Reviewed by: Lacey Muenstermann
7 birding trails near Huntsville—an amazing spring experience
One of my favorite hobbies is watching birds, and Alabama is a great state to enjoy this amazing pastime. Birding in this state is easy, and in North Alabama, I have found several great spots.
Check out some of the best birdwatching spots right here in the Huntsville area.
North Alabama Birding Trails
Alabama Audubon has played an important role in scouting the best public locations for watching birds year-round in several Alabama Birding Trail regions. Besides playing a critical role in organizing the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail, Alabama Audubon board members also scouted sites for the Black Belt, West Alabama and Wiregrass Birding Trails.
Check out these trails near Huntsville:
Monte Sano State Park
- Location: 5105 Nolen Avenue, Huntsville
- What to look for: indigo buntings, great crested flycatchers, and red-eyed vireos
- More Info
Madison County Public Lake
- Location: 2501 County Lake Road, Gurley
- What to look for: Canada geese, warblers, vireos, northern cardinals and blue jays
- More Info
Skyline Wildlife Management Area
- Location: 37 County Road 243, Scottsboro
- What to look for: Yellow-breasted chats, field sparrows, indigo buntings, prairie warblers, wild turkeys, northern bobwhites, ruffed grouse
- More Info
Hays Nature Preserve
- Location: 7161 US-431, Owens Cross Roads
- What to look for: Great blue and green herons, belted kingfishers, Wilson snipe, song sparrows
- More Info
Roy B. Whitaker Paint Rock River Preserve
- Location: US Hwy 72 and AL Hwy 65, Paint Rock, AL
- What to look for: Grasshopper sparrows, scissor-tailed flycatchers, great crested flycatchers, red-eyed vireos
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Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station
- Location: 372 Walker Ln, Hazel Green, AL
- What to look for: Grasshopper sparrows, dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks
- More Info
Buck’s Pocket State Park
- Location: 393 County Road 174, Oak Grove
- What to look for: Blue herons, bald eagles, red-eyed vireos, wood thrushes, scarlet tanagers
- More Info
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