|
 |
| Mecklenburg Audubon field trips are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Please remember to contact the Field Trip Leader to let him/her know you are coming. This will insure that you are notified of any changes in meeting locations/times and/or cancellations. Plus it is less likely they will leave without you. Please read this Bird Walk guidelines. |
| KEY TO PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY |
| Easy - Trails are level to slight grades usually paved. .5-1.5 miles of walking |
| Moderate - Trails can be uneven with some hills. 1-2.5 miles of walking. |
| Strenuous - Trails vary greatly. 2.5+ miles of walking. |
| * - Trails are handicapped accessible. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| August Field Trips |
| Sunday - Aug. 24, 2008: Orangeburg Sod Farms, Orangeburg, SC |
| Full Day - Easy |
Trip Leader: Judy Walker. |
Upland Sandpiper |
| The Super Sod Farms just outside Orangeburg, SC is an amazing place in August and September. The large expanse short grass is a magnet for migrating shorebirds. Upland, buff-breasted and pectoral sandpipers are particularly fond of this place and if we are really lucky a golden will be lurking in the grass. And as the morning heats up we usually find ourselves looking at a lot of really neat dragonflies and beautiful butterflies. |
| There won't be a lot of walking but it will be HOT!! So you should bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray and plenty of water and as always snacks are encouraged. |
| We will meet at 6:00 AM in the Crossroads Mall parking lot located on the right hand side of the main entrance into Carowinds Theme park off HWY 21. It will take us about 1.5 hours to get down there. Bring a snacks, plenty of water, bug repellent, sun screen and hat. |
| |
|
|
| |
September Field Trips |
| |
|
Grasshopper Sparrow |
| Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008: McDowell Prairie (Birds & Butterflies) |
| 1/2 Day - Easy |
Leader: Ron Clark |
Map to meeting place |
This restored prairie preserve supports a good mixture of wildflowers, butterflies, and bird species. Raptors are especially visible in this open habitat. Since there is little shade, wear a hat, bring water, sunscreen and protection against chiggers and ticks. We also plan on a short side trip to Copperhead Island on Lake Wylie searching for migrating shorebirds and finishing up in the early afternoon. |
| Parking is limited. We will carpool from the Harris Teeter parking lot at Hwy 49 and HWY 160 [Steele Creek Rd.] MEET at 8 AM. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Downy Woodpecker |
| Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008: Lower McAlpine Creek Greenway |
| 1/2 Day - Easy |
Leader: John Buckman |
Map to Greenway |
| Join us for a morning of leisurely birding along the paved trail that follows Lower McAlpine Creek. We will look for southern bound migrants and resident birds. |
| Meet at 8:30 AM in the newly constructed parking area off Johnston Rd. From HWY 51 heading South on Johnston, the parking area is on the left just before the bridge. From I-485 and Johnston, the parking area will be on the right just over the bridge. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Eastern Bluebird |
| Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008: Sherman Branch Preserve (a.k.a Moore Property) |
| 1/2 Day - Moderate |
Leader: Ken Kneidel |
Map to Preserve |
| This protected area in Mecklenburg County is a jewel for birders. It has a variety of habitats (forest, ponds, fields) with a remote feel, and should give excellent opportunities for fall migrant species. |
| Primarily created for mountain bike riders it also protects several birds of special concern in the county, including Kentucky Warbler and Grasshopper Sparrow. |
| We'll meet at 8 AM in the parking lot on Rocky River Church Rd. just north of its intersection with Camp Stewart Rd. (It will be on the left if you are coming from Camp Stewart Rd.) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
 |
| Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008: Butterflies at McAlpine Creek Greenway |
| 1/2 Day - Easy |
Leader: Taylor Piephoff |
Map to Greenway |
| Birds are not the only beautiful winged creatures that can be found in the Charlotte area. Butteries are at their peak in September when a wide variety can be found. The Mecklenburg Park and Recreation Department has created wonderful habitat for butterflies at McAlpine Greenway. We will take a leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll around the greenway to see what we can find. Of course we will look at any feathered fliers that cross our path as well. |
| We will meet at 2 PM at the Monroe Rd. entrance to the Greenway. |
|
|
| |
|
Female American Redstart |
| Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008: Ann Springs Close Greenway, SC |
| 1/2 Day - Moderate |
Leader: Dave Lovett |
Directions to Greenway |
| Lake Haigler, orchards, meadows, and an extensive trail system through hardwoods and pines always add up to a goodly number of bird species found at this Ft Mill, SC preserve and working farm. |
| Meet at 8:30 AM in the main parking lot off HWY 21. Trails can be muddy after rains and there is a day use fee of $2 per person |
|
|
| |
|
 Magnolia Warbler - Fall Plumage |
| Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008: Jackson Park, Henderson, NC |
| Full Day - Easy |
Leader: Judy Walker |
Meeting Place Map |
| You may have heard about how fabulous spring migration is in Central Park, NYC. Well Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC is a close rival, especially in the fall. In past years birds were dripping off the trees. Hopefully, we will hit one of its wonderful waves of warblers and if the birding gods are smiling on us we may run into something as exciting as a Philadelphia Vireo or Mourning Warbler. |
| We will meet at 7:30 AM at the McDonalds on Four Seasons Blvd. (Exit 49 off I-26). It's on the right as you are heading into Hendersonville. Rt. 74 makes this a quick 2 hour drive from Charlotte if you plan to drive out in the Saturday AM. |
Best Western Hendersonville I-26 64 East (828) 692-0521
Comfort Inn 206 Mitchell Dr (828) 693-8800
Days Inn 102 Mitchell Dr (828) 697-5999
Hampton Inn 155 Sugarloaf Rd (828) 697-2333
Quality Inn 201 Sugarloaf Rd (828) 692-7231
Quality Inns & Suites 201 Sugarloaf Rd (828) 692-7232
Ramada Limited 150 Sugarloaf Rd (828) 697-0006 |
|
|
|
| |
|
Carolina Wren |
| Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008: Birding for Beginners Walk - McAlpine Creek Grnwy |
| 1/2 Day - Easy |
Leader: Lucy Quintilliano |
Map to Greenway |
| Beginner bird walks are designed for those just getting started in this wonderful pastime. We'll take our time and study some of our locally common bird species; learning field marks, calls or songs, and habitat preferences. Families and young birders are welcome. |
| Participation is limited - so sign up early! Time: 8:30-11 AM. Meeting place: Monroe Rd. entrance to McAlpine Creek Greenway. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Blue Jay |
| Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008: Beginning Birders |
| 1/2 Day - Easy |
Leader: John Buckman |
Directions to Park |
| The second of our fall series of beginning birder field trips will investigate Lower McAlpine Greenway. We'll be looking for local residents and the arrival of our first winter visitors. |
| We will meet at 8:30 AM in the main building parking lot. It is the left turn that leads you to the paddle boat rentals. |
|
|
| |
|
Eastern Towhee |
| Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008: Colonel Francis Beatty Park |
| 1/2 Day - Easy |
Leader: Weslyn Strickland |
Map to Park |
| This lovely park in the Matthews area of the county offers it all: large lake, playing fields, meadows, and woodland trails adding up to a goodly number of bird species that can be seen or heard on a morning walk. Last year we visited this park twice with great results. |
| Come help us find and sort out the birds we locate. Follow the park signs to LAKE POINT HALL where we will meet at 8 AM. |
| |
|
|
|
