Atlanta Audubon Society 2006 Field Trips


Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area—Cochran Shoals Unit
A good spot for herons, woodpeckers (a reliable location for resident Red-headed Woodpecker), flycatchers, vireos in season (one of the best Atlanta locations for the uncommon Philadelphia Vireo). Also Sedge and Marsh Wrens during migration. Birding focus: songbirds, raptors Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. View location description	Directions: Take I-285 to the Northside-Powers Ferry Rd. exit (exit 22). Going west on I-285, turn right at the first light onto Interstate North Parkway. Stay on this road as it curves west, through an intersection and crosses the river. After crossing, the parking lot is an immediate right. Going east on I-285, continue east to the second light, then turn left (north) and cross the bridge over I-285 and continue through the traffic light on the other side onto Interstate North Parkway, then continue with instructions above. The lot fills quickly, so come early. Meet in the parking lot at the start of the jogging trail and, if late, follow the trail to catch up. Wear shoes suitable for wet grass. Parking fee ($3) or annual pass at this site.

Fernbank Forest
Old forest habitat with paved paths. Birding focus: songbirds, raptors. Can be a great spot for thrushes in migration, including Swainson's Thrush (common), Veery (uncommon), and Gray-cheeked Thrush (rare), also migratory warblers, including Nashville Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler. Meet at the Science Center parking lot near the Observatory dome at 8 AM. All travel on foot, paved trail. Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Saturday, 3 May 2008, 8:00 AM Leader: Chris Showalter Date: Saturday, 10 May 2008, 8:00 AM Leader: Chris Showalter View location description	Directions: From I-285, take Stone Mountain Expressway (US 78) toward Decatur; it becomes Scott Blvd; turn right at Coventry Rd; then left at first light (Heaton Park Dr). From downtown, take Ponce de Leon toward Decatur and bear left after RR bridge, then left on Coventry Rd. and as above. Meet in the parking lot on the north side of the Science Center (located at 156 Heaton Park Dr.) near the planetarium dome.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Atlanta's best location for neotropical migrants. Vireos, tanagers, and warblers, including Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Ovenbird. Be sure to visit the Important Bird Areas kiosk near the Visitor Center. Birding focus: migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. View location description	Directions: Take I-75 to exit 269, Barrett Parkway. Go west on Barrett Parkway approximately two miles to Old Route 41 and take a left (look for a little brown sign on the right at that intersection pointing left to the Battlefield). Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Stilesboro Road, then a quick left into the visitor center parking lot.

E.L. Huie/Newman Wetlands Center
The Huie ponds are probably the best place for shorebirds and waterfowl in the Atlanta metro area, and the Wetlands Center trail offers excellent viewing of woodland species. A variety of ducks during winter and migration, including good numbers of Northern Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, occasionally Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Greater Scaup. An excellent spot for swallows during migration, sometimes six species at once. These trips are co-sponsored by the Newman Wetlands Center. Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Saturday, 24 May 2008, 8:00 AM Leader: Carol Lambert & Jeff Sewell View location description For a list of upcoming field trips, please consult the Clayton County Water Authority web site: http://www.ccwa1.com/	Directions: Take I-75 south to US 19/41 (Tara Blvd., exit 235); drive south for 8.2 miles to Freeman Rd. and turn left. The Newman Wetlands Center is 2.5 miles down Freeman Rd. on the right after a sharp turn. Meet in the Wetlands Center parking lot. Call the Wetlands Center for information about birding at both sites: 770-603-5606.

Other Field Trips in the Atlanta Metro Area
Big Creek Greenway Birding Focus: migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: 400 north to Exit 8, Mansell Rd/Alpharetta exit. After exiting, turn right (east) onto Mansell Rd. At the first traffic light, turn left (north) onto North Point Parkway (Smokey Bones BBQ on one corner and PF Changs on the other). Continue on North Point Pkwy to 3 or 4 lights staying in the right hand lane. Look for the Greenway entrance on the right just past the car wash. View location description
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area—Island Ford Unit Birding Focus: migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Take exit 27 GA 400 North (towards Dahlonega); north 5 miles to exit 6, Northridge Road; turn right and cross over GA 400 then right onto Dunwoody Place; go .5 miles and right onto Roberts Drive; go .7 mile on Robert's Drive and right onto Island Ford Parkway to park entrance.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area—Johnson Ferry Unit Birding Focus: residents, migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From I-285 North, take Exit 25 onto Roswell Road, US Hwy19 north. Travel approx. 1 mile and take a left on Johnson Ferry Road. Travel approx. 2 miles. After you go over the bridge at the Chattahoochee River, take the first right into the parking area at the National Recreation Area.
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From I-285 N or S: Take Highway 78, Stone Mt. Freeway exit, west toward Decatur. Highway 78 passes North DeKalb Mall. At intersection of Highway 78, North Decatur Rd. and Medlock Rd., take right on Medlock Rd. Follow Medlock Rd. 1/4 mile to Medlock Elementary School; go right on Wood Trail Lane. Go through one stop sign; travel another 200 yards to Preserve entrance. From I75-I85 N or S: From I-85 north or south, take North Druid Hills exit, east toward Decatur. After approx. 3 miles, go right on Hwy. 78 (at North DeKalb Mall). Follow directions as above. View location description
Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: The address for Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve is 3787 Klondike Road, Lithonia 30038 Phone (770) 484-3060. From the west (Atlanta, Decatur): Take I-20 East to Evans Mill Rd. Exit 74. Make no turn for over 1/2 mile, pass the Dairy Queen, then turn right onto Evans Mill Rd. at the second traffic light. Note the road becomes Woodrow Dr. when Evans Mill Rd.makes a right turn. Do not turn onto Evans Mill, but stay straight on Woodrow until it ends at Klondike Rd., turn right. Drive 1.2 mile to the main (North) parking lot on your right (0.2 mile after the caution light) From the east (Conyers, Covington): Take I-20 West to Evans Mill Rd. Exit 74. Turn left from the exit ramp onto Evans Mill Rd, and proceed to Woodrow Dr. as above.
Dawson Forest This is a great place for beginning birders since the landscape is open in most places. Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta, take GA 400 north to Dawson Forest Road. Turn left, cross over Hwy 9, continue straight into Dawson Forest. Pass through the open gate and park on the right at the wetlands. Meet at the gate entrance to Dawson Forest at the wetlands.
Georgia International Horse Park Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From I-20 (east of Atlanta) take Exit 82 and travel north for 3.7 miles on Georgia Hwy. 138. Turn right onto Centennial Olympic Parkway. In 1.6 miles, park at a polo field on the right.
Grant Park Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Tuesday, 6 May 2008, 5:30 - 6:30 PM Leader: Jay Davis Date: Tuesday, 13 May 2008, 5:30 - 6:30 PM Leader: Jay Davis Date: Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 5:30 - 6:30 PM Leader: Jay Davis Date: Tuesday, 27 May 2008, 5:30 - 6:30 PM Leader: Jay Davis Directions: Meet at the Georgia Avenue entrance to Grant Park (on the West side of the park) From I-75: One exit south of the intersection with I-20, exit Fulton Street and go East. Veer to the right in 3-4 blocks onto Sydney Street, and follow Sydney Street until it deadends into Grant Park at Cherokee St. Turn right on Cherokee St. The traffic light straight ahead is the meeting place for Grant Park bird walks. From I-20: Exit Boulevard, which is the first exit East of the intersection with I-75. Take Boulevard south. Turn right at the first street, Sydney St. Sydney St. runs into the park. When you see the park, turn right, then immediately left (continuing on Sydney St.). At the other end of the park, you intersect with Cherokee St. Turn left on Cherokee St. The traffic light straight ahead is the meeting place for Grant Park bird walks.
Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center is located at 2020 Clean Water Drive. Buford, GA, Phone 770-904-3503. From I-85, take Exit 115 (Buford Dr./ GA Hwy 20) and travel west toward Buford to Plunketts Rd. Turn left and continue straight to Clean Water Dr. Turn left on Clean Water Dr. and continue straight to the Center. From I-985, take Exit 4 (Buford Dr./ GA Hwy 20) and travel East toward Lawrenceville to Plunketts Rd. Turn right and continue straight to Clean Water Dr. Turn left on Clean Water Drive and continue straight to the Center. From Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, turn north onto Satellite Boulevard to Woodward Mill Road. Turn right, cross over I-985, and stay straight to Plunketts Rd. Turn left and stay straight to Clean Water Dr. Turn right and continue straight until you get to the Center.
Lullwater Park, Emory University Campus Lullwater Park is the greenspace area which surrounds the president’s house at Emory. We will meet at the park entrance, which faces Clifton Ranger District, near the intersection of Clifton Ranger District and Haygood Rd. Please feel free to drop by on your lunch break. If you miss us, call Darlene at 404.274.7390, and we will tell you our current location. Parking on campus can be challenging and usually requires a fee if you are not a student or employee of Emory. Please use the visitor decks and do not park illegally, as you risk being towed and/or ticketed. The closest parking deck is the Michael St. deck. Michael St. intersects with Clifton near the entrance to Lullwater Park. Birding Focus: Songbirds Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From I-285, take Exit 40, E. Ponce de Leon Ave., toward Clarkston. Turn right on E. Ponce de Leon. Go one mile. Turn right on N. Decatur Rd. Go 3 miles. Turn right on Haygood Dr. Turn right on Clifton Rd. Michael St. will be on the left. The entrance to Lullwater Park will be on the right. From downtown Atlanta, take Freedom Pkwy. toward the Carter Center. Continue past the Carter Center to Moreland Ave. Turn left on Moreland Ave. Go 1.6 miles (Moreland becomes Briarcliff Rd.) Turn right on N. Decatur Rd. Pass through roundabout. Turn left on Clifton Rd. Go approximately one-half mile. Michael St. will be on the left. The entrance to Lullwater Park will be on the right.
Mercer Wetlands Meet in the parking lot at the Columbia Building on Woodcock. Birding Focus: Waterfowl, songbirds and residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From I-85 North, take the Shallowford Rd Exit and continue north along the access road. Go approx 1.25 miles and turn right onto Woodcock. Go to the last building (Columbia) on the left and pull into the parking area along Woodcock. From I-85 South, take the Chamblee-Tucker Exit and turn left over the freeway. Continue a short distance down the hill and take the Flowers Road exit to the right. Go a short block and take the first right onto Woodcock.
Monastery of the Holy Spirit Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta on I-20 East: Take exit 82 and turn right onto Georgia Hwy 20. Proceed 1.2 miles to the 4th traffic light, turn right onto Hwy 138. Proceed 4 miles to the traffic light at Hwy 212 and turn left. Proceed 2.5 miles. The Monastery entrance will be on the left.
Piedmont Park Birding Focus: residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Room is located at the corner of Piedmont Ave & 12th St. From south of the city, take the I-75/85 connector north to the Pine St. Exit (Exit 249B). Go straight on Pine, crossing Peachtree St. Turn left on Piedmont Ave. Travel about one mile to 12th St. From northwest of downtown, take I-75 south to the 16th St. Exit (Exit 250). Go straight, crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th St. Turn left on 10th. Travel about a 1/2 mile to Piedmont. Turn left on Piedmont to 12th St. From northeast of downtown, take I-85 south to the 17th St Exit (Exit 84). Continue straight, crossing 14th St. Follow directions above.
Rock Creek Park Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Take GA 400 north to Dawson Forest Road and turn left (west). Head west on Dawson Forest Rd. to Hwy 9 and turn right (north) on Hwy 9. Pass the middle school, cross over the flood plain and take a left (west) into Rock Creek Park at sign.
Suwannee Creek Greenway Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Take I-85 north from Atlanta to the Lawrenceville-Suwanee Exit (GA 317). Go North-west to Satellite blvd, turn left, the next road is Martin Farm Road, turn right, continue down a hill and parking area is at the bottom of the hill on the left. If lot is full, park along road. The group will bird the boardwalk area briefly, then carpool to the George Pierce Park, leaving a few cars behind for the return trip. Trip involves a good bit of walking, with no restrooms along the way. Meet at Suwanee Creek Greenway at the Martin Farm Road parking area.
Field Trips Outside of the Atlanta Metro Area
*Bear Creek Reservoir (Athens, GA)* Birding Focus: Waterfowl Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta take I-85 North to GA 316 East towards Athens. Go 30 miles and turn left on GA 211 towards Statham. Follow GA 211, then turn right onto GA 82 for 0.7 miles. It becomes GA 330. Stay on GA 330 for approximately 4 miles. The public fishing area is on the right. The GPS coordinates of this location are as follows: 33.992645°, -83.514794°. Enter them in Google Earth for detailed directions and pictures. Map can be found in DeLorme, p. 22, G-1 2006 Edition.
Carters Lake—Hidden Pond Trail *(Chatsworth, GA)* Birding Focus: migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Take I-75 north from Atlanta. Take Exit 320 and head east on Georgia Hwy. 136. At the intersection with US Hwy. 411 (landmark is Ralston's Corner BP gas station), go straight across the highway, pass over a set of railroad tracks and travel 0.4 miles from the intersection to Old Hwy. 411 (there is a brown sign here marking Coosawattee WMA). Turn left. The Songbird Trail (Hidden Pond Trail) is at the first recreation area at the dam forming the reregulation lake just down Old Hwy. 411 on your right. We will meet in the parking area in front of the sign marking the beginning of the trail.
Garden Lakes *(Rome, GA)* Birding Focus: Waterflowl Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Take I-75 north from Atlanta. Take Exit 306 Adairsville and turn left on Hwy. 140. Stay on Hwy. 140 until it dead ends into Hwy. 27 North. The mileage is in excess of 15 miles (12.8 miles to the Oostanaula River). Turn left toward Rome. Stay on Hwy. 27 for 7.5 miles (you will pass Mount Berry Mall on the left and Berry College on the right). When you come to a large intersection called Veterans Memorial Highway (Loop 1 North/27N Bypass), turn right. Go 2.6 miles to an intersection where Hwy. 20 turns to the left (Garden Lakes Pharmacy is on the right side and a Hess Station is on the distant left). DO NOT TURN. Keep going straight at this intersection to enter the Garden Lakes subdivision. You will pass Garden Lakes Realty on the right. Continue on Garden Lakes Blvd. and go to the sixth street on the right (Lakeview). Turn right on Lakeview, where you will be at the large lake of Garden Lakes.
*Phinizy Nature Park (Augusta, GA)* Birding Focus: Waterfowl, songbirds Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta, take I-20 East to Augusta. Take exit 196A, Bobby Jones Expressway. Take Bobby Jones Expressway to exit 10 (Doug Barnard Parkway/Bush Field Airport). Turn right, toward airport. Travel just under one mile until you see the wastewater treatment plant on your left. Turn left just past the plant onto Lock & Dam Road. Travel just under one-half mile until you see a small house on the left. Just past the house, look for the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park entrance sign on your left. Turn left, drive 200 feet, parking area on left.
*Rum Creek WMA/Georgia Power Plant Scherer (Forsyth, GA)* Lake Juliette, encompassed by Rum Creek WMA and Georgia Power private lands, is a 3,600-acre Georgia Power Company reservoir located 15 miles north of Macon adjacent to Hwy. 23. Birders must be escorted by representatives with the Georgia DNR, Non-game Wildlife Resources Unit, to many of the better birding sites, as they are closed to the public. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Non-game wildlife office. Birding Focus: Waterfowl, shorebirds Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta, take I-75 south to Exit 185 approximately 30 miles north of Macon. Go left on Highway 18 and travel approximately 5 miles. Look for the redwood sign for Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area and turn left. Travel ¼ mile to the DNR office. Phone number is (478) 994-1438.
*West Point Dam (West Point/LaGrange, GA)* Birding Focus: Waterfowl, gulls Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta take I-85 South to Exit 2. Go west on GA Hwy. 18 for 1.4 miles to the town of West Point. Turn right onto US 29/GA 14 for 3.3 miles to Resource Management Dr. and turn left. There is a large brown sign for West Point Lake here. The Visitors’ Center is at 1.6 miles on your right. Delorme Map Grid p. 24, F-2. Please bring your spotting scope if you have one.
Other groups in the area offering occasional field trips: Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve Southern Wings Bird Club Sautee Nacoochee Bird Club Clayton County Water Authority