WINTER BIRDING IN THE BLACK BELT
A GUIDED BUS TOUR EXPLORATION
TICKET SALES CLOSE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 @ 12AM
$125 PER PERSON / SPACE IS LIMITED
Join us this February on this special bus tour to the Black Belt region of western Alabama to see the winter birds and waterfowl that spend the cooler months in this area.
Many birders in the state are familiar with the specialty breeding species like Painted Buntings or Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in the Black Belt during the summer, but few in the state experience birding in this hallowed area during the cooler months. The pristine grass and scrubland ecosystems in the area are found nowhere else in the world and offer opportunities to see Eastern Meadowlarks, Vesper and Grasshopper Sparrows, and Loggerhead Shrikes while agricultural areas with cattle and catfish ponds host hundreds of ducks like Redheads, Northern Pintails, and both Green and Blue-winged Teal!
Additionally, we'll be keeping our eyes out for rare flycatchers or songbirds that may overwinter in these unusual habitats!
We will depart from Birmingham at 7:30 and will make our first stop at Perry Lakes Park. From there we'll head down to Dallas County for lunch at the Orrville Farmers Market, and then on to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park.
Of course, we may be making unplanned stops if we find interesting birds along the way! We will be joined by Christopher Joe from the Joe Farm’s Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours in Newbern, who will be helping us find birds and sharing his experiences as a birder who grew up in the Black Belt.
We will arrive back in Birmingham around 5:30PM.
Ticket sales may close early if capacity is met.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK
Mary Ellen Cross / Audubon Photography Awards
TRIP LEADERS
The leaders for this trip are Scot Duncan / 205-876-6068 and Tim Higgins / 205-710-3678. 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, shoes in particular. Be prepared for cold or wet weather, as we will be walking through unpaved paths on nature trails.
DETAILS There will be a restroom on the bus; Lunch is included in the price at the Orrville Farmers Market - vegetarian options are available.
CANCELLATION The tour will only be cancelled in the event of hazardous conditions. Refunds will only be issued if the trip is cancelled by ALABAMA AUDUBON.
WHERE TO MEET & WHEN
MEETING LOCATION & TIME
BROOKWOOD VILLAGE MALL
780 Brookwood Village
Birmingham, AL 35209
We will depart promptly at 7:30AM. The Brookwood Village mall property is mostly out of use, so parking will be ample. Look for the large tour bus in the East parking lot.
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.