Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To reach the Nature Center, take exit 133 off I-59 coming from downtown Birmingham,
north of where I-59 diverges from I-20; go south (right) on 4th Avenue South, and then turn
left on 81st Street South and follow it to the Center. Coming into town on I-59, take exit 132
(northbound and southbound exits are numbered separately); turn left on SH 11 (1st Avenue
North), go under the interstate and immediately turn left onto 80th Street at the first traffic
light. Then go to 4th Avenue South, turn left and then turn right after one block onto 81st
Street. 81st Street South will dead-end into the refuge; there is a Dead End sign with a Ruffn-
er Mountain sign below it. The headquarters is an old house on the right. Continuing past the
gate a short ways will take you to a parking lot, a gift shop, and the trailhead for the park's
seven miles of trails. The park is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays. For more information on the
preserve, write Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, AL
35206.
Lake Purdy
Just south of the city is Lake Purdy, which is owned by the Birmingham Water and Sewer
Board. As the city's largest supply of drinking water, Lake Purdy has limited recreational
opportunities in order to minimize the possibility of contamination due to human activities.
At many times of the year, particularly depending on how much the lake has been drawn
down, Lake Purdy provides good birding. This lake has been known to be central Alabama's
best magnet for usual species, particularly water birds. On the Water Board's property around
the lake there is a fairly healthy colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers, but sighting one is
not guaranteed. Access to the lake is somewhat limited. Shoreline birding is available at two
points where roads cross part of the lake, and at a fish camp. At the fish camp, small boats
can be rented, and if you want to see the lake and to check out its surrounding woods thor-
oughly, renting a boat is the best way to do it.
Despite the difficulty in getting to much of the lake and its fluctuating birding conditions,
Purdy attracts some rare and unusual winter casuals and accidentals along with more common
species of wintering waterfowl. Some of the rarer sightings have been greater scaup, white-
winged scoter, snow goose, buff-breasted sandpiper, and red, Wilson's, and northern
phalaropes. Various duck and goose species, eared grebe, and common loon have been
sighted here. In Imhof's topic
Alabama Birds
, he notes the dramatic decline of water birds
in the Birmingham area, particularly Lake Purdy, from the 1944 to 1972 Christmas counts;
this decline demonstrates the loss and degradation of available habitat. Call the AOS rare
bird hotline, particularly during winter, to see if there is something at Lake Purdy warranting
a special trip. White pelican has been found at Lake Purdy from time to time, and green-
