Alabama Coastal BirdFest Event Descriptions // April 23rd-26th , 2026

Please note travel distance between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island is up to 46 mins.

We recommend picking events in the location you are staying closest too.

Friday, April 24

Fort Morgan Birding & Banding-Early Bird Start!

6:30am -10:30am

Fort Morgan State Historic Site is a premier birding hotspot of global significance. After an early start at the meet-up location, we’ll bird our way to Alabama Audubon’s bird banding station. After an hour there, we’ll bird the fields and woodlands within the fort area seeking neotropical migrants. We’ll finish the walk at the seawall–a.k.a. Vagrant Wall–overlooking the Gulf and marsh, a location famous for rare sightings. Similar Fort Morgan events run at different times each day–note the different starting times available.

Fort Morgan: Birding and Banding

7:30am - 10:30am

Fort Morgan State Historic Site is a premier birding hotspot of global significance. We’ll bird our way from the meet-up to Alabama Audubon’s bird banding station. After an hour there, we’ll bird the fields and woodlands within the fort area seeking neotropical migrants. Similar Fort Morgan events run at different times each day–note the different starting times available.

Fort Morgan: Afternoon Trans-Gulf Migrants (NEW!)

2:30pm - 5:30pm

Don’t count out afternoon birding! Fort Morgan State Historic Site, a premier birding hotspot, can come alive in the afternoon as late-arriving migrants come off the Gulf. We’ll bird the woods and fields of the fort area, then finish at the seawall (a.k.a. Vagrant Wall) to scan the scrub, marsh, and Gulf, watching for incoming birds and rarities. Similar Fort Morgan events run at different times each day–note the different starting times available.

Dauphin Island’s Exciting East End (NEW!)

8:00am - 10:30am / Saturday

The east end of Dauphin Island is famous for attracting coastal birds, migrants arriving off the Gulf, and wandering vagrants. While we’ll be ready for everything, this trip will focus on the basics of coastal bird identification! Expect to see gulls, terns, cormorants, pelicans, and shorebirds. We’ll also search for migrant songbirds in the oaks by the fort, and nearly anything could fly by when scanning the Gulf!

Dauphin Island Woodland Hotspots-Early Bird Start!

6:30am - 10:30am / Friday & Saturday

Dauphin Island, dubbed “America’s Birdiest Coastal Town,” is one of the top locations in North America for viewing neotropical migrants due to two famous migrant patches—Shell Mounds and Goat Tree Reserve. Starting at Shell Mounds, we'll split our time between these prominent hotspots that attract migrating songbirds. If you come to Alabama to bird, be sure to make a stop here! Similar Dauphin Island events run at different times each day–note the different starting times available.

Dauphin Island Woodland Hotspots

7:30am - 10:30am / Friday & Saturday

Dauphin Island, dubbed “America’s Birdiest Coastal Town,” is one of the top locations in North America for viewing neotropical migrants due to these two famous migrant patches. Starting at Goat Tree Reserve, we'll split our time between these prominent hotspots that attract migrating songbirds. If you come to Alabama to bird, you must make a stop here! Similar Dauphin Island events run at different times each day–note the different starting times available.

Dauphin Island Woodland Hotspots: Afternoon Trans-Gulf Migrants (NEW!)

2:30 - 5:30pm / Friday and Saturday

Even in the afternoon, Dauphin Island lives up to its title of “America’s Birdiest Coastal Town.” Join us as we stroll in the shade of live oaks in search of neotropical migrants at two of the Gulf Coast’s most famous migrant patches–Shell Mounds and Goat Tree. If you come to Alabama to bird, you must stop by these spots! Similar Dauphin Island events run at different times each day–note the different starting times available.

Birding 101: Workshop & Bird Walk

1:00pm - 4:00pm / Saturday

This workshop will be an introduction to the fundamentals of the increasingly popular hobby of birding. Learn the basics of when, where, and how to find birds as well as foundational identification skills. Optics/gear, ID guides, and apps will also be discussed. The classroom portion will be followed by a trip to Fairhope Pier for a short bird walk to practice your skills!

Birds and Blooms at Mobile Botanical Gardens (NEW!)

Co-led by a bird guide and staff member at Mobile Botanical Gardens, this trip will be an exhilarating combination of songbirds and blooms! This trip will be a casual stroll through the grounds amidst azaleas, dogwoods, iris and more while we are also on the lookout for some of the 142 species recorded here.

Shorebirds & More at Blakely Mud Lakes (NEW!)

The Blakely Mud Lakes site is arguably one of the best shorebird stopover sites on the northern Gulf Coast. Not only does it attract large flocks of shorebirds, but migrating songbirds can be found here as well. Some of Alabama's rarest vagrants have appeared here - you just never know what might show up!

Gaillard Island Rookery and Mid-bay Boat Tour

A crowd favorite from 2024, this small-boat tour will visit Gaillard Island rookery and the famous Middle Bay Lighthouse. Learn about the bay’s (human) history and see thousands of roosting and nesting coastal birds, including pelicans, ibis, terns, gulls, and herons. Roseate Spoonbills are also a possibility. Limited spots available. Exact route dictated by weather conditions.

Delta Explorer Boat Tour: Upper Delta Rivers Loop

Journey into one of the largest wild regions of the Southeast, and the U.S.’s second-largest river delta. The Historic Blakely State Park boat captain will guide you through winding river channels and share stories of ecology and history while your bird guide points out birds along the way. There’s a good chance to see alligators, turtles, and/or other wildlife!

Delta Explorer Boat Tour: Marshes & History of the Lower Delta

Journey through the marshes and swamps comprising the lower reaches of the second-largest river delta in the U.S. The Historic Blakely State Park boat captain will regale participants with ecological facts and local history as your bird guide points out birds along the way. Expect marsh birds, waders, osprey, and other delta wildlife, including alligators!

Songbirds to Shorebirds: Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park’s diverse habitats sustain many resident and migrating birds. On this tour we’ll bird the gulf waters and beachfront, brackish water lakes and marshes, and pine-oak woodlands. Expect to encounter a variety of shorebirds, wetland species, songbirds and neotropical migrants fresh off the Gulf. Learn firsthand why over 250 species have been seen in the park and a diversity of wildlife call it home! 

Mobile Bay Discovery Cruise with Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Discover the ecology and marine life teeming in the waters at the mouth of Mobile Bay! Dauphin Island Sea Lab crew will deploy multiple trawls and showcase the organisms from each haul. While en route to the iconic Mobile Bay Lighthouse bird guides will keep their eyes on the sky and surrounding waters to point out seabirds (e.g., Northern Gannet, Magnificent Frigatebird), bottlenose dolphins, and any other exciting sights.

Gulf State Park: Bike and Bird Tour

Explore Gulf State Park by bike! Known for its exciting wildlife and award-winning trails, this crown jewel of Alabama’s park system harbors many resident and migrating birds. Stops will be made at some of the park’s birdiest locations but keep your eyes peeled for other iconic wildlife like otters, tortoises, and alligators! Borrow one of the park’s bikes or bring your own.

Meaher State Park: Birds of the Lower Delta

A popular stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, Meaher State Park’s 1,100-ft boardwalk provides a bird's eye view into the surrounding marshes, waterways, and mudflats! Expect to see herons, egrets, ibis, osprey and–if we are lucky–a gallinule or bittern. The park’s pines harbor Brown-headed Nuthatches and Summer Tanagers, and the scrub habitat on the nature trail attracts migrating warblers, orioles, and more.

Workshop: Introduction to Merlin & eBird

The free smartphone apps Merlin (for bird identification) and eBird (for reporting sightings) have introduced birding to more people than ever before. Your instructor will provide hands-on guidance to get you comfortable with using these two revolutionary apps on your next birding adventure!

Pelican Hook: Shorebirds of Dauphin Island (NEW!)

Pelican Hook is a dynamic stopover for migrating coastal birds. In the afternoon it is a favorite resting spot for terns, gulls, and other seabirds. One side borders the Gulf, while the other borders the calmer waters of Pelican Cove, which can be good for waders, rails, and lingering ducks. From the Hook we'll also scan nearby Tern Island and look over the Gulf for offshore species.

Lower Perdido Islands Pontoon Eco-Tour (NEW!)

Enjoy a guided tour of the lower Perdido Islands, a scenic bird haven and prized recreation area in Orange Beach. Hear from our partners at The Nature Conservancy about the recently completed restoration project addressing erosion and habitat loss across the three main islands. Your bird guide and captain will highlight the birds and wildlife along the way!

Photography Workshop: The Coastal Birds of Dauphin Island

Bird photography is a rapidly growing hobby. Not only are birds charismatic and exciting to photograph, this skill can assist with bird identification and be essential for documentation! Dauphin Island offers abundant and fascinating species to photograph, big and small. During this field-based workshop your leader will advise on techniques for varying conditions and help you on your way to capturing the perfect shot!

Blackwater State Forest: Longleaf Pine Birds and Pitcher Plants (NEW!)

Explore some of the most pristine Longleaf Pine Savannah Woodland remaining in the Southeast on a guided expedition to find Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman’s Sparrows, and other pinewoods specialties. Blackwater State Park is also home to a magnificent pitcher plant bog!

Shorebirds, Waders, and More on the D.I. Causeway (NEW!)

Shorebird migration (sandpipers, plovers, etc.) begins to peak in late April. Recent restoration work has developed prime tidal flats and foraging habitat for shorebirds along the scenic Dauphin Island Causeway! Your guides will help spot and learn to identify dozens of waders, sandpipers, plovers, terns, and other coastal birds, including Black Skimmers.

Sunday Sweep: Dauphin Island & Mobile County (NEW!)

Get ready for one last epic adventure for CBF 2026! On this fast-paced “Sunday Sweep” we will cover Dauphin Island & southern Mobile County’s hottest patches as we track down highlight species found during the festival, seek out species not yet observed, and try for any potential rarities. The itinerary will be set by BirdFest guides the night before – so be prepared to go where the birds take us!

Sunday Sweep: Fort Morgan & Baldwin County (NEW!)

Get ready for one last epic adventure for CBF 2026! On this fast-paced “Sunday Sweep” we will bird Fort Morgan and southern Baldwin County’s hottest patches as we track down highlight species found during the festival, seek out species not yet observed, and try for any potential rarities. The itinerary will be set by BirdFest guides the night before – so be prepared to go where the birds take us!

Tern Island Expedition: Barrier Island Birding (NEW!)

Tern Island is one of the best spots for breeding coastal birds in Alabama. After a short boat ride to the island, you’ll be greeted by the sights and sounds of dozens of coastal bird species. Expected birds include Black Skimmer; Least, Forster’s, Gull-billed, Royal, and Caspian Tern; Reddish Egret; plus various sandpipers and plovers.

Neotropical Migrants & Coastal Birds at Village Point/Bayfront Park, Daphne

With 275 species recorded, Daphne's Village Point/Bayfront Park is THE hottest birding patch on Mobile Bay's eastern shore. The site attracts neotropical migrants traveling along the bay's shoreline, and the beaches and open bay are good for spotting shorebirds, waders, and bay ducks. If you’re looking for a trip that has a little bit of everything, this is it!

Kayak Birding and More at Graham Creek Nature Preserve

Slip into the quiet beauty of the creeks and tidal marshes of the upper Wolf Bay watershed on this guided kayak adventure. Sheltered from the elements among cypress trees and pinewoods, you’ll explore habitat where osprey, kingfishers, rails, marsh wrens, and wading birds make their home. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain a new perspective on the scenery and wildlife of Alabama’s vibrant back bay ecosystems.