Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Dauphin Island, AL After ‘dining,’ using the term loosely, at our normal go-to Dauphin Island eatery (JT’s Sunset Grill), we visited Shell Mound and Cadillac Square. There were essentially NO birds present! However, although we o …

We had 47 birders join us for the birding Cruise out of Blakeley Historic State Park on January 18, 2017.  Amazingly everyone was there and on the boat EARLY.  Our Captain, Steve and his mate, Richard were so helpful and fun too!  Mike Bunn, our contac …

White-throated Sparrow, photo by Paul H. Franklin A Report on Ruffner Mountain from Scot Duncan It was a chilly morning at the Ruffner Mountain Wetlands this Sunday (checklist below). The pre-dawn was calm, but as the sun rose the winds brought by the …

This slideshow requires JavaScript. 1.     West Point Dam and surroundings: Spectacular opportunities to watch Bald Eagles and Osprey. And, of course, access to water. 2.     Cherokee Ridge Hiking Trails. Good hiking with lots of views of Lake Martin. …

By Joe Watts, the president of the Birmingham Audubon Society and a long-time part of the Alabama Birding Trails program and of the Alabama State Park system. This op-ed originally appeared in al.com. State Parks have always mattered to me. I can’t rec …

Fall migration is the perfect time to plan a visit to an Alabama Birding Trail! The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED), The Alabama Tourism Department, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Birming …

By Anne G. Miller, President, Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird database is based on checklists of bird sightings submitted from the field by amateur birders as well as ornithologists. eBird uses these checklis …

Maureen enjoying the Christmas Bird Count in Gulf Shores, Alabama by Anne Miller, President of Alabama Ornithological Society Note from the Alabama Birding Trails Program: Maureen offered so much to the program, from visiting sites and attending meetin …

By Anne G. Miller, President, Alabama Ornithological Society This is a wake-up call for Alabama’s birders. Most of us know how important it is for us to contribute our bird sightings to eBird, but too few of us are doing it. Sponsored by the Cornell La …

by R. Scot Duncan After spending about 10 hours prepping for teaching this week, I headed out to Ruffner late this afternoon, despite the gloomy weather to get some fresh (but damp) air. A thin drizzle was falling, just enough to necessitate keeping yo …

Fall migration is getting into full swing. There are many locations throughout Alabama that are genuine hotspots to watch as our feathered friends head south for winter. With 270 sites along all 8 of Alabama Birding Trails, what locations should you pi …

The fall foliage can be amazing! The Alabama Birding Trails highlight the best public locations for watching birds year-round. Find sites by location or by season. Discover “secret” locations from experienced birders. Learn what birds are being reporte …

OFF THE PORCH with Judy and Don Self Click for larger image  As we write, the 115th Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is about to get under way. Between the 14th of December and 5th of January, tens of thousands of volunteers will take to the field to …

Off The Porch with Judy and Don Self Autumn Birding at Silver Creek Park, Clarke County and Claiborne Dam Site West Park, Monroe County, Alabama (Sites 8 and 9 respectively on the Piney Woods Birding Trail) These two Corps of Engineers parks are locate …

by  Judy and Don Self No, not the 4-wheeled kind, the winged, 1/10th ounce, southbound kind. Fall migration of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds is in full swing. It began back in late July, but peaks here at Almosta Farm in mid-September. But those of yo …