Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hawks that nest on or near Mt. Cheaha include red-shouldered, red-tailed, broad-winged,
and sharp-shinned; they can often be seen with their fledglings during late spring and early
summer. During spring and fall migration one can sometimes see many hawks flying past the
cliffs of the park, but as with many birding activities, it is a hit-or-miss thing. I have been
there some days and seen dozens of hawks within a few hours and on other days seen none at
all. There is always the possibility of a Cooper's hawk passing by the cliffs.
Other spring and summer birds of note at Cheaha are the black-throated green warbler,
worm-eating warbler, indigo bunting, summer tanager, scarlet tanager, and ovenbird. I have
never had much luck with fall migrants here; however, the autumn colors of the changing
leaves can be very spectacular at the park. Sitting at the cliff just below the restaurant in sum-
mer and early fall can provide nice views of bats silhouetted against the colors of the sunset
as they leave their roosts in the trees and cliffs below.
Part of the 100-mile-long Pinhoti Trail runs through Cheaha State Park. That trail is dis-
cussed in the section on the Talladega National Forest.
More information, and details about camping, rooms at the lodge, or renting a cabin or
chalet can be obtained by writing: Division of State Parks, Alabama Dept. of Conservation
and Natural Resources, 64 North Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130. Or you can call
1-800-ALA-PARK, nationwide.
OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
As the state's largest state park, just south of Birmingham, Alabama's largest city, Oak
Mountain State Park gets a great deal of use. Thus, much of the park has been extensively de-
veloped for modern recreation, and this development includes large man-made lakes, a golf
course, a demonstration farm, riding stables, tennis courts, cottages, a big campground, and
much more. The park's almost 10,000 acres also include room for 31.5 miles of trails through
its wilder, undeveloped portions. This extensive trail system allows for day hikes or back-
packing trips of almost any length. Most of the trails provide access to the various pine, hard-
wood, and mixed forests that cover Double Oak Mountain and its surrounding foothills.
Although it can get hot in the summer, Oak Mountain State Park is a good location for
year-round birding. Winter is good for extensive hiking with comfortable temperatures and
no hunting to worry about. Because it is a protected area of significant size in the midst of
urban and suburban development and agricultural areas, Oak Mountain attracts a fair number
of migrant species during the spring and autumn. Catching species of birds that do not nest in
Alabama but only migrate through to the north is largely a matter of luck, but Oak Mountain
provides an easily accessible place to spot migrants in the middle of the state.
