IN A NUTSHELL: The quiet morning hours of November are considered prime time for observing beautiful birds that are concluding their fall migration southward through metro Atlanta. This is also a fine time of year for becoming more familiar with Georgia's year-round resident species. This AOC "subgroup participation hike" and learning experience will be at Reynolds Nature Preserve just south of Atlanta (see detailed driving directions below). Birds often seen here include pileated woodpeckers, barred owls and numerous species of songbirds, and some waterfowl.
In charge of the field trip will be Audubon "master birder" Anne McCallum who also is an active Reynolds Nature Preserve board member and volunteer. She'll help us identify birds that we see or hear and teach us some of their distinguishing "field marks" and calls. Assisting will be other expert birders who routinely attend these Audubon events.
EVENT PURPOSE, PLAN & PACE: This "walk-and-pause" birding hike will sharpen our ability to spot and observe birds and identify them from their body & wing markings, flight patterns, perching & feeding habits, and calls. If you're chiefly an "exercise hiker," be advised that this will be an experiential and learning hike, with frequent stops for naked-eye and binocular birdwatching and for intent listening to birds that may or may not be in view. The hike is expected to be just 2 to 3 miles in total distance, with no more than about 200 feet of elevation gain or fall along the way and back to our vehicles.
Bring 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.
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 split from the group at any time if you like, provided you let me know you're splitting.
After the birding, I hope some of you will join me to explore more of the nature preserve - if so, you may wish to bring a light picnic lunch, as I plan to. This will be my first time visiting the facility.
MORE ON THE PARK: Clayton County's 146-acre "W. H. Reynolds Memorial Nature Preserve" boasts more than 3 miles of beautiful trails that take hikers through its forests and rolling hills to its ponds and wetlands that are fed by natural springs. The trails connect to a wider network of trails outside the park. Visitors can "step back in time" to admire old farm buildings dating back to 1867 and antique farming equipment. Stop by the Nature Center to see the live animals and environmental displays or to talk with a ranger.
Check out www.ReynoldsNaturePreserve.org for more information, park history and a detailed color Trail Map.
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/ |
| Event Directions: |  | BEGINNING at the I-75/ I-285 INTERCHANGE on ATLANTA'S SOUTH SIDE, which is east of the Atlanta Airport about 10 miles south of downtown:
1. Take I-75 South about 5 miles and get off toward your right at I-75 Exit #233, "GA-54/ Jonesboro Road."
2. Turn Left onto GA-54 (crossing the I-75 bridge) and go only about 0.9 mile to Reynolds Road (should be a traffic light here).
3. Turn Left at the light onto Reynolds Road and go 1.2 mile to the Reynolds Nature Preserve parking lot on your left where we'll gather between 7:45 and 8:00 AM for the event. Theres a big stone Nature Preserve sign here and it's just beyond a leftward bend in the road.
Lat/ Lon Coordinates of the Reynolds Nature Preserve parking lot: 33.6011,-84.3470
This may be useful in conjunction with the above directions as your entered destination for GPS navigation or Google.com/maps.
Street Address: Reynolds Nature Preserve, 5665 Reynolds Rd, Morrow GA. Phone: 770-603-4188 | |
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