Panola Walk on the Wild Side with Ranger Phil - focus on Birds of Prey

Weather Advisory as of Fri Feb 10, 7PM:  The latest Nat'l Weather Service forecast still predicts mostly clear skies during the hike, but cold and windy: (38-43 Fahrenheit & winds 20-30 mph).  Be sure to wear plenty of warm layers + warm gloves & cap - also a scarf or neck gaiter and thick woolen socks would be appropriate.  As Mark has suggested, I've bumped up the "D Level" of this hike to a D2 because of the wind chill factor. -Charlie

IN a NUTSHELL:  Ranger Phil Delestrez of the GA State Park system is a birding expert and has invited
a group from the AOC to join him for an exciting birdwatching walk this Saturday at Panola Mtn State Park, just SE of Atlanta.  Anyone with an interest in nature will be sure to enjoy it, regardless of your previous birding experience. Formerly a ranger-naturalist at Panola, Phil is currently the park superintendent at Sweetwater Creek State Park - also a favorite venue for our Club.
  February is a great time at Panola for observing hawks, ospreys and other birds of prey - also blue herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, goldfinches, woodpeckers and dozens of other gorgeous species.
  For those AOCers who wish to do our advertised 2:15 PM hike to the summit of Panola Mountain, this earlier birding event should serve as an ideal "warm-up" for that second more strenuous hike.  If you sign up for both events  consider bringing a picnic lunch with you since it's a bit of a drive to the nearest restaurants.

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 3 miles in total distance, with negligible ascents and descents near the South River and Alexander Lake. 
 Bring your binoculars if you have a pair—if not, you're welcome to share a couple of spare pair that your AOC hike leaders will provide—also bring your birding field guide if you have one.
  Our custom just after each birding hike is to gather briefly back at the  trailhead to discuss and tally the birds that the group has identified either by sight or by song.  You'll likely enjoy staying with us for this final wrapup, but feel free to leave 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 upcoming free 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/

DIRECTIONS to ALEXANDER LAKE PARKING AREA in PANOLA MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
 This satellite parking area in the north end of the Park is just 10 miles (about 15 minutes) from the I-20/I-285 interchange on Atlanta's east side. The Park telephone number, if you should need it, is: 770-389-7801.
SUGGESTION: Re-zero your odometer at each instruction below and pay close attention to the mileages given and driven.

From the I-20/ I-285 Interchange on Atlanta's east side:

1.  Take I-20 East just 1 mile (toward Augusta) and exit to your right at the first opportunity at "Wesley Chapel Road, Exit #68."

2. Turn Right onto Wesley Chapel Road and go just 0.2 mile to the traffic light at Snapfinger Road.

3. Turn Left onto Snapfinger Road and go about 7.1 miles to Alexanders Lake Road (just BEYOND the main "Panola Mountain State Park" entrance that you should pass on your left).

4. Turn Left onto Alexanders Lake Road and go about 1.9 miles to the "tee" junction at Flat Bridge Road.

5. Turn Left onto Flat Bridge Road and go about 0.2 mile to the end of the public road by the lake.  Park there in the State Park lot where we'll meet with Ranger Phil and other Audubon birders for the hike.  (AOC Bicylists may recall that the paved "Arabia-to-Panola" trail ends there.)
   Each driver who doesn't display a valid GA State Parks annual Parking Pass will need to pay the $5.00 daily parking fee in a self-service envelope and hang the tear-off receipt on your rear-view mirror.

LAT/LON COORDINATES of ALEXANDER LAKE PARKIHG LOT:   May be useful in conjunction with the above directions as your entered GPS or Google Maps destination:  33.6326,-84.1474

GPS USERS BEWARE!  USING the generic Internet "Panola Mtn State Park" name, address or lat/lon coordinates is likely to route you to a dead end in the adjoining Golf Course!  Note the correct final approach to the north Alexander Lake lot described above.

Free event except for $5 parking fee (or display annual State Parks pass).