Frequently Asked Questions about Alabama Coastal BirdFest

For all other questions, please email: info@alaudubon.org 

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  • Information about the terrain and possible mobility challenges are included in each trip description in the Full Event Details PDF. If you have additional questions about accessibility, please send us an email: info@alaudubon.org

  • Yes! All events are open to everyone, regardless of their knowledge or experience with birds and birding. We even have a few events that are specifically designed for those who are newer to birding. All of our guides are experienced in teaching people of all skill levels on how to find and identify birds and use basic birding gear.

    • 100% refund if requested in writing (including email) on or before March 23, 2026. 

    • 50% refund if requested in writing (including email) between March 24 and April 8, 2026. 

    • After April 8, 2026, no refunds will be issued, even for those who do not attend the event. 

  • While unlikely, it is possible that an event may be cancelled (e.g., due to low enrollment, extreme weather, boat mechanical failure). If an event is cancelled by Alabama Audubon, you will be notified via an email from us as soon as possible and you will be offered the choice of a full refund or the opportunity to donate your registration fee to our coastal conservation program.   

  • Yes. Call our Administrative Director, Keith Wolfe-Hughes, at 205.719.3678 ext 9 for assistance with changing your registration.  Please note that changes may require payment of additional fees if the costs of events are different than your original registration. Registration for additional events is subject to availability. 

  • Unfortunately, there is no automated way to maintain waitlists with the current registration platform, and manually maintaining dozens of waitlists is impractical. While cancellations are rare, we recommend checking back regularly to see if space has become available. Caps on the number of guests are firm to help ensure quality experiences for registered guests.  

  • Please call all our Financial and Administrative Director, Keith Wolfe-Hughes, at 205.719.3678 ext 9 for help with any ticket questions. 

  • Late April is the peak of bird migration on the northern Gulf Coast in both numbers and diversity of species. Transient neotropical migrants are passing through in peak numbers, southeastern neotropical breeders are establishing summer territories, and shorebird migration is nearing its peak. There are always neotropical migrants to see – even on slow days. Every few years there is a spring “fall out” where trans-gulf migrant birds encounter difficult flying conditions and drop onto the first land they reach, including Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. While these are difficult occasions for exhausted birds, fallouts provide astonishing opportunities for birders to witness high numbers of birds and species at close range.  

  • All events are rain or shine. In fact, rain on the Gulf Coast in late April can trigger incredible visible migrations at migrant hotspots. Please dress accordingly and prepare for wet weather. Trips will be cancelled only under the circumstance that weather events make conditions unsafe.  

  • To maximize your enjoyment of the festival, ensure you have sufficient time to travel between events. Outings and workshops are in the mornings and afternoons, but because start/finish times vary, the gap between your events for travel and lunch will vary. Most (not all) events are a) clustered at/near Dauphin Island in southern Mobile County; b) at/near the lower delta (at the top of the bay) between Mobile and Spanish Fort/Daphne; c) at/near Gulf Shores/Orange Beach in southern Baldwin County; and d) at/near Fort Morgan in southern Baldwin Co. Travel times between these areas vary, so plan accordingly.

    • Alabama Audubon has partnered with a number of hotels to offer discounts – please see the Hotels page on the Coastal BirdFest website for pricing information and direct links to these hotel offers. 

    • There are abundant hotels and short-term rentals (e.g., AirBnB) in the area that vary in rates and amenities. Generally, these are clustered at Dauphin Island, Downtown Mobile, along the I-10 Corridor, the “Eastern Shore” cities (Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope); Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, and along Fort Morgan Road. Cabins are available at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores and Historic Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort.

    • Public campgrounds provide various forms of camping (RV, tent, etc.) including Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort, Historic Blakely State Park in Spanish Fort, and Dauphin Island Campground on Dauphin Island. There are numerous private campgrounds in Mobile and Baldwin counties. We suggest that you make reservations far in advance of your visit.  

    • Regardless of where you stay, consider reducing your driving time/distance by lodging near the events you will attend, especially those early in the morning or late in the day.     

  • The weather changes frequently along the Gulf Coast in April, so be prepared for a variety of conditions. Checking the forecast 24-48 hours in advance can help you plan. Chilly, hot, humid, rainy, dry, windy, calm—they can all happen on the same day! Bring and use sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, etc.). Bring insect repellent, especially if you are out early or late in the day. Bring rain protection for both yourself and your gear. Dress in layers, and have an outer layer that offers some wind resistance, especially if you are on a boat.

  • While binoculars or other optical gear are not necessary to enjoy birding, they do enhance the experience. Guests are expected to bring their own binoculars. But, as noted in the event descriptions, for several events designed for new birders or the “bird curious,” we will have loaner binoculars available.  

  • We are excited to bring an all-star lineup of birding guides from the local area and across the Southeast. Your guide(s) are listed on the Full Event Details PDF, and information about them (photo and bio) is provided on our website here.  

  • The following information may change at any time – the best way to find the most current information about the ferry on the Facebook page: (https://www.facebook.com/mobilebayferry/). You can also visit the Mobile Ferry webpage here. The Mobile Bay Ferry is an effectiveand fun way to hop between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island, two of the best birding hotspots on the northern Gulf Coast. The ride is 40 minutes (instead of a 135-minute drive around the bay). The ferry can accommodate 28 vehicles per trip. Neither reservations nor advanced ticket sales are available. Space can be limited so plan to arrive well before launch time. Pedestrians (with or without bicycles) are $6 for the entire day (as many rides as you want). Pricing varies according to vehicle size and number of passengers, but one regular car plus 2 passengers is $27 one way. The ferry runs weather and maintenance permitting, and the schedule is subject to change. The first Dauphin Island departure is at 8:00 am, then every 90 minutes until 6:30 pm. The first Fort Morgan departure is 8:45 am, then every 90 minutes until 7:15 pm. Check the Facebook page for the latest schedule and pricing.

  • Meals are not provided unless explicitly stated in the event description.

  • The opening night celebration and keynote is a ticketed event, but the social events on Friday and Saturday evening are free and open to all guests (though free, registration is still required). Come mingle with our guests of honor, guides, fellow birders, Alabama Audubon staff and board members!  

  • If you have any specific questions about the event that haven’t been answered above, send us an email: info@alaudubon.org