The Alabama Gulf Coast is a bird-watching paradise. Many birds make the coast a temporary home in the fall and winter as they migrate south, taking time to rest and refuel before making the long trip across the Gulf of Mexico. Year-round and seasonal feathered residents include many species of pelicans, herons, egrets, ibises, waterfowl, hawks, rails, gallinules and so much more.

The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail is one of eight trails throughout the state of Alabama. This trail offers visitors an outstanding opportunity to explore 200 miles of birding loops along the coast. Each trail features different groupings of bird species perfect for exploring and bird watching.

The Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge provides sanctuary for 360 species of birds found within the forests, marshes and beaches. The Jeff Friend Trail – a one-mile loop to Little Lagoon with a midway observation deck – brings into view a variety of water birds, raptors and songbirds.

Mobile Street on the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge leads to the one-mile Gator Lake Trail. During the winter months, you may view blue-gray gnatcatchers, golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglets and the myrtle warbler. This is also a good spot to see shorebirds, waders and loons.

Bon Secour Bay provides a protected area for waterfowl, seabirds, gulls, terns and black-crowned night herons. During the winter months, hooded and red-breasted mergansers, as well as horned and eared grebe, can also be sighted along the bay.

Pine Beach Trail in the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge takes you through dunes and beaches, saltwater and fresh marshes, sand pie scrub, and oak mottes. During migration, this area offers excellent opportunities to spot the red-eyed vireo, American redstart, magnolia warbler, palm warbler and yellow-rumped warbler, and much, much more. The large observation deck on Gator Lake provides sightings of wintering duck, alligators and grebes.

During any time of year, it’s important to remember not to disturb wildlife. It’s crucial for these birds to peacefully and safely restore their energy for the rest of the migration journey.

Alabama bird watching is second only to Florida in the number of species of plants and animals for nature lovers to admire. Visit this fall and winter to explore the coastal bird-watching trails and loops, and you’ll find yourself excited to return year after year!