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Field Trip: Brushy Creek Lake, Bankhead National Forest
May 4, 2019, 6:45 am–5:00 pm
Fewer places in Alabama are more scenic than the Bankhead National Forest, and our May field trip will take us to one of the most scenic places there is—Brushy Creek Lake. Early May is an ideal time for birding! We will make several birding stops along the way, as well as visit at least one waterfall. You’ll want to have your camera with you, for sure, and bring a tripod, too, for those long exposure “bridal veil” images.
The details: Meetup is at 6:45 a.m. at the Chick-fil-A in Fultondale, just off I-65N at exit #267 Walker Chapel Road (215 Howell Street, Fultondale, AL, 35068). Turn right on to Walker Chapel Road, followed by an immediate right onto Howell Street. We will leave at 7:00 a.m. (please arrive early for pre-trip instructions) and caravan up I-65N to Cullman. From there, we will travel west via US 278 to Addison, north on CR 41 to FS 266.
As always, you’ll also want to have a full tank of gas and bring plenty of water and snacks, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, rain gear, sunblock, and seasonally appropriate attire. In the event of inclement weather, you may contact the trip leader the morning of the event (contact info listed below).
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. The walk to the falls is short and on even ground, but it’s not necessarily a path. We will mostly be birding from the roadside, so there won’t be a lot of hiking, and what little there is will not be strenuous.
(Questions about accessibility? Email us for more information about how we can meet your needs.)
The birds: We can expect to see a multitude of neotropical migrants and resident songbirds—and given the time of the year, we can expect to hear plenty of bird song, too. In the past, we have enjoyed excellent views of a variety of woodpeckers, both tanager species, and blue-winged and prairie warblers. We’ll also try for Cerulean Warblers at Borden Creek. You can check out the most recent eBird checklist for Borden Creek here.
The food: Please bring your own picnic lunch.
Trip leaders: Greg Harber leads this trip; his cell is 205-807-8055 (day of field trip only). For more information, email us.
