Join Alabama Audubon for a special field trip opportunity in conjunction with Huntsville’s own Sunset Bicycles bike shop. On this field trip, we will explore Wheeler Wildlife Refuge’s many birding hotspots via your bicycles.
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-care protected wilderness area along the Tennessee River in north Alabama, primarily located between Decatur and Huntsville. The Refuge was founded in 1938 and provides a safe habitat for many migratory birds and waterfowl.
This is a favorite birding location for your guides, who will lead you through seasonally flooded agricultural fields, tupelo swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, and backwater embayments in search of a variety of fantastic birds, many of which will be migrating through the area.
Schedule of Event Location: We plan to communicate with the warden/Wheeler staff, especially regarding gate closures or problems, prior to each field trip. This is a free to use/no payment required area otherwise.
TRAVEL INFORMATION : We will meet inside Wheeler Wildlife Refuge at the large gravel parking lot located along Jolley B Road (coordinates: 34.56768° N, 86.77820° W). We will leave our cars here and set out on our bikes to cover more ground.
This field trip will cover approximately 11 miles of primarily flat gravel roads via our bicycles. The average riding pace will be approximately 10-14mph. We will stop at a minimum of 4 birding locations across our 11-mile journey. Participants should be comfortable spending approximately 3 hours riding a bicycle interspersed with light walking across 11 miles. The pace will be conversational and focused on birding.
Participants must bring their own working bicycle suitable for primarily flat gravel roads and a helmet to participate in this field trip. Other items to bring include hydration, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars, as well as a pack or a comfortable way to carry your belongings. Your guides will have basic bicycle repair items if needed.
Target Bird Species: Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Egret, White Ibis, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Gallinule, Purple Gallinule, Killdeer, Wood Duck, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting
This event is free but registration is required.
Trip Leaders: Brittney Carnell (256) 345-4054 // Nick Morgan (256) 797-5748 *Please only contact your trip leaders the DAY of the event.
Cancellation: This event will only be canceled by Alabama Audubon in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If you have questions about the program, please contact Andrew Lydeard (andrew@alaudubon.org).