Skip to main content
  • Visitors
  • Meetings
  • Sports
Visitors
    • Beach Houses
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Condos
    • Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks & Camping
    Friends on the beaches in Alabama
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Tent camping in Gulf Shores, AL
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Places to Stay
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Gulf State Park Beach
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Wharf Ferris wheel
    Ten Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
    All Things to Do
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    Hangout Music Festival
    Hangout Music Festival - Event Page
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
    All Events
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches
    Pouring a cup of coffee
    The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
    All Restaurants
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Order a Vacation Guide
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    Gulf Shores, Alabama
    Nine Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Vacation
    Beach house kitchen
    5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Planning Tools
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Couple biking on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf Shores, AL
    Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels
    Teen friends on Sail Wild Hearts in Orange Beach, AL
    Six Teen-Approved Things to Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
    All Blogs
  • Deals
    All Deals
Visitors
    • Beach Houses
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Condos
    • Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks & Camping
    Friends on the beaches in Alabama
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Tent camping in Gulf Shores, AL
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Places to Stay
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Gulf State Park Beach
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Wharf Ferris wheel
    Ten Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
    All Things to Do
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    Hangout Music Festival
    Hangout Music Festival - Event Page
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
    All Events
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches
    Pouring a cup of coffee
    The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
    All Restaurants
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Order a Vacation Guide
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    Gulf Shores, Alabama
    Nine Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Vacation
    Beach house kitchen
    5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Planning Tools
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Couple biking on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf Shores, AL
    Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels
    Teen friends on Sail Wild Hearts in Orange Beach, AL
    Six Teen-Approved Things to Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
    All Blogs
  • Deals
    All Deals
Meetings
  • Home
    All Home
    • Plan Your Conference
    • How Can We Help
    • Why Our Beach
    • Services
    • FAQs
    • Getting Here
    • Restaurants
    • Things to Do
    • Calendar of Events
    All Plan Your Conference
    • All Meeting Spaces
    • Unique Meeting Spaces
    • Accommodations
    All Meeting Spaces
  • Reunions & Weddings
    All Reunions & Weddings
    • Meeting Planner Toolkit
    All Toolkit
    • Connect With Us
    • Submit RFP
    • Subscribe Today
    All Contact Us
  • Stories
    All Stories
Sports
    • All Events
    • Book>Direct
    • Perfect Game World Series
    • Gulf Shores High School
    • Beach Races
    • Orange Beach High School
    All Events & Special Rates
    • All Restaurant Sponsors
    • On-the-Go Dining
    All Restaurants
    • All Attraction Sponsors
    All Attractions
  • Business Sponsors
    All Business Sponsors
  • Facilities
    All Facilities
    • Facility Info
    • Leisure Events
    • Our Services
    • Planner Toolkit
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    All Bring Your Event
  • Sponsors
    All Sponsors
  • Stories
    All Stories

Passing on a Passion

It was surprisingly easy to start birding.

May 7, 2020
Great Blue Heron Orange Beach
Great Blue Heron takes flight

Piquing their interest

From the balcony of our condo, we observed and identified dozens of feathered treasures in an area home to more than 200 bird species. The kids were already intrigued, so we decided to venture out and try to spot more.

We didn’t have to go far to get away from the resorts, restaurants and bustle of the beach. We started our day just down the main beach road at Perdido Pass/Alabama Point, a simple beach-and-sea oat environment that hosts a fair amount of wildlife. It’s an important habitat for the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse and a popular nesting site for snowy plovers, which are often found running around the front of the dunes. We spotted common loons feeding in the pass and a variety of shorebirds playing in the surf.

A birdwatcher’s paradise

We were on a part of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, a birdwatcher’s paradise established in the late 1990’s with more than 200 miles of trails and 50 official stops. On the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Loop, great blue herons roost down by Boggy Point. Red-throated and Pacific loons often visit the Gulf State Park Pavilion area, and at the Marsh Bridge there are osprey, bitterns, rails and winter sparrows. Pelicans and reddish egret are often seen at Little Lagoon Pass, and down at the Gulf State Park fishing pier, I pointed out to the kids some red phalaropes. Their eyes widened as they watched the birds’ fascinating method of catching food. By swimming in a tight circle, they trapped crustaceans in a whirlpool and then feasted.

“That is so smart!” exclaimed Julia, borrowing a pair of binoculars to get a better look.

osprey Gulf Shores
Parks, Trails & Hiking
Explore

Exploring the Backcountry Trails

Leaving the beach, we took a short drive inland, up state route 161 to the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. From the trailheads along the road, 15 miles of wide interconnecting paths run through six different ecosystems, ranging from freshwater marshes and coastal hardwood swamps to tall dunes and longleaf sand ridges.

It was still mid-morning when we started our hike down Catman Road Trail. We found ourselves surrounded by nature on the hike to the butterfly garden, greeted by a cacophony of chirping birds, rustling trees and whistling ocean breezes. Out on the Rosemary Dunes Trail, Miles was the first to spot a blue heron feeding along the shore of the lake, searching for fish, shrimp or crabs. It was incredible how quickly he memorized the birds’ names.

Rabbits scurried through the shrubs as we passed, and Julia decided to count the alligators sunning themselves in small ponds.

“Four, five, six! There are six alligators here!” Julia squealed, with a big smile on her face. She is an animal lover, and Gina and I could see that she was excited about seeing so many creatures—from sea to sky—in person today.

Both Miles and Julia were having a great time, both because birding is a bit of a hunt and because they were taking part in one of their parents’ favorite hobbies—Gina and I feel so lucky to have kids who share our interests. We could easily have spent a couple of days exploring these trails; it was hard to believe we were just minutes from the hustle and bustle of state route 182. The only reminder was the sight of towering condos off in the distance and the occasional helicopter or plane flying along the beach.

Trails along the Backcountry Trail are well-marked with signs at quarter-mile intervals, allowing visitors to know how far they’ve gone and how far to the next destination. There are plenty of rest stops with benches and shaded areas. On the last day of our trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, the kids asked to rent bicycles and we took a 10-mile leisurely ride.

Alabama Coastal Birding Trail

We planned our excursion with the 56-page Alabama Coastal Birding Trail Guide Book, which features everything we needed to know about the trails in the area, including maps, GPS coordinates, descriptions and bird species commonly found at the sites. Miles picked up his own bird checklist and proudly checked off more than 13 species he spotted along the trails.

Beyond Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there are other trail systems, from the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta Loop in Mobile to the Dauphin Island—Bayou La Batre Loop. The Fort Morgan/Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge contains critical birding habitat, and there’s a beautifully scenic drive taking the ferry over to the Dauphin Island Loop. Held every October, the annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest features three and a half days of organized bird tours, speakers, dining events and exhibits. This year, there will be more information about nature tourism like kayaking, boat cruises, nature education and wildlife watching, so there’s really something for everyone.

We also found more to the area’s wildlife than birds. In addition to the alligators Julia had spotted earlier, natural areas just minutes from the beach are home to bobcats, red foxes and gopher tortoises. On one of our bird watching journeys, we even spotted the carnivorous white-topped pitcher plant, which traps and eats insects not unlike a Venus flytrap.

Back at the beach, we took a walk at sunset. We gazed out from the sand as different types of gulls flocked in the distance, a pod of pelicans coasted along the water and sandpipers hunted for crustaceans in the surf. Miles and Julia identified each of the birds, smiling and laughing as they raced to see who could guess the species before the other. When I saw the joy in our kids’ eyes, I knew they had discovered the natural beauty of the beach, and that they would embrace birding and wildlife as their own hobby, just as Gina and I had hoped.

Icon of a hotel
Find Your Perfect Place to Stay
Places to Stay Search Lodging Options
icon of a guide
Where Your Journey Begins
Order a Vacation Guide Order a Free Vacation Guide
Email icon
News from the Coast
Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter Subscribe to Our Enewsletter

Share This

Gulf Shores Orange Beach Logo
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (1323 Posts)
  • https://facebook.com/VisitALBeaches
  • https://twitter.com/VisitAlBeaches

You May Also Like

Shell Beach Orange Beach

Quick List of Public Beaches On The Alabama Gulf Coast

Dog Pond Lake Shelby

Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation

Gulf State Park Gulf Shores AL

Park Ranger Dishes on Coolest Parts of Gulf State Park

Leave Only Footprints Sign

Leave Only Footprints: It's not just about the litter

Tent camping in Gulf Shores, AL

The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Parasailing in Orange Beach

7 Things to do in May in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Order a Vacation Guide Subscribe to our Enewsletter
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Logo
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Trip Ideas
  • Press
  • Partners
  • Responsible Tourism
  • 1-800-745-SAND
  • [email protected]
  • Privacy Policy
  • Linking Policy
  • Employment Opportunities
Copyright 2022 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. All rights reserved.
  • Order a Vacation Guide
  • Subscribe to Our Enewsletter
  • How can I help with your vacation?