The Wilder side of Piedmont Park! Birdwatching Hike with Audubon Society experts

IN A NUTSHELL:    Although it's very late notice, I hope you can  join us for this delightful Sat AM birdwatching and wildlife walk with our Atlanta Audubon Society friends at beautiful Piedmont Park.  It was lots of fun and we always learned a lot each time we offered it as an AOC "participation event" several years ago.  Sat AM's weather is expected to be blue-sky beautiful, with much less wind than today (Fri) but CHILLY - only in the 30s & 40s during the event.  Let's each bundle up in several warm layers + warm cap, scarf & gloves and we'll be fine!  Free parallel parking is usually available nearby along 10th Street & 11th Street - see the Audubon Society's detailed Directions and Parking Tips below.

  Most Atlantans are probably UN-aware that historic Piedmont Park in the heart of midtown is a wonderful place for birdwatching.  More than 175 different bird species have been observed there.  On this Audubon Society "field trip" guided by "master birder" Jason Ward, we'll explore the "wilder side" of the Park via its lesser known wooded trails and open meadows.
  The park's lakes, creeks, open lawns and forested habitats attract numerous year-round-resident water birds, songbirds and raptors, and it isn't uncommon to see gorgeous Great Blue Herons, Cooper's Hawks, Red-headed Woodpeckers (and even Scarlet Tanagers as pictured above, migrating through later in Spring or in the Fall) - also other wild critters such as squirrels, fish, turtles and butterflies, and of course hundreds of species of beautiful native trees, plants and wildflowers.

EVENT PURPOSE, PLAN & PACE:  This field trip 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.  Along the way we'll probably do some birding along the new Atlanta Beltline trail on the Park's eastern periphery. 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.
  Bring binoculars if you have a pair - if not, you're welcome to share some that your AOC hike leader will bring.
  Our custom for a few minutes at the end of each Audubon field trip is to gather in a shady spot near the parking lot to discuss and tally the number of birds of each species (and other wildlife) that are identified either by sight or by song.  You'll likely enjoy staying for this discussion, but feel free to split from the group at any time if you like, provided you let me (Charlie) know you're splitting.

MORE ON PIEDMONT PARK:  Now more than 125 years old it first became world famous in 1895 as the site of Atlanta's Cotton States & International Exposition.  Volunteer members of the Piedmont Park Conservancy deserve much credit for the Park's dramatic improvements and excellent maintenance in recent years. The thriving Atlanta Botanical Garden in the NW corner of the Park has also benefited the Park's popularity and reputation.  Check out http://piedmontpark.org/ for more information.  For a nice interactive Color Map of the 200+ acre Park, click here: https://www.piedmontpark.org/maps/

ATLANTA AUDUBON WEBSITE:  Click "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 welcome to attend these regardless of whether you're an Audubon Society member (unless otherwise noted in the Field Trip write-up):
http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/

ONLINE FREE BIRDING GUIDE:  For brushing up on your birding knowledge and skills on your i-Phone or in the comfort of your own home, here's the link to Cornell University's amazing birding website.  It provides color photos, song recordings, range maps, etc. for each species:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/

DIRECTIONS & ADVICE about FREE NEARBY PARKING copied from the ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY's FIELD TRIP NOTES:
 GPS or GoogleMaps users:  Here are the Lat/Lon coordinates of our pedestrian gathering spot  33.7841, -84.3785
  (Be sure to include comma & minus sign): It's on the sidewalk beside the PIedmont Park Community Center building, just inside the Park at corner of Piedmont Ave & 12th Street,
For a zoomable map & satellite view of this gathering spot (with our Audubon Society hosts) click the Blue & Green "LOCATION" icon near the top of this AOC article.
The Community Center building also houses the Piedmont Park Conservancy and is next to Willy's Mexicana Grill.

Free Parallel Parking is normally available along 10th St. directly across the street from Piedmont Park, and also along 11th St. across Piedmont Avenue from the Community Center. The Atlanta Botanical Garden parking garage is also an option (enter from Piedmont Ave. north of the community center across from The Prado; the fee is approximately $4 for two hours). From the Gardens, walk through Piedmont Park and around Lake Clara Meer on either side until you get to the Community Center on Piedmont Ave. across from 11th St. 
(Note: Do not park in the parking lot behind the Piedmont Park Community Center, the parking is reserved for the Green Market from March-November.)

LAT/LON COORDINATES of PARKING LOT (for GPS or Google Maps in conjunction with above directions):  33.78372,-84.37905

Free Event with free parking and free park entrance.