Nature on the Bay - Birding
From the wetland habitats of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta to the bays and beaches of the Gulf Coast, the Mobile Bay area is a world-renown birder’s paradise. Woodlands, river banks, swamps, bays and beaches all combine to create an abundance of avian habitats.
What’s more, you can actually begin your birding adventure from the hotel. The Hampton Inn® Mobile-East Bay/Daphne hotel sits directly on the East Shore overlooking the Mobile Bay and is flanked by D’Olive Creek, making it one of the area’s top birding sights. You’ll likely see ducks, herons, pelicans and a variety of other waterfowl—right from your balcony!
According to Mobile Bay Audubon Society records, some 377 species of land and water fowl inhabit the area—including indigenous year-round residents, species that spend only the summer or winter in the area, and those elusive migratory species that visit only briefly. Indeed, while birding along the Alabama Gulf Coast is exciting any time of the year, seasoned birders know that spring and fall are best, as about 90 migratory species stop over as they make their way to and from the tropics.
The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail—arranged as a series of six loops featuring the area’s best birding sites—offers birding enthusiasts endless opportunities for avian appreciation. Stretching from the delta wetlands and running along both sides of Mobile Bay to the sandy terrain of the Gulf, the trail highlights over 50 of the most frequented birding spots.
One of the most popular loops is the Eastern Shore, Mobile Bay Causeway and Blakeley Island Loop, which runs north and south of the Hampton Inn® Mobile-East Bay/Daphne hotel. Prime birding sites along this loop are just minutes from the hotel—including Daphne Bayfront Park, D’Olive Bay Overlook ( adjacent to the hotel), Meaher State Park, Chacaloochee Bay, and the Mobile Bay Mudflats. These sites are popular for spotting ducks, waders and shorebirds, the Barred Owl, Gull-billed Tern, American White Pelican, American Coot, Glossy Ibis and various herons. Rare and endangered species are often sighted along this trail as well.
Click HERE for complete details on the entire Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.
Whether you’re a longtime birder or a novice, the Mobile Bay area is a dream-come-true for bird watching. You’ll marvel at such sights as a Great Blue Heron sailing across the Bay sunset—or pelicans flying in perfect formation as they prepare to nose-dive into the Gulf for the catch of the day. Happy birding!
