses 180,000 acres of public land crisscrossed with hundreds of miles of deep canyons, providing an adventurous environment for hours or days of exploration. Habitats in the national forest ra …
learn moreBankhead National Forest – Sipsey Wilderness Trailhead
Bankhead National Forest’s Sipsey Wilderness Trail (Site #15, Northwest Loop) takes the birder a step back in time with its tinkling waterfalls and moss-covered stones decorating one of the finest forests Alabama has to offer. Each spring, this verdan …
learn moreCypress Cove Farm
Cypress Cove Farm shines as an example of a small farm that is being converted from primarily agricultural use, to a site that is being actively managed for wildlife and natural resource education. It is a splendid example of many techniques and practices small rural landowners can use to attract and manage wildlife on their lands. A small spring seeps from under a hill and pools to form a pond containing numerous large, old cypress trees. Existing farm structures have be modified and used as bird blinds and educational facilities.
learn moreFreedom Hills Wildlife Management Area Walking Trail
The walking trail at Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area (Site #13, Northwest Loop) is one of numerous gravel and dirt hunter access roads on the 34,500 acre WMA, which leads visitors into a variety of productive habitats ranging from old fields to …
learn moreJoe Wheeler State Park
Joe Wheeler State Park (Site #3, Northwest Loop) is complete with extensive facilities, including a resort lodge, restaurant, and marina. The park provides access to the north side of Wheeler Lake and the associated backwaters, which are often good for …
learn moreKey Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) (Site# 9, Northwest Loop) has large open fields managed for warm-season native grasses interspersed with small patches of deciduous woodland and the seasonal sinkhole wetland. The refuge is gradually being conver …
learn moreLeighton Ponds
The Leighton ponds (Site #5, Northwest Loop) sites are a series of sinkholes and semi-flooded agricultural fields that are excellent for waders and shorebirds. Scan the muddier areas for resident Killdeer alongside migrants such as Semipalmated Plovers …
learn moreMallard Fox Creek Wildlife Management Area
The 1,483-acre Mallard Fox Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) (Site # 1, Northwest Loop) along the southern shore of Wheeler Lake provides access to a number of habitats, including grasslands, agricultural fields, wildlife openings, and hardwood fore …
learn moreNatchez Trace Parkway – Colbert Ferry
Colbert Ferry (Site #12, Northwest Loop) provides access to a number of wooded habitats, including a beaver pond with lots of standing dead timber. Check this area for Red-headed and other woodpeckers. Closer to the shore, search the trees for White-b …
learn moreNatchez Trace Parkway – Rock Springs Nature Trail
Rock Springs Nature Trail (Site #10, Northwest Loop) winds through an idyllic wooded area from Colbert Creek to Rock Springs (approximate 20-minute walk). The creek is intermittently dammed by beavers, creating an impressive wetland abounding with a va …
learn moreRockpile Recreation Area, Wilson Dam
The Rockpile Recreation Area (Site 7, Northeast Loop) sits at the base of Wilson Dam. This area provides basic camping and picnicking facilities in a wooded setting along the edge of Pickwick Reservoir. Woodlands in the park attract numerous songbirds, …
learn moreTennessee Valley Authority Reservation
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Reservation (Site #8, Northwest Loop) hosts a number of walking trails that meander through woodlands, fields, and along the Tennessee River. The Tennessee Valley Authority Reservation is one of the few reliable are …
learn moreTown Creek Marsh
Town Creek Marsh (Site #4, Northwest Loop) is a small marsh in the bend of Fosters Mill Road overlooking Town Creek. It is an excellent place to see rails feeding on the mudflats during appropriate times of year. The marsh also supports a variety of wa …
learn moreWaterloo
The town of Waterloo (Site #11, Northwest Loop) sits a few miles west of the Natchez Trace Parkway in northwestern Alabama. The area is renowned for the concentration of Bald Eagles that congregate here in the winter months. Sightings of half a dozen …
learn moreWheeler Dam – South Landing
Completed in 1936, Wheeler Dam (Site #2, Northwest Loop) was the first Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) hydroelectric dam on the Tennessee River. This dam impounds the 67,100-acre Wheeler Lake, creating an enormous habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, …
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