The Wilder side of Piedmont Park! Birding with the Audubon Society

IN A NUTSHELL:  The weather is shaping up to be a "Perfect 10" this Saturday, with clear blue skies and temperatures warming up quickly to an expected high of 75.  It's late notice, but we hope you can join us for this birding and wildlife walk that was lots of fun when we offered it for the AOC last spring.
  Most Atlantans are probably unaware that Piedmont Park in the heart of midtown is a wonderful place for birdwatching.  More than 175 different bird species have been observed there.  On this exciting event guided by Audubon Society "master birder" Rob McDonough, we'll explore the "wilder side" of the Park via some of its lesser known wooded trails including the "Trail of the Six Springs."
  The park's lake, open lawns and forested habitats attract numerous water birds, songbirds and raptors, and it's not uncommon to see Great Blue Herons, Cooper's Hawks, Killdeer, Red-headed Woodpeckers and Red-winged Blackbirds.  Parking will be free in a convenient lot near the corner of Piedmont Ave. and 12^th Street (see detailed directions below).

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.  Along the way we'll probably do some birding along the new Atlanta Beltline trail on the Park's eastern periphery. The hike is expected to be just 2 to 3 miles in total distance, with no more than about 200 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 late 1800s by the same Olmstead family of landscape architects that masterminded New York's Central Park.  Check out http://piedmontpark.org/ for more information.  For a nice online Color Map of the 200+ acre park, click on this link: http://piedmontpark.org/visit/Park_Map_07-11-print.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/

DIRECTIONS assuming you're PROCEEDING SOUTHWARD via INTERSTATE I-75 or I-85 toward DOWNTOWN ATLANTA:  (For a map of our meetup parking lot near the corner of Piedmont Ave and 12th St click on the red "LOCATION" icon at the top of this article.)

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 the right side of the Interstate.
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, not quite to the light at 12th St.) and look for "ParQ Pizza" on your right and its blue dining table umbrellas.
6. Turn Right just before ParQ Pizza into the free parking lot behind the restaurant where the Audubon Society birding group will meet.  Vacant parking spaces likely will still be available since it's so early in the morning, 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.

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.