Piedmont Park Birding Hike with the Audubon Society

IN A NUTSHELL:  February is a fine time of year for birding in Georgia - esp. for observing our numerous year-round resident species and learning more about them.  Even though a few light showers are expected Saturday morning, this event will almost surely not be canceled, so please be prepared with some light raingear and perhaps an umbrella.  Hike-time temperatures are expected to be in the high 40s and low 50s, so wear appropriate layered clothing.
  This AOC "subgroup participation hike" will be at historic Piedmont Park in midtown Atlanta (see detailed driving directions below).
  In charge of the field trip will be Audubon Society birders Coralee Knight and Steve Tillander.  They'll help us identify birds that we see or hear and teach us some of their distinguishing "field marks" and songs.  Assisting will be other expert birders who routinely attend these free Audubon events.
  Piedmont Park is a bird watcher's haven with more than 175 identified bird species. The park's lake, open lawns and forested habitats attract water birds, songbirds and raptors. It's not uncommon to see a Great Blue Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Killdeer, Red-headed Woodpecker, or a Brown Thrasher, the state bird of Georgia.  Also occasional Black-crowned Night Herons, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Red-breasted Nuthatches.

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 100 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 some that your AOC hike leader will bring.
  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, if there's enough interest we could consider having brunch together there at ParQ Pizza or Willie's near our parked vehicles. Separate checks can easily be arranged.

MORE ON THE PARK:  Piedmont Park was designed in the 1880s by the same legendary landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, who masterminded New York's Central Park.  Check out www.PiedmontPark.org for more information.  For a nice online Color Map of the 200+ acre park, click on this link: http://www.piedmontpark.org/restoration/MASTER_PLAN_122010v2.pdf

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/

PROCEEDING SOUTHWARD via I-75 or I-85 toward DOWNTOWN ATLANTA:

1. While still north of the I-75/ I-85 interchange (which is 2 miles north of downtown Atlanta) get into the second lane from your right.
2. Avoid exiting onto the other Interstate, but as you pass the interchange bear right and exit immediately to your right at I-75 Exit #84 (for "17th St, 14th St and 10th St").
3.  Bear leftward along the access road (Techwood Drive) for about 0.3 mile to the traffic light at 10^th Street (bypassing 17^th St and 14^th St en route).
4. Turn Left onto 10th Street and go 0.6 mile eastward to the traffic light at Piedmont Ave.
5. Turn Left onto Piedmont Avenue, go just 0.2 mile northward (1-1/2 blocks) and look for the blue dining table umbrellas on your right at "ParQ Pizza" (adjoining "Willie's).
6. Turn Right just before the umbrellas into the free parking lot behind ParQ Pizza where the Audubon Society birding group will meet .  Parking spaces will likely be available (that early on Saturday) but if not, there's more parking on the nearby streets.
7. Please try to arrive a few minutes early if possible.  I'd like our AOCers to introduce one another before we join the other birders.  Look for me (Charlie) wearing an Atlanta Outdoor Club shirt and a baseball cap.  I expect to be driving my green Honda Civic.

ADDRESS of PARKING LOT (for GPS or Google Maps in conjunction with above directions):
ParQ Pizza (a.k.a. "Quattro," next to "Willie's")
1071 Piedmont Avenue, Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30309, Phone 404-881-0000

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 park entrance.