Birds

5 01, 2023

Birding in Winter

By |2023-01-01T16:58:07+00:00January 5th, 2023|Blog|0 Comments

Most connect birdwatching with spring and fall because of migration. While those are very popular seasons to birdwatch, rest assured you will spot some feathered friends that make Alabama their home during the winter. Along with the common shore bird, you are likely to spot these in these cooler months: bufflehead common loon horned grebe Virginia rail sora marsh wren common yellowthroat boat-tailed grackle When figuring out where to go for the best opportunities at birdwatching, the Alabama Birding Trail [...]

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21 07, 2022

Wildlife At The Beach

By |2022-09-26T11:57:26+00:00July 21st, 2022|Blog|0 Comments

The Gulf Coast of Alabama is known for crystal-clear waters and breathtaking views that enhance your relaxation on the soft, white-sand beaches. But there is more to see around the shore: native wildlife. From marine animals swimming in the Gulf of Mexico to birds wandering around the sand, there is no end to the enjoyment of this sub-tropical area. Keep an eye out for a few of these native friends. Birds bald eagle brown pelicans mourning dove hawk laughing gull [...]

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20 05, 2021

Bird watching at the beach is fun for the family

By |2021-04-29T18:02:30+00:00May 20th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

Are you a bird watcher? On your next trip to the beach, plan a day to see the sights and birds along the way. You don’t have to be a birding expert to enjoy time exploring the six loops of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Using Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as the home base, you already have the advantage of watching the shore birds as they run back and forth with the waves. The [...]

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18 02, 2021

3 reasons to not feed the seagulls

By |2021-02-11T17:13:35+00:00February 18th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

Coastal Alabama is rich with beautiful scenery and an abundance of wildlife. The smell of salt water, the sounds of the gulls and the waves, and the sugar-white sand are all a part of the beach experience. To keep our beaches and coastal area healthy and inviting, we ask our visitors to help by following the Leave Only Footprints program.  Respecting the area’s wildlife is another way to make sure the coast is a fun place to visit. The seagulls may look friendly, but [...]

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6 12, 2019

Help nesting birds on the Alabama Gulf Coast

By |2019-11-12T13:32:24+00:00December 6th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

There are many threats and dangers for nesting birds along the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches, dunes and barrier islands. Beach-nesting birds like the Wilson’s plover, least tern, snowy plover and black skimmer all encounter hurdles, including storms and other natural disasters, as well as loss of habitat due to coastal development, off-road vehicles and people. Although each of those has contributed to their decreasing population, there are measures we can take to help these birds thrive once again. American Bird [...]

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3 10, 2019

Fall Birding Opportunities to Enjoy on the Alabama Gulf Coast

By |2019-09-22T02:24:24+00:00October 3rd, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

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 [...]

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29 07, 2019

3 reasons you should resist feeding birds at the beach

By |2019-07-23T11:03:01+00:00July 29th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

When you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, you’re apt to encounter many feathered friends during your visit. To respect and help protect these species, one of the best things you can do is refrain from feeding birds along our coastline. Although sharing your snacks with the birds may seem harmless or even kind, the practice can be harmful to them, to other native species and even to humans. 1) Protecting the birds Every species has a different diet, and [...]

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12 07, 2017

Why you shouldn’t feed the birds at the beach

By |2017-07-12T15:30:38+00:00July 12th, 2017|Blog|0 Comments

We’ve probably all done it: throw a torn-off piece of bread into the air for sea gulls to swoop down and catch in their beaks. In fact, it’s kinda fun. Cheetos and crackers, too. But the next time you are tempted to feed the birds, don’t. Just don’t. There are reasons for this. First, it’s dangerous to someone holding out their hand to the sharp peck of a gull’s beak. Second, it makes these beautiful creatures become a nuisance. They [...]

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1 02, 2017

Blue heron: fisherman’s friend or foe?

By |2017-02-01T16:29:58+00:00February 1st, 2017|Blog|0 Comments

If you have visited our Alabama Gulf Coast, you have most likely seen a great blue heron, a wading bird that stands as tall as four feet and has a wingspan of nearly six feet. They are loners, so it’s not unusual to see a solitary, thin silhouette of one close to the shoreline at sunrise or sunset. No doubt about it: Herons are built to catch fish. Those stately, majestic, great blue herons stand perfectly still while stalking their [...]

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