Located in the heart of Alabama's Tennessee River Valley, the Central portion of the North Alabama Birding Trail provides incredible birding for long-time residents or short-term visitors. With the presence of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge running between Decatur and Huntsville, birds and other wildlife are guaranteed on any visit. The habitat diversity on Wheeler and this region should provide the visitor with an astounding diversity of bird species as well.

Wheeler NWR is well-known for its impressive concentrations and diversity of waterfowl each winter. The refuge has raised waterfowl-watching to an art-form with its impressive interpretive facilities and improved wetlands. Add to this, flocks of wintering Sandhill Cranes, Tupelo Swamps ringing with the songs of Prothonotary Warblers, and Ospreys fishing right next to the road. You'll soon extend your stay.

Spring is, perhaps, the best time to visit, for wintering birds are about to leave and the summer residents have just arrived. This is the time to carefully check sites like Dancy Bottoms and Monte Sano State Park for concentrations of wood warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, and orioles as they head north to nest and raise their young. It is not unusual to record over 100 species of birds in a single morning at this time of year, including some of the state's most uncommon species.

A break from the water and the woods is available at the 3M Wildlife Area and the Winfred Thomas Agriculture Research Station where grassland and open country species including Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Northern Bobwhite dominate the landscape. With a little luck, visitors might even spy a few Scissor-tailed Flycatchers.

The symbols used here are those of the various signing (official and unofficial) used by the Forest Service in marking recreation and other accommodations throughout the national forests.