Alabama Birding Trails

Boggy Point Boat Launch, an Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources facility, offers a small beach with an excellent view of Robinson Island, a roosting site for herons and egrets, to the east. Robinson Island offers important habitat for sea birds and because of that many areas are basically off limits to humans. Robinson Island is an important nesting area for Wading Herons and Terns. This vantage point provides a viewing site for birders without disturbing the roosting site. This location also gives an alternate view of Perdido Pass.

There is a small admission for sightseeing, including birding. The end of the pier is an excellent viewing point for seabirds, especially in winter. Previous Christmas Bird Counts have yielded Red Phalarope and all three scoters at this site. Northern Gannet is common offshore during the winter months.

The Gulf State Park Nature Center exhibits plants and animals that are native to the Gulf Coast region. Bird checklists are available and the naturalist on duty can give you the latest information on birds in the park.

Gulf State Park Pavilion is a large, covered picnic pavilion with tables and benches, restrooms and water fountains. The pavilion closes at sunset. This is another great place to look for seabirds, particularly in winter. Northern Gannet is common off shore during migration. Any flock of loons should be carefully studied for Red-throated and Pacific. Walk the beaches for plovers and peeps.

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system was developed cooperatively by the City of Orange Beach and Gulf State Park (Alabama State Parks Division) to provide non-consumptive recreational opportunities through one of the last remaining intact maritime forests along coastal Alabama. In addition to being a preserve for many of the area’s native wildlife, this remnant natural area serves as a lifeline for millions of migratory birds each spring and fall by providing essential food and shelter resources, making the birding potential excellent on any given visit.

Little Lagoon hosts a fair number of shorebirds, gulls, terns, Brown Pelican and, occasionally, American White Pelican. Chances to see rarities increase during migration. Reddish Egret occurs here regularly. Birding is usually best around low tide.

Perdido Pass/Alabama Point East is part of Gulf State Park and consists of beach and sea oat habitat where there are opportunities for bird observation, fishing, and viewing both Perdido Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. (Formerly Florida Point when the sta …

At Perdido Pass / Alabama Point-West, rock jetties extend a considerable distance out into the Gulf on this side and can be accessed by walking west along the beach. The birder then may observe the winter seabirds that may be in the area, such as scoters, loons and phalarope.

Gray Kingbird is possible at the Shelby Lake Picnic Grounds during the summer months and large numbers of transient Black Terns are often observed flying along the Lake Shelby’s edge in late summer.

A rarity in the midst of such a vibrant resort city, the 12 acre Wade Ward Park features a pavilion, benches and scenic boardwalks overlooking coastal salt marshes. It offers the birder scenic boardwalks overlooking canals and coastal salt marsh. It features a pavilion, benches and scenic boardwalks.