15 Spots Available // $50.00 Members // $70.00 Non-Mmebers
Description : Join Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard on a coastal spring trip to one of south Alabama's famous wildlife and birding destinations, Splinter Hill Bog!
The Nature Conservancy’s 3,000+ acre Splinter Hill Bog Preserve is home to scattered stands of sandy upland longleaf pine forest and coastal blackwater streams and includes some of the most intact seepage bogs remaining along the Gulf Coast.
These bogs boast an impressive 12 species of carnivorous plants, including some of the largest and most visually impressive white-topped pitcher plant (Sarracenia leucophylla) bogs in the world and healthy populations of Wherryi’s Sweet Red Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia rubra ssp. wherryi), a species found in only a small portion of the Gulf Coastal Plain. They are also home to a variety of specialist species during the year, including overwintering Henslow's Sparrows, which may still be skulking around in the bog, and breeding Bachman's (Pinewoods) Sparrows that will be singing by the time of our trip! If we have extra time, we may drive over to Upper Delta WMA to search for early migrants in the swamp.
*Please Note:
Registration is required for this event. The event will only be canceled in the event of hazardous conditions. If you need to cancel at the last minute, please email or text your trip leaders.
Possible Species:
Henslow's Sparrow (rare)
Bachman's Sparrow
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-and-White Warbler
LOCATION DETAILS : Meeting Time and Place
We will meet promptly at 7:30am at the entrance to the Preserve.
Parking Address:
Splinter Hill Bog Preserve
Co Rd 47, Bay Minette, AL 36507
Coordinates: (31.025306, -87.685084)
TRIP LEADER:
Your trip leader 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 up to 1.5 miles total as a group on mostly flat dirt and gravel surfaces. While the terrain is mostly flat, please be aware that tripping hazards such as a debris, holes, sticks, or roots may be present and may not be suitable for all people. There are no benches or restrooms in the facility, so please plan accordingly. Please note that depending on the heat, biting insects can be abundant at this location, so long sleeves or bug spray is recommended as are boots/sturdy shoes. 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.