Join us as we enjoy some hot-weather birding west of the fall line, with stops along the Tombigbee near Gainesville, Aliceville, and Livingston, at the University of West Alabama’s Lake LU (pronounced “El-Yoo”), and at the chalk cliffs in Epes. You can check out information about this hotspot on the Alabama Birding Trail here.

The details: Meetup is on the early side of 7 a.m. at the McDonald’s on US 31 in Hoover, located at 1731 Montgomery Highway, across from the Galleria. From there, we’ll carpool or caravan down I-20/59 with a stop at the mile marker 39 rest area around 8:30 a.m. After a short break, we’ll head to our first birding stop at the Gainesville Lock Facility on Highway 39 east of town and plan to arrive around 9 a.m.

It’ll most likely be a long, hot day, so be sure to bring the usual supplies: rehydrating drinks, snacks, a full tank of gas, insect repellant, rain gear, summer attire, and a healthy dollop of sunscreen.

Accessibility: Much birding will be done from the roadside with very little walking, so accessibility isn’t much of an issue for those who wish to stay in their cars. 

The food: We’ll make time for midday tacos at Livingston’s Tres Hermanos Mexican Restaurant—a favorite with the locals! (Of course you should also feel free to pack a lunch, if you prefer.)

The birds: We can expect to see Mississippi and Swallow-tailed Kites, Wood Storks, and egrets.

Trip leader: Greg Harber leads this trip (205-807-8055; please contact on the day of the trip only). Feel free to email us if you have questions.