"Early Bird Gets the Worm" Birding Hike with Audubon Experts by the Metro Chattahoochee - Sat, Apr 30 2011

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.



"Early Bird Gets the Worm" Birding Hike with Audubon Experts by the Metro Chattahoochee


The Basics:
Event Type:Learn
Event Location: Cochran Shoals, just off I-285 in NW Atlanta.
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 30 2011  7:30 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Thu, Apr 28 2011 10:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 29 2011 10:00 pm
Event Duration:3 to 4 hours (Depart early if you must.)
Difficulty Rating:D1: Easy
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:15
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

OVERVIEW: The lovely and easy-to-access Cochran Shoals unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is one of metro Atlanta's most popular places among joggers, dog-walkers and exercise hikers.  Less well known is the fact that the park's riverside forests and wetlands provide an excellent habitat and flyway both for migrating birds and year-round resident species.  The quiet early morning hours of late April are a perfect time for observing great blue herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers, hawks, rare migrating warblers, scarlet tanagers, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, and other songbirds.  Although we’ll be literally “getting up with the birds” for this 7:30 AM event sponsored by the Atlanta Audubon Society, we’re sure to enjoy not only the numerous birds and other wild critters, but also the park's botanical and aquatic beauty at this rarely relished time of day.

EVENT PURPOSE, PLAN & PACE: Our Audubon Society hosts for the event will be expert birder Chris Lambrecht and other avid and experienced birders from the Society. 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.
  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 hike will probably be no more than 2 to 3 miles in total distance, with negligible ascents and descents near the river. 
 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 your birding field guide if you have one.
  Our custom just after each Audubon birding hike is to gather in a shady spot near the parking lot to discuss and tally the number of birds of each species that are identified either by sight or by song.  You'll likely enjoy staying with us through this final birding wrapup, but feel free to leave at any time if you so desire.

ATLANTA AUDUBON WEBSITE:  Click on "Field Trips" in the upper left corner of the home page for info on free upcoming 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 that you don't mind getting wet, since we'll occasionally be walking in wetland areas.
• Wear weather-appropriate comfortable Clothing Layers. 
• Bring $3.00 in Cash for Self-Serve Daily CRNRA Parking Fee (unless you display valid annual National Parks parking pass)

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).
• Birding Field Guide if you have one.
• Spare Pair of Shoes and Dry Socks, since your footwear is likely to become wet.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

DIRECTIONS:
 The popular Chattahoochee River NRA "Cochran Shoals" parking lot adjoins the I-285 "Interstate North Parkway" access road about 100 yards northwest of where I-285 crosses the river.
The lot's Latitude/Longitude coordinates for use with GPS or with Google.com/maps are: 33.901811,-84.443911
Following are directions from I-285 on Atlanta's north side:

IF DRIVING EASTWARD ON I-285 FROM THE I-75 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA:
1) Get off I-285 at Exit #22, "Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road."
2) Continue straight ahead for about 0.2 mile to the light at New Northside Drive.
3) Turn Left onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.5 mile to the second traffic light (crossing the I-285 bridge).
4) Continue straight ahead (about 0.9 mile) on Interstate North Parkway.
5) Just after you cross the river turn Right into the large CRNRA parking lot.
6) We'll meet by the Bulletin Board at the far end of the parking lot, where the trail network begins.

IF DRIVING WESTWARD ON I-285 FROM SANDY SPRINGS, SPAGHETTI JCN, etc:
1) Get off I-285 at Exit #22 "New Northside Drive/ Powers Ferry Rd."
2) Turn Right onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.2 mile to the next light.
3) Continue straight ahead (about 0.9 mile) on Interstate North Parkway.
4) Just after you cross the river turn Right into the large CRNRA parking lot.
5) We'll meet by the Bulletin Board at the far end of the parking lot where the trail network begins.


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

Cost Includes:

$3 Daily Parking Fee payable in self-service envelope with rear-view mirror receipt (unless you display a valid National Parks annual pass).


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