1. Perdido Pass/Alabama Point. (ACBT 01) Perdido Pass is the former location of the state line when this was known as Florida Point. It is now part of Gulf State Park. To reach this site, travel east 8.8 miles from Gulf Shores on AL 182 to the bridge over Perdido Pass. There is a boardwalk here that offers good views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pass. This is a good spot to scan for seabirds and shorebirds. Alabama's first Purple Sandpiper was seen here in January 1999. DeLorme Atlas: Page 64, E4.
2. Dry Bridge/Little Lagoon Pass. (ACBT 09) This site is located approximately 2 miles west of Gulf Shores on AL 182. There is a parking lot and facilities on the north side of the road at the bridge. A fair number of gulls, terns, Brown Pelicans (and an occassional White), and shorebirds are generally seen here. Reddish egrets are also regular visitors. Best chances for rarities occur during migration periods. DeLorme: p. 64, F2.
3. Bon Secour NWR. (ACBT 11) From Gulf Shores, travel west on AL 180 11 miles to the entrance on the left. Just west of the parking lot is Mobile Street, an unpaved road leading to the beach parking lot. The road passes through marsh and palmetto habitat. Alligators are occassionally seen here. The beach offers good opportunities to see Northern Gannett and loons. DeLorme: p. 64, F1.
4. Fort Morgan. (ACBT 15) Continue west on AL 180 to its terminus at Fort Morgan. This classic migrant trap is an important stopover for spring and fall migrants. There are several areas within the fort to bird. The Stables is located just inside the entrance and is the location of the Hummer/Bird Study Group banding station. Be sure to stop during Spring and Fall banding sessions and say hello to the Sargents and their crew. The Middle Ground is primarily open scrub and open fields further west are good for open-country birds. A seawall south of the fort offers a good view of the marsh. Mobile Point offers good views of the beach and dunes. DeLorme: p. 64, B4.
5. Battleship Park and Boardwalk. (ACBT 29) The USS Alabama Battleship Park is located off US 90, just east of the city of Mobile and sits at the head of Mobile Bay. A boardwalk was recently rebuilt following hurricane damage and now offers excellent views of Pinto Pass. Long-billed curlew is reliable on the lawn in the winter. During migration the mudflats are filled with shorebirds. Also look for gulls and terns. DeLorme: p. 62, D4.
Dauphin Island Hotspots: Dauphin Island, on the western side of the entrance to Mobile Bay, is one of the top 10 birding destinations in the United States. With so many hotpsots, listed below, it is easy to understand why!
6. Pelican Point. (ACBT 43) Follow Bienville Blvd east beyond Fort Gaines and the campground, scanning the wires for gray kingbirds. Check the jetties for shorebirds. 'Rowdy Stoneturners' and Black-bellied plovers are common. Marbled Godwits and Red Knots are fairly regular during spring migration. DeLorme: p. 64, B4.
7. Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary. (ACBT 42) Located west of the Fort Gaines Campground on Bienville Blvd, this 164 acre sanctuary is primarily maritime pine forest with several miles of trails. Passerines seem to prefer the Banding Area's oak grove. There is beach and dune access, and a lake too. DeLorme p. 64, B4.
8. Shells Mounds Park. (ACBT 39) Probably the best place on the island to observe neo-tropical migrants, the live oaks provide insects and much needed cover for the birds. The trees and shrubs are relatively short and offer easy views as one strolls the grounds and the 'bowl'. On a good day it is not uncommon to see 20 species of warblers! From Bienville Blvd, turn north at Iberville and drive 2 blocks to the park. DeLorme: p. 64, B3.
9. Cadillac Park. (ACBT 41) Located on Bienville Blvd at Grant Street, this city park has many live oak trees and restroom facilities. Carefully scan the trees for a variety of warblers and vireos. DeLorme: p. 64, B3.
10. The Airport. (ACBT 44) Heading west on Bienville Blvd from the T intersection, turn R on Omega Street at the airport sign. There is an extensive salt marsh on both sides of the road as you approach the airport. Look and listen for rails, Reddish agrets, waterfowl, and Seaside and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows. At low tide numerous sandbars and mudflats are exposed. Keep an eye out for hawks passing overhead. DeLorme: p. 64, B3.
11. The West End. (ACBT 45) Travel west on Bienville Blvd to where the pavement ends, watching for soft sand when parking! There are good views of Mississippi Sound to the north and the Gulf. In winter Soras, and rarely black rails, are sometimes found in the small pond between the road and the sound. DeLorme: p. 64, B3.
* For further information concerning the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (ACBT, 50 stops) contact the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-745-SAND or visit www.gulfshores.com