Join Executive Director Dr. Scot Duncan on an outing to explore the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and the Kathy Stiles Freeland Bibb County Glades in search of Neotropic breeding birds and endemic plant species! The refuge is famous for its beauty and biodiversity and is among the best locations in central Alabama to find many of our breeding Neotropical migratory birds. The Kathy Stiles Freeland Bibb County Glades is a small protected preserve located off of the Little Cahaba River and has plant species that are found nowhere else in the world.
Cost: $35 | Capacity: 12
Cahaba NWR and the Glades consist of mixed pine and hardwood forests, bottomland swamps, river scours and shoals, and remnant Limestone prairies. The dense woodland habitats are ideal for warblers that require more cover during their breeding season, including Swainson’s, Kentucky, Worm-eating, and Hooded Warblers. Open areas can host an abundance of Prairie Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, and Orchard Orioles while the mixed hardwoods along the river offer ample habitat for Yellow-throated Warblers and Vireos, Northern Parulas, and Wood Thrushes. While in the Glades, Scot will point out some of the unique plants such as Alabama Croton and Mohr's Barbara's-Buttons. We’ll start in Montevallo and caravan to the refuge, stopping at two locations, before ending at the Bibb County Glades.
Meeting Time and Place
We will meet at the Exxon in Montevallo promptly at 7:00am on 6/27/2024. If you need to use the restroom or purchase gas/snacks, please arrive early to do so. We will caravan to the NWR at 7:00am. If you have to arrive late, the address to the refuge is below.
Address to Exxon:
Exxon, 3910 AL-25, Montevallo, AL 35115
Address & Coordinates to Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge:
Co Rd 24
Brierfield, AL 35035
33.095349, -87.057366
Trip Leader
Your trip leader for this event will be Executive Director Dr. Scot Duncan. If you have to cancel or will be late, please contact your leader only on the day of the event.
Accessibility:
We will walk up to three (3) miles on uneven terrain that may be rugged, steep, and not suitable for all people.
Remember: As always, remember to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray and wear seasonally appropriate attire. Hiking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended.
Required: Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver when registering. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
Cancellation / Refund Policy : The event will only be canceled in the event of hazardous conditions and refunds will only be issued at the discretion of Alabama Audubon. If you need to cancel at the last minute, please email or text your trip leaders only on the day of the event.
Please continue joining Alabama Audubon as a member or donor to help us continue to offer accessible, educational programs and events across the state. Your generosity enables us to advance research, education, and advocacy efforts to protect birds in Alabama and beyond. If you would like to attend this program but cannot afford to due to financial hardship, please contact our staff to discuss potential scholarships and assistance.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & 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. This same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing equitable and inclusive 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 everyone to participate in our work, and strives to make our programs, classes, and events welcome, inclusive, and accessible to all.
Photo: Worm-eating Warbler, A. Lydeard