This Huntsville nature preserve is a new addition to the Alabama Birding Trail

Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve in Huntsville is the latest addition to the Alabama Birding Trail. The nature preserve, which is right outside downtown Huntsville, has a wide array of bird species that can’t regularly be seen in other areas of the state.

Here’s more on Chapman Mountain and the Alabama Birding Trail:

About Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve

Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve is a 551-acre property located just to the east of Huntsville.

The preserve, owned and managed by local nonprofit Land Trust of North Alabama, includes a diverse forest of mature hardwoods, pines, red cedar groves and dense mixed species of understory vegetation.

The 4.5-mile trail system of well-maintained natural paths provide access to both the high and low elevation forested ecosystem and a spring-fed water drainage ravine.

So, why was it added to the Alabama Birding Trail? Well, signature migrating bird species at Chapman Mountain include:

Blue warblers
Golden-winged warblers
Chestnut-sided warblers
Yellow-billed cuckoos
Black-billed cuckoos
Water thrushes
Wood thrushes

During the spring and summer breeding seasons, birders can find:

Kentucky warblers
Pine warblers
White-eyed vireos
Great crested flycatchers
Yellow-breasted chats
Pileated woodpeckers
Eastern bluebirds

Chapman Mountain is open from dawn to dusk and access is free. Mountain bikers and horseback riders are also welcome and an 18-hole disc golf course adds another way to play outside.

About the Alabama Birding Trail

brown and yellow bird on brown tree branch — The Alabama Birding Trail has added Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve. (Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash)

The Alabama Birding Trail is a system of eight trails that highlight the best public locations available to watch birds year-round.

Alabama provides critical habitat for hundreds of bird species and these locations serve as a major attraction for nature-loving tourists, while offering exciting birding opportunities for Alabama’s school groups, families and seasoned birders.

For more local info like this, follow Hville Blast on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.