Audubon Birdwatching Hike at lovely Murphey Candler Park

IN a NUTSHELL:   This will be a free "AOC Participation Event" hosted by our friends in the Atlanta Audubon Society who are expert at identifying birds both by sight and song.  The weather forecast couldn't be better for it - virtually no chance of rain and temperatures in the 60s & 70s.  We'll gather at 8AM in the free Murphey Candler Park parking lot (see detailed directions below). 
   A popular place for AOC hikes, Murphey Candler is also among Atlanta's best places for birdwatching.  Its beautiful lake and lakeside forests and wetlands provide an excellent habitat and flyway both for migrating birds and year-round resident species.  The quiet morning hours of early May are a perfect time for observing and listening to the calls of great blue herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers, hawks, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, goldfinches and dozens of other gorgeous species.  On warm mornings at Murphey Candler we also almost always see lots of turtles sunning in the beautiful lake on logs & rocks.

EVENT PURPOSE, PLAN & PACE: This "walk-and-pause birding tutorial" will sharpen our ability to spot and observe birds and identify them from their body & wing markings, flight patterns, perching & feeding habits, and calls.  Our friendly and knowledgable Audubon Society hosts will be Liz Hornsby and Mary Kimberly.
  If you're chiefly an "exercise hiker," be advised that this will be a leisurely experiential and learning hike, with sporadic stops along the way for naked-eye and binocular birdwatching and for intent listening to birds that may or may not be in view.
 The walk will probably be no more than 3 miles in total distance, with gentle ascents and descents near the lake. 
 Bring your binoculars if you have a pair—if not, you're welcome to share a couple of spare pair that your AOC hike leader will provide—also bring your birding field guide if you have one.
 Free to "split" from the group at any time if you so desire, but you'll likely enjoy staying with us for a final "wrapup" - usually about 3 hours after the birding walk begins.  The custom is to gather briefly back at the trailhead to discuss and tally all the birds that various members of the group have positively identified either by sight or by song.

ATLANTA AUDUBON WEBSITE:  Click on "Field Trips" in the upper left corner of the home page for info on this and other upcoming free birding walks.  Anyone with an interest in birds is always welcome to attend these regardless of whether you're an Audubon Society member.  http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/

ONLINE FREE BIRDING GUIDE:  For brushing up on your birding knowledge and skills in the comfort of your own home, here's a great web link that has nice color photos, song recordings and range maps for each species:  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/

DIRECTIONS from I-285 on ATLANTA'S NORTH SIDE: 
1. Take I-85 Exit #29, "Ashford Dunwoody Rd."
2. Go south on Ashford Dunwoody Rd about 0.95 mile (opposite the direction of Perimeter Mall), then,
3. Turn left onto W. Nancy Creek Drive.
4. Go 0.6 mile to Murphey Candler Park's second parking lot (on your left just after you cross the dam of the lake).

Parking and Meetup: We'll meet in this free parking lot at the southeast corner of the lake.

 LAT/LON COORDINATES of PARKING LOT as a "Destination Address" for GPS or Google.com/maps:  33.9096, -84.3225.

Free event with free parking!