Flock Together
Grab your binoculars and migrate south for the 2026 John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest on April 23-26. This year marks the 23rd year of the festival. Hosted by Alabama Audubon, BirdFest brings together nature enthusiasts and birders of all ages for four days of birdwatching, tours, and workshops.
2026 John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest
BirdFest Locations
BirdFest Locations
BirdFest takes place in various cities across the Alabama Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Spanish Fort, and Mobile. Specific meeting spots are given to participants after registration. Traveling between locations is easy, and no destinations are more than an hour apart. All attendees are responsible for their own transportation.
Field Trips & Tours
Field Trips & Tours
Throughout the event, guests can embark on various land- and water-based tours across the area. Events include boat tours, kayak excursions, bike trips, and walking tours. Most events happen more than once, so there are multiple opportunities to participate. Each field trip has a limited number of spots, and prices vary.
Bird Banding
Bird Banding
One of the highlights of the festival is the bird banding events at Alabama Audubon’s birding station at Fort Morgan. Historic Fort Morgan is a hotspot for migratory and native birds. During spring migration, the professionals at Alabama Audubon safely trap and band birds passing through to record data. After tagging them with a unique band, the birds are then quickly released. Banding allows researchers to track the movements, lifespan, and migration patterns.
Guides
Guides
All excursions are led by knowledgeable guides from across the Southeast, many of whom are from the Gulf Coast. Each offers a unique skill set and background, tailored to the event(s) they lead.
Keynote Event
Keynote Event
This year’s BirdFest kicks off on Thursday evening with a special dinner and keynote address from Nashville musician and avid birder, Bonner Black. Bonner will share her journey as a birder and perform an acoustic set of a few of her hit songs.
Coastal Birds
Coastal Birds
Guests at BirdFest are guaranteed to spot a variety of coastal and migratory birds during their outings. Commonly spotted native birds include water and diving birds, shorebirds, doves, and hawks. During spring migration, species such as warblers, hummingbirds, tanagers, and orioles pass through the area.
BirdFest Admission
BirdFest Admission
Registration for the 2026 John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest is free. However, all events and field trips have their own specific pricing. Excursion costs range from $30 to $200. For a full schedule of events and prices, visit Alabama Audubon’s BirdFest site.
More Birding Adventures
The Alabama Gulf Coast is a fantastic place to bird thanks to its natural beauty and abundant wildlife. The area is home to the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, which encompasses over 200 miles of trails within six different loops, many of which are along Alabama’s Beaches. Fall and spring are excellent times for birding in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan, as they provide the best opportunities for sightings.
Coming for an Event? Book Your Stay!
Whatever your vacation style, Alabama’s Beaches have the perfect spot for you. Start planning by choosing your dates and group size, and explore the best vacation rentals in Gulf Shores, comfortable places to stay in Orange Beach, or the charming rentals of Fort Morgan. With verified listings, secure payments, and real support, there are plenty of reasons why you should book with us.
$200
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Book Now >Book your stay on our site (AlabamasBeaches.com) to visit during the month of May and receive a free $200 VISA gift card. Please see our disclaimer page for more details.
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