The Alabama Nature Center at Lanark offers 350 acres of forests, fields, streams, wetlands and ponds that are traversed by five miles of boardwalks and trails in three regions: Still Creek Run, Turkey Ridge, and Hilltop Pass. The trails provide easy access to the surrounding woodlands to look for Summer Tanagers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Wood Peewees, Wood Thrushes, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos. In winter, expect Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets to join the local feeding flocks in the trees, with Hermit Thrushes below. The small bridge on the entrance road spans an occasional stream which is an excellent place to seek out Louisiana Waterthrushes and Acadian Flycatchers in the warmer months.

The central portion of the property near the Nature Center is open and easily accessible, providing excellent sight lines. It is populated by Eastern Bluebirds, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Brown Thrashers. In the open fields to the west of the main house, you may see Eastern Meadowlarks, Field and Chipping Sparrows, and Killdeer throughout the year. If it's a wet winter, look for American Pipits, and the occasional shorebird in migration. Scan the skies over the fields for soaring hawks. Mississippi Kites breed in the area and may congregate above the open fields in late summer, along with Swallow-tailed Kites. The same open fields may attract the occasional Northern Harrier in the winter, and Horned Owls may stand sentinel over the fields in the evenings.

The Alabama Nature Center provides a gracious, attractive landscape with a variety of habitat types in close proximity. It should be a good location to scout for migrant songbirds in spring and fall.

The NaturePlex is open 6 days/week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Alabama Nature Center Members are able to come out on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. through their personal card access.

Contact Alabama Nature Center - Lanark

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Alabama Nature Center - Lanark is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.

Listed in:

• Ecotourism