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Field Trip: Cheaha State Park
October 29, 2022 , 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pre-registration is required by 12 p.m. CDT on Friday, October 28th.
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.
At over 2,400 feet above sea level, Cheaha Mountain is Alabama’s highest point, a magnet for fall migrants, and an almost ideal location for an autumn birding trip. Cheaha State Park is located in the middle of the Talladega National Forest so the area consists of vast tracts of undeveloped forested land, and these woodlands provide nesting and wintering habitat for a wide variety of birds, as well as providing corridors for spring and fall migrants. Join us on this full-day trip to one of Alabama’s most beautiful highland parks on the Alabama Birding Trail.
The details: Meetup is at 7 a.m. at the Eastwood Chick-fil-A (1648 Montclair Road, Irondale), located just south of the Walmart and west of the Starbucks. From there, we’ll carpool and caravan east on I-20 to Oxford/Anniston (Exit 188), where we will reconvene in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel (220 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford, 36203) at 8:00 a.m. Once we’re all together we will head down scenic roads to the park entrance. Note: Admission to the park is $5 for adults under 62, $2 for seniors and for children ages 6 to 11. For more information, visit the park website.
As always, remember to bring your binoculars, plenty of water and snacks, insect repellent, rain gear, sunblock, 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: Not wheelchair accessible, except for the boardwalk, which we will likely visit. Many of the trails are uneven terrain and sometimes on rocky slopes. You might consider bringing a collapsible walking stick. Sturdy walking shoes are advised.
(Questions about accessibility? Email us for more information about how we can meet your needs.)
The food: You may bring your own lunch, snacks, and drinks for this field trip. There is also a mountain store at the park which has light meals, snacks, and drinks for purchase.
The birds: This is a great fall trip for migrating hawks, vireos, warblers, tanagers, and thrushes. You’ll find the latest eBird records for the park here.
Trip leaders: Paul Franklin (205-542-7647) and Anne Miller (205-902-1389) will lead this trip. Please contact on the day of the trip only. Feel free to email us if you have questions.
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.
