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Field Trip: Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
October 19, 2019 , 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Plan to join us on Saturday, October 19th, for a half-day field trip to Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, a Forever Wild gem, which is home to some of Alabama’s most outstanding natural beauty. Woods on both sides of the road provide habitat for wintering birds.
Also a site on the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail, Turkey Creek is a fast-flowing stream with rapids and waterfalls. This is the home of the Vermillion Darter, an endangered fish species found nowhere else in the world. The preserve contains some of the most biologically diverse habitats in the region.
The details: Meetup is at 8 a.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens parking lot (2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham). From there, we’ll caravan and carpool to Turkey Creek. Follow Hwy. 280 merging onto Red Mountain Expressway and get onto I-20 E/I-59 N. Take exit 128/AL-79 N to Tarrant. Continue on AL-79 for 11.9 miles before turning left on Narrows Road at intersection of AL-79 and AL-151. Turn right onto Turkey Creek Road (3600 Turkey Creek Road). The drive will take 45–50 minutes, so if you plan to meet the group there, allow yourself enough time to be there at 9 a.m.
As always, you’ll also want to bring plenty of water and snacks, binoculars, insect repellent, rain gear, sunblock, and seasonally appropriate attire.
Accessibility: The road along the creek is wheelchair accessible, but the trails are not. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.
(Questions about accessibility? Email us for more information about how we can meet your needs.)
The birds: We can expect to see resident and fall migrants, including many species of warblers, vireos, thrushes, and tanagers. You can check out the most recent eBird checklists here.
Trip leaders: Susan Barrow and Matt Hunter lead this trip; her cell is 205-253-8667, and his cell is 205-915-8186 (day of field trip only). Feel free to email us if you have questions. In the case of inclement weather, you may contact the trip leaders that morning.
