Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail Coming to Clay County

Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail

The PPBT mascot is the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus).

This majestic owl will grace our directional signs, interpretive panels, brochures and all printed materials. Its distinctive silhouette will easily announce our trail and sidebar locations.  Each portion of the Alabama Birding Trails has its own mascot to differentiate it from the other seven  trails. All mascot signs will be similar to create a consistent presentation.

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce is assisting the Alabama Tourism Department and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to complete a state-wide system of birding trails.  Four trails already exist.  The Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail (PPBT) is one of the remaining four that will complete the Alabama Birding Trail system.

Clay County is working toward launching its PPBT Trails in the Fall of 2011. There are 5 sites approved for Clay County: Ashland Park, Lineville Park, Clay County Lake, Lake Chinbee and Ashland/Lineville Water Shed. We’re still working on funding from the county and cities.

The PPBT consists of the following nine counties:  Autauga, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Randolph and Tallapoosa.  Each of these counties has tremendous tourism ‘assets’ that will provide a multitude of experiences for visitors, not the least of which is the immense bird population the state is privileged to have.   The secret to a successful birding trail is having the proper habitat for the numerous species of birds that call Alabama home.  We are also a favorite on the migratory pathways during the Spring and Fall. Alabama is fortunate in that we have the most diverse habitat in the Southeast, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf coast and everything in-between, with the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail in the center. Add the extra special side trips on the trail and your complete birding adventure is sure to please.

A 2006 survey by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&W) shows that 48 million people participated in bird watching and spent $35 billion to do it.  This includes motels, food, shopping, gasoline and all that is needed to sustain you when you visit birding locations. It can also include canoe/kayak rentals for the incredible floating bird-watching.