Picture Owner & Rights: Dickcissel by Greg Harber

While summer temperatures in the Black Belt can be hot, the birding can be quite good, making it well worth the effort to endure the heat. We'll spend the morning at the State Cattle Ranch (formally known as Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area) located off AL Hwy 69 between Greensboro and Demopolis. After lunch at The Stable in downtown Greensboro, we'll spend the afternoon hours caravanning to various roadside birding sites in southern Hale County, scanning the ponds and skies. Our target birds will be Dickcissels, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Wood Storks, and Mississippi Kites. We'll make an effort to find Painted Buntings.

TRAVEL INFORMATION: We'll meet at 7:00 a.m. at the McDonald's in Hoover on US Hwy 31 across from the Galleria (1731 Montgomery Hwy, Hoover, 35244) and carpool/caravan from there and drive directly to the State Cattle Ranch, arriving there at approximately 9:00 a.m.

Expect very warm temperatures, so dress accordingly, and bring plenty of drinks and snacks. We'll do some walking on the state cattle ranch property in the morning, but our afternoon birding will consist mostly of roadside birding, with very little walking involved. Lunch will be at The Stable. Please bring plenty of water and snacks.

Address for Meeting at McDonald’s: 1731 Montgomery Hwy, Hoover, AL 35244, United States

Address for State Cattle Ranch: 1132 County Road 73, Greensboro, AL 36744, United States. Coordinates: 32.628975085833964, -87.68629320584522

Target Bird Species: Dickcissel, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Painted Bunting, Wood Stork, and Mississippi Kite.

This event is free, but registration is required.

Field Trip Leaders Contact: Greg Harber ( 205) 807-8055 // Sanda Allinson (205) 999-7848 *Please contact your field trip leaders on the day of the event for questions and concerns.

Accessibility: We will be driving the majority of this trip. Expect to walk up to .25 miles on hardpack dirt or sand. There are restrooms and benches at the site.