Join us for Winter Birding in the Black Belt, a full-day birding experience guided by Scot Duncan, Andrew Lydeard, and Christopher Joe of Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours!
Cost: $75 per person — lunch included at the Stable.
We’ll begin our morning at the M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area (Old State Cattle Ranch), exploring its expansive Black Belt habitats in search of winter residents and open-country species. We will meet at the entrance and caravan through the field.
Meeting place at 8:00am near the pavilion of the M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area
Address: Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area
1132 County Road 73
Greensboro, AL 36744
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! After a morning in the field, we’ll enjoy lunch together at The Stable in Greensboro, then head to The Joe Farm for an afternoon of birding hosted by our friends at Connecting with Birds and Nature.
Participants will caravan between locations, so please remember to carpool whenever possible.
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 Lunch is included in the price at the Stable in Greensboro - vegetarian options are available.
CANCELLATION The event will only be cancelled in the event of hazardous conditions. Refunds will only be issued if the trip is cancelled by ALABAMA AUDUBON.