Description: The Alabama River west of Montgomery has long been a birding destination for a number of the River Region’s specialties, and we’ll focus our efforts on both the north and south sides of the river looking for them. The crop fields and pastures south of AL Hwy 14, between Prattville and Autaugaville, have been fairly reliable in recent years for Painted Buntings and Common Ground-Doves, and to a lesser extent, Lark Sparrows. We’ll spend the morning hours searching for those, with the expectation that long-legged waders, Loggerhead Shrikes and Eastern Meadowlarks are likely, too.

Details: Following lunch in Prattville at Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch (154 First Street, Prattville, AL 36067), we’ll continue our River Region birding adventure on the south side of the river, near Lowndesboro. Some years we have had luck finding kites coursing above the extensive fields along County Road 40/Jones Bluff Road. A visit to the “ghost town” at Robinson’s Switch crossroad will certainly be in order while we are here. This picturesque collection of abandoned buildings will surely capture your attention – bring a camera!

Meeting Location: Our departure point this day is a familiar one: the McDonald’s on US 31 in Hoover, located at 1731 Montgomery Highway (US 31) across from the Galleria.

Plan to depart at 7:00 a.m. and caravan to our destination from there. We’ll make a short stop at the McDonald’s in Prattville (I-65 exit # 179, 2573 Cobbs Ford Road, Prattville, AL 36066). We should arrive about 8:15, if you wish to meet us there.

*Remember, this is a daylong affair, so plan accordingly and bring plenty of drinks and snacks in addition to a full tank of gas, insect repellent, rain gear, and appropriate summer attire and sunblock. Also note that most of our birding will be roadside in nature, with very little walking involved.

Trip Leaders: Greg Harber, 205-807-8055 and Linda Neighbors, 205-568-5554.