KITES & MORE
A FIELD TRIP TO CHAMBERS & LEE COUNTIES
THIS EVENT IS FULL & REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED
New field trip schedule will be announced soon!
On our first trip to this new location, we will travel through rural east Alabama—where the Piedmont, Coastal Plain and Black Belt meet.
We will visit agricultural fields that have Loggerhead Shrike, Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Meadowlark, and Grasshopper Sparrow, as well as a post-breeding dispersal of waders, including Wood Stork. But our primary focus will be the kites.
Bring your camera along as we go in search of the more familiar birds, like Mississippi and Swallow-tailed Kites. We are excited to visit a stronghold known as the "Kite Fields" in the Auburn-Opelika area.
Traditionally, Alabama's Black Belt region west of Montgomery has been our destination to see these sleek, aerodynamic birds during the month of July and August. Numbers of swallow-tailed and Mississippi kite have already been observed and should be increasing. In addition to the kites, we'll also be searching for other open field spcecialists like Eastern Meadownlarks, Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITES James Gray / Audubon Photography Awards
TRIP LEADERS
The leaders for this trip are Barry Fleming / 334-703-3183 and Greg Harber / 205-807-8055. Please contact on the day of the trip only.
NEED-TO -KNOW
REQUIRED Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver when registering. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
ACCESSIBILITY The area we will visit is known for easy roadside access and having large numbers of kites swooping overhead. Primarily a driving tour, very little walking will be necessary.
REMEMBER As always, remember to bring plenty of water and snacks, a full tank of gas, insect repellent, rain gear, sunblock, and seasonally appropriate attire. We will likely experience very warm to even hot temperatures.
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
Publix
The Village at Lee Branch
410 Doug Baker Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35242-2682
MEETING TIME
We will meet at 7AM sharp and then carpool / caravan from there to the Auburn-Opelika area via U.S. Hwy 280.
RENCONVENE
We will reconvene at 9AM at the parking lot in front of the Home Depot in the Tiger Town
development at the corner of U.S. Hwy 280 & I-85. This centrally-located site will provide ready access to the kites fields both north and south of this location.
PARKING ADDRESS
Home Depot
2190 Tiger Town Pkwy
Opelika, AL 36801
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.