Stone Mountain Songbird Trail with Fernbank’s Chris Showalter

IN A NUTSHELL:   This will be a free "AOC participation" birdwatching event with experts from Fernbank Science Center and the Atlanta Audubon Society.  Birders of all experience levels will enjoy it.  Our expert host for this hike will be Fernbank ornithologist Chris Showalter who is highly adept at identifying birds by sight or song and helping other birders spot and observe them. 
  We'll gather at 8AM at the Songbird Habitat Trail parking lot inside Stone Mtn Park (see detailed directions below).  Among metro Atlanta's best places for birdwatching, this area contains hundreds of native shrubs and trees that are attractive to birds as food sources and as perching and nesting habitat.  Birding enthusiasts did much of the trail design, landscaping and planting in this large meadow and its adjoining forest.  The meadow was the site of archery and velodrome cycling events in the 1996 Olympics.
  The quiet morning hours of early May are a perfect time for hiking here and observing and listening to the calls of cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, indigo buntings, blue grosbeaks and dozens of other gorgeous species.
   The weather forecast looks good:  Only a 20% chance of showers and ideal temperatures in the 60s and 70s.  Audubon Society events are usually "rain-or-shine" by the way.

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.
  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 is expected to be no more than 2 miles in total distance, with negligible ascents and descents.
  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.
  Our custom just after each Audubon birding hike is to gather briefly back at the  trailhead to discuss and tally the birds that the group has identified either by sight or by song.  You'll likely enjoy staying with us for this final 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 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/

DIRECTIONS from the STONE MOUNTAIN FREEWAY/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in NE METRO ATLANTA:
1. Take the Stone Mtn Freeway about 9 miles eastward (toward Stone Mtn and Athens) and get off at Exit #8, the main Stone Mountain Park entrance.
2. Enter the Park at the admissions gate. (Suggestion: Ask for a park map.  If you don't display the annual Stone Mtn parking pass the daily parking fee is $10.)
3. About 0.1 mile beyond the admissions gate turn Left onto Stonewall Jackson Drive and go 3.3 miles to the Songbird Habitat Trail entrance road on your left.  (En route you'll pass the golf course, campground, and entrance to the Evergreen hotel.  If you reach Robt E. Lee Drive you've gone about a quarter-mile too far).
4. Drive about 0.1 mile to the end of this Songbird Habitat entrance road and park in circular turn-around area.  Our group will meet here at the trailhead.

LAT/LON COORDINATES of PARKING LOT for your GPS or Google.com/maps destination (Use in conjunction with above directions): 33.7931,-84.1465

CLICK HERE for STONE MTN TRAIL MAP:
http://www.stonemountainpark.org/images/ecosystem/trail%20map%202008%20for%20visitors%20at%20CHall.pdf