Fort Morgan State Historic Site is a favorite amongst birders for good reason! This location provides easy access to diverse habitat along the Alabama coast. So diverse that it is split into 5 individual stops on the Coastal Alabama Birding Trail.

Since we will have limited time before the fort closes we will head into the fort immediately at 4pm and bird the inside of the property first starting with the middle grounds tree line. This edge habitat and open field combo this time of year can hold several swallow and sparrow species, meadowlark, palm and pine warblers, and sometimes early migrants like buntings. We will head along the seawall where kestrel and shrike are frequently found while also scoping out over the dunes and gulf for other raptors, gannet, and passing waterbirds.

After making a quick stop at the bathrooms, we will exit the fort property onto the beach right where the waters of Mobile Bay meet the Gulf. As we walk the beach back to the parking area we will look for shorebirds and waterbirds including snowy plover, piping plover, whimbrel, and peeps. Our last stop will be on the pier to scope for mergansers, scoter, grebe, and loons.

If the group is interested and daylight allows, we may walk over to the stables area. This walk can be productive for songbirds and maybe an owl or nighthawk as the sun sets!

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.

Meeting Location : We will be meeting in the parking lot near the fishing pier promptly at 4pm.

Address: 453 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

If you arrive early please pay your entrance fee as soon as possible so we can enter the fort right at 4pm. We will leave our vehicles at the fishing pier parking area.

Accessibility : This trip will be a loop covering approx. 2 miles at a leisurely pace. This trip will cover paved road, old brick roads/walkways, mowed and unmowed grassy fields, dirt/gravel paths, and loose sand 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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