Courtesy Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail

HEFLIN, Ala. — Daylong ceremonies Dec. 1 at the Mountain Center in Heflin officially launched the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail, which winds through nine counties of northeastern Alabama.
Three years in development, the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail features 38 approved sites covering over 4 million acres in Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Talladega counties.

The trail is marked with directional signs, and there are interpretative signs at many sites, featuring an overall trail map and information on the types of birds most commonly spotted at that site.

There are gateway sites (visitor centers) in several counties with trail maps and information pertinent to that county.

When completed, www.alabamabirdingtrails.com will offer detailed information about all of Alabama’s eight birding trails.