CHOCCOLOCCO PARK & EASTABOGA FISH HATCHERY
EXPLORING WOODS & WATER HABITATS IN CALHOUN COUNTY
REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 @ 11PM
FREE WITH REGISTRATION / SPACE IS LIMITED
Join us as we visit two sites in Calhoun county, east of the Birmingham area.
Our first stop is Choccolocca Park, a large park and sports field complex in Oxford. The grounds feature a lake with walking trails around the park perimeter that include woods and a creek with the middle of the park having a large grassy field area. Meadowlarks are always a sure bet, along with Savannah Sparrows in the fields. The lake edges sometimes attract shorebirds and there may be various ducks with other winter species like Purple Finches, Orange-crowned Warblers, and other resident birds.
Eastaboga Fish Hatchery, also in Calhoun County, has many small ponds with varying amount of water in them that can attract a variety of waterfowl or shorebirds. There are also woodlands bordering the area where we may see species like Bald Eagles, Rusty Blackbirds, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers on the property.
RUSTY BLACKBIRD Shari McCollough / Audubon Photography Awards
TRIP LEADERS
The leaders for this trip are Todd DeVore / 205 873 5482, Linda Neighbors / 205-568-5554, and Susan Barrow / 205-253-8667. Please contact by phone on the day of the trip only.
NEED-TO-KNOW
REMEMBER As always, remember to bring plenty of water and wear seasonally appropriate attire. Bring drinks and snacks, as we can use the picnic tables at the park to take a meal break before moving on to the fish hatchery.
DETAILS There are restroom facilities at Choccolocco Park, though here are none at the fish hatchery.
REQUIRED Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver when registering. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
ACCESSIBILITY The walking areas at Choccolocca Park are flat and level, and you can anticipate at least a couple of miles waking. The trail around the lake area is paved for anyone who does not wish to walk the perimeter of the park. Walking surfaces at the hatchery are flat and we will walk the perimeter and between fish ponds.
CANCELLATION In the event of inclement weather, or if you need to cancel at the last minute, please text your trip leaders, as the main office will be closed.
WHERE TO MEET & WHEN
MEETING LOCATION & TIME
Buc-ee’s at 7am
I-20 East / Leeds Exit 140
We will meet in the parking area of the can’t-miss-it Buc-ee’s near the electric car charging stations. We will travel east on I-20 towards Atlanta for a little less than 50 miles to Oxford Exit 188. We will then turn south to get to Choccoloco Park, not far from the interstate.
After our time at the park, we will travel back toward Birmingham on I-20 to Eastaboga Exit 173. After exiting the interstate, we will turn right towards Eastaboga and go about 2.7 miles to reach Fish Hatchery Road. Another 2 miles on this road will bring us to the fish hatchery area.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
Through more than seventy-five years of conservation work in one of our nation’s most ecologically rich states, Alabama Audubon has seen firsthand how diversity strengthens natural communities. This same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing equitable and inclusive opportunities for all Alabamians to learn about and enjoy wild birds, their habitats, and the natural world. One of the best ways to support that belief is by valuing and actively seeking to strengthen diversity among our staff, our board, and our membership. To that end, Alabama Audubon welcomes everyone to participate in our work, and strives to make our programs, classes, and events welcome, inclusive, and accessible to all.