Thursday, October 15
1. Fort Morgan Peninsula/Trans Gulf Migration
Flyway & Hummer/Bird Study Group
6:30am – 2pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$40 – includes lunch
A stopover on the Trans Gulf Migration Flyway, Fort Morgan has been named one of the 100 Globally Important Bird Areas in the U.S. by the American Bird Conservancy. This trip will visit the banding site of Bob Sargent and the Hummer/Bird Study Group, where 2,000-4,000 birds of 85-90 species are banded and their health recorded over a two-week period each fall. You might experience the thrill of holding a migratory bird in your hand and releasing it into the air. The trip will also take in the extensive open areas and the shoreline of Fort Morgan Historical Park that are attractive to western strays and landbirds, passerine migrants, and raptors. On this trip, expect to see Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Palm Warbler, Yellow Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Catbird, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Merlin, and American Kestrel. This trip has extensive walking in brush and sand. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
2. Dauphin Island/Trans Gulf Migration Flyway
6:30am – 2pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$40 – includes lunch
Dauphin Island has been named the “Birdiest Small City” in the U.S. and for good reason—an informal count in April 2008 recorded 203 species. Located on the Trans Gulf Migration Flyway, Dauphin Island has been named by Wild Bird magazine as one of the top four locations in North America for viewing neotropical migrations. This heavy walking trip will visit prime birding spots, including the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, the Airport Marsh, Shell Mound Park, the Goat Trees, rock jetties at Fort Gaines, and the Causeway. On this trip, you might see Clapper Rail, Great Blue Heron, Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Restart, Common Yellowthroat, Brown Pelican and Black Skimmer. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
3. Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Research Vessel A. E. Verrill Cruise
7am– 3pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$45 – includes lunch
This trip provides a unique opportunity to view gulls and pelicans up close as they follow the Dauphin Island Sea Lab research vessel, the A. E. Verrill, a 65-foot, diesel-powered, steel hull boat on Mobile Bay. You can observe movements of individual feathers as the birds fly just a few feet above and around you. With the aid of marine biologists from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and birding experts, you will learn the Bay’s history, ecology, and value and examine specimens caught in a trawl net. The trip includes a stop at the George F. Crozier Estuarium and might make a close-up pass of Alabama’s only lighthouse, the Sand Island Light. Expect to see Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Black Skimmer, Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Forster’s Tern, Caspian Tern, Herring Gull—and perhaps even bottlenose dolphins.
Please note:
- The A. E. Verrill is a working boat with very limited seating. There is a small toilet onboard.
- The captain makes the final decision regarding cancellations for weather or high seas.
- You must wear closed-toe, rubber soled, lace-up shoes. No sandals. No exceptions.
4. Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Weeks Bay Explorer Cruise
7am – noon Drive Yourself or Carpool from 5 Rivers
$20
This trip provides a unique opportunity to cruise Weeks Bay, Fish River, and Magnolia River on a comfortable pontoon boat. With the aid of biologists from the Reserve and other birding experts, you will learn about estuarine ecology as you explore this beautiful estuary. After the boat trip, you may choose to take easy walks on a boardwalk through a bottomland hardwood swamp and/or a rare native pitcher plant bog. Expect to see Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, Double-crested Cormorant, Laughing Gull, Osprey, Bald Eagle and net, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Clapper Rail—and perhaps American alligator and bottlenose dolphins. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
5. Lower Mobile – Tensaw River Delta Cruise
4pm – 6pm Cruise departs from 5 Rivers
$20
One of the wildest regions of Alabama is the tangle of rivers, bayous, marshes, and swamps known as the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. This birder’s paradise has been designated as one of Alabama’s Ten Natural Wonders. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here. Enjoy a casual, relaxing cruise guided by a naturalist from the Alabama State Lands, our host at the beautiful 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, or other local expert. On this late afternoon cruise, you might see Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Boat-tailed Grackle, American White Pelican, White Ibis, Wilson’s Snipe, Laughing Gull and Forster’s Tern. Listen for the frogs and keep an eye out for nutria, northern raccoon, and American alligators! Bring bug spray.
6. Welcome Reception and Presentation
6:30pm – 8:30pm 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
$30 (includes soft drinks, wine, beer & coffee)
Enjoy a tasty selection of hors d’oeuvres and dessert and meet your fellow birders at the beautiful 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center. Browse the museum, gift shop, and display halls, gather around the stacked-stone fireplace, or just take in the expansive view of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta from the screened porch and spacious deck. Bring your binoculars! Local birder and expert photographer, Kathy Hicks, will present a slide show set to music that features a variety of birds on the Alabama Coast. Kathy is also a graphic artist and designed this year’s Alabama Coastal BirdFest poster.
Friday, October 16
7. Bayou La Batre, Forever Wild Grand Bay Savanna, Grand Bay National
Wildlife Refuge, and Point aux Pins
6:30am – 2pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$40 – includes lunch
Fishing, shrimping, and oyster harvesting are big business in the fabled land of Forrest Gump. Birding concentrates on waterbirds, shorebirds, and marsh species. Passerines and raptors are often abundant in the fall. The lands in this area are so biologically diverse that The Nature Conservancy has called it one of the “Last Great Places on Earth.” On this trip, you might see Marsh and Sedge Wrens, Seaside and Swamp Sparrows, American Oystercatcher, Black-necked Stilt, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Egret and Mottled Duck. This is a moderate walking trip. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
8. Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Weeks Bay Explorer Cruise
7am – noon Drive yourself or carpool from 5 Rivers
$20
See trip #4 on Thursday for description.
9. Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Research Vessel A. E. Verrill Cruise
7am – 3pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$45 – includes lunch
See trip #3 on Thursday for description.
10. 5 Rivers, Meaher State Park, Daphne Bayfront Parks, Jackson’s Oak &
Fairhope Bayfront Park
8am – noon Drive yourself or car pool from 5 Rivers
$20
A moderate walking tour through a variety of local habitats, including wooded trails and shoreline at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, elevated boardwalks over wetlands at Meaher State Park and Daphne Bayfront Park, wooded trails at Jackson’s Oak and the beautiful Fairhope Bayfront Park. On this trip, expect to see a wide variety of shorebirds and migratory birds including Virginia Rail, Greater Yellowlegs, American Coot, Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull, American White Pelican, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Boat-tailed Grackle, White Ibis, Wilson’s Snipe and Mallard. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
11. Lower Mobile – Tensaw River Delta Cruise
3pm – 5pm Cruise departs from 5 Rivers
$20
See trip #5 on Thursday for description. Note time change!
12. BirdFest Social, Speaker & Silent Auction
5:30pm – 9pm The James P. Nix Center in Fairhope
$35 – (includes soft drinks, wine, beer & coffee)
At the Alabama Coastal BirdFest, you’ll experience true Southern hospitality. Tonight’s event features seafood, barbecue, and seasonal local favorites. Arrive promptly at 5:30 for toe-tapping music and adult beverages and place your bids at our exciting Silent Auction. This is a great opportunity to find deals on works by many of our talented local artists and photographers. Nature-related products, art, wine, trips, and practical items will be up for bid. After dinner, we’ll hear a fascinating and beautiful presentation by Dr. Bill Summerour, ornithologist, artist, and retired chairman of the Biology Department at Jacksonville State University.
Saturday, October 17
13. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
6:30am – 2pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$40 – includes lunch
The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (BSNWR) contains 7,000 acres of coastal barrier habitat for migratory birds, nesting sea turtles, and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. Guides on this trip will include naturalists from BSNWR who are particularly familiar with this unique habitat. More than 370 species of birds have been identified on the refuge during migratory seasons. The maritime forests, coastal marsh, beaches, and open waters of the refuge provide essential habitat for an amazing diversity of birds. On this trip, you might see Scarlet Tanager, Palm Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Brown Pelican, Marsh Wren, Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Swainson’s Thrush, Osprey, Merlin, and Forster’s Tern and possibly migrating Monarch butterflies. This trip includes extensive walking through brush, wooded areas, and on the beach. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
14. Dauphin Island/Pelican Island Shorebirds
6:30am – 2pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$40 – includes lunch
Dauphin Island, a 14-mile long barrier island, has been called one of the “ten most globally important sites” for bird migration. This tour includes a visit to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a 164-acre protected oasis of maritime forest, marshes, and dunes. This trip also visits Pelican Island. This narrow strip of land, now often connected to the main island, used to surround the Sand Island Lighthouse, but has migrated closer to Dauphin Island over the centuries. On this trip, expect to see Red Knot, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Willet, Piping Plover, Black Tern, Semipalmated Plover, Laughing Gull, Brown Pelican, and Black Skimmer. Wear shoes that can get wet and pants that can be rolled up. You might have to wade to board a small boat that will take you the short distance to Pelican Island.
15. NEW! Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Backcountry Trails
6:30pm – 2pm Bus leaves 5 Rivers
$40 - includes lunch
The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail begins at the bridge over Perdido Pass. The beach and sea oat habitat are good opportunities for bird observation. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails were developed cooperatively by the City of Orange Beach and Gulf State Park in one of the last remaining maritime forest community-types along coastal Alabama. This remnant natural area serves as a lifeline for millions of migratory birds each spring and fall by providing essential food and shelter resources thereby making the birding potential excellent on any given visit. This trip includes walking along trails through sandy oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, relict dune swales and even a pitcher plant bog. Wear closed shoes and bring bug spray.
16. NEW! 5 Rivers, Mobile Bay Mudflats and Battleship Park
7am – noon Drive yourself or car pool from 5 Rivers
$20
A moderate walking tour through a variety of local habitats, including wooded trails and shoreline at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center and elevated boardwalks over wetlands at Meaher State Park. West on Battleship Parkway, the Mobile Bay mudflats can be seen from the side of the highway, and Battleship Memorial Park provides open lawns and an observation deck overlooking Pinto Pass. Expect to see herons, egrets, Boat-tail Grackle, sandpipers, plovers, White Ibis, gulls, and terns. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
17. Backyard Wildscaping
8am – noon Drive yourself or carpool from 5 Rivers
$20
Join Kent Schwartz, professor of landscape architecture at Faulkner State Community College, for this delightful walking tour of the Fairhope Campus, yards of local nature enthusiasts, and parks in Fairhope that successfully combine native plants, ornamentals, and water features to create bird and butterfly friendly environments. The trip includes a stop at Fairhope’s Knoll Park for a glimpse of a rare coastal sandhill ecosystem, currently undergoing renovation to reestablish native species.
18. Lower Mobile – Tensaw River Delta Cruise
5pm – 7pm Cruise departs from 5 Rivers
$20
See trip #5 on Thursday for description. Note time change!
Sunday, October 18
19. Blakeley Island Mud Ponds, Polecat Bay and William Brooks Park
6:30am – 12 noon Drive yourself or carpool from 5 Rivers
$20
This area along the Mobile River provides an opportunity to view large numbers of waterfowl and waders. Blakeley Island is near the west end of the Mobile Causeway, and is best known for its large dredge disposal ponds. These ponds are the premier shorebirding spots in the State, and can offer looks at hundreds of shorebirds. The shallow ponds along the road as you approach the dikes are often good for shorebirds. William Brooks Park is managed by the City of Chickasaw and features a boardwalk that offers an easy walk that accesses a viewing pavilion. Check for waders, waterfowl and Osprey in the open areas over the creek. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring bug spray.
20. Bayou La Batre, Forever Wild Grand Bay Savanna, Grand Bay National
Wildlife Refuge, and Point aux Pins
6:30am – 2pm Bus leaves from 5 Rivers
$40 – includes lunch
See trip #7 on Friday for description.
21. Lower Mobile – Tensaw River Delta Cruise
7am – 9am Cruise departs from 5 Rivers
$20
See trip #5 on Thursday for description. Note time change! |
