
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
Online Sponsor Registration
2023 BirdFest Schedule
Keynote Speaker
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.
Click to view map:
- 101a – Fort Morgan Peninsula
- 103 – Meaher State Park
- 104 – Weeks Bay Marina
- 105a – Gulf State Park Pavillion
- 106 – Blakeley State Park
- 109 – Meaher State Park
- 111 – Original Oyster House
- 112 – Café Del Rio
- 113 – Blue Gill Restaurant
Click to view map:
- 201a – Shell Mounds
- 202 – Meaher State Park
- 203 – Bayfront Park
- 206 – McNally Park
- 208 – Meaher State Park
- 209 – Original Oyster House
- 210 – Weeks Bay Marina
- 211 – Café Del Rio
Click to view map:
- 301 – Meaher State Park
- 302 – Meaher State Park
- 303 – Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge
- 304 – Café Del Rio
- 306 – Cooper Riverside Park
- 307 – Graham Creek Nature Preserve
- 308 – Meaher State Park
Click to view map:
- 400 – Salt Aire Property
- 401 – Meaher State Park
- 402a – Dauphin Island Public Beach
- 403 – Buzbee’s Fish Camp
- 404 – Meaher State Park
- 405 – The Hope Farm
- 406 – Original Oyster House
- 407 – Weeks Bay Marina
Guides and Instructors
Hotels and Accommodations
2022 Vendors and Partners
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
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
Mobile Bay Audubon Society, Inc.
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Mobile County Alabama
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
Receive emails and notices about BirdFest
Having trouble viewing or submitting this form?
Click here to open a new window.