Early Morning Birding Hike with Audubon Experts in Fernbank's Old Growth Forest

OVERVIEW:  The quiet early morning hours of September are considered prime time for observing birds that are beginning their fall migration southward through Atlanta.  "Indian summer" is also a fine time of year for becoming more familiar with Georgia's year-round resident species. Although we'll literally have to "get up with the birds" for this 7:00 AM event sponsored by the Audubon Society, we're sure to enjoy this leisurely 2-hour birding hike in Fernbank Science Center's lush 65-acre old-growth forest.
  More than 150 bird species have been recorded within the forest's boundaries including great horned owls, scarlet tanagers (as pictured above), and rare thrushes and warblers.  NOTE: The Science Center and the forest behind it are about 1 mile EAST of the more publicized Fernbank Natural History Museum & IMAX. Carefully follow my detailed driving directions below!
  Fernbank ornithologist Chris Showalter will lead the hike, help us identify birds that we see or hear, and teach us some of their distinguishing "field marks" and calls. Assisting us will be other expert birders from the Atlanta Audubon Society.

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.
  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 hike will probably be no more than 2 to 3 miles in total distance, with no more than about 300 feet of elevation gain or fall along the way. 
  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.
  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 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 I-75 (Concurrent w/I-85) IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA:
1) Get off I-75 at Exit #248C, "GA-10 East/ Freedom Pkwy."
2) Take Freedom Pkwy eastward about 2.3 miles to its end at Ponce de Leon Ave (avoiding the Carter Center exit).
3) Turn Right onto Ponce De Leon Ave (US-29/78), go about 2.7 miles to the traffic light at Artwood Road. (An old concrete railroad bridge crosses the road just beyond this traffic light).
4) Turn Left onto Artwood Road and go just 0.2 mile.
5) Turn Right onto Heaton Park Drive and go just 0.1 mile to Fernbank Science Center on your left.
6)  Park in the "North" lot beside the round-domed observatory where we'll gather at 7:00 AM for the event.

FROM I-285 EAST OF ATLANTA:
1) Get off I-285 at Exit #39A "US-78 West, Decatur/Atlanta."
2) Take US-78 West about 5.1 miles, which en route becomes Scott Blvd, then merges into Ponce de Leon Ave. Look for an old arched concrete railroad bridge crossing the road ahead.
3) Just AFTER passing under the railroad bridge turn Right off Ponce de Leon onto Artwood Road (at the traffic light) and go just 0.2 mile. 
4) Turn Right onto Heaton Park Drive and go just 0.1 mile to Fernbank Science Center on your left.
5)  Park in the "North" lot beside the round-domed observatory where we'll gather at 7:00 AM for the event.

You may find useful the following Latitude/Longitude coordinates of the Observatory Parking Lot as your entered destination for GPS navigation or Google.com/maps:
 33.7790,-84.3177

Free Event with Free Parking by Observatory.