Cost: Free (there is a $3 fee to enter the park)
Capacity: 15
Sign up today for another exciting walk with Alabama Audubon and Alabama State Parks! Join us for a Guided Spring Bird Hike at Meaher State Park, led by Coastal Program Manager Cortney Weatherby. We will walk around the pines with one of Meaher State Park’s naturalists near the campground, along the marsh boardwalk, and along the water for terns and shorebirds. Meaher is a great place to catch views of Mobile Bay and nearby saltmarshes and is home to a variety of coastal birds. Meaher State Park is an important destination for birdwatching and wildlife viewing along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
The park's 1,327 acres of wetlands and estuarine habitats provide a haven for a diverse array of coastal birds. Visitors may spot wading birds like Little Blue and Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Common Gallinules along the banks of the saltmarsh. In the summer, the park is home to species like the Least Bittern and Clapper Rail, and terns such as Gull-billed and Least Terns are just a couple of breeding tern species that can be seen at the park. The park's strategic location at the junction of Mobile Bay and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta makes it a crucial stopover site for migratory birds along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.
ACCESSIBILITY (terrain/mileage/restrooms/parking):
We will walk less than 2 miles on mostly flat terrain that consists of gravel, boardwalk, and asphalt. Parking is ample, and there are restrooms in the park but not near the trailhead, so please plan accordingly. Please note that the state park requires a $3 day-use fee for its guests.
TRIP LEADERS
The leader for this trip is Cortney Weatherby / cortney@alaudubon.org.
MEETING TIME AND PLACE
We will meet in the parking area after you pay the park’s admission fee.
ADDRESS: Meaher State Park
5200 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
REMEMBER As always, remember to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray and wear seasonally appropriate attire. Hiking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended.
REQUIRED Participants must complete the mandatory online waiver when registering. Please do not request registration for others when submitting your request.
CANCELLATION The event will only be canceled in the event of hazardous conditions. Refunds will only be issued if the trip is canceled by ALABAMA AUDUBON. If you need to cancel at the last minute, please email or text your trip leaders.
Please continue joining Alabama Audubon as a member or donor to help us continue to offer accessible, educational programs and events across the state. Your generosity enables us to advance research, education, and advocacy efforts to protect birds in Alabama and beyond.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
Through more than seventy-five years of conservation work in one of our nation’s most ecologically rich states, Alabama Audubon has seen firsthand how diversity strengthens natural communities. This same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing equitable and inclusive opportunities for all Alabamians to learn about and enjoy wild birds, their habitats, and the natural world. One of the best ways to support that belief is by valuing and actively seeking to strengthen diversity among our staff, our board, and our membership. To that end, Alabama Audubon welcomes everyone to participate in our work, and strives to make our programs, classes, and events welcome, inclusive, and accessible to all.
Photo: Least Tern, A. Lydeard