Description : Join Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard for Nature at Noon this July at the James D. Martin Wildlife Park in Gadsden! The park is an important wetland tract of the Coosa River and is home to a variety of birds, including a large egret and cormorant rookery! The park includes benches regularly placed on the boardwalk for resting and a variety of habitats that feature great wildlife and birds with a relaxing view. We will travel out to the water’s edge and back for an Out and Back, slowly birding the edges of the wetland, woods, and the open water. The journey will be about 1.0 total miles, and much of the walk will be shaded.
LOCATION DETAILS: There are two entrances to the James D. Martin Wildlife Park. We will meet at the west entrance off of 11th Street.
Address: 1224-1226 S 11th St, Gadsden, AL 35901
Coordinates: (34.002743, -86.022328)
TRAVEL INFORMATION : Note: While this event is free, registration is still required. Due to limited space on the boardwalk, participants will be limited to 20; a waiting list will automatically open after this point, and participants will be notified prior to the event if a spot has opened up. Please reach out to your trip leader if you cannot make the event, so that participants who may be on the waiting list can replace your spot.
Target Species:
Wood Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (*rare)
Great, Snowy, and Cattle Egrets
Great and Little Blue Herons
Double-crested Cormorants
Prothonotary Warblers
Summer Tanagers
Song Sparrows
Least Bittern (*rare)
Cliff, Northern Rough-winged, Barn, and Tree Swallows
Accessibility : Accessibility: We will travel about a mile or less as a group on mostly flat gravel and boardwalk paths. There are regular benches for taking breaks, and parking / entry is free at this location. However, there are no public restrooms, so please plan accordingly. Loaner binoculars will be available if you need them!
Please reach out to Andrew Lydeard (andrew@alaudubon.org) if you require any special accommodations, have questions, or cannot attend, so that we can better assist you on the day of the event.