Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
attracted people who swim and party here and then leave all their trash behind; every time I
have been there, it has been spoiled by litter. Still, a short hike down the canyon is nice, and
the same variety of songbirds are possible here, as well. I have found Acadian flycatchers to
be particularly watchable here, often for long periods at minimum focus.
Natural Bridge is a very accessible spot that provides a nice canyon with an impressive
natural bridge of sandstone across the upper portion of the canyon. This picnic area is just a
mile north of US 278 on Winston County Road 63, and a short, 0.5 mile loop trail takes you
into the canyon, under the bridge, up the far canyon wall, and back to the parking lot through
an upland pine-hardwood forest. Various warblers can be found here in spring; in particular,
look for worm-eating warblers foraging among the huge leaves of the big-leaf magnolia trees.
Great crested flycatchers are common, and I have often encountered pairs of nesting tufted
titmouse in hollow trees right along the trail before it descends into the canyon.
For more information about the Bankhead Forest and the Sipsey Wilderness and maps
of the area, write Supervisor's Office, National Forests in Alabama, 2946 Chestnut Street,
Montgomery, AL 36107.
WHEELER DAM
On SH 101, north of US Alternate 72 and south of US 72, Wheeler Dam provides a good
spot for viewing wintering birds on the Tennessee River. Birds that can be seen here include
common loon (often in large numbers), hundreds of ring-billed gulls, American coot, great
blue heron, belted kingfisher, and various ducks. This is a very wide dam, and a spotting
scope is a much-needed tool for viewing the birds adequately. On rare occasions, Franklin's
gull has been seen here.
On the southern side of the dam, there is a visitor's center and a good area for picnicking
and for looking out over the water. The road crosses the dam, and there are parking lots on
both sides of the road on the northern end of the dam. From the northern end of the dam, one
can gain access to the walkways along the tops of the two locks; these walkways allow you to
go some distance above and below the dam to look out over the water for birds. The simple
rule at the dam is that if you have to open a gate, you cannot go there; all areas that do not
require the opening of a gate to gain access to are open to the public. There are rest rooms
available at the entrance to the locks.
Joe Wheeler State Park Resort is a major golf, marina, and recreation center that can
provide some good views over Wheeler Lake; birds that can be seen at the dam may be seen
here, but usually in smaller numbers. The entrance to the resort is located on US 72, 4.2 miles
east of where SH 101 and US 72 intersect.
