Marthaler Lane Ponds, Colbert Conty, Alabama

In the words of Steve McConnell:

"The Marthaler Ponds are about 2-3 miles, as the crow flies, WNW of Leighton.   ...maps may not show them correctly ...since they are seasonal and used for irrigation - by late summer they are usually dry. The ponds fill again with the fall/winter rains and usually hold the best concentration of waterfowl in the area. Since they are >30 acres in size, a scope is needed to ferret out all the birds present. As the water shrinks in summer, food concentrates and hoards of waders sometimes gather to gorge themselves. I've had around 200 Great Egrets there at once! Access to the ponds is very good - the shoulder was widened a few years ago. About the only downside is the seemingly incessant wind which makes scope viewing difficult at times. Past rarities: Eared Grebe, Upland Sandpiper, Hudsonian and Marbled Godwits, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Baird's Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Peregrine Falcon, etc."

Directions: Go west from Leighton on Old Hwy. 20 (Co. 22) for about 2 miles to Marthaler Lane (Co. 63). Turn right (north) and go about 2 miles, crossing RR tracks, to ponds on both sides of road.

I'll have photos and a map here soon.