Bird Watching in Baldwin County

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal

Islands are for the birds
October is time to see migrating feathered friends
By: BRIAN KELLY • October 17, 2008

Calling all ornithologists! What is an ornithologist you might inquire? You know, birders — those folks who pass the time hunting, viewing and studying multi-hued winged creatures in their natural habitat through the eyes of a pair of hight-priced, German-engineered binoculars. This weekend is all about the birds at Fort Morgan Road and Bon Secour, two major sites along the expansive Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, which is 240 miles of trails. And if the birds' southern migration to warmer climes holds to its traditional schedule, this will be the optimal time to admire these exotic birds of paradise in our area.


There are a couple of official birding events wrapping up this weekend, but you don't have to be part of any registered tour group or official charter bus to enjoy the migration of the birds as they leave our coast for Central and South America for the winter.

"I bird all over the country, depending on migration and habitat," George B. Cohen, who calls Minnesota home, but travels to the Alabama Gulf Coast for the migration autumn migration period she he travels all over the country to watch birds.

"From photography to simply watching these creatures go about their daily life through my binoculars, birding is something I'm passionate about," he said. "I've been coming to this area each early autumn for more than five years, but I've seen some disturbing changes (in bird numbers and migration patterns.) Whether you're an amateur or a novice, birding is a wonderful hobby. You learn so much."

Annual event
Drawing many of the birders to the area this week is the John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest, which is marking its 5th year. It kicked off Thursday and concludes Sunday. One of the major attractions for the BirdFest attendees is the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail along Fort Morgan Historic Site. The trail is also the site of Fall Bird Banding Session, a critical stopover point for migratory birds.

"Birder's enjoy the Alabama Gulf Coast because some 10 billion birds migrate here before taking flight over the Gulf Coast to Central and Latin America for the winter," says John L. Borom, president of the Alabama Audubon Society. "From the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast line, this is where the migrating birds nest, here, for the summer."

But all is not well for the migrating birds. Area bird experts point to loss of habitat with human progress, specifically the proliferation of commercial growth for declining numbers among migratory birds. Cohen and other naturalists have seen a decrease in the number of birds migrating to and from this area each year. It's a troubling trend Borom has witnessed firsthand.

"When these birds fly across the Gulf of Mexico to Pensacola or Alabama, they need a maritime forest to feed and create a sustainable habitat," Borom explains. "The building of homes and condominiums destroys and limits habitat for these birds. They become displaced by people, and their critical habitat is in jeopardy."

Nature's tourism impact
Each autumn thousands of birds converge along the Gulf Coast to prepare for the journey across the Gulf of Mexico by feeding in the trees and bushes and even at bird feeders. This annual migration attracts avid bird watchers, both professional and amateur, to the area each year.

Eco-tourism
Birding is considered eco-tourism — a billion dollar industry in the tourism sector throughout the United States. Birding enthusiasts converging on the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast this month inject important dollars into the economy in an otherwise slow time for tourism.

According to the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau survey in 2002, 8 percent of tourists listed bird watching as their primary activity, and in 2006 that figure jumped to just fewer than 20 percent. Despite hurricanes and commercial swelling, that number continues to rise.

"The bird-watching periods are a catalyst of economic growth, driving in numerous tourists," said Joanne McDonough nature tourism specialist along the Alabama Gulf Coast. "The region brings in somewhere near $100 million dollars per year. The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail Web site has had a hit rate increase of 90 percent since 2002."

Notwithstanding the numbers, the economic impact or event the decline in birds, birders still see our area as a prime bird-watching spot. And this is a weekend to get out to one hot spots at Fort Morgan Historic Site or the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge and watch the birds of paradise before their epic flight south for the winter.

Want to go?
- WHAT: 5th Annual John L. Borom Coastal BirdFest, Fairhope, Ala. Bird & Conservation Expo.

- WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 to 4 p.m.

- WHERE: Faulkner State College campus and Fairhope Public Library.

- DETAILS: For location of each event visit www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com and click on free events.

Fall Bird Banding

Early Friday, ends at noon, at Fort Morgan Historic Site, Gulf Shores, Ala. visit www.hummingbirdsplus.org or 1-800-745-SAND. No pets allowed.

The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail: Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge

Travel westward from the intersection of Ala. Highway 59 and Ala. Highway180. Pass the Jeff Friend Trail sign on the left (south) and then the refuge office sign, also on the left. Continue on until Pine Beach Trail, then enter parking lot.