Half-Day Field Trip: Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

Turkey Creek is one of our local treasured gems and home to some of Alabama’s most outstanding natural beauty. Woods on both sides of the road provide habitat for wintering birds.

Also a site on the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail, Turkey Creek is a fast-flowing stream with rapids and waterfalls. This is the also the home of the Vermillion Darter (which lives only in Turkey Creek and nowhere else in the world), the Watercress Darter and the Rush Darter. We should expect to see Cedar Waxwings, and Pileated and Hairy woodpeckers. Winter Wrens are sometimes seen along the stream near exposed tree roots. Species like American Goldfinches and sparrows should also be seen.

Directions: From I 20 E/ I 59 N take exit 128 Tallapoosa Street/ Hwy 79. Continue for approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto Narrows Road, travel 0.25 miles to the entrance of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.
GPS: 33.700684-86.690295