Hike on new Peachtree Creek Trails with Audubon & GA Native Plant Society Friends

IN A NUTSHELL:   Hope you can join us for this fascinating nature walk on the beautiful "Confluence Trail" in midtown Atlanta.  This relatively new trail ends at the spot just east of Buckhead where Peachtree Creek's south and north forks flow into one another to form the main creek. This surprisingly wild and verdant area is in the shadow of the high I-85/ GA-400 viaduct shown on the above map. Below are easy Driving Directions and the trailhead's GPS address.  The weather is expected to be very nice! - in the 70s with lots of blue in the sky and the passing tropical storm "out of the picture."
  This "AOC-participation field trip" will be hosted and guided by master birders Vinod Babu and Gus Kaufman of the Atlanta Audubon Society and botanist/naturalist Leslie Edwards of the GA-DNR and GA Native Plant Society. After the initial ~2-hour guided event you're welcome to join me for an introduction to more of the lovely new trail system shown on the above map.

EVENT PURPOSE, PLAN & PACE:  The birding and nature walk will sharpen our ability to observe birds and identify them from their body & wing markings, flight patterns, perching & feeding habits, and calls - also will increase our knowledge and appreciation of native plants and wildflowers.  If you're chiefly an "exercise hiker," be advised that this will be an experiential and learning walk with frequent stops along the way. We expect to cover only about 2 miles in total distance, with no more than about 100 feet of total elevation gain.
  Along the way we'll observe many species of wild birds including songbirds, waterfowl and perhaps a few raptors.  We may get to see our GA "State Bird" the Brown Thrasher - also usually Robins, Cardinals and various Woodpeckers.  Each fall and spring the habitat also attracts many colorful warblers and other migrant species such as the Scarlet Tanager and Goldfinch.  There are numerous other wild critters such as squirrels, muskrats, turtles & butterflies - also dozens of species of beautiful native trees, plants and wildflowers.
 Bring binoculars if you have a pair - if not, we'll have a couple of spares available for you to share  At the end of this and other Audubon field trips the group usually gathers briefly near the original meetup spot to discuss and tally the species that have been identified either by sight or by song - also any other interesting wildlife, flora, etc. that were observed.  You'll likely enjoy sticking around for this "debriefing" but feel free to split from the group at any time if you like, provided you let us leaders know when you're departing.

ATLANTA AUDUBON WEBSITE:  http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/  Click on "Field Trips" on this home page for details about this and other free upcoming birding walks.  Anyone with an interest in birds is welcome to attend these events even if you're not an Audubon Society member.

ONLINE FREE BIRDING GUIDE:  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/  is the link to Cornell University's excellent birding website.  Use it to brush up on your birding knowledge and skills in the comfort of your own home or on your Smart Phone, etc.  Among other things, for each native species it provides song recordings, color photos, range maps, etc.

For info about the GA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY and their many fine programs and volunteer projects, click: http://gnps.org/

For info about the SOUTH FORK CONSERVANCY and the lovely trails that they build, maintain and manage, click:  http://southforkconservancy.org/

DIRECTIONS if PROCEEDING SOUTHBOUND via I-85 from NE ATLANTA (e.g, from the "Spaghetti Jcn" Interchange, etc.):
1.  From I-85 southbound, take Exit 88 "Cheshire Bridge Road."
2.  Turn Left onto Cheshire Bridge Rd and go 0.4 mile to Lindbergh Drive.
3.  Turn Right onto Lindbergh Dr. and go 0.3 mile to Armand Road.
4.  Turn Left onto Armand Rd and go about 0.4 mile until it ends at a circular turnaround near the Cedar Chase condos.  Park on the shoulder of the turnaround or anywhere along Armand Rd, but please DO NOT park on the condo property.
5.  We'll meet at the trailhead adjoining the turnaround - see Lat/Lon Coordinates below.  

DIRECTIONS if PROCEEDING NORTHBOUND via I-85 from MIDTOWN ATLANTA (e.g. from the I-75/ I-85 midtown Interchange):
1. Get off I-85 North at the "Buford Hwy North" exit and bear rightward onto GA-13 North.
2. Continue about 1 mile and get off at the "GA-237 N/Piedmont Rd" exit loop.
3. Turn Right onto Piedmont Rd and go northward 0.6 mile to Lindbergh Way.
4. Turn Right onto Lindbergh Way (a.k.a. "Lindbergh Drive") and go 0.6 mile to Armand Road, just beyond the I-85 overpass.
5. Turn RIGHT onto Armand Road and go about 0.4 mile until it ends at a circular turnaround near the Cedar Chase condos.  Park on the shoulder of the turnaround or anywhere along Armand Rd, but please DO NOT park on the condo property.
6.  We'll meet at the trailhead adjoining the turnaround - see Lat/Lon Coordinates below.  

GPS and Maps.Google.com USERS: To augment the above written Directions feel free to enter the following Lat/Lon coordinates as your Destination Address for this meetup spot and trailhead: 33.81468, -84.36008
The approximate street address is 2189 Armand Road, Atlanta, GA 30324.
(Our guide Vinod's cell number, if we happen to need it, is 413-230-6276, and Leslie's is 404-915-9944.)

Free Event with free parking