Fort Morgan State Historic Site is a favorite amongst birders for good reason! This location provides easy access to a diverse habitat along the Alabama coast. So diverse that it is split into 5 individual stops on the Coastal Alabama Birding Trail. We will meet and start our morning at the fishing pier, picking through gull and tern species as well as any winter waterbirds that have made their way into the area like scaup, scoter, and Bufflehead. We will also take some time to look around the small wooded area surrounding the ferry launch which birds seem to gravitate to.
Once the fort opens for the day and everyone pays their entry fee, we will move between the tree line and open field of the middle grounds looking for species including Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, and Loggerhead Shrike. Raptors such as Cooper’s Hawk, Kestrel, Northern Harrier, and Red-shouldered Hawk can often be seen hunting the fields. We will walk the seawall and back through the open fields keeping a lookout for sparrows and meadowlarks. We will conclude the trip back at the parking lot, but if folks are interested and weather allows we may take a short walk on the beachfront as well. Binoculars will be available to borrow and the trip leader will have a scope on hand as well.
You can view the Fort Morgan eBird hotspot here to see what’s been recently spotted at this location!
This event is free but registration is required. This program is limited to 15 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trip Leader: Your trip leader will be Cortney Weatherby (cortney@alaudubon.org / 402-297-1775). Please reach out to the trip leaders if you have any questions, concerns, or require special accessibility accommodations so that we can assist you. Please call or text your leader on the day of the event only.
LOCATION DETAILS: All participants must pay the $8/adult ($5/college, seniors, and children 6-18y/o) admission fee. Active, retired, or reserve military free with ID.
There is ample parking in the fishing pier area and no parking fee. There are porta-potties located in this parking area. The fort has restroom facilities that we will pass near towards the end of the trip. This trip will cover paved road, old brick roads/walkways, grassy fields, and dirt/gravel paths that may not be suitable for all people. Please remember to wear seasonally appropriate attire and bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray as necessary.
TRAVEL INFORMATION : We will be meeting in the parking lot near the fishing pier at 7:30am.
Address: 453 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
We cannot pay admission or enter the fort area until 8am. We will leave our vehicles at the fishing pier parking area. You may use your admission to re-enter the fort after the birding if you want!
Accessibility : This trip will be a loop covering 1.75-2 miles at a leisurely pace. This trip will cover paved roads, old brick roads/walkways, mowed and unmowed grassy fields, and dirt/gravel paths that may not be suitable for all people.
Please reach out to Cortney Weatherby (cortney@alaudubon.org) if you have specific questions or require any special accommodations, have questions, or cannot attend, so that we can better assist you on the day of the event.
Cancellation: This event will only be canceled by Alabama Audubon in the event of unforeseen circumstances or threatening weather/hazardous conditions. Refunds (if applicable) will only be issued at the discretion of Alabama Audubon. *If you need to cancel at the last minute prior to the trip, please email or text your trip leaders to let them know!*
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