Constitution Lakes Park Metro Atlanta Birding Hike

OVERVIEW: Constitution Lakes is a 100-acre scenic wetlands park in SE Atlanta that provides an excellent habitat and nesting area for dozens of bird species.  The quiet morning hours of late winter are considered a perfect time for visiting the park and observing its herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers, hawks and winter songbirds from the extensive network of nice boardwalks surrounding the lakes.  Although we’ll be “getting up with the birds” for this 8:45 AM event sponsored by the Atlanta Audubon Society, we’re sure to enjoy the park not only for its numerous birds and other wild critters, but also for its botanical and aquatic beauty.

EVENT PURPOSE & PACE: 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.
  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 binocular viewing of birds that are spotted and for intent listening to birds that may or may not be in view.  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.

OPTIONAL POST-BIRDING GROUP LUNCH:  We expect the birding hike to be over by about 12:00 Noon.  If your early-afternoon schedule permits, please join the AOC Event Leader for a short vehicle caravan ride to a nearby inexpensive restaurant where we can "do lunch," get to know one another better, and discuss other exciting AOC adventures.

FROM I-285/I-20 INTERCHANGE ON 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.   At 8:45 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 and sign our own AOC waiver forms, we'll join our Audubon Society friends at 9:00 AM 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

Free event with free parking!