I was looking for an ideal beach vacation for my family as I researched Alabama’s beaches, and in my quest, I found a hidden treasure. I found a destination with a population of birds that would excite any bird lover. As an avid birder, I had been looking for the perfect destination to add new specimens to my bird life list. Alabama has more than 430 bird species, and the state has many committed bird trails that can keep a birding enthusiast busy for days.
Alabama’s Coastal Birding Trail has become one of my personal favorites, and each season brings its own set of feathered friends. I found myself nestled into Gulf State Park at Eagle Cottages for my week-long outdoor adventure; it was like being tucked into paradise. Beside our cottage was a large osprey nest where the pair was waiting on hatchlings. Each morning I took my cup of coffee out to the screened-in porch to watch the sunrise and the osprey fish for breakfast.
After my morning ritual of watching my neighbors, I would hop on one of the bikes provided by the cottage and head out for a ride, and one doesn’t have to go far within Gulf State Park to find one of the many birds within the park. All the trails are connected by paved paths and elevated wooden bridges for easy access to the nine vibrant ecosystems.
With my binoculars and a park map in hand, I trekked through the coastal trail looking for some remarkable finds. Eagles are abundant and easily viewed from the boardwalk on the main trail., I was there in March, and the hatchlings were demanding their dinner. Just across the path takes birders to Lake Shelby, where they can get a good look at the coastal waterfowl that call this part of Alabama home. Blue Heron, Coots, Kingfishers, and cormorants are plentiful, and if you are lucky, you can take some great photos of them here along the lake's shore.
My birding adventures were not limited to the wooded marsh areas of the park; just a short walk was the stunning shoreline of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Breezes off the water met me as I stepped onto the sand and pulled up my binoculars to scan the horizon. Seagulls cried at me, and sandpipers ran to and fro in the foam left from the crashing waves as I slowly moved along the beach. It was like heaven.
Before leaving the beach, I casually strolled to the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier to see what finds were to be had there. The vast blue saltwater was all around me, and taking in the birds from this perspective was surprising. Osprey had flown over from their nests in the marsh to the Gulf to fish, putting on quite a show!
Taking the opportunity to bird with one of the park's naturalists was high on my list, and since we stayed on the property, we added this experience to our stay. We were picked up at our cottage and taken off trail to a part of the park where we were treated to a little warbler haven. These fast little birds were flitting and flying all through the brush and tall grass! Our guide pointed out as many as he could as they vocalized around us.
When our time along the Alabama Gulf Coast came to an end, I was surprised at how much we still had yet to see and explore. Dauphin Island’s Audubon Bird Sanctuary and Fort Morgan were on the list, but we ran out of time before we could get there. That just means we will need to get back to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach again soon. How many days do you need to bird along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail? My best sage birding advice is as many as you can.
