Audubon Birdwatching Hike at lovely Murphey Candler Park - Thu, May 7 2015

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Audubon Birdwatching Hike at lovely Murphey Candler Park


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: North Atlanta just off I-285 Ashford Dunwoody exit   Hike: Audubon Birdwatching Hike at lovely Murphey Candler Park  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, May 7 2015  8:00 am >> Thu, May 7 2015 11:00 am
Registration Opens: Tue, May 5 2015 11:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Wed, May 6 2015 10:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D1: Easy
Distance:3 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

IN a NUTSHELL:   This will be a free "AOC Participation Event" hosted by our friends in the Atlanta Audubon Society who are expert at identifying birds both by sight and song.  The weather forecast couldn't be better for it - virtually no chance of rain and temperatures in the 60s & 70s.  We'll gather at 8AM in the free Murphey Candler Park parking lot (see detailed directions below). 
  
 A popular place for AOC hikes, Murphey Candler is also among Atlanta's best places for birdwatching.  Its beautiful lake and lakeside forests and wetlands provide an excellent habitat and flyway both for migrating birds and year-round resident species.  The quiet morning hours of early May are a perfect time for observing and listening to the calls of great blue herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers, hawks, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, goldfinches and dozens of other gorgeous species.  On warm mornings at Murphey Candler we also almost always see lots of turtles sunning in the beautiful lake
 on logs & rocks.

EVENT PURPOSE, PLAN & PACE: This "walk-and-pause birding tutorial" will sharpen our ability to spot and observe birds and identify them from their body & wing markings, flight patterns, perching & feeding habits, and calls.  Our friendly and knowledgable Audubon Society hosts will be Liz Hornsby and Mary Kimberly.
  If you're chiefly an "exercise hiker," be advised that this will be a leisurely experiential and learning hike, with sporadic stops along the way for naked-eye and binocular birdwatching and for intent listening to birds that may or may not be in view.
 The walk will probably be no more than 3 miles in total distance, with gentle ascents and descents near the lake. 
 Bring your binoculars if you have a pair—if not, you're welcome to share a couple of spare pair that your AOC hike leader will provide—also bring your birding field guide if you have one.
 Free to "split" from the group at any time if you so desire, but you'll likely enjoy staying with us for a final "wrapup" - usually about 3 hours after the birding walk begins.  The custom is to gather briefly back at the trailhead to discuss and tally all the birds that various members of the group have positively identified either by sight or by song.

ATLANTA AUDUBON WEBSITE:  Click on "Field Trips" in the upper left corner of the home page for info on this and other upcoming free 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/


Required Items to Bring:


• Wear comfortable Walking Shoes, sport sandals or hiking boots.
• Wear lightweight Clothing layers appropriate for the weather and consider wearing a light Daypack for stashing or retrieving clothing, Water & other items

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.


Binoculars if you have a pair (preferably light-weight).
Camera (ideally with a good zoom feature) - or i-Phone, etc.
Birding Field Guide if you have one.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

DIRECTIONS from I-285 on ATLANTA'S NORTH SIDE: 
1. Take I-85 Exit #29, "Ashford Dunwoody Rd."
2. Go south on Ashford Dunwoody Rd about 0.95 mile
 (opposite the direction of Perimeter Mall), then,
3. T
urn left onto W. Nancy Creek Drive.
4. Go 0.6 mile 
to Murphey Candler Park's second parking lot (on your left just after you cross the dam of the lake).

Parking and Meetup: We'll meet in this free parking lot at the southeast corner of the lake.

 LAT/LON COORDINATES of PARKING LOT as a "Destination Address" for GPS or Google.com/maps:  33.9096, -84.3225.


Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:

Free event with free parking!


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.