FRIDAY, October 9, 6:30 a.m.
DAPHNE BAYFRONT PARK AND MEAHER STATE PARK
This field trip explores the east side of diverse Mobile Bay, birding that combines open-water views, shoreline habitat, and rich delta wetlands. These two easily accessible sites along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail offer outstanding opportunities to observe waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, raptors, and seasonal migrants. As with many coastal and wetland sites, birders should remain mindful of potential hazards including snakes and alligators. Construction zones should be respected at all times.
Daphne Bayfront Park
Daphne Bayfront Park is a premier north Mobile Bay birding location featuring wetlands, pine forest edges, shoreline, and a fishing pier. Although portions of the main park area are under construction through April 2027, the pier and adjacent beach areas are often accessible and remain productive birding spots. This site is especially well known for wintering waterbirds including scaups and grebes, shorebirds along the beach and mud edges, and migrant songbirds during spring. The pier provides sweeping views of Mobile Bay, where scanning can reveal diving ducks, loons, pelicans, and passing gulls or terns.
Meaher State Park
The park is located in the wetlands of north Mobile Bay and contains 1,327 acres of a rich mix of delta habitat. Two scenic boardwalks extend into the bay, offering panoramic views and close access to feeding and roosting birds. On the south side of the island looking west, White Ibis are frequently observed. Near the entrance, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons may be seen foraging on crabs.
After stopping at the gatehouse to pay the nominal entrance fee, drive to the shell road (approximately ¼ mile) and park near the chain. From there, walk toward the boardwalk extending into Mobile Bay.
FRIDAY, October 9, 6:30 a.m.
EXPLORING DAUPHIN ISLAND: OFF THE BEATEN BIRDING PATH (Gorgas Swamp, Longfellow lots, Porter lot, Eco-Park, and Bienville Beach with a $10 parking charge)
Join us as we explore some of Dauphin Island’s lesser-known birding locations. Rather than concentrating on the island’s familiar hotspots, we’ll visit a variety of protected lots, wetlands, wooded areas, and coastal habitats. Each stop offers a different birding experience—and during migration, there is always the possibility of a surprise!
Gorgas Swamp
One of Dauphin Island’s important freshwater wetland areas, Gorgas Swamp provides a striking contrast to the surrounding coastal environment. Its forested wetlands and tupelo gums provide valuable habitat for both resident and migratory birds. We’ll watch the canopy, understory, and wet areas for warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, wrens, and other woodland and wetland species.
Longfellow Reserve
Tucked behind the island’s water tower, the Longfellow Reserve protects heavily wooded lots just inland from the main dune line. A short loop trail takes us through this small but valuable patch of habitat, where mature vegetation provides food and shelter for migrating songbirds. We’ll carefully work the trees and understory in search of warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, flycatchers, and other migrants.
Porter Lot
This small protected property demonstrates just how important even a single undeveloped lot can be to birds on a barrier island. We’ll take our time scanning the vegetation for birds feeding, resting, or seeking shelter. Stops such as this are a great reminder that on Dauphin Island, productive birding does not always require a large preserve—a small patch of suitable habitat can hold a wonderful assortment of migrants.
Eco-Park
At Eco-Park, we’ll explore another piece of the island’s diverse natural landscape. Open areas, edges, shrubs, and nearby coastal habitat give us opportunities to look for a different mix of species. We’ll keep an eye out for both migrant songbirds and resident island birds while also watching overhead for raptors and other birds moving across the island.
Bienville Beach & Tidal Pools
We’ll trade trees for sand and open sky at Bienville Beach, where the tidal pools and shallow wet areas can attract feeding and resting shorebirds. We’ll scan the pools, beach, wrack line, and Gulf waters for plovers, sandpipers, gulls, terns, herons, egrets, and other coastal birds. Bring a spotting scope if you have one—this is a great location to slow down and practice identifying shorebirds while enjoying an entirely different side of Dauphin Island birding.
Please Note: This field trip includes several short walks and travel by vehicle between locations. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, sun protection, and a spotting scope if available. Paid parking is required at Bienville Beach through ParkMobile (Zone 95202). The same daily payment may be used at the town-owned beaches that day.
SATURDAY, October 10, 6:30 a.m.
EXPLORING DAUPHIN ISLAND (Shell Mounds, Goat Trees, Audubon Sanctuary)
Birdwatching on Dauphin Island during fall migration is admittedly a touch and go proposition. Known as a classic migrant trap along the Gulf Coast, birds pause to tank up on calories before jumping off across the Gulf. Many factors affect the saturation of birds at any given moment including wind, available food, and weather farther north, but generally fall migration birding is quite good. This field trip explores three of Dauphin Island’s most iconic birding areas, each offering unique habitats that concentrate migrating and resident species.
Shell Mounds
The Shell Mounds are massive piles of oyster shells left by Native Americans centuries ago, now transformed into a shaded birding haven beneath towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss—one believed to be over 800 years old, which sadly succumbed to winds this summer. These cool, sheltered woods are prime habitat. Warblers, tanagers, vireos, and thrushes often feed at eye level, creating unforgettable close-up birding experiences.
Goat Trees
Just east of the Shell Mounds, the Goat Trees area is named for enormous oak trees where legend says wild goats once hid from alligators. Today, these moss-covered giants create a peaceful, protected woodland ideal for birding during migration. The dense canopy and abundant insects make this a magnet for passerines, while the quiet setting allows birders to slowly work mixed flocks moving through the trees.
Audubon Bird Sanctuary
The Sanctuary spans 164 acres of diverse coastal habitat, including maritime pine forest, swamps, a freshwater lake, and dune systems that lead directly to the beach. A 1,000-foot handicap-accessible boardwalk offers excellent lake views where herons, egrets, and other wetland birds, plus alligators, are regularly seen. The sanctuary is part of a Globally Important Bird Area and is open 24 hours a day, making it one of the premier birding destinations on the Gulf Coast.
SATURDAY, October 10, 6:30 a.m.
CODEN MUDFLAT AREA AND PELICAN PENINSULA
Dauphin Island has been recognized as one of the “ten most globally important sites” for bird migration. We will visit two hotspots on this trip.
Coden Mudflat Area
Coden Mudflat area (30.35, -88.12) is the Dauphin Island Causeway Shoreline Restoration Project that stretches from Bayfront Park to Cedar Point and represents one of the largest investments in Alabama coastal resilience. The three-phase project protects the only access road between Dauphin Island and the mainland while rebuilding critical marsh habitat. Phase 1: Segmented rock breakwaters installed along 3+ miles of shoreline. Phase 2: Beneficial use of dredge material from the Mobile Ship Channel to create a marsh platform and sand berm. Phase 3: Native grass plantings and tidal creek construction to restore natural hydrology. Gaps in the breakwaters allow tidal flow, creating nursery habitat for shrimp, crabs, and fish species, fueling the rich food web that draws shorebirds and waders. The mudflats between Bayfront Park and the Dauphin Island Bridge are a prime, easily accessible birding location along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail—best viewed at low tide. These nutrient-rich flats attract a diversity of shorebirds, herons, and egrets, with occasional surprises such as Roseate Spoonbills. Parking is limited along the Causeway; carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Pelican Peninsula
Connected to Dauphin Island near the public beach and pier, Pelican “Island” is a narrow strip of sand that historically migrated from the Sand Island Lighthouse and is currently attached to Dauphin Island. Shorebirds and waders congregate along the tidal edges, often at eye level. Depending on water and sand conditions, participants may need to wade shallow water to access portions of the peninsula. For this trip wear sunscreen, and shoes that can get wet.
SATURDAY, October 10, 6:30 a.m.
ACROSS THE BAY: FORT MORGAN BIRDING & BIRD BANDING
All aboard for a birding adventure across Mobile Bay! We’ll leave Dauphin Island aboard the Mobile Bay Ferry (the first ferry departs at 8:00 a.m.) and travel across the mouth of Mobile Bay to historic Fort Morgan, combining birding, bird banding, and a little Alabama history in one memorable field trip.
Birding the Ferry Crossing
The birding begins before we even reach Fort Morgan! During the ferry crossing, we’ll scan Mobile Bay and the surrounding waters for gulls, terns, Brown Pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, and other coastal birds. Keep your binoculars handy throughout the trip; you never know what may fly past or appear on the water. And, while they aren’t birds, dolphins are always a welcome bonus!
Fort Morgan Bird Banding Station
Once across the bay, we’ll visit the bird banding station operated by the Banding Coalition of the Americas. Our keynote speakers, Kyle Shephard and Dr. Emma Rhodes operate the bird banding. Here participants will have the special opportunity to see migratory birds up close while learning how trained, federally permitted banders collect important information about migration, bird populations, and individual birds.
Depending on migration and weather conditions, we may see a variety of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, tanagers, buntings, and other migrants. Watching a tiny bird being carefully measured, banded, and safely released provides a perspective that even the best view through binoculars cannot duplicate.
Birding Fort Morgan
We’ll also spend time birding the grounds surrounding historic Fort Morgan. Located at the tip of the Fort Morgan Peninsula, this area can be especially exciting during migration. Its trees, thickets, open areas, and surrounding coastal habitats provide places for migrating birds to rest and refuel before continuing their journey.
We’ll explore the area in search of migrant songbirds while also watching for raptors, wading birds, shorebirds, gulls, terns, and other coastal species. As with all Gulf Coast migration birding, what we find will depend on the weather and the birds; part of the fun is never knowing what might turn up!
FEES & IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Participants are responsible for both ferry transportation and admission to Fort Morgan. The Mobile Bay Ferry carries both walk-on passengers and vehicles between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. Ferry fees vary depending on whether you walk aboard or take a vehicle.
An entrance fee is also required to enter the Fort Morgan State Historic Site. There is no additional charge to visit the bird banding station after entering the historic site.
Ferry schedules and fees are subject to change, so participants should check current information before the trip. Because ferry space for vehicles is limited and service operates on a first-come, first-served basis, participants should plan accordingly.
What to Bring
Binoculars, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, comfortable closed-toe walking shoes, and a folding chair if you would like to spend an extended period watching the banding operation. A spotting scope may also be useful for birding from the ferry and around Fort Morgan.
Come prepared for a field trip that is as much about the journey as the destination—from birding across Mobile Bay to seeing migrating birds in the hand and exploring one of Alabama’s most historic and productive coastal birding areas.
SATURDAY, October 10, 7:00 a.m. Through the Lens: Photographing Dauphin Island’s Birds & Nature Workshop/Field Trip
Join veteran and well-known nature photographer Kathy Hicks for an instructional outing on Dauphin Island. This field-based workshop will include tips and tricks for finding and photographing birds and nature with an artist’s perspective. Attendees should be familiar with their camera and also be prepared to take a leisurely stroll down the beach. A number of species of shorebirds, herons & egrets, gulls and terns is possible during this trip.
SUNDAY, October 11, 6:30 a.m.
BLAKELY ISLAND MUDFLAT LAKES
For adventurous spring birders, the Blakeley Island Mud Lakes offer one of coastal Alabama’s most productive shorebird and waterfowl locations. This complex of dredge disposal ponds can host an impressive diversity of species, where mudflats and shallow water create prime feeding conditions.
After parking, we will walk the dirt road up onto the dike and continue east. Birders must remain on the road or the tops of the dikes at all times. Depending on water levels, the first pond on the right (south side) often provides excellent viewing of waterfowl such as Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Mottled Duck, and Northern Shoveler, along with gulls, terns, and a wide array of shorebirds.
IMPORTANT ACCESS & SAFETY INFORMATION
The Mud Lakes are former industrial waste treatment sites, and the waters in these dredge material management ponds can be extremely caustic. The ponds are actively used for dredge material disposal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Alabama State Port Authority.
• Do NOT leave the road or the tops of the dikes for any reason.
• Entry to certain upper ponds is by permit only.
• Water levels fluctuate daily, affecting bird concentrations and viewing conditions.
• There are no facilities on site.
• Expect potentially long, possibly hot, and exposed walks.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, sturdy footwear, and insect repellent.
Permit Requirement
Access to Blakeley Island is only allowed with a valid annual permit on file with the Alabama State Port Authority. Attempts to visit without filing the proper permit can result in loss of visitation privileges for all birders. Please complete the required permit registration here: https://www.alports. com/birding/
The AOS website (https://www.aosbirds.org/alabama-birding/blakeley-island/) provides an updated map indicating which ponds are currently open to visitors.