Alabama Bird Watching in the Winter

The state parks are also a great place to go to watch for birds. Here are just a few in the state of Alabama.

In the northern section of Alabama is Lake Guntersville State Park. It is in northeast Alabama in Marshall County. It is a mountain lake along the Tennessee River. It has grasslands and forests with waterfalls, old coal mines, whiskey stills, old Indian paths, log cabins, an old spring, cliffs and ponds and pools. It has 20 trails that all loop together for a total of 36 miles. They range from 0.5 miles long to 3.5 miles long and range from easy to difficult. It is also a great place to canoe along the Tennessee River and the lake besides the trails with islands in the lake to explore the wildlife inhabitants. There is also free admission! Waterfowl, wading birds, gulls and raptors can be found here. Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons are common and even nest here. During the winter months there are even Eagle Awareness Weekends that you can attend to learn more about the Bald Eagle and to watch them.

In Central Alabama at Pelham, there is Oak Mountain State Park. There are fees here. It costs $2 for adults and $1 for kids 6-11 and Senior citizens 62 and up Monday through Friday and on weekends and holidays the rates are $1 more. The park closes one hour before dark unless you are a registered overnight guest. It is Alabama's largest park at 9,940 acres of pine-studded ridges and lush green hardwood bottoms.

There are approximately 52 miles of trails that are color-codes and have markers every 1/4 mile so you can call the office if there is an emergency or if you get lost. The trails range from 0.3 miles long to 17 miles long and are great for hiking, biking and horseback. There is even a Treetop Nature Trail that is elevated and handicap assessable. It offers close-up views of hawks and owls in their natural habitat. Many of these birds have been brought to the park injured and have been nursed back to health and put back into their natural habitat rehabilitated.