Atlanta Audubon Society 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-- Date: Sunday, 14 February 2010, 8:00 AM Leader: Herb Wollner View location description	Meet at the start of the trail at the parking lot of the Interstate North Parkway entrance to Cochran Shoals. There is a parking fee of $3 (or annual pass) at this site. Bring waterproof footwear, for walking on wet grass. 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 at the exit 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.

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-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. 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, 13 February 2010, 8:00 AM Leader: Carol Lambert & Jeff Sewell Note: If the weather is particularly foul (as opposed to fowl!), call 678-758-4551 on Saturday morning only to find out if the trip is canceled. For more information about these sites, you may call the Wetlands Center at 770-603-5606. 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. Note for the 23 January 2010 Field Trip: The group will consolidate cars at the Newman Wetlands Center and decide on the day’s itinerary based on Lloyd Snyder’s scouting of the area. Birding into the afternoon hours is planned, though many may wish to participate for a shorter period of time. The tentative plan is for the group to go to carpool first to Nash Farm Battlefield, which is a Henry County Park several miles away. This park is excellent for sparrows (song, swamp, savannah, field, and vesper, with the possibility of Leconte’s), as well as for other grassland birds and raptors. After birding the area, the group will return to the Newman Wetlands Center, which is excellent for many birds of wetlands and woodlands, and then go to the EL Huie ponds, one of the premier locations in the Atlanta area for wintering waterfowl. A few of the birds to be expected at Huie include gadwall, lesser scaup, ring-necked duck, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, bufflehead, hooded merganser, American coot, northern pintail, both teal species, American wigeon, pied-billed grebe, double-crested cormorant, eastern meadowlark, American pipit, eastern bluebirds, and song and savannah sparrows. A Ross’s goose was seen at this location during the AAS walk last year.

Other Field Trips in the Atlanta Metro Area
Bartow County Loop Birding Focus: waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Saturday, 20 February 2010. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Fairfield Inn parking lot in Cartersville, which is immediately off of Exit 288 on I-75, about 40 miles north of downtown, Atlanta. Leader: Ken Blankenship Directions: For more information about birding the area, see: http://www.wingsoverga.com/BartowCountyBirdingSites.html#BartowCountyLoop
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. 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
Blue Heron Nature Preserve Birding Focus: migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta. Meet at 8 AM at the parking lot adjacent to the office building, where the Atlanta Audubon Society office is located. From downtown Atlanta, take Piedmont Avenue north until it intersects with Roswell Road. Turn right on to Roswell Road and travel 0.8 miles to the preserve entrance on your right. From the north side of I-285, take exit 25 on to Roswell Road, and travel south (inside the perimeter) 3.3 miles from the exit. The entrance to the preserve will be on your left. There never has been an Audubon walk at this preserve, which includes woodland trails and a pond and wetlands formed by Nancy Creek. Jason Baumgartner has just passed beginner status as a birder and is glad to teach beginners what he has learned. A few migrants and some resident nesting species are likely to be seen.
Chattahoochee Nature Center (Roswell) Birding Focus: riverine birds, migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA. From Roswell Road (U.S. 19): (Heading North from Atlanta or I-285). At the first traffic light after crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea Drive. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Willeo Road. CNC is located one-half mile on the right. From GA 400 Northbound: Exit on Northridge (exit #6) and bear to the right, back over the expressway. Immediately after crossing over 400, turn right onto Dunwoody Place. Follow Dunwoody Place until it intersects with Roswell Road (1.2 miles). Turn right onto Roswell Road. At the first traffic light after crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea Drive. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Willeo Road. CNC is located one-half mile on the right. From GA 400 Southbound: Exit Northridge Road (exit #6). At the top of the ramp is a traffic light. Travel straight through the traffic light onto Dunwoody Place. Follow Dunwoody Place until it intersects with Roswell Road (1.2 miles). Turn right onto Roswell Road. At the first traffic light after crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea Drive. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Willeo Road. CNC is located one-half mile on the right.
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
Constitution Lakes Constitution Lakes is a 125-acre DeKalb County park consisting of extensive wetlands and forest along the South River. Along with fall migrants, birds may include herons, ducks, hawks, geese, kingfisher, and year-round residents. Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Sunday, 21 February 2010, 9:00 AM Leader: Jay Davis & Joy Carter Directions: From Atlanta at I-20: take Moreland Avenue south approximately 5 miles. Turn left at the light at South River Industrial Boulevard (Nalley Truck Parts sign on corner). Turn at first right into gravel entrance to Constitution Lakes (no sign at entrance) and go to end of drive to gravel parking lot. From I-285 South: Take Moreland Avenue exit (Exit #53). Head north on Moreland Avenue for 1.2 miles. Turn right on South River Industrial Boulevard and follow directions above.
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.
Geltner Wildlife Sanctuary Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Take 1 -20 to Exit 36, Campbellton Road. Turn right and go through one traffic light to stay straight onto Campbellton Road. Pass through two stops signs and at the third stop sign, the Cultural Arts Center will be on the left across the street from Douglas County High School. Parking is located immediately behind the center.
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-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. 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.
Henderson Park Birding Focus: Henderson Park has been a great site in recent years for fall migration, and has a lake, some marshy areas and woods. The August walks will highlight summer residents and then some early fall migrants. Hugh Garrett will be leading Wednesday walks at this park throughout September and October as well, which should afford birders the opportunity to experience the transition from summer birds to migrants to winter birds. Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From downtown Atlanta, take I-75/85 north to I-85 north and follow I-85 just past I-285 to exit 96, Northcrest/Pleasantdale Road. After traveling straight a short distance on the access road, turn right onto Pleasantdale Road, which becomes Tucker Norcross Road and then Chamblee Tucker Road (CTR), heading south. Keep going straight on CTR south and do not make a right turn onto CTR going west. Also, do not turn onto Livsey Drive, but rather turn right onto Livsey Road, which is 2.9 miles from the intersection of I-85 access and Pleasantdale. (You will see a small brown sign for Henderson Park at the turn). Follow Livsey Road until it ends and turn left into the park. Pass a parking lot on the left and just past the soccer field, turn into the parking lot on the right, which is 0.3 miles from the park entrance.
Little Mulberry Park Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Meet at 7:30 AM by the restrooms at the end of the parking lot at the Hog Mountain entrance. This trip does involve about 4 miles of walking, with one fairly strenuous climb and is expected to last 4-5 hours. From I-85, take Exit 120 (Hamilton Mill Rd). Coming from Atlanta, turn right onto Hamilton Mill, and going towards Atlanta turn left so you cross back over the interstate. Go through the traffic light at Braselton Hwy/GA Hwy 124 and from that light continue approx 1.8 miles to Hog Mountain Rd. Turn left to head east and go approx 1.3 miles to the parking lot on the right side of the road. This is the north parking lot for the park. Note: There is also a south parking lot which can be accessed by returning to Hog Mtn Rd and continuing east for 0.6 miles to Mineral Springs Rd. Turn right to head south and go 1.7 miles to Clack Rd. Turn right on Clack Rd and go 0.4 miles to Fence Rd. Turn right/west on Fence Rd and go 0.75 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the road.
Lullwater Park, Emory University Campus Lullwater Park is the greenspace area that 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 the south, from the intersection of Clairmont and North Decatur Roads, go 0.6 miles north on Clairmont Road to the entrance of Emory's Clairmont Campus [N33.798665 W84.307294]. You will pass under a bridge just before the entrance. If you see the VA Hospital on the left, backtrack). Turn left into the Clairmont Campus. Proceed forward about 0.2 miles and turn left into the main entrance of the visitor's parking deck [N33.796116 W84.308586]. The deck opens at 4 p.m. and parking is free. Park, walk back to the deck entrance and proceed 65 yards up the street (to the right as you face the entrance) to a shuttle bus mini-plaza at a traffic roundabout [N33.795735 W84.309157], where Eran will meet you at 4:15. Or, from the north, from I-85, take exit 91 (Clairmont Road) south toward Emory and Decatur. Pass through the major intersection of Clairmont and North Druid Hills Roads and proceed 1.0 miles further south to the entrance of Emory's Clairmont Campus just past the VA Hospital on the right. Turn right into the Clairmont Campus and follow the directions above. Note: Eran requests that you send him an e-mail at etomer@emory.edu if you plan to attend, so that he will know about how many people to expect on this walk. No restrooms are available on this walk Parking on campus can be challenging and usually requires a fee if you are not a student or employee of Emory. Do not park illegally as you risk being towed and/or ticketed.
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.
Outdoor Activity Center The OAC is a magnificent 26-acre forest located only three miles from downtown Atlanta. This walk is excellent for beginning birders and children accompanied by an adult. Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Binoculars supplied! From I-75/85, take 1-20 West to the Lowery Blvd/West End exit. Make a left at the first light onto Lowery Blvd. At the second light, make a right onto Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Ralph David Abernathy Blvd turns slightly left and becomes Cascade Road. One-half mile further, make a left onto Beecher Street. Then make the first right onto Gaston Street and then the first left onto Richland Road, SW. At 1442 Richland Road; you will see a wooden sign with yellow letters that says Outdoor Activity Center.
Piedmont Park Birding Focus: residents Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Saturday, 6 February 2010, 8:00 AM Leader: Marcia Klenbort & Marilyn Harris Children accompanied by a parent are invited. This trip is an excellent way for beginners to learn about winter and early spring birds found in the forest. Directions: Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Room is located at the corner of Piedmont Ave & 12th St. From south of Atlanta, take the I-75/85 connector north to Pine St. (Exit 249B). Go straight on Pine, crossing Peachtree St. Turn left on Piedmont Ave. Travel about 1 mi to 12th St. From northwest of Atlanta, take I-75 south to 16th St. (Exit 250). Go straight, crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th St. Turn left on 10th. Travel 1/2 mi to Piedmont. Turn left on Piedmont to 12th St. Due to street closings, including 10th and 14th St. Exits from I-75 S., consider exiting at Northside Drive. From northeast of downtown, take I-85 south to 17th St. (Exit 84). Continue straight, crossing 14th St. Follow directions above. From MARTA, get off at the Arts Center Station, walk south 1.5 blocks to 14th St., turn left (east) and walk two blocks to Piedmont Rd., then turn right and walk south two blocks to 12th St.
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.
Sams Lake Bird Sanctuary Displaced wetlands in the Flint River Basin restored by the Army Corp of Engineers and recently completed by the City of Atlanta at Sams Lake in Fayette County. Thanks to the generosity of David Cree, the wetlands managed by the Southern Conservation Trust, have also been certified by AAS as a wildlife sanctuary. David is leading a field trip along a half-mile mulched walking trail with three bird-watching observation decks and three dams that have created ponds ideal for nesting and migrating bird habitat (more so when it has rained, of course) Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Sams Lake is located on Old Senoia Road between Harp and Hawn Roads, south of Fayetteville. From downtown Atlanta, take I 75 South to Exit 237A towards Riverdale, merge onto State Hwy. 85 S/Glynn Street N. Turn right at Beauregard Blvd. that changes to Redwine Rd., travel approx.1 mi. (past the Recreation Center & ball field), turn left on Old Senoia Road and go another mile to the entrance to Sams Lake on your left.
Sawnee Mountain Preserve (Cumming) Birding Focus: migrants, residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta, take GA 400 north to exit 15 (Bald Ridge Marina Rd./Cumming). Turn left. At the third traffic light, take a right on to Bettis Tribble Gap Road (City of Cumming clock tower will be on your right.) Go approximately three miles and the entrance to Sawnee Mt. Preserve will be on your right. Meet at the south parking area on Bettis Tribble Road.
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.
Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park This state park has a diversity of habitats. Wood Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Bald Eagle, Ruddy Duck, Common Goldeneye, and Osprey are sometimes seen around the deep reservoir. There is a little-explored grassland area and some longleaf pines more typical of south Georgia, which may be productive for birding. The hiking trails with creeks are attractive to many wintering woodland species. Birding Focus: waterfowl, migrants Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010. Meet at 8 AM at the Office/Interpretive Center inside the park. Leader: Phil Delestrez (cell phone 404-218-4425) Directions: Take I-20 west from Atlanta, to exit #44 at Thornton Road, which is the third exit west of I-285. Turn left onto Thornton Road and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blair's Bridge Road, and after 2.1 miles at a 4-way-stop, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and proceed to park.
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. The group will scope the lake at a couple of stops (one has a $3.00 fee) and walk the songbird trail and the nearby sparrow field. Depending on time and the desires of the group, nearby Pine Chapel Road may be included in the itinerary. Target species include red-breasted merganser, bald eagle, common loon, winter wren, Bonaparte’s gull, and many sparrows, raptors and waterfowl. Directions to Carters Lake: 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.
Charlie Elliott Wildlife Management Area (Mansfield, GA) Charlie Elliott includes fields, ponds and woodlands, and is one of the best places to find sparrows, with many Savannah, Song, White-throated and Field Sparrows. Vesper and White-crowned Sparrows sometimes can be found, as well. It also is excellent for Northern Harrier and other raptors, as well as for Eastern Meadowlarks. Birding Focus: Waterfowl, songbirds Upcoming Field Trips-- Date: Saturday, 30 January 2010, 8:00 AM; Meet at 8 AM at the Charlie Elliott Visitors Center parking lot. Leader: Eddie Hatchett Directions: From Atlanta, take I-20 east to Exit 98, turn right onto GA-11. Follow for 9.5 miles, and turn left onto Marben Farm Road (spelled "Marbin" in some spots). Follow the sign to the visitors center, which is at the end of Elliott Trail, a right turn off of Marben Farm Road.
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge Birding Focus: Waterfowl, winter residents Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Meet at 8 AM at the parking lot of the Bradley Unit of Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, which is on the Georgia side of the refuge along Georgia Highway 39. The Bradley Unit is between the towns of Omaha to the north and Georgetown to the south and is about 40 miles south of Columbus. Florence Marina State Park is about 7 miles north of the Bradley Unit along Highway 39. The parking lot is at the end of a dirt road leading west from Highway 39, and the turnoff is marked by a sign. Birds occasionally seen at the refuge in winter and not often seen around Atlanta include Common Loon, American Bittern, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Great Egret, White Ibis, American Black Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Redhead, Canvasback, Common Moorhen, Bald Eagle, Bonaparte’s Gull, Barn Owl, and Le Conte’s sparrow.
Garden Lakes *& Berry College (Rome, GA)* Birding Focus: Waterfowl Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. The plan will be to visit sites on the Berry College campus (Possum Trot and the Old Mill area) then move on to Garden Lakes. Habitats include open agricultural zones, beaver swamps, mountain longleaf pine stands, several wetland areas on the campus, and open water at Garden Lakes. Target birds include harriers and kestrels, many types of waterfowl, bald eagles, and early winter songbirds. If you are interested in carpooling, follow the instructions noted above for the Dec. 5 trip, leaving an e-mail for Stan Chapman by Thursday, Dec. 10 at 8 AM. Directions: Take I-75 north to exit 290. Turn left and follow GA-20 west toward Rome for 2.4 miles. Turn left onto the ramp to US-41north/US-411/GA-20 west/GA-3 north/Joe Frank Harris Pkwy. and follow for an additional 3.0 miles. Merge onto US-411/GA-20 west and follow for 16.7 miles. Turn right onto GA-1 Loop north/GA-746 north/Veterans Memorial Highway, and continue to follow GA-1 Loop north for 8.0 miles. Make a slight right onto Martha Berry Highway/US-27/GA-1 for 0.7 miles, and then turn left into the main entrance road for Berry College and follow it to the traffic circle; enter the circle, take the second exit, and follow the road a short distance to the parking area beside the large brick building (Hermann Hall).
Georgia Mountains *(Suches, GA)* Birding Focus: resident songbirds Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: Meet at 7:30 AM at the Byron Reece parking area at the trailhead to the Blood Mountain trail, which is a left turn off of US 19 and 129 in Union County, between Dahlonega and Blairsville. The group will bird around the parking area until about 8 AM and then proceed up to Sosebee Cove after we've tightened up the group into the least number of vehicles. We'll bird Sosebee Cove by walking the 1/4-mile loop and proceed to Wolfpen Gap, on to Coopers Creek and to Lake Winfield Scott ($4.00 admission fee per vehicle) by noon. For those who wish to keep birding, we'll stop at the picnic area for lunch. (Everyone staying should bring something to eat for lunch and plenty of water.) After eating, we'll bird the area and then proceed along GA Highway 180, stopping as we hear and see birds of interest, and then move on to Suches and visit the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, before returning to the original meeting place to reclaim our vehicles. (The leader is willing to go from there to Brasstown Bald if anyone still wishes to look for some high-elevation birds!) Directions to the meeting place: from Atlanta and I-285 (north end), take GA 400 north to its end at Dahlonega, and stay on US 19 and 129 north for 21 miles. At that point, you will see the Walasi-Yi Center on your right at Neel’s Gap. Proceed one-half mile further north to the well-marked entrance to the Byron Reece parking area on your left. If you wish to carpool by offering a ride to someone or ride with someone else and share expenses, please e-mail Pam Higginbotham at phigginb@comcast.net by Wednesday, June 3 at 8 PM. Pam will send a list of drivers and riders that night to all who have contacted her so that they can make their own arrangements.
*Ivy Log Gap Rd./Gum Log Gap Rd. (Blairsville/Young Harris, GA)* Birding Focus: songbirds Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Directions: From Atlanta, take I-75 north to exit 268 to I-575/GA Highway 5 north. Follow for 72 miles. The highway becomes US-76 east/GA-2 east/ and GA 515 north. Stay on 515 north an additional 22.6 miles to the grocery store, which is on your left slightly north and east of the center of Blairsville. If you go to Blairsville from US 19/US129 north (from I-85 or GA 400), go three-quarters of the way around the circle at the old Blairsville courthouse, staying on 19/129. At this point, you will be traveling west. At the next traffic signal, turn right (north) for one block and then right again at the next traffic signal on to Highway 515. (You actually will be heading east at this point). Follow for about one mile to Ingles on the left. We will look for the willow flycatcher and other birds in the swale adjacent to the parking lot for at least 30 minutes, and around 8 AM, arrange a car pool to the Ivy Log and Gum Log Gap Roads, in search of many nesting warbler and vireo species, including cerulean warblers and scarlet tanagers. After lunch, we plan to go to Brasstown Bald, where we might see or hear Canada warblers, veeries, winter wrens and rose-breasted grosbeaks.
*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.
*Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge (Juliette, GA)* Birding Focus: songbirds Upcoming Field Trips-- No trips currently scheduled at this location. Meet at 7:30 AM outside the Whistle Stop Café in downtown Juliette, GA at 443 McCrackin Street. The group can carpool from there into the refuge. Bring insect repellent, which is necessary during this season. If you are interested in getting a ride and sharing expenses and/or taking riders, please leave your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to Stan by Wednesday, July 8 at 8 PM, around which time he will send a list to all parties to make their own arrangements. Directions: From Atlanta: Take I-75 south to exit 186 (Tift College Drive/Juliette Road). Turn left at the end of the exit ramp, and follow the road (which becomes Juliette Road) for 9.5 miles. At Juliette, make a sharp left on to McCrackin Street. The café is 0.3 miles ahead. The birding focus will be on nesting birds found in this refuge, including red-cockaded woodpecker, Bachman’s sparrow, orchard oriole, summer tanager, yellow-breasted chat, Kentucky warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, blue grosbeak, and Acadian flycatcher, among others. Note that these birds (and a close and perched Mississippi kite) were seen or heard on the May 17 trip to this location with the same leader.
*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. 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 Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Field Trips (Athens) Atlanta Audubon is coordinating with the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society so that our members know of each other’s field trips. More details will be available on the Oconee Rivers website, http://www.oconeeriversaudubon.org. Ocmulgee Audubon Society Field Trips (Macon) Atlanta Audubon is coordinating with the Ocmulgee Audubon Society so that our members know of each other’s field trips. More details will be available on the Ocmulgee website, http://members.cox.net/ocmulgeeaudubon/.