Above: Reddish Egret by Melissa Rowell/Audubon Photography Awards
dauphin island:
SPRING MIGRATION on the gulf coast
April 11 to 14, 2024
Georgia Audubon Guides: Adam Betuel and Gabe Andrle
Group Size: Maximum 16 participants
Registration:
- Georgia Audubon Master Birder in good standing - $560 per person
- Georgia Audubon Member - $585 per person
- Non-member - $620 per person (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Guests are responsible for their own meals, travel, and lodging. Georgia Audubon will reserve a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for those who are interested in reserving a room at a group rate (see Lodging Information below).
Few places in the United States offer the birdwatching excitement that can be found along the Gulf Coast in spring. Songbirds adorned with the brightest of plumages pour into the region after safely traversing miles and miles of open water. In addition to these feathered jewels, northbound shorebirds and dancing waders cover the beach, skulking rails and sparrows fill the marshes, and year-round residents sing alongside their temporary neighbors. If this sounds like a birdwatching experience you would like to be a part of, then join Georgia Audubon as we visit the hotspots of Dauphin Island, Alabama, and the Mobile Bay.
From April 11 to April 14, Georgia Audubon staff will lead a group of birdwatchers to songbird havens, productive coasts and marshes, and on a chartered boat trip throughout the Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay area. On this trip, we hope to find 15-20 species of warblers, 20+ species of shorebirds, almost if not all of the wading birds of the eastern US, and numerous other highlights like Painted Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Two of the three days will have us birding on the island, seeing what the northward winds have brought in. Our other full day will be spent exploring other hotspots around the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Come and join us as we take in the splendor of spring migration and the unpredictable excitement it can bring.
From April 11 to April 14, Georgia Audubon staff will lead a group of birdwatchers to songbird havens, productive coasts and marshes, and on a chartered boat trip throughout the Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay area. On this trip, we hope to find 15-20 species of warblers, 20+ species of shorebirds, almost if not all of the wading birds of the eastern US, and numerous other highlights like Painted Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Two of the three days will have us birding on the island, seeing what the northward winds have brought in. Our other full day will be spent exploring other hotspots around the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Come and join us as we take in the splendor of spring migration and the unpredictable excitement it can bring.
Questions? Contact Adam Betuel or Gabe Andrle by email or at 678-973-2437.
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
itinerary
Day 1 - thursday, april 11 - arrival
Participants will need to arrive by the evening of April 11. Those who arrive in time can meet for a casual dinner or drinks as we discuss our most wanted targets and enjoy the salty air.
day 2 - friday, april 12 - dauphin island hotspots
Our entire first day will be spent bouncing around the best birding sites on the island. Hooded, Worm-eating, Prothonotary, and many other warblers are expected. Tanagers, buntings, orioles, and a handful of swallow species can all be found. The winds will dictate this but we are likely to spend the morning targeting the marshes or beaches, potentially finding Piping and Snowy Plovers, Least and Caspian Terns, Reddish Egrets, and many more. The afternoon will likely be spent targeting songbirds at destinations like the famous Shell Mound Park, Audubon Bird Sanctuary, and Goat Tree Reserve.
day 3 - saturday, april 13 - Dauphin Island 2.0 or mobile Bay
Today will be somewhat flexible depending on the forecast and how successful we were the previous day. We will likely spend more time visiting the same hotspots as on Friday, hoping new species have arrived in the overnight. If conditions look poor for migration or if we have hit all the targets, we will head north to spots around the Mobile Bay. Bayfront Park in Daphne could yield us new warblers and some songbirds difficult to find on Dauphin. Five Rivers Delta Resource Center could have night-herons, rails, White-winged Doves, and more. Finally, Muddy Creek WMA provides us opportunity to visit open fields, upland forest, and pine stands. No matter what, today will be another exciting and bird filled day, shaped by the phenomenon that is bird migration.
day 4 - sunday, april 14 - TENSAW RIVER Boat Trip
Our final morning will have us depart the island early to head back to the delta. We plan on starting at Blakely Island, a spoil/disposal site. These impoundments at this site can have a diversity of ducks, shorebirds, wading birds, and possibly rails. Songbirds that like more open habitats also should be around in numbers. If we are lucky, we may come across one the resident Barn Owls at their day roost. After wrapping up here, we will move to the east to take a private boat trip on the Tensaw River. On this covered boat trip, we will learn about the ecology of this productive water system, its history, and hopefully connect with a few new birds. We will aim to have the birdwatching end around lunchtime (12-1 pm), ensuring that everyone can begin their journey home at a reasonable time.
additional information
Price Includes:
Price does not include:
Lodging Information:
Participants are responsible for their own lodging. Depending upon availability, Georgia Audubon will set up a room block at the only hotel on Dauphin Island, the Gulf Breeze Motel, for the nights of April 11, 12, and 13. The room block cannot be set up until October, so we will communicate this lodging information with registered participants at that time. The Gulf Breeze Motel provides basic and clean accommodations. Participants who may desire more amenities may want to consider other private rental units such as houses and condos on the island through providers such as VRBO, Airbnb, etc. Please contact us with any questions about lodging.
Meals:
Participants are responsible for their own meals. An optional casual dinner and/or drinks meet-up on the evening of Thursday, April 11, will be arranged and communicated to participants in advance of the trip. Individuals can do whatever they would like for all dinners, though often many in the group will want to go to the same location and your Audubon guides will have recommendations. A break for lunch will be factored in so people can run to a nearby restaurant/grocery store or can eat a pack lunch. You may want to plan on packing snacks and, of course, water each. There are many restaurants on the island that are convenient for a sit-down meal or to pick up a meal to-go.
Pace:
To maximize our time in the area, you can expect full days of birding, beginning around 7:30 AM and ending around 7:30 PM. We’ll take about an hour for lunch each day to give people time to pick up lunch or to rest. Weather in the area can change quickly during the spring, so the group should be prepared to adjust plans as needed.
COVID-19 Travel Precautions:
Until further notice, all participants in the Georgia Audubon Travel Program must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date, including having at least one booster. Georgia Audubon will verify participants' vaccination status at least two weeks prior to the travel dates. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by January 12, 2024, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between January 13, 2022, and February 16, 2024, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
- Two full days and one half-day of guided birding with Georgia Audubon staff
- Chartered boat tour of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta
- Admission to all fee-based birding sites, including Battleship Memorial Park, Dauphin Island public beach access points, Blakeley State Park, and possibly other locations
- eBird checklists for all birdwatching and a final report summarizing the trip
Price does not include:
- Transportation and travel fees not specified above
- Lodging
- Meals, beverages, etc.
- Tips for the boat captains
- Travel insurance, recommended
- Medical costs
- Souvenirs
- Other incidentals participants may wish to purchase
Lodging Information:
Participants are responsible for their own lodging. Depending upon availability, Georgia Audubon will set up a room block at the only hotel on Dauphin Island, the Gulf Breeze Motel, for the nights of April 11, 12, and 13. The room block cannot be set up until October, so we will communicate this lodging information with registered participants at that time. The Gulf Breeze Motel provides basic and clean accommodations. Participants who may desire more amenities may want to consider other private rental units such as houses and condos on the island through providers such as VRBO, Airbnb, etc. Please contact us with any questions about lodging.
Meals:
Participants are responsible for their own meals. An optional casual dinner and/or drinks meet-up on the evening of Thursday, April 11, will be arranged and communicated to participants in advance of the trip. Individuals can do whatever they would like for all dinners, though often many in the group will want to go to the same location and your Audubon guides will have recommendations. A break for lunch will be factored in so people can run to a nearby restaurant/grocery store or can eat a pack lunch. You may want to plan on packing snacks and, of course, water each. There are many restaurants on the island that are convenient for a sit-down meal or to pick up a meal to-go.
Pace:
To maximize our time in the area, you can expect full days of birding, beginning around 7:30 AM and ending around 7:30 PM. We’ll take about an hour for lunch each day to give people time to pick up lunch or to rest. Weather in the area can change quickly during the spring, so the group should be prepared to adjust plans as needed.
COVID-19 Travel Precautions:
Until further notice, all participants in the Georgia Audubon Travel Program must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date, including having at least one booster. Georgia Audubon will verify participants' vaccination status at least two weeks prior to the travel dates. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by January 12, 2024, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between January 13, 2022, and February 16, 2024, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Prothonotary Warbler by Melanie Vickers.
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Birding on Dauphin Island. Photo by Adam Betuel.
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Yellow-billed Cuckoo by Adam Betuel.
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