Birmingham’s parks becoming a birding mecca (photo essay)

Birds of Birmingham Parks
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron visiting Railroad Park – photo by Greg Harber

Birmingham’s local parks are fast becoming a mecca for bird watchers and photographers.

In the past few weeks, Bham Now has noticed a “mini-explosion” of photos being posted on social media by local bird-lovers and nature photographers at Birmingham’s parks and green spaces.

Check out photos from Railroad Park, Crestwood Park and the Highlands Park Golf Course:

Birds of Birmingham Parks
Green Heron at Crestwood Park= photo by Miranda Johnson Studstill
Birds of Birmingham
Great Blue Heron at the Highlands Park Golf Course – photo by Joe Watts
Birds of Birmingham
Rare sighting in Alabama , the American Avocet at the Highlands Park Golf Course – photo by Joe Watts
Fall in love

Want to learn more about these graceful and beautiful birds and how to identify, protect and preserve them? Here are three local and state birding initiatives that can help you “fall in love” with our feathered friends.

Get Involved

Birmingham Audubon Urban Birding – The Birmingham Audubon Society has been the “gateway” organization for bird enthusiasts in the Magic City since 1946. Their Urban Bird Habitat Initiative is protecting five priority habitats and places throughout the Birmingham community, including Railroad Park, Avondale Park and East Lake Park. One of the most effective conservation groups in town, Birmingham Audubon is also one of the most welcoming groups for newcomers and people wanting to learn how to become a birder.

Alabama Birding Trail – The “go to” place on the internet to find where the birds can be seen in Alabama. “Comprehensive” is the best word to describe the Alabama Birding Trail website.

Alabama’s Wading Birds Poster – Alabama Birding Trails will also be releasing the Alabama’s Wading Birds poster in June.  This keepsake will be distributed throughout the state at educational institutions and to the general public. Check back at the Alabama Birding Trail website in June to secure your poster. Meanwhile – here is a version of the poster.  Feel free to download the image and share it.

Wading Birds of Alabama Poster
Wading Birds of Alabama poster
Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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