MAS: Field Trips

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.

Field Trip Etiquette

Here are a few things to keep in mind when we are on the trail to ensure everyone on the field trip has a productive and enjoyable outing.

•	Contact the leader.
•	Be on time.
•	Carpool whenever possible.
•	Offer to chip in for gas.
•	Wear muted colors.
•	Silence is golden.
•	Turn cell phones off or to vibrate.
•	Stay with the group.
•	Stay behind the leader,
•	Don't monopolize someone else's scope.
•	Help the leader make sure everyone gets to see a bird.

So, the next time you are out birding with a group, whether it’s an MAS field trip or not, keep these things in mind. They will help you see more birds and be more relaxed which is exactly what we want.

Aug • Sep • Oct • Nov • Dec • Jan • Feb • Mar • Apr • May • Jun • Jul

MARCH 2010

Saturday/Sunday, March 6, 2010: Latta Park Work Day

1/2 Day • Contact: Tom Sanders or Ron Clark

We are scheduling a day to help the city clean out the invasives along the creek in Latta Park. They have started already. It will look very "naked " when it is finished. Native plants will be put in along the creek to give cover for the birds. Some may be planted that day also. The city will do all cutting. Our job is to haul branches, etc. to the street. Dilworth Neighborhood Assoc. will also be helping out.

Meet at 9:00 AM near the second bridge from the playground. Map

Thursday, March 11, 2010: McDowell Nature Preserve

1/2 Day (Easy) • Contact: Dave Lovett

Join Dave Lovett as we bird the Four Seasons Trail, with mixed habitat. We'll also check out Lake Wylie for winter waterfowl.

Meet at 8:30 AM at the Nature Center. Map

Carolina Wren
©Jeff Lemons

Sunday, March 14, 2010: McDowell Prairie/Copperhead Is.

Loggerhead Shrike
©Jeff Lemons

1/2 Day (Moderate) • Contact: Ron Clark

We will spend most of the morning birding the prairie, and then check the woods and river around Copperhead Island. We will be looking for both winter visitors and early migrants.

After grabbing a bite of lunch at a local eatery, and then bird the short Walker Branch Greenway nearby.

Parking is very limited at the prairie, so we will meet in front of the Harris-Teeter at the corner of Highways 160 and 49, at 8:30 AM. Map

Thursday, March 18, 2010: Four-mile Creek Greenway

1/2 Day (Easy) • Contact: Lucy Quintilliano

Our monthly excursion to this greenway to see what new has arrived.

We'll meet at 8:30 AM in the parking lot on Johnston Rd. Map

Great Blue Heron

Saturday, March 20, 2010: Clark's Creek Nature Preserve

Eastern Bluebird

1/2 Day • Contact: Taylor Piephoff

We will explore one of Mecklenburg County's newest Nature Preserves; Clark's Creek. Open field, ponds, streamside brush, and deciduous woodland are the habitats that we will encounter. This area is also very good for early spring wildflowers and early spring butterflies.

From WT Harris Blvd. go north on Old Statesville Road (NC 115). Turn right on Hucks Road and proceed .7 miles to a dirt driveway on the left. There should be a sign close by indicating the Clark's Creek Nature Preserve.

Meet at 8:30 AM. Be sure to contact Taylor if you plan to come. Map

Thursday, March 25, 2010: Latta Park

1/2 Day (Easy) • Contact: Tom Sanders

The first of what will undoubtably be numerous excursions this spring to Charlotte's very own migrant trap in close to the center of the city. We will be looking early spring migrants.

Meet at 8:30 AM in the parking lot on East Park Ave. Map

Northern Parula
@Will Stuart

Saturday, March 27, 2010: Six-mile Creek Greenway

Louisana Waterthrush

1/2 Day • Contact: John Buckman

John Buckman will lead this trip looking for early migrants. Louisiana waterthrush, northern parula and blue-gray gnatcatcher can be expected. Meet at 8:30 in the parking lot on Marvin Rd. Map

APRIL 2010

Saturday, April 3, 2010: Ft. Fisher Coastal Area

Full Day • Contact: Taylor Piephoff

This traditional Easter Weekend Trip to the coast will concentrate on the Fort Fisher area and points north to Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC. The early date this year means the trip will have more of a winter feel to it than spring. Northbound sea ducks and loons should be visible from the beaches, and shorebirds will still be around in good numbers. A few of the earlier-returning breeding landbirds will be just arriving in the wooded areas too.

We will meet at 8:00 AM at the ocean overlook across from the Fort Fisher Museum on US 421 just before the turnoff to the NC Aquarium. There is a large parking lot overlooking the ocean that should be obvious. We will never be far from food and facilities. MAP

Ft Fisher

Taylor will be taking the Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry over to the meeting site. Folks opting for that route can find lodging at Oak Island or Southport, and shoud be prepared to pay a $5.00 cost for a one-way ticket to and from Fort Fisher. Those coming in from the north which does not require a ferry ride can find lodging in Carolina Beach or Wilmington.

Please let Taylor Piephoff know if you plan to attend.

Saturday, April 10, 2010: Congaree Swamp Nat. Park (SC)

Full Day • Contact: Ron Clark

Details forthcoming.

MAY 2010 [TBA]

JUNE 2010 [TBA]

JULY 2010 [TBA]

AUGUST 2010 [TBA]

SEPTEMBER 2010 [TBA]

OCTOBER 2010 [TBA]

NOVEMBER 2010 [TBA]

DECEMBER 2010 [TBA]

JANUARY 2011 [TBA]

FEBRUARY 2011

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Webmaster • Updated: 02/28/2010