4 Hot Spots to Go Birdwatching in the Alabama Black Belt

Ready to get your feet wet on another birding adventure, but not sure what new places you might be able to explore? With over 800 species of birds in North America and 430 bird species documented in Alabama, your love for birding or birdwatching you might lead you to exploring this southern state to check more bird sightings off your list.

Whether you’re a resident of Alabama or simply touring, you might be wondering which new birds you have a chance to spot when you’re in Alabama or the Alabama Black Belt.

Below we’ve compiled a list of 4 must-see sites to visit that stretch along the south-central part of the state. This list includes a handpicked selection of state parks, trails, forests, and private property to help you create a birding experience you won’t forget.

#1 Lake Livingston and Trails

Lake Livingston is located in Sumter County among a slew of walking trails and is known as one of southwest Alabama’s most outstanding birding sites.

Acres: 54 acres

Year-round Birds: Herons, Egrets, and Barred Owls

Warmer Months: Swallows, Waders, Hummingbirds, Common Nighthawks, and Chuck-will’s-widows

Colder Months: Waterfowl

GPS: 32.602958 -88.189811

Lake LU

UWA Station 30

Livingston, AL 35470

(205) 652-9266

#2 Chickasaw State Park

Chickasaw State Park is a public recreation area located in Marengo County with modern campsites, wading pool, hiking trails, a barbeque grilling pavilion.

Acres: 520+ acres

Year-round Birds: Migrant, Songbirds, Northern Flickers, Wild Turkeys, Bobwhites, Warblers, Vireos, and Woodpeckers

Warmer Months: White-eyed Vireos and Indigo Buntings

Colder Months: Slate-colored Juncos, Chipping and White-throated Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Palm Warblers

GPS: N 32.361897 W -87.779475

Chickasaw State Park

26955 U.S. Hwy. 43

Gallion, AL 36742

(334) 295-8230

#3 Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours

Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours is located on 200 acres of family property in Newbern, Alabama. The property is privately owned and has been in the family since the 1800s. The land consists of pasture, bottom-land hardwood, creeks, a Black Angus cattle farm, and a 6-mile long nature trail accessible to the public by reservation only.

Acres: 200 acres

Year-round Birds: Wood Stork, American White Pelicans, White Ibis, Swallow Tailed Kite, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Osprey, Mississippi Kite, and Loggerhead Shrike.

GPS: 32.54661, -87.591894

1965 County Road 57

Newbern, AL 36765

(334) 300-5509

#4 Tuskegee National Forest

Tuskegee National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in Macon County. The land consists of hiking trails, horse trails, fish ponds, the Uchee Shooting Range, Tsinia Wildlife Viewing Area, primitive camping, and the Taska Recreation Area.

Acres: 11,252 acres

Year-round Birds: Woodland Songbirds, Northern Bobwhites, American Woodcocks, Wading Birds, Woodpeckers, Pine Warblers and Brown-headed Nuthatches

Warmer Months: Summer Tanagers, Red-eyed Vireos, Wood Thrushes, Great Crested Flycatchers, Yellow-throated Vireos, Northern Parulas, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Swainson’s Warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Wild Turkeys, Red-shouldered Hawks, Barred Owls, Prairie Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Eastern Bluebirds, Field Sparrows, Eastern Towhees, Common Yellowthroats, Indigo Buntings, Eastern Kingbirds, Blue Grosbeaks, Chuck-will’s-widows, Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Mississippi Kites, Kentucky Warblers, Wood Thrushes, Yellow-throated Warblers, and Bachman’s Sparrows

Colder Months: Chipping Sparrows, Slate-colored Juncos, and Hermit Thrushes

GPS: N 32.46835 W -85.57703