Little River Canyon Center
Open to the public since 2009, the Little River Canyon Center is a Jacksonville State University building located in Northeast Alabama that adjoins the Little River Canyon National Preserve in the city of Fort Payne, AL. With a portion leased to the National Park Service and the staff of the Little River Canyon National Preserve, [...]
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Cherokee Rock Village
The boulder fields at Cherokee Rock Village stand sentinel along an east-facing ridge and overlook Weiss Lake far below. This is an extraordinary location to find Scarlet Tanagers, Summer Tanagers, and Great Crested Flycatchers, and is without doubt the best site for observing soaring raptors in the state. Sample the birds in the old fields and second-growth habitats along the entrance road.
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Little River Canyon Mouth Park
A useful adjunct to any birding trip in the area, Canyon Mouth Park is a good place to experience songbirds in the trees near the Little River, in the scattered woods beyond the picnic areas, and soaring birds of prey in the skies above the canyon. Do stop in here if birding nearby Little River Canyon, Desoto State Park, Weiss Lake, or the Regional Airport.
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Weiss Lake Overlook
Weiss Lake is a 30,000-acre lake with 4 public access points and 37 private marinas. This is a good site for gulls, waterfowl, and eagles in winter; for swallows and riparian songbirds in spring and summer; and waders and some shorebirds in late summer and fall. Tip: as a complement, try birding the (former) Centre Municipal Airport located off Woodland Drive in Centre (N 34.160451,-85.640341) for songbirds and birds of old-field and short-grass habitats.
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Centre – Piedmont – Cherokee County Regional Airport
This property is an outstanding example of short-grass habitat. Set aside a short half day to survey the grasslands and fencerows, and to scan the skies above. There is no better place in the region to find grass sparrows (including Grasshopper in the warm months), and the fields host an impressive number of Northern Harriers in the colder months. This is a prime location for Loggerhead Shrikes and American Kestrels. Look for Barn Owls, Bobwhites, Horned Larks, Short-eared Owls, Vesper Sparrows, and more.
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