Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An extensive bluebird trail in the park provides a healthy population of eastern bluebirds.
Look for them along the road, in the golf course, and alongside the parking lot at the Alabama
Wildlife Rescue Service center. The private AWRS is headquartered in the old restaurant in
the park; follow the signs from the recreation lake. At the AWRS, thousands of injured and
orphaned animals and birds are cared for each year; the goal of the group is to rehabilitate
these creatures so that they can be released back into the wild. The care of injured wild anim-
als and birds is fascinating to learn about, and this facility allows visitors to see what is being
done and to watch some of the animals and birds from behind one-way glass. An excellent
learning opportunity for children and adults alike, the AWRS center is a must-see place while
at Oak Mountain.
Eastern Bluebird
Also stop by the Treetop Nature Trail across from the park headquarters. Operated by the
AWRS, this boardwalk trail takes you up into the trees and has a number of large, elevated
cages enclosing birds of prey that have been too severely injured to be released back into the
wild. Usually on display are barred owl, great horned owl, red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed
hawk, and black vulture. The trail also has a rare, albino barred owl. In spring, many migrat-
ing songbirds can be seen from the Treetop Nature Trail and from the ground-level trails that
lead into the woods from the nature trail.
The dirt road that goes to Peavine Falls takes you up to the top of Oak Mountain and
provides good views over the valley below. Stopping at one of the picnic tables or other clear
