On Saturday, April 23 come which the skies and trees for the natural specimens of Oxford’s Choccolocco Park. the event will run from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Pre-registration is required by 12 p.m. CDT on Friday, April 22nd. For more information and to register, visit alaudubon.org/event/2022-04-23. Just west of the Talladega National Forest, Choccolocco Park features several walking and biking trails that wind around a thirty-three acre lake, a historic Native American mound, and along Choccolocco Creek. The walking and biking trails make up a combined length of over 2.7 miles and includes an interpretive trail that tells the history of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation that once inhabited the area. We’ll spend our time looking around the park for spring migrants, meadowlarks, sparrows, and raptors.
The details: If you’re in Birmingham, meetup is at 7 a.m. in the Walmart parking lot adjacent to the Chick-fil-a on Montclair Rd (1648 Montclair Rd.). For those coming from other areas, we will plan to meet in the main Choccolocco Park (954 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford) parking lot at 8 a.m. (The first parking lot off of Leon Smith Parkway, not the lots for the ball fields unless needed for overflow.)
Be sure to bring the usual supplies: binoculars, water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellant, rain gear, and seasonally appropriate attire. In the case of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled. You may contact the trip leader the morning of the event if the weather is questionable.
Accessibility: This trip will be fully accessible with a paved path throughout; however, there are limited places to sit and rest along the path.
The food: Bring snacks and a picnic lunch if you would like, though there are several restaurant options nearby in the Anniston/Oxford area.
The birds: Expect to see spring migrants, meadowlarks, sparrows, and raptors.
Trip leaders: Linda Neighbors and Anne Miller will lead this trip.
