April 23-26, 2026
Events & Field Trips
Below you will find a short description and times for each event broken down by day and time block.
You can view full trip descriptions, guides, and amenities for each trip on the Event Logistics PDF.
Registration is closed
Click on links below to jump to event details.
Social Nights
Thursday, April 23
Evening event
Click + to read event descriptions
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Thursday night we will be having a dinner and Keynote address by Bonner Black. Tickets and details here.
Friday, April 24
Morning events
Click + to read event descriptions
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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 Preserve. Starting at Shell Mounds, we will 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.
16 Spots // $55.00
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Dauphin Island, dubbed “America’s Birdiest Coastal Town,” is one of the top locations in North America for viewing neotropical migrants due to Shell Mound Park and Goat Tree Preserve. We will split our time between these famous birding hotspots looking for neotropical migrants. 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.
16 Spots // $50.00
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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.
16 Spots // $63.00
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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.
16 Spots // $58.00
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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 you spot and learn to identify dozens of waders, sandpipers, plovers, terns, and other coastal birds.
16 Spots // $45.00
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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. Don’t miss this opportunity to bird and explore a pristine barrier island!
6 Spots // $200.00
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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!
16 Spots // $35.00
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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.
5 Spots // $185.00
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Item description
Friday, April 24
Afternoon events
Click + to read event descriptions
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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.
5 Spots // $185.00
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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!
35 Spots // $54.00
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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!
20 Spots // $35.00
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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.
16 Spots // $45.00
-
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.
16 Spots // $53.00
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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.
16 Spots // $40.00
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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.
16 Spots // $45.00
Saturday, April 25
Morning events
Click + to read event descriptions
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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 will 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.
16 Spots // $55.00
-
Dauphin Island, dubbed “America’s Birdiest Coastal Town,” is one of the top locations in North America for viewing neotropical migrants due to Shell Mound Park and Goat Tree Preserve. We will split our time between these famous birding hotspots looking for neotropical migrants. 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.
16 Spots // $50.00
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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!
16 Spots // $50.00
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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.
16 Spots // $63.00
-
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.
16 Spots // $58.00
-
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!
16 Spots // $35.00
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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. Don’t miss this opportunity to bird and explore a pristine barrier island!
6 Spots // $200.00
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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.
16 Spots // $38.00
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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.
5 Spots // $185.00
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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 while we scan the Gulf!
16 Spots // $40.00
Saturday, April 25
Afternoon events
Click + to read event descriptions
-
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.
5 Spots // $185.00
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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.
34 Spots // $65.00
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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!
20 Spots // $30.00
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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!
35 Spots // $50.00
-
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.
16 Spots // $45.00
-
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.
16 Spots // $53.00
-
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 you spot and learn to identify dozens of waders, sandpipers, plovers, terns, and other coastal birds.
16 Spots // $45.00
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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.
10 Spots // $40.00
Sunday, April 26
Morning events
Click + to read event descriptions
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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 notable species found during the festival, seek out species not yet observed, and search for new rarities. The itinerary will be set by BirdFest guides the night before – so be prepared to go where the birds take us!
16 Spots // $75.00
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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 notable species found during the festival, seek out species not yet observed, and search for new rarities. The itinerary will be set by BirdFest guides the night before – so be prepared to go where the birds take us!
16 Spots // $83.00
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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.
5 Spots // $185.00
-
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!
16 Spots // $35.00
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Bird photography is a rapidly growing hobby. Not only are birds charismatic and exciting to photograph, but this skill can also 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!
16 Spots // $55.00
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Explore some of the most pristine Longleaf Pine Savannah Woodlands remaining in the Southeast on a guided expedition to find Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman’s Sparrows, and other pinewood specialties. Blackwater State Forest is also home to a magnificent pitcher plant bog which we will visit!
16 Spots // $50.00
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Co-led by an expert bird guide and a staff member from Mobile Botanical Gardens, this trip will be an exhilarating combination of songbirds and blooms! This trip will be a casual stroll through the grounds among azaleas, dogwoods, irises and more, while we look for some of the 142 bird species recorded here.
16 Spots // $35.00
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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!
35 Spots // $50.00