The Alabama Birding Trails program recently announced the addition of 10 new birding trail sites across Alabama, bringing the total number of locations to 280 in 65 counties. Two of the new sites are on Forever Wild properties: the Wehle Forever Wild Tract near Midway, and the Yates Lake Forever Wild Tract near Tallassee.

The eight other sites are: Heflin’s Cahulga Creek Park; Coosa County’s Flagg Mountain, near Weogufka; the Lee County Public Fishing Lake, near Opelika; the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve and Nature Center, in Auburn; Minooka Park, in Jemison; the Moss Rock Preserve, in Hoover; Shades Creek Greenway, in Homewood; and the Smith Mountain Fire Tower, near Dadeville. 

These sites add a depth and richness to already popular locations across Alabama, helping visitors and residents find places that offer outstanding opportunities for bird watching. These spots enhance the fabric of Alabama’s many sites by providing nearby opportunities for visitors and residents alike to participate in the popular pastime of watching birds.

Site managers at each of these locations will work with naturalists and birders over the next month to develop additional resources to help first-time visitors experience all the sites have to offer.

The Alabama Birding Trails project provides a major attraction for nature-loving tourists, while offering exciting opportunities for Alabama’s school groups, families, and seasoned birders. With over 430 bird species documented in Alabama, from Bald Eagles to Painted Buntings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as Alabamians demonstrate a growing interest in wildlife observation. Learn more about the Alabama Birding Trails program at www.alabamabirdingtrails.com.

The Alabama Birding Trails is a partnership of the Alabama Birding Trails, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, and Birmingham Audubon. This project was made possible in part by the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, the Alabama Tourism Department and many volunteers across Alabama.

For additional information about the Alabama Birding Trails program or these sites specifically, please contact the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, 205-348-8338.