September Field Trips
Russell Bailey Memorial Labor Day Field Trip to Lake Purdy September 6, 2010 - 8:00 a.m.
The end of summer is soon upon us and that means that it is time once again for our annual Labor Day field trip to Lake Purdy. Russell Bailey led this trip for many years as an unofficial BAS field trip, and we remember him fondly as we continue this fine tradition in his memory.
Please plan to join us at the Coxe Creek Bridge on AL-119, approximately 2.25 miles east of the US-280 intersection. Bald Eagles have become a regular sight at Lake Purdy so we'll hopefully find some that day, and with shorebird migration well underway a visit to a sod farm will be in order too. Be prepared for this half-day trip with plenty of fluids and a snack or two. The furthest we'll travel will be the Harpersville area so plan your car's gas consumption needs appropriately.
For further details and/or questions, please call our trip Greg Harber at 205-251-2133.
Little River/Weiss Lake Area
September 18, 2010 - 7:00 a.m.
The fall of the year is the time for southbound migrants to make an appearance here in Alabama. Three widely varied ecosystems will be our focus for searching for these visitors. The September field trip will be held on Saturday, the 18th. Weiss Lake is an Alabama Power Co. impoundment on the Coosa River, which covers over 30,200 acres and has 447 miles of shoreline. While better known as a fishing magnet, one may find a fair share of birds-Bald Eagles, waterfowl, long-legged waders, among other species. Yellow Creek Falls, a 100-foot waterfall, plunges off Sand Mountain into the lake. Canyon Mouth Day Use Area, a part of Little River National Preserve, located at the bottom of Little River Canyon, will serve as our mid-morning rest stop. Restrooms, picnic tables and a mile long hiking trail along the banks of the river are available. There is a $3 fee per car.
Little River is unique among bodies of water, as it flows on the top of Lookout Mountain. The canyon it created over time is 12 miles long and 600 feet deep. Waterfalls, boulders and the sandstone bluffs provide spectacular scenery viewed from the Rim Road. Of prime interest is the 145 species of birds that may be found in the area at some time during the year. A panoramic view of the canyon may be had from the Little River Canyon Center. The Center is a multi-function LEED certified building operated by Jacksonville State University and the brainchild of Pete Conroy, Canyon Center Director. Sited on the rim of the canyon, it will be our final destination for the day.
Meet at the McDonald's on Montclair Avenue. We will depart at 7 a.m. to caravan northeasterly on I-59N to Gadsden, then on US-411 to the Leesburg/Centre area. This is a drive of approximately 1 1/2 hours. We will take a rest break at the McDonald's in Centre. For those of you living closer to this area, our arrival time will be around 8:30 a.m. After a short break, we will proceed to Yellow Creek Falls, thence onto Canyon Mouth Day Use Area for birding along the river and perhaps a midmorning snack. Following the Canyon Rim Drive from the Day Use Area to AL-35, its terminus close to Little River Falls, we will stop several times along the way to enjoy the overlooks and take a short hike to the Beaver pond. Then on to the Canyon Center, our final destination for the day.
Here we will have our picnic and settle in for birding on the PATH to Learning Trail, a tour of the Center to be lead by Renee Morrison, Coordinator and an afternoon hawk watch. The PATH is a 1/2 mile loop with pretty good bush birding.
Bring your binoculars, cameras and spotting scopes and have a full tank of gas. I suggest carrying a camp chair or folding chair, also. As it may well be quite hot still, bring extra water and juices along with your picnic.
For further information, call Maureen Shaffer, trip leader, at 205-822-8728 (h).
October Field Trips
October 2, 2010 (1/2 Day)
Oak Mountain for butterfly and Hawk watching
October 16, 2010
Skyway Motorway & Kymulga Grist Mill
November 13, 2010 (1/2 Day)
Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
November 20, 2010
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
January Field Trips
January 8, 2011 (1/2 Day)
Red Mountain Park
January 22, 2011
Shoals Area
February Field Trips
February 2, 2011
Coleman Lake
February 19, 2011 (1/2 Day)
Tom Imhof Zoo birdwalk & Great Backyard Bird Count
March Field Trips
March 5, 2011 (1/2 Day)
Brookside & Five Mile Creek
March 19, 2011
Eoline, Oakmulgee & Heiberger
April Field Trips
April 2, 2011
Perry Lakes and surrounding area
April 23, 2011
Bankhead & Clear Creek Campground
May Field Trips
May 7, 2011
Prairie Grove, Lawrence County
June Field Trips
June 18, 2011
Paint Rock River & Skyline WMA, Jackson County
July Field Trips
July 23, 2011
Black Belt Birding
July 30, 2011
Black Belt Birding
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