JOIN US FOR
BIRDING ON THE BAY!

ALABAMA AUDUBON invites you accompany us on two very special birding excursions tailored to EcoWild Outdoor Expo attendees.

Experience Alabama’s unique flora and fauna, up close, in one of the most ecologically diverse and naturally beautiful landscapes in the country. Just down the road from the Mobile Convention Center, we will be gathering at Meaher State Park on May 10 and, on May 11, we will explore Village Point Preserve & Bayfront Park. Guests may choose to purchase a pass for one event, or both, as their schedules allow.

Our naturalist guides are birding experts well-versed in the terrain. You will have the chance to see Alabama’s birds in their native habitat, a place unlike anywhere else. Not to mention the weather on Alabama’s Gulf Coast is gorgeous this time of year—take a break from the outdoor expo and get back in the great outdoors!

DAILY PASSES $50 / WEEKEND PASS $85

Passes available at the EcoWild rate until April 26 at 12AM.
Open sales begin at that time and may close early as events reach capacity.

+MEAHER STATE PARK
May 10 / Spanish Fort

9AM–10:30AM / $50
A guided morning walk around Meaher State Park, one of coastal Alabama’s premiere state parks. This 1,327-acre park features a fishing pier, boardwalk, and endless views of Gulf Coast marshland that is home to hundreds of bird species. We will be joined by a local volunteer that will provide the history state park and surrounding area as we take an easy walk around looking for birds.

It's a fantastic time of year to be near the water in coastal Alabama as spring migration begins wrapping up. Our leisurely stroll will start from the parking area, where large pines are sure to host local family groups of Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers.

The tangles and shrubby edges along our walk should be optimal for Indigo Buntings, Orchard Orioles, and Gray Catbirds. As we make our way out to the boardwalk, we’ll be listening for Clapper Rails and Sora that could be hiding in the marsh grasses, and depending on how low the tide is, we may even see one of these elusive birds! Meaher is also a great place to see and hear singing Marsh Wrens and Least Bitterns. In addition to the great coastal marsh birds that we should see and hear, this is the time of year to expect lots of ocean flybys. We will be sure to constantly scan Mobile Bay for flyby wading birds, terns, and gulls such as Osprey, Black Skimmers, Least and Gull-billed Terns, and many more possibilities. Come help us see as many species on our walk as possible—the more eyes the better!

Participants will be on mostly flat terrain. While most of the park is paved or a boardwalk, there are parts of the walk that may be on uneven, rocky terrain not suitable for all people.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Meaher State Park
5200 Battleship Pkwy
Spanish Fort, AL 36527

+VILLAGE POINT PRESERVE & BAYFRONT PARK
May 11 / Daphne

9AM–10:30AM / $50
For our gather for a walk along Mobile Bay and within the coastal maritime forest—there we will one of the largest Live Oak trees in Alabama, the Jackson Oak! This oak tree reaches over 95 feet tall and is part of a coastal maritime forest that is critically important to wildlife along these shores. Village Point Park Preserve is the largest park in Daphne and features a recently upgraded boardwalk, fishing pier, and beautiful views of Mobile and Mobile Bay. Due to its protected location and diverse habitats, this park is reliably one of the best places to view a wide array of migratory birds and other wildlife just near downtown Mobile.

We will meet in the main parking lot and walk out along the fishing pier, scanning for waterbirds such as Brown Pelicans, Laughing Gulls, and maybe even Black Skimmers that may be flying across the bay. We will also be sure to check the sandbar just in view from here in the southwestern direction. This is a great location to see shorebirds, big and small, including Marbled Godwits, both Yellowlegs species, Willets, Spotted Sandpipers, and Least Sandpipers. In the past, there have even been Roseate Spoonbills resting on the sandbar! After scanning the water and shoreline, we will make our way into the maritime forest on the boardwalk. We should encounter Indigo Buntings, Common Yellowthroats, and Red-eyed Vireos among the oaks as they refuel and rest on their northbound journeys. Due to the season, this area can also be great to see and hear other exciting migrants that may still be lingering as spring migration ends.

The walk will be less than a mile in length on mostly flat surfaces that are paved or boardwalk. However, there may be parts of the walk on uneven terrain, such as gravel or sand, that may not be suitable for all people.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Village Point Park Preserve
27710 Main Street
Daphne, AL 36526

ABOUT ECOWILD

THE GULF COAST’S ONLY OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE & CONSERVATION EXPO EcoWild is a full weekend devoted to updating your hunting and fishing gear, finding new activities, meeting outdoor lifestyle experts, and supporting conservation efforts to keep hunting, fishing, camping, boating and other outdoor activities ecologically balanced, safe, and accessible.

Brought to you by the Alabama and Gulf Coast experts at PMT Publishing and Mobile Bay Magazine. We’ve produced magazines and events for Alabama and the South for over 40 years, and we are excited to showcase all the Gulf Coast outdoors has to offer at EcoWild. ecowildexpo.com

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions prior to the event, you may reach out to Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard—andrew@alaudubon.org.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL Brian Rice
LEAST TERN Steve Dimock
LAUGHING GULL Katherine Westover