Join Alabama Audubon for a special field trip opportunity in conjunction with Huntsville’s own Sunset Bicycles bike shop. On this field trip, we will explore Wheeler Wildlife Refuge’s many birding hotspots via your bicycles.
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-care protected wilderness area along the Tennessee River in north Alabama, primarily located between Decatur and Huntsville. The Refuge was founded in 1938 and provides a safe habitat for many migratory birds and waterfowl.
This is a favorite birding location for your guides, who will lead you through seasonally flooded agricultural fields, tupelo swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, and backwater embayments in search of a variety of fantastic birds, many of which will be migrating through the area.
Meeting Time & Location : We will meet inside Wheeler Wildlife Refuge at the large gravel parking lot located along Jolley B Road (coordinates: 34.56768° N, 86.77820° W) at 7:00AM. We will leave our cars here and set out on our bikes to cover more ground.
Address: 322 Jolley B Rd. Madison, AL 35756
This field trip will cover approximately 11 miles of primarily flat gravel roads via our bicycles. The average riding pace will be approximately 10-14mph. We will stop at a minimum of 4 birding locations across our 11-mile journey. Participants should be comfortable spending approximately 3 hours riding a bicycle interspersed with light walking across 11 miles. The pace will be conversational and focused on birding.
Participants must bring their own working bicycle suitable for primarily flat gravel roads and a helmet to participate in this field trip. Other items to bring include hydration, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars, as well as a pack or a comfortable way to carry your belongings. Your guides will have basic bicycle repair items if needed.
Target Birds: Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Egret, White Ibis, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Gallinule, Purple Gallinule, Killdeer, Wood Duck, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting
Trip Leaders: Brittney Carnell (256) 345-4054// Nick Morgan (256) 797-5748. Please ONLY contact your trip leaders on the day of the event for questions or directions.
This event is free, but registration is required.
Accessibility: This event is not suitable for those with mobility requirements.