Join Coastal Programs Manager Cortney Weatherby and Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard on a winter trip to one to Alabama's best locations for shorebirds and ducks, the Blakeley Mud Lakes in Mobile!
The Blakeley Mud Lakes is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers and Mobile Port Authority and used to store mud and sand refuse from dredging the Mobile Ship Channel as well as formerly used as settling ponds for industrial waste water. The regularly changing habitat along Mobile Bay often creates ideal areas for wading birds, ducks, and shorebirds and is among the birdiest locations in South Alabama. Sign up today to target some of our unique and uncommon winter shorebird species on this special field trip!
Trip Leaders: Your trip leader will be Cortney Weatherby (cortney@alaudubon.org / 402-297-1775) and Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard (andrew@alaudubon.org). Please call or text your leader only on the day of the event.
**Permits are REQUIRED by the Mobile Port Authority before entering the property. Please follow the link below to fill out and PRINT your signed forms before the trip. You will not be legally allowed to enter without it! This is an industrial site with working hazards and potential risks, and the Mobile Port Police actively ticket and tow unauthorized vehicles in the area. Alabama Audubon is not responsible for impoundment or ticketing of unauthorized vehicles. **
https://alports.com/birding
Registration is required for this event and will only be canceled in the event of hazardous conditions. If you need to cancel at the last minute, please email or text your trip leaders.
Registration fee: Alabama Audubon Members $35.00 // Non-members $50.00
Target Species:
American Avocets
Black-necked Stilts
Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks
Snowy Egrets
Mottled Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Blue and Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, and many more!
Meeting Time and Place: We will meet in front of the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center promptly at 7:00am to carpool as much as possible to reduce the amount of vehicles parked at the gates. Please grab water, snacks, or a restroom prior to the meetup time at 7:00am as there are no restrooms or places to load up on snacks/water near the site. If you leave your vehicle, please be sure to take water, snacks, bug spray, and your birding gear.
Address: 5 Rivers - Alabama's Delta Resource Center
30945 5 Rivers Blvd.
Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Accessibility : We will travel about 2 miles total as a group on mostly flat dirt road surfaces. While the terrain is mostly flat, please be aware that tripping hazards such as a debris, holes, or industrial equipment may be present and may not be suitable for all people. There are no benches or restrooms in the facility, so please plan accordingly. Please note that depending on the heat, biting insects can be abundant at this location, so long sleeves or bug spray is recommended as are boots/sturdy shoes. Be sure to bring lots of water and snacks for when we take a break. As always, remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, insect repellent, sun screen, and wear seasonally appropriate attire; Vortex binoculars can be loaned to participants if needed.
Please reach out to Andrew Lydeard (andrew@alaudubon.org) if you require any special accommodations, have questions, or cannot attend, so that we can better assist you on the day of the event.
*Please Note: This event will only be canceled by Alabama Audubon in the event of unforeseen circumstances or threatening weather. Refunds (if applicable) will only be issued at the discretion of Alabama Audubon.