GETTING
THERE: From a starting point at I 65 exit 130 go north
(toward Taco Bell) on Alabama 185. Travel 2.4 miles to the
junction of 185 and AL263. At this Y intersection take the left on
to 263 and continue 1.4 miles to the park entrance on the left.
The park is about 5 minutes from I 65.
HABITAT: Mixed
pine and hardwood with open areas. Two medium size lakes.
BIRDS: Good
mix of coastal plain breeding residents and winter visitors. Brown
Creepers can usually be found in winter.
FACILITIES:
Improved campsites and picnic shelters. Restrooms..
COMMENTS: Travelers
will find a pleasant rest stop with good birding at the park. A
good spot to spend 30 minutes of relaxed birding is at the end of
the road past the playground. This point atop a high hill offers a
view of both lakes and the surrounding woodlands. Birders with
more time and energy will want to walk along the many roads and
trails, especially the hiking trail which circles the upper lake.
Access to the lower lake is limited by the Robert Trent Jones Golf
Course but the pier is open to all and offers a good view of the
lake and shoreline.
CHAPMAN
GETTING
THERE: To reach Chapman, exit I 65 at exit 114 and travel
east on Butler County 106 toward the city of Georgiana. Proceed
for 2.9 miles to the intersection of 106 and U.S. 31. Turn North
(left) onto U.S. 31 and travel 3.1 miles. At this point you should
see the Chapman Post Office on your right. A short distance ahead
and to the left you can see the entrance to the International
Paper Plywood Mill (this is the second entrance). Immediately
after you turn into the IP property you will see a paved drive to
the right. Park on this drive, or in dry weather on the grass
across the entrance road. The large pines on the left side of the
entrance road are home to a colony of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
This is private property! Please limit your birding to the area of
the colony site. From the Union IP property return to U.S. 31 and
turn north (left). Look for the white fences of Edgefield the home
of the McGowin Family. The next 2 or 3 miles north of Edgefield
are excellent Bachman's Sparrow habitat. If the RCW'S are not at
the IP Colony Site they may be seen along this highway. It will be
necessary to bird this area from the highway right of way since it
is all private property.
HABITAT: Pine
forest with practically no hardwood.
BIRDS: Fair
mix of coastal plain breeding residents and winter visitors.
Specialties of this area are Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and
Bachman's Sparrows. Prairie Warblers are common in summer.
FACILITIES:
None,
COMMENTS: Wood
Ducks and American Kestrels have nested in the grand old pines at
the IP Colony Site and Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers
are present throughout the year. Great Horned Owls can often be
seen at dusk. A tape of the Bachman's Sparrow song will be a great
aid in locating this bird.
ALABAMA WILDBIRD