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Field Trip: Monte Sano State Park
October 2, 2021 , 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pre-registration is required by 12 p.m. CDT on Friday, October 1st, and space is limited.
Registration is now closed. Check out our upcoming events here.
Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
Huntsville’s Monte Sano State Park (5105 Nolen Ave.) sits on 2,140 acres of woodland habitat with spectacular vistas from atop the mountain—especially when the fall leaves show off their colors. Resident turkey vultures and other raptors can be seen gliding past at eye level, soaring on warm air currents rising from the valley below. Join us as we bird various migration hotspots and take in views of north Alabama’s beautiful mountain plateaus.
The details: Initial meetup is at the Chick-fil-a in Fultondale (215 Howell Street). Plan to depart at 7 a.m., at which time we’ll caravan north towards Huntsville via I-65 North, I-565, and US 431 to Huntsville/Monte Sano (5105 Nolen Ave). Follow the signs to the entrance of the campground where we will meet at 8:45 a.m. It’s a short walk to the overlook from there. Note that admission to the park is $5 for adults, $2 for seniors.
Be sure to bring the usual supplies: binoculars, rehydrating drinks, snacks, a full tank of gas, sunscreen, insect repellant, rain gear, and seasonally appropriate attire. In the case of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled. You may contact the trip leader the morning of the event if the weather is questionable.
Registration: To register, click on the button above. If you’re new to our online system and don’t yet have a username and password, simply click the “X” on the pop up and fill out the basic form. If you do have a login, please use it as this helps us tremendously on our end! You should receive an automated email upon registering.
Accessibility: The paved parking lot at the overlook on Monte Sano is very accessible, and one of the most popular locations for area birders (and the birds they are looking for) in the park. The trails are not accessible.
The food: Plan to bring a picnic lunch.
The birds: We’re sure to see vultures and raptors. As migration will be at its peak, we’ll be looking for neotropical migrants including a variety of warblers, tanagers, and vireos.
Trip leaders: Greg Harber (205-807-8055) and Hans Paul (205-807-7357) will lead this trip. Please contact on the day of the trip only. Feel free to email us if you have questions or want to let us know you’ll be meeting up from a different part of the state and need other directions.
Questions? Email the Programs Assistant.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Through more than seventy-five years of conservation work in one of our nation’s most ecologically rich states, Alabama Audubon has seen firsthand how diversity strengthens natural communities. We believe that the same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all Alabamians to learn about and enjoy wild birds, their habitats, and the natural world. One of the best ways to support that belief is by valuing and actively seeking to strengthen diversity among our staff, our board, and our membership. To that end, Alabama Audubon welcomes the whole of our community to our work, and strives to make our programs, classes, and events open and accessible to all.
