Alabama Coastal BirdFest

Hundreds of species of birds. More than one hundred thousand dollars raised. Join birders from across the U.S. and Canada at this event in South Alabama’s own backyard.

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Mark your calendar for October 4-7!

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Birders and nature lovers from across the United States and Canada flock to south Alabama every year to experience one of the prime birdwatching opportunities on the Gulf Coast during fall migration. More than 370 bird species have been spotted at various locations along the Alabama coast, and BirdFest guides expertly lead attendees on boat and walking trips to some of the best birding spots in the area, including locations along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.

Alabama Coastal BirdFest takes attendees into the Mobile Delta, to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, historic Fort Morgan, and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, among other locations. New last year, a trip to our neighboring state, Mississippi, to the Sand Hill Crane Refuge. The four-day event also includes workshops on subjects such as hummingbirds, the basics of birding, monarch butterflies, and, new this year, workshops on how to use common birding apps, such as eBird and Merlin Bird ID, and understanding bird box design for specific species. A free family-friendly Bird and Conservation Expo will be held at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Saturday of BirdFest. The Expo highlights other local non-profits and environmental agencies, hands-on activities, and short boat cruises lead by a junior birder! 

Since 2004, BirdFest has raised more than $100,000 to help preserve and protect vital coastal bird and wildlife habitat and increase the awareness of the great biological diversity of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

2023 BirdFest Sponsor Registration

Thanks to generous sponsors, Alabama Coastal BirdFest has become a major ecotourism event in Alabama. In addition to making the event possible, our sponsors support the protection of critical bird and wildlife habitat on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Click below to view printable sponsorship packet.

Online Sponsor Registration

Become a BirdFest sponsor through our online form:

2023 BirdFest Schedule

Official 2023 schedule coming in June! Registration opens August 1. Click below to view last year's schedule.

Keynote Speaker

Join us in welcoming Jon Dunn, one of the most well-respected birders in North American and chief consultant and author of much of National Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Jon's presentation will be Friday, September 30 and will focus on natural history, identification, and taxonomy of shorebirds, focusing on smaller sandpipers, yellowlegs, and dowtichers. This is a ticketed event and registration will open August 1. Jon Dunn will also be attending some of the trips of BirdFest!

Following are maps to the various trip locations and evening events.

BirdFest registration/check-in takes place at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center. Once you have checked in for your first event, you do not have to check in at 5 Rivers again. However, please have your printed tickets with you upon arrival at each of your events.

ALL bus trips also leave from 5 Rivers. If you are meeting the bus at the trip destination, that information will come to you in an email prior to BirdFest.

Guides and Instructors

We are thrilled to have an amazing group of talented guides and instructors share their knowledge and expertise with attendees. Meet our BirdFest team!

Hotels and Accommodations

Traveling from out of town to Alabama Coastal BirdFest? Click the button below for a list of area hotels on both the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay and downtown Mobile that are offering special rate discounts!

2022 Vendors and Partners

BirdFest features airboat, kayak, pontoon, research vessel and small boat tours, guided walks throughout state, city, or public lands, and features local organizations and groups that we are so proud to partner with. Vendors and partners listed are available beyond BirdFest, so be sure to give them a visit or support their business!

2022 Sponsors

Host Sponsors

Reddish Egret Sponsors

Brown Pelican Sponsors

The Mapp Family Foundation

Great Blue Heron Sponsors


American Oystercatcher Sponsors

Ann McLaurin and Lynne Fitzgerald

Alabama Audubon

Baldwin County Master Gardeners

Bouch’s Premium Cigars

Gene and Rena Bouchillon 

Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries 

Gulf Coast Restoration at National Audubon Society

The Highland Group

The Law Offices of Brenton C. McWilliams

TIAA Bank

Mobile Bay Audubon Society, Inc.

Mobile Bay National Estuary Program

Mobile County Alabama

Storage Plus of Baldwin County, Inc. 

Scarlet Tanager Sponsors

Barry A. Vittor & Associates, Inc.

O. James Morgan

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel and Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park

Town of Dauphin Island

In-Kind Sponsors

Anonymous 

Bay Breeze Bed and Breakfast

Corner Copia Gardens

Gulf Coast Distributing

Historic Blakeley State Park

Jubilee Suites

The Lodge at Gulf State Park

Meaher State Park

OWA

Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Weeks Bay Plantation 

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