Walk on the Wild Side! Birding by the Chattahoochee River

OVERVIEW:   This will be a free "AOC Participation Event" hosted by our friends in the Atlanta Audubon Society who are expert at identifying birds both by sight and song.  We'll gather at 7:30 AM in the Cochran Shoals parking lot of the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area (CRNRA - see detailed directions below). The forecast calls for perfect weather!  Mostly sunny with virtually no chance of rain and temperatures in the low 60s to mid-70s. 
  Among Atlanta's best places for birdwatching, the scenic and easy-to-access Cochran Shoals unit of the CRNRA is also a very popular place to hike or jog.  The park's riverside forests and wetlands provide an excellent habitat and flyway both for migrating birds and year-round resident species.  On a recent birding field trip there we were amazed to witness a large red-tail hawk capturing a squirrel in the tree directly above us! 
  The quiet morning hours of early May are a perfect time for observing and listening to the calls of great blue herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers, hawks, woodpeckers, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, goldfinches and dozens of other gorgeous species.

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 river. 
 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—also bring your birding field guide if you have one.
  Our custom just after each Audubon 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 from I-285 on ATLANTA'S NORTH SIDE:
 The popular Chattahoochee River NRA "Cochran Shoals" parking lot adjoins the I-285 "Interstate North Parkway" access road. (The lot entrance is about 100 yards northwest of where the river flows underneath I-285.)

IF DRIVING EASTWARD on I-285 from the I-75 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA:
1. Get off I-285 at Exit #22, "Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road."
2. Continue straight ahead for about 0.2 mile to the light at New Northside Drive.
3. Turn Left onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.5 mile to the second traffic light (crossing the I-285 bridge).
4. Continue straight ahead (about 0.9 mile) on Interstate North Parkway.
5. Just after you cross the river bridge turn Right into the large CRNRA parking lot.
6. We'll meet by the Bulletin Board at the far end of the parking lot, where the trail network begins.

IF DRIVING WESTWARD on I-285 from SANDY SPRINGS, SPAGHETTI JCN, etc:
1. Get off I-285 at Exit #22 "New Northside Drive/ Powers Ferry Rd."
2. Turn Right onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.2 mile to the next light.
3. NOW FOLLOW STEPS #4, 5 and 6 in the above "I-285 Eastward" directions.

LAT/LON COORDINATES of PARKING LOT for your GPS or Google.com/maps destination (Use in conjunction with above directions): 33.9028,-84.4444

$3 Daily Parking Fee payable in self-service envelope with rear-view mirror receipt (unless you display a valid National Parks annual pass).