Alabama Coastal BirdFest

Birders and nature lovers flock to south Alabama every year to experience one of the Gulf Coast's prime birdwatching opportunities during fall migration. During Alabama Coastal BirdFest, more than 370 bird species have been spotted at various locations along Alabama's Gulf Coast, and BirdFest guides expertly lead attendees on boat and walking trips to some of the best birding spots in the area, including locations along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.

Alabama Coastal BirdFest takes attendees into the Mobile Delta, to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, historic Fort Morgan, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and more. Back by popular demand, we have also included a trip to our neighboring state, Mississippi, to the Sand Hill Crane Refuge. The three-day event also includes workshops on subjects such as hummingbirds, the basics of birding, workshops on how to use common birding apps such as eBird and Merlin Bird ID, and understanding bird box design for specific species. A free, family-friendly Bird and Nature Expo will be held at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Saturday of BirdFest, October 5th, from 9am-1pm. The Expo highlights other local non-profits and environmental agencies and offers hands-on activities and boat cruises lead by a junior birder! Click here to learn more about the Bird and Nature Expo.

Since 2004, BirdFest has raised more than $100,000 to help preserve and protect vital coastal bird and wildlife habitat and increase awareness of the great biological diversity of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Schedule of Events:

6:30am - 2:00pm: Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Research Vessel Alabama Discovery Cruise

Join marine biologists from Dauphin Island Sea Lab for a cruise aboard the Alabama Discovery research vessel. Learn the Bay's history, ecology, and value, perhaps spotting bottlenose dolphins while seeing the Sand Island Lighthouse up close, and view specimens caught in a trawl net. You'll see a variety of terns and gulls and might spot a Northern Gannet or Magnificent Frigatebird. Includes a stop at the Alabama Aquarium on Dauphin Island. Snacks provided. 'Requires notarized form to board vessel, which will be emailed to you upon registration.

Meet at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center to get on the chartered bus
Price: $70

6:30am - 12:00pm: Birding and Banding Tour at Historic Fort Morgan on Mobile Bay

Great birdwatching and a chance to see bird banding in action! This charter bus trip will take you to historic Fort Morgan, a designated globally important bird area and an eBird hotspot. From shorebirds along edge of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to southbound neotropical migrants seeking the security of the wooded Stables area, this site is full of potential for a strong compilation of species. The Fall is the prime opportunity to spot migrating hawks over the open fields and dune habitat. Then, stop by a Banding Coalition of the Americas' bird banding site to see warblers, vireos, grosbeak and more up close and personal. Snacks provided. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray.

Meet at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center to get on the chartered bus
Price: $70

6:45am - 9:45am: Bayfront Park and Village Point Park Preserve

These two parks on the northeast tip of Mobile Bay are together a favorite spot for birders and commercial bird tour operators from around the world! They form a single eBird hotspot at which 267 species of birds have been found. Look out from the piers to see the upper bay where shorebirds, gulls, terns, and herons frequent the mudflats. The swamps hold a variety of rails, including Virginia. Along paths through river bottom hardwoods, look for groups of migrant warblers, including Cerulean, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, and Canada warblers. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray.

Meet at Village Point/Bayfront Park in Daphne, AL
Price: $25

7:00am - 9:00am: Orange Beach Pontoon Boat Tour - New This Year!

Explore the beautiful bay area of Orange Beach aboard the City's pontoon boat. This tour departs from the City's Office of Coastal Resources (4697 Walker Avenue) and visits Robinson, Bird and Walker Islands to observe a variety of coastal birds, including Brown Pelicans, Laughing Gulls, Osprey, and Green Herons. And maybe a dolphin or two will make an appearance!

Meet at the City of Orange Beach’s Office of Coastal Resources
Price: $35

7:00am - 9:00am: Meaher State Park Birding and Photography Tour - New This Year!

Located just across from 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Meaher State Park has plenty of birds to see and capture on "film". From the boardwalks overlooking the vast wetlands of Mobile Bay, birders and photographers may see a wide variety of bird species, including Tri-colored and Little Blue herons, Snowy Egrets, Common and Purple gallinules, Clapper Rails, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Belted Kingfishers, and many others. Check overhead for Ospreys, Bald Eagles, and a variety of gulls and terns, possibly including less commonly seen Black Terns and Gull-billed Terns. Check the trees between the parking area and the boardwalk for migrating warblers and resident songbirds (and bunnies).  

Meet at Meaher State Park
Price: $25

7:00am - 10:30am: Gaillard Island Eco Tour - New This Year!

This tour will please both nature enthusiasts and history buffs! Enjoy the wildlife and vistas on Mobile Bay aboard the comfort of a 24 foot center console bay boat. Captain John Michael Chappelle, experienced local birder, will lead you around the perimeter of Gaillard Island where you can expect to see a variety of birds in the fall, including egrets, herons, ibis, stilts, brown pelicans, terns, Laughing Gulls, and more. Learn about the island's history, then head south to the Middle Mobile Bay Lighthouse, a circa-1885 octagonal lighthouse building that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Cruise to Point Clear on the Bay's Eastern Shore to see the historic Grand Hotel and, of course, the birds!

Meet at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center Bartam Landing
Price: $180

7:30am - 1:00pm: Dauphin Island/Trans Gulf Migration Tour

Experience the Fall migration on Dauphin Island, America's "Birdiest City" and one of the top four locations to view the Fall migration in North America. Visit prime birding spots, including the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Goat Trees Reserve and the Indian Shell Mound Park, each an eBird Hotspot. These sites can be fabulous in October for spotting migrant flycatchers, vireos, thushes, warblers, tanagers, and grosbeaks, as well as vagrant (out-of-place) birds and other rarities. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray.

Meet at Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Price : $30

12:00pm - 3:00pm: Gaillard Island Eco Tour

This tour will please both nature enthusiasts and history buffs! Enjoy the wildlife and vistas on Mobile Bay aboard the comfort of a 24 foot center console bay boat. Captain John Michael Chappelle, experienced local birder, will lead you around the perimeter of Gaillard Island where you can expect to see a variety of birds in the fall, including egrets, herons, ibis, stilts, brown pelicans, terns, Laughing Gulls, and more. Learn about the island's history, then head south to the Middle Mobile Bay Lighthouse, a circa-1885 octagonal lighthouse building that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Cruise to Point Clear on the Bay's Eastern Shore to see the historic Grand Hotel and, of course, the birds!

Meet at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center Bartam Landing
Price: $180

1:00pm - 3:00pm: The Plants of the Fish River Nature Preserve - New This Year!

Bring on the botany! Discover the rich botanical diversity of South Alabama Land Trust's Fish River Nature Preserve. Explore a variety of habitats, from longleaf pine woodlands to riverine wetlands. Learn to identify native plants and understand their roles in their ecosystems. Whether you're a seasoned botanist or a beginner, this tour offers an educational and inspiring experience in one of South Alabama's most beautiful natural settings. Bring your camera and notebook to capture and record your observations. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray.

Meet at the Nature Preserve
Price : $20

2:00pm - 4:00pm: Birding Basics and Binoculars Workshop

This workshop will help birders build a foundation of identification skills and help them feel more confident heading out on their next birding adventure! Topics include: identifying field marks, using behavior and habitat to help aid in identification, general-impression-size-shape ID, and how to choose and use the appropriate gear for your birdwatching needs. Various binoculars and scopes will be available to try, and participants are encouraged to bring their own gear. This workshop will also include a bird walk around 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center

Meet at Tensaw Theatre at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
Price : $15

3:30pm - 5:00pm: Lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta Pontoon Boat Tour

The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is the second largest delta in the U.S. and one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the world. The Delta Explorer pontoon boat is a comfortable way to see the beauty of the Delta and the abundance of its wildlife, such as Bald Eagles, Ospreys, several varieties of herons, gallinules, and, of course, alligators. A variety of terns and gulls abound. You will see first-hand the value of land conservation in the Delta.

Departs from 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center Bartram Landing
Price: $35

5:00pm - 7:00pm: Weeks Bay Sunset Cruise

Soak up nature and take in a spectacular sunset view on board the Weeks Bay Explorer pontoon boat. Led by experts from the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, you will learn about the importance of this estuary in supporting young marine life and healthy bird habitats. The Weeks Bay Reserve is a stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. Bald Eagles and osprey are common in this part of the estuary. To date, the Reserve has protected over 9,000 acres of land in the estuary.

Meet at Weeks Bay Tonsmire Resource Center
Price: $35