Cost: $50
Capacity: 12
LOCATION DESCRIPTION / In-person: After a thrilling and successful guided trip to Talladega National Forest last fall with Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard, we’ve decided to repeat the experience again this year! Take a trip to the wilderness of eastern Alabama to search for the state’s only known Red Crossbill population, watch endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers foraging in Longleaf Pine ecosystems along the Pinhoti Trail and Coleman Lake, have lunch in Oxford, and end with an afternoon walk at Eastaboga Fish Hatchery.
This is a great opportunity to explore rare and declining Longleaf Pine savannahs that used to dominate Alabama’s landscape thousands of years ago. These unique grasslands are some of the most biodiverse worldwide and host unique plant and animal life found nowhere else on the planet. Some target birds will be Red Crossbills, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and departing migratory songbirds like Gray-cheeked Thrush and Bay-breasted Warblers in Talladega. In Eastaboga, we’ll scan the impoundment cells for arriving winter waterfowl like Green-winged Teal and search for late waders like Little-blue Herons. We will also play role as the welcoming party for wintering species in both locations that include birds such as Blue-headed Vireos, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, and Palm Warblers, Purple Finches, and Hermit Thrushes!
TRAVEL INFORMATION, MEETING PLACE AND TIME: We will meet at Jack's in Heflin, AL and caravan to Coleman Lake, Oxford, and Eastaboga Fish Hatchery.
Jack's:
115 Ross St, Heflin, AL 36264
Coordinates : (33.64253, -85.58812)
Coleman Lake/Pinhoti Trailhead:
9901, 5th St, Brent, AL 35034
Coordinates: (33.7869, -85.5658)
Mexico Lindo Grill
550 Oxford Exchange Blvd, Oxford, AL 36203
Coordinates: (33.61022, -85.78237)
Eastaboga Fish Hatchery:
1930 Fish Hatchery Rd, Eastaboga, AL 36260
Coordinates: (33.61713, -85.99406)
LOCATION DETAILS / In-person: This is a FULL-DAY, SELF-CATERED driving and walking field trip. Our meeting place of Jack's will have restrooms available - please arrive before 6:30 if you need to eat or use the facilities. Our next chance for a restroom will be at Coleman Lake about two (2) hours later, so please plan accordingly. We will have a final opportunity to use restrooms in Oxford during lunch, and it's recommended everyone do so as there are no restrooms available at the Fish Hatchery.
As always, remember to come with a full tank of gas and bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and wear seasonally appropriate attire. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended. Please be aware that cell phone service may be limited during parts of this event.
TRIP LEADER Your trip leader for this event will be Andrew Lydeard
EMAIL: andrew@alaudubon.org
PHONE: (703) 606-8956
ACCESSIBILITY: We will walk up to three (3) miles on flat to slightly slopped terrain that may not be accessible to all people. Most of the walking in Talladega NF will be on the road, but we will take parts of the Pinhoti Trail to find some of our targets, which includes tripping hazards like rocks, roots, and other obstacles. Eastaboga Hatchery is mostly flat and has both gravel and asphalt but holes and uneven terrain may be present.
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, a hat and sunblock.
REQUIRED Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver when registering. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
CANCELLATION 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.
Picture Credit and Owner: Andrew Lydeard