Cost: 0
Capacity: 20
LOCATION DESCRIPTION / In-person: Join Alabama Audubon in celebrating Birdability Week this year from October 21-27, 2024! This week-long event is dedicated to making birding accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of ability. Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard will lead a Big Sit for our first celebration of the week at Oak Mountain State Park at the Peavine Gorge / ADA Overlook. The overlook is located on the south end of the park on the drive up to Peavine Falls and is accessible for all people. It includes benches for sitting and plenty of space to relax and scan the sky for raptors and canopy below for songbirds. Guests are welcome to spend as much or as little time at the overlook with Andrew. Feel free to bring a chair, snacks, water, and hangout with all types of birders!
Late October is a great time to do a mountain overlook Big Sit as birds pass south through our area. Many of the transient warblers will have passed through but some may still linger, including Tennessee and Bay-breasted Warblers. Other songbirds will be arriving for their southern wintering grounds and may be present in good numbers, including Palm Warblers, Blue-headed Vireos, and Hermit Thrushes. This is a great spot to sit once the weather begins to warm, and heat thermals rise along the ridgelines. Raptors such Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, and Red-tailed Hawks should be moving through in large numbers, providing a great lesson in raptor watching from the comfort of the overlook.
LOCATION DETAILS / In-person: There are restrooms located in the park but not next to the overlook, so please plan accordingly.
Please note there are entry fees for this Alabama State Park as follows:
• $5 per Adult (age 12+)
• $2 per Child (age 4 to 11)
• $2 per Senior (age 62+)
• Free for ages 3 & under
• All Active Military, Retired Military, and Veterans are Free
TRAVEL INFORMATION : We will meet at the Peavine Gorge / ADA Overlook at Oak Mountain State Park.
Oak Mountain’s Address:
200 Terrace Dr
Pelham, AL 35124
Coordinates for Overlook: (33.30486, -86.76379)
TRIP LEADER Your trip leader for this event will be Andrew Lydeard // (703) 606-8956
ACCESSIBILITY We will be sitting at the Peavine Gorge ADA Overlook for the entirety of the event. The overlook is wheelchair accessible with ample parking. Seating may be limited depending on how many attendees there are at a given time, so a camp chair or other seat might be a good backup plan just in case. While the overlook is flat, the pavement surrounding and leading up to the overlook may have uneven slopes or contain obstacles such as sticks or rocks.
REQUIRED Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver when registering. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
CANCELLATION The event will only be canceled in the event of hazardous conditions. If you need to cancel at the last minute, please email or text your trip leaders.
Please continue joining Alabama Audubon as a member or donor to help us continue to offer accessible, educational programs and events across the state. Your generosity enables us to advance research, education, and advocacy efforts to protect birds in Alabama and beyond.