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Field Trip: Payne Lake and Oakmulgee NWR (FREE)

  • McDondals Meeting Place 2000 Riverchase Galleria Circle Hoover, AL, 35244 United States (map)

Payne Lake is a lovely, peaceful, and quiet, recreation area within the Oakmulgee National Forest, located just off Hwy 25 in northern Hale County, AL. To be there on an early spring morning is to be serenaded by a bounty of early migrant songbirds -- But one of the primary reasons for visiting Payne Lake is the presence of breeding Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCW’s), a once endangered, conservation success story.

Early April is an opportune time to visit, as we should see some representatives of our wintering species before they prepare to depart for their breeding territories, as well as some permanent resident species

Target Species:

Bald Eagle

Osprey

Belted Kingfishers

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers

Northern Parula

Black-and-white Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Louisiana Waterthrush

White-eyed Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

LOCATION DETAILS : *Please note that the US Forest Service charges a nominal day-use fee of $3 per vehicle. Cash can be paid at the entry or can be pre-paid at the following website:

https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/38750529-a553-11ec-84c4-faa87ad7236

Restrooms are present at the lake, and there is also a shed with picnic tables. Plan to pack a picnic lunch, and bring snacks, water, and any other beverages you choose.

TRAVEL INFORMATION : Meet in the parking lot of the McDonald's on US 31 in Hoover (directly across from the Galleria) at 7 am on 4/05. We should arrive at Payne Lake by 8:30 am.

McDonald’s Address: 2000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, AL 35244

FIELD TRIP LEADER: Paul Franklin // (205) 542-7647 .

Please contact your field trip leader the day of the event for any questions and concerns.

Accessibility : The roads to Payne Lake are entirely paved and well-maintained. The roads in the recreation area are fine, too -- some are paved, others are well-maintained clay. We'll try not to "challenge" any vehicles. Most of the walking will be reasonably short distances on level ground. Some walking will be on asphalt, some on grass. Expect some light-to-moderate hiking over somewhat hilly terrain to get to one or another Red-cockaded woodpecker nesting area.

PHOTO OWNER & CREDIT: Andrew Lydread // Prothonotary warbler

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