Baldwin County has many diverse bird species; see them on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail

Alabama’s natural attractions are numerous, making the state one of if not the most diverse state in the Union. Baldwin County is incredibly wide-ranging even by Alabama standards, offering visitors and locals alike a wonderful opportunity to view all that nature has to offer. The geography suggests almost unparalleled diversity, providing habitat for many species of plants and animals, some only found in this region.

The mixture of bird species is one example of the variety offered by this unique county. Take advantage of the multitude of species and the year-round mild climate on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, which offers spectacular locations from which to become immersed in the grandeur of bird migrations.

Birders from all over the United States and beyond can view vast numbers of species that make their way into Alabama, especially along the Gulf Coast. The Birding Trail was officially organized in 2001 through a concerted effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department, the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau and local bird watchers and conservationists. As it exists now the trail has 50 stops in six loops that are marked by signs sponsored and maintained by the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

While the trail offers numerous sites at which enthusiasts can view birds, Fort Morgan is one of the most popular. At this site, as well as others throughout Baldwin County, hundreds of species can be observed and studied. The best time to see the largest assortment of species is during the migratory period in the spring and the fall of the year. Nevertheless, visitors can see something interesting throughout the year.

Along the trail the numbers and types of birds that can be observed is phenomenal. There are more than 400 species that have been sighted in the state with many of that number found regularly or seasonally in Baldwin County. The types of birds that make Alabama their home, at least part of the year, are as diverse as their habitats. We will examine a few of these and take a look at the environment they prefer.

Throughout Baldwin County, especially along the Gulf and the numerous riverways, visitors can watch birds of prey such as osprey, kites, eagles and hawks. Beachgoers can marvel at the fishing prowess of the osprey as they patrol the shallow waters along the beach for fish that they then expertly catch and ferry back to their nesting young.

Numerous types of hawks can be seen patrolling the fields of central Baldwin County for field mice and other animals that make up the bulk of their diet. More amazingly, bald eagles can be seen in areas such as the state park in Gulf Shores having made a remarkable comeback throughout the state in recent years.

Baldwin County’s abundant waterways and vast acreage in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta make it a perfect place to spot the plentiful waterfowl that either inhabit the area or use the region for a seasonal stopover. This group includes the web footed group, such as ducks and geese, of which there are some twenty species that make Alabama their home. All of the species take advantage of Alabama’s abundant waterways to gather food that ranges from fish and snails to the vegetation that grows in the water and the environments surrounding the water.

Next week we will continue our look at the array of birds that can be seen along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail in Baldwin County.