Metro Atlanta Birding Hike at Constitution Lakes Park

OVERVIEW: Constitution Lakes is a scenic 100-acre wetlands park in SE Atlanta that provides an excellent habitat and nesting area for dozens of bird species.  A quiet morning in mid-May is considered a perfect time for visiting the park and observing its herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers, hawks from the extensive network of nice boardwalks surrounding the lakes.  At this time of year we're also likely to see and hear lots of colorful migrating songbirds as well as year-round songsters. The weather is shaping up beautifully for this weekend with hardly any chance of rain and morning temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to high 70s.  Although we’ll be “getting up with the birds” for this 8:00 AM event sponsored by the Atlanta Audubon Society, we’re sure to enjoy this relatively new DeKalb County park not only for its numerous birds and other wild critters, but also for its botanical and aquatic beauty.

EVENT PACE and PLAN: Our Audubon Society hosts for the event will be expert birders Jay Davis and Joy Carter. Their "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.  Jay is well known for his many contributions to the birding world—notably his "BirdJam.com" software that lets birders load hundreds of bird calls into their iPod, then use it while birding to identify and study birds.  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.
  If you're chiefly an "exercise hiker," be advised that this will be a leisurely experiential and learning hike, with frequent stops along the way for binocular viewing of birds that are spotted and for intent listening to birds that may or may not be in view.
  The hike will probably be no more than 2 to 3 miles in total distance, with negligible ascents and descents.
  Our custom just after each Audubon birding hike is to gather in a shady spot near the parking lot to discuss and tally the number of birds of each species that are identified either by sight or by song. You'll likely enjoy staying with us through this final birding wrapup, but feel free to leave early at any time if you so desire.

ATLANTA AUDUBON WEBSITE: Click on "Field Trips" in the upper left corner of the home page for info on free upcoming 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/

FROM the I-285/I-20 INTERCHANGE on the EAST SIDE of ATLANTA:

1. Drive south on I-285 South about 6 miles and get off to your right at Exit #53 "Moreland Ave."
2. Turn Right (northward) onto GA-42 N/ Moreland Ave/ US-23 N and go 1.1 mile to the second traffic light at South River Ind. Blvd.
3. Turn Right (eastward) at this traffic light (just before the "Nalley Truck Parts/ Peterbilt" sign) then bear Right almost immediately onto the gravel park entrance road (no signs here) and continue about 200 yards to the free parking lot.   Beginning at about 7:45 AM our AOC group will gather here in the far right corner of the lot by the boulders and semicircular stone bench.  After introducing one another, we'll join our Audubon Society friends for the birding hike.

FOR "CUSTOM DIRECTIONS" from your point of origin to the above-mentioned Moreland Ave. traffic light that adjoins the Constitution Lakes entrance road, go to Google.com/maps and input as your destination the following "dummy address":
2600 U.S. 23, Atlanta, GA 30316

FOR GPS NAVIGATION you can also use the above address or input the following Lat/Lon coordinates as your destination:
33.682586,-84.344541 

Free event with free parking!