MAS: Field Trips

Mecklenburg Audubon field trips are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Please remember to contact the Field Trip Leader to let him/her know you are coming. This will insure that you are notified of any changes in meeting locations/times and/or cancellations. Plus it is less likely they will leave without you. Please read this Bird Walk guidelines.

MAS Home > Field Trips

October Field Trips

Saturday, Oct. 6th: Ribbon Walk Nature Preserve

1/2 Day Field Trip	Leader: Ron Clark
With over 192 acres of natural woodlands, comprising the southern end of Nevin Park, RibbonWalk Forest lies largely untouched and unnoticed just minutes away from downtown Charlotte, NC. It is a woodland oasis in the heart of the city of Charlotte. The forest includes woodland and wetland habitat with several miles of nature trails and a variety of native flora and fauna. An extraordinary grove of old-age beech trees designated as a "treasure tree grove" stands out a one of the most impressive features of the forest. There are also picturesque mature pines, flowering trees and other native hardwoods. Wetland features include several ponds and meandering streams. Native wildflowers dot the forest floor.
There should still be birds migrating through. We have seen Golden-wings and Mourning Warblers but the birding gods were probably just playing with us.
We'll meet in the parking lot at 8 AM. Let Ron know if you are coming.

Turkey

Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007: Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge

Full Day	Leader Judy Walker	Meeting Place Map
When birders think of National Wildlife Refuges places like Pea Island, Chincoteague or Merrit Island spring to mind. Places on the coast. But there are literally hundreds of smaller refuges across the country that protect unique habitat for both flora and fauna. Pee Dee NWR is one of the smaller refuges tucked away in a not so glamorous place - the NC Piedmont. But the refuge is a unique and wonderful place to wander for hours at a time and not see anyone else.
Wild flowers and butterflies are usually abundant this time of the year. Migrants should still be moving through. You never know what you're going to see on the refuge.
There will be a fair amount of easy walking so wear comfortable shoes. We will eat on the refuge so remember to bring a lunch, snacks and plenty of water.
We'll meet at the Mc Donalds at Windsor Square at 7 AM. Let Judy know if you are planning on going.

Northern Cardinal

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007: Six Mile Creek Greenway

1/2 Day Field Trip	Leader: Dave Lovett	Map
This small, rarely birded greenway, has offered surprises over the last couple of years including olive-sided flycatcher, swainsons and kentucky warbler, black- billed cuckoo, white- crowned sparrow and eastern screech owl.
A paved, easy, one mile long trail provides access to the streams, trees and under story at this greenway. Join us at 8:30 AM in the parking lot.

Tufted Titmouse

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007: Beginning Birders

1/2 Day Field Trip	Leader: Andrea Owens	Directions to Park
The second of our fall series of beginning birder field trips will investigate Colonel Francis Beatty Community Park. We'll be looking for local residents and the arrival of our first winter visitors.
We will meet at 8:30 AM in the main building parking lot. It is the left turn that leads you to the paddle boat rentals. Contact Andrea if you plan to go.

Blue Jay

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007: Moore Property (NE Mecklenburg County)

1/2 Day Field Trip	Leader: Ken Kneidal	Map
No, we haven't made a mistake, we have really scheduled two field trips on the same day. Ken Kneidel will lead this inaugral field trip to a very promising property on the east side of town. Primarily created for mountain bike riders it also has a wide variety of habitats which protect several birds species of special concern in the county - kentucky warbler and grasshopper sparrow. The warbler won't be around but the potential for some odd winter sparrows is great.
We will meet at 8 AM in the parking lot on Rocky River Church Rd. just north of Camp Stewart Rd. (it will be on the left if you are coming from Camp Stewart Rd.) There will be a lot of walking so wear strudy shoes; bring plenty of water & snacks, and be prepare to wonder through an new area of the county. Contact Ken if you plan to go.

Birders on a bench

Big Sit

Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007: The Big Sit (Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge)

Full Day	Leader: Dave Lovett	Map
Many years ago the New Haven, CT bird club started a birding event called the "BIG SIT", which has gained quite a bit in popularity over the years. The object of this event is to pick a location and from within 17 ft of this location, see how many species of birds can be seen or heard in a 24 hour period.
Last year the BIG SIT on the viewing stand at Cowan's Ford Refuge yielded 49 species including a migrating Peregrine Falcon. We won top honors for both North and South Carolina as storms knocked out the coastal sites. This year will be even more of a challenge with a new sit at Pea Island NWR expected to win top state honors. So we need as many eyes and ears as we can fit on the viewing stand!!
Come join us on the platform any time from dawn to dusk for as long as you can. We will keep a running tally of what we see. Although this is an all day event, you don't have to be there all day. If you can great! If not drop in for several hours during the day to help us count.
If we are really lucky we might win the Golden Bird prize which is $500 from Swarovski Optik. For more information on the National Bit Sit and previous year stats check out 2007 Big Sit on the Bird Watcher's Digest web site.
We'll have hot coffee and tea and a grill for hot dogs or you can bring your own picnic lunch. Bring some folding chairs if you plan to be around for a while. This is a great way to get to know some of your birding colleagues. During the counting lulls there will be time to swap birding adventure stories.
You don't have to tell us your coming, just show up when you can.

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007: Wing Haven

Afternoon	Leader: Dave Lovett	Map
Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary, in the heart of Myers Park, was created by Elizabeth & Eddie Clarkson and has become an island of green amid the Charlotte sprawl. Because Wing Haven is only open from 3 -5 PM on Tuesdays we thought we would try an afternoon field trip to this lovely setting. Birds are always plentiful and the trees and bushes often hold some surprises.
We will meet in the Wing Haven parking lot at 3 PM. Although there are a lot of nooks and crannies to investigate walking will be very easy, more like ambling.
If you plan on going contact Dave Lovett.

Snowy Egret

Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007: Huntington Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach, SC

Full Day	Leader: Judy Walker	Map
This is our fall sojourn to a South Carolina birding hot spot. Fall migrants – hawks and warblers – will still be moving through, wintering shorebirds will have settled in and a few ducks may also have begun arriving. This is probably one of the best times of the year to Peregrine Falcons and Merlins, and I am sure we will be delighted with spectacle views of hundreds if not thousands of tree swallows. Best of all, most of the people have moved out! It is a wonderful time of year to be on the beach.
We will meet in the parking lot on the eastside of the causeway at 7:30 AM. It can get pretty hot so remember a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. We will eat lunch in the park so you will also need to bring food.
Since many participants stay for the weekend, we usually go out to dinner on Saturday night. At dinner we will plan where we will go on Sunday.

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007: Evergreen Nature Preserve

1/2 Day Field Trip	Leaders: Larry & Louise Barden	Map
The walk at Evergreen Nature Preserve, hosted by MAS board members Larry and Louise Barden, is a favorite trip no matter what time of the year.
Located close to downtown Charlotte, this urban birding "gem" is a must-see for any new members and a return favorite for many. Come see why the Bardens went to such great lengths to help establish this safe haven, protected from developers and well-intentioned multiple-use advocates. And why the preserve has been "adopted" by our chapter, including installing benches at birding hotspots.
We will spend a 1/2 day exploring the preserve. This late in the fall, we should be able to see some late migrants as well as some early winter-resident arrivals. Meet at 8 AM in the Winterfield Elementary School parking lot, in front of the new school playground, located at the end of Winterfield road off Central Ave. Contact the Bardens if you plan to go.

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Site maintained by Judy Walker • Updated: 10/04/2007