STATE CATTLE RANCH
A RETURN TO THE BLACK BELT
FREE WITH REGISTRATION / SPACE IS LIMITED
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 AT 12AM
We hope you’ll join us as we return to Alabama’s Black Belt—our destination will be the site of the former State Prison System’s Cattle Ranch, near Greensboro in Hale County. The property is now managed by the State Lands Division, and is only accessible with permission from the state. The land itself consists of soft rolling prairie grasslands, adorned with multiple lakes and numerous scattered copses of shade trees. Sight lines are excellent here, so most sightings should be widely shared. Spotting scopes could be handy for waterfowl and distant raptors, so bring a scope if you have one.
What should we find? Grassland birds, certainly—Meadowlarks, various sparrows, and blackbirds, as well as Northern Harriers, Kestrels, and Red-tailed Hawks. Other raptors, such as Bald Eagles and Osprey, are always a possibility. We’ll expect a smattering of wading birds and waterfowl, and perhaps some shorebirds. Wintering songbirds to look for would include Palm and Orange-crowned Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, and Loggerhead Shrike. A pretty day should produce an impressive bird list.
NORTHERN HARRIER
Elizabeth Yicheng Shen / Audubon Photography Awards
TRIP LEADERS
The leaders for this trip are Paul Franklin / 205-542-7647 and Matt Hunter / 205-460-9546. 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. Comfortable walking shoes are encouraged.
DETAILS We will picnic on-site, so bring a lunch, snacks, and plenty to drink.
REQUIRED Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver when registering. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
ACCESSIBILITY The roads through the ranch are unpaved dirt or clay, navigable in all but the worst weather in standard passenger vehicles, and most of our birding will be on relatively level ground and for very short distances – most of it done by the side of the road. Expect little walking or hiking, though you should expect the little that we do to be on unpaved and unimproved roads and roadsides, or for short distances across grassy fields.
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 POINT
CHICK-FIL-A
Mccalla-Bessemer Location
6000 Harris Lane
Bessemer, AL 35022
MEETING TIME
The group will meet promptly at 7AM.
After meeting at Chick-fil-A in Bessemer-Mccalla, we will take exit 71A onto Hwy 69S, and pause again to regather at the Chick-Fil-A on Skyland Boulevard for a brief pitstop. We will then take Hwy 69 to Greensboro and to the State Cattle Ranch. This will be an all-day trip, so plan accordingly.
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.