1. Chief Ladiga Trail. This location is a Rails-to-Trails site and it is well suited to walking or biking(!) birders. The trail parallels the west side of AL 21 and begins north of Jacksonville and runs northeast of the town of Piedmont. Plans are to complete it to the GA line. This is typical farm country habitat with many sparrows in the winter, hawks year round and indigo buntings and blue grosbeaks in the summer. Exit I-20 at Anniston (#185) and go north on AL 21 through Jacksonville. As you approach the town of Piedmont, turn left onto Mack Alexander Road and drive the short distance to the trail parking area. From here, you can walk, bike, skate etc in either direction! DeLorme Atlas coordinates: p. 27, G&H 7.
2. Sun Belt Sod Farm. This working sod farm is an excellent location for shorebirds in migration, especially after a rain when the birds gather in the lower wet spots. Harriers and other hawks are frequently seen in the winter. Meadowlarks and bobwhite quail are often heard. Park at the church lot (on AL 76) and scan the fields and wet areas to the north. From the intersection of AL 25 & 76, drive onto the farm's dirt road perimeter for better viewing, working your way back toward the Coosa River to the southeast. At no time should you ever leave the roads and walk or drive on the sod!!! From B'ham take US 280 E to Harpersville, turn R on AL 25 and drive ~ 5 miles to the farm at the AL 76 intersection. p. 31, H 9.
3. Tombigbee Farm, Cochrane. Get thee to this location in early August to see the Mississippi and Swallow-tailed kites! Their lofty, graceful flight is a joy to watch as they feed on insects above the fields. It will be hot but you'll never notice, I promise! Take I-20E/59W past Tuscaloosa, exit at CR 20 (#23) & head west to AL 39. Turn R and go north to Gainesville. Turn L on AL 116 and then R onto CR 85. Look for kites all along CR 85. The farm is near the Pickens/Sumter County line, on the right side of the road. p. 34, D 3.
4. Heiberger Fish Farm. If you want to reliably see Bald Eagles in late winter/early spring, this is the place to go! A pair has nested here for several years now. The farm's ponds also host cormorants and a variety of egrets and herons. In winter, if any of the ponds are nearly empty, look for water pipits and common snipe. The swampy area and fields hosts a variety of sparrows and common yellowthroats, too. From Centreville/Brent, take AL 5 south and turn L at the Heiberger Methodist Church, which will be on your L just after you pass CR 47 on the left. Cross the Cahaba River at the Walter C. Givhan bridge and bear right at the fork. The farm will be on the L just after you cross a bridge over a small creek. Park on the shoulder of the road and walk to the northernmost ponds to view the eagles and their nest. p. 36, G 3.
5. Marion Fish Hatchery. This state-run facility is a convenient place to bird because the ponds are clearly visible from AL 175. With permission from the site's director, you can also head back to Perry Lake, an oxbow of the Cahaba, located directly behind the hatchery along its northern boundary. The ponds host the same birds as are found at nearby Heiberger but a few exciting birds have been seen there too: Black-bellied whistling ducks and greater white-fronted geese. In late summer watch for migrating black terns. At Perry Lake, look for yellow-throated and parula warblers. From Heiberger, continue a short distance south on AL 5 and turn L at AL 175. It is 3 miles to hatchery. Park off the road & do not drive into the hatchery. Walk the dike roads, please. p. 36, H 3.
6. Lakeland Farms. A popular birding spot with a well-deserved reputation. If you only have time for one stop while you're in the Marion area, this should be it. In winter, the fence and hedge rows host Savannah, song, swamp, white throated, white crowned, and field sparrows by the hundreds! Waterfowl are prevalent in the lakes. Watch for a variety of raptors over the fields. Bluebirds, water pipits, buntings, shrikes, dickcissels and meadowlarks and both crow species are often seen in the fields. Recent sightings of note: nesting least bitterns, ash-throated flycatcher and Harris' sparrow. To reach the farm continue south on AL 5 past Marion, turn R at Prier Dr and head north a short distance. Turn L onto CR 20 at the Lakeland Farms sign. Drive ~ 2 miles until you see the large white farmhouse on your L. Scan the fields on both sides of the road. Continue west and turn L onto the dirt road, where the fence ends. Check the pond (L) and lake (R) as you head south. Get out and walk at various stops. At its southern end the road passes through a wooded area. Look for forest birds, especially during migration and in winter. p 43, A & B 7.
7. Greensboro area fish farms. A good area for large numbers of egrets, herons, cormorants and wood storks in the late summer. Both kite species are occassionally seen. Eurasian collared doves are becoming more numerous in the area west of Lakeland Farms near Scott Station. Drive around and explore the countryside's many fish farm ponds, focusing your efforts south of Greensboro, along AL 25 and 61, and north of Faunsdale and Uniontown. Do not drive onto any of the farms without permission! It is quite easy to bird from the shoulder of the road or at the entrances to the farms. p. 42, A, B&C 5.