Description : Join Program Coordinator, Andrew Lydeard, to Alabama's most famous songbird hotspot in North Alabama, Monte Sano State Park!
The park offers a variety of ecosystems that are perfect for both breeding and migratory songbirds and is a great location to begin your journey as a birder or join other experienced birders in search of late spring migrants and Neotropic breeding birds. Andrew will cover basics of binocular use, how to use habitat as a field mark for identification, and general bird identification, including by both sight and sound. We will travel as a group from the overlook area, around the park, and back to the overlook in search of migratory birds.
*Registration is free but required for this program.
Possible Species
-Up to 25 - 30 Warbler species!! (including Blackburnian, Kentucky, Hooded, and Mourning Warbler*, American Redstarts, and Northern Parulas)
-Red-eyed, Yellow-throated, White-eyed, Philadephia*, and Warbling Vireo*
-Wood, Swainson's, and Gray-cheeked Thrushes
-Summer and Scarlet Tanagers
-Broad-winged Hawks
-Pileated, Hairy, Downy, and Red-headed Woodpeckers
-Purple Martins and Chimney Swifts
-Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
LOCATION DETAILS: *Please Note: While this event is free, Monte Sano State Park has entry fees as follows:
$5 per Adult (age 12+)
$2 per Child (age 4 to 11)
$2 per Senior (age 62+)
Free for ages 3 & under
All Active Military, Retired Military, and Veterans are Free.
The event will only be canceled by Alabama Audubon in the event of hazardous conditions or unforeseen circumstances. If you need to cancel at the last minute, please email or text your trip leaders.
TRAVEL INFORMATION :
We will meet at the main overlook parking lot located at the northeastern part of the park. From here, we will see what migrants are near the overlook before traveling as a group throughout the park.
ADDRESS: 2598 Bankhead Pkwy NE, Huntsville, AL 35801
Coordinates to Meeting Place: 34.747637, -86.510500
TRIP LEADER: Your trip leaders will be Andrew Lydeard / andrew@alaudubon.org / 703-606-8956. *Please call or text your leader only on the day of the event.
Accessibility : We will travel about 2 miles total as a group on mostly flat road and gravel trail surfaces. While the terrain is mostly flat, please be aware that tripping hazards such as a debris, holes, rocks, or sticks may be present and may not be suitable for all people. There are restrooms at this park and places to sit for resting.
As always, remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, insect repellent, sun screen, and wear seasonally appropriate attire; Vortex binoculars can be loaned to participants if needed.
Please reach out to your leader prior to the event, so that we may accommodate any accessibility needs before the program.
Picture Owner: Andrew Lydread // Blackburnian Warbler