Coastal BirdFest October 6-9, 2021

Wednesday, Oct. 6 naturalists. Expected birds include Anhinga, American White Pelicans, a variety of herons, and Brown-headed #100 – MAGNOLIA BRANCH WILDLIFE RESERVE Nuthatch. Note: Easy walking 6:30am-2pm – Ride bus from 5 Rivers | Fee: $60 – includes lunch #103 – SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF MOBILE Magnolia Branch is the perfect place to get away and TENSAW DELTA enjoy nature. Join our guides as we explore some of the 7am-10am – Departs from Meaher Park | Fee: $100 more than 900 acres of pristine forest, creeks, and lakes A small group of birders will enjoy a personalized boat owned and maintained by the Poarch Band of Creek journey into the vast wilderness of the Mobile-Ten- Indians. Additionally, a tribal elder will speak on cultural saw Delta wilderness. Travel with local nature expert issues and conservation activities utilized by the Poarch Ben Raines, a licensed charter captain, award-winning Band of Creek Indians. Note: Moderate walking journalist and filmmaker. Ben came up with the name “America’s Amazon” for a documentary on the Mo- #101 – FORT MORGAN PENINSULA, TRANS GULF bile-Tensaw Delta. The delta is one of the largest wet- MIGRATION and BIRD BANDING land complexes on the continent, covering hundreds of 6:30am-2pm – Ride bus from 5 Rivers | Fee: $60 – thousands of acres with a network on rivers and creeks includes Lunch that brand together and twist apart. His custom-built The American Bird Conservancy calls Fort Morgan of boat can maneuver the shallow waters of bays and the top globally-important bird areas in the United tributaries with a high-speed but quiet motor, allowing States. You will visit open areas and shoreline around you to get close and observe the abundant wildlife in an this historic site, hoping to see a variety of neotropi- environmentally-friendly, undisturbed atmosphere. Trip cal migrants, resident birds, and hawks. This trip also is limited to six participants. Note: Small boat cruise includes visiting the banding site of the new Banding Coalition of the Americas and a chance to hold a bird #104 – WEEKS BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE and release it. RESEARCH RESERVE/WEEKS BAY EXPLORER CRUISE 7am-9am – Departs from Weeks Bay Marina | Fee: $30 #101-A – FORT MORGAN PENINSULA, TRANS GULF MIGRATION and BIRD BANDING Cruise Weeks Bay and Magnolia River onboard the 6:30am-2pm – Meet bus at Fort Morgan | Fee: $30 – Weeks Bay Explorer, and learn about this beautiful estu- does not include lunch ary. During the tour, be on the lookout for Bald Eagles, Osprey, terns, gulls, egrets, herons, and marine wildlife. #102 – LANGAN PARK, MOBILE BOTANICAL GAR- Afterwards, enjoy a self-guided tour along the board- DENS and ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CENTER walks through a bottomland hardwood swamp and/or 7am-2pm – Ride bus from 5 Rivers | Fee: $60 – a native pitcher plant bog, or see exhibits in the Visitor includes lunch Center. Note: Cruise Explore a variety of great birding locations in Mobile and hear from experts with stops at Langan Park, the #105 – THE BIRDS, WILDLIFE AND HABITATS OF , trails at the University of GULF STATE PARK South Alabama, and the Mobile County Environmental 7am-2pm – Ride bus from 5 Rivers | Fee: $60 – Studies Center, a wildlife rehabilitation facility, where includes lunch you will enjoy a bird and wildlife presentation from staff Situated on the coast of the , Gulf State New to birding and want to enhance your experiences Park is home to a variety of different ecosystems rang- during BirdFest and beyond? Taught by local expert ing from beaches to maritime forests and pine savan- Carol Furman, this workshop will offer tips on what to nas. The park is home to a host of diverse species of look for and when, how to use binoculars, what you plants and animals, including resident and migrating need to know about birding etiquette, and more. birds and several rare, threatened, or endangered species. Come explore the park and learn why it is so #109 – SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF MOBILE- important to preserve this unique area. TENSAW DELTA 2pm-5pm – Departs from Bartram Landing at 5 Rivers #106 – BLAKELEY STATE PARK NATURE WALK Fee: $100 | See trip description for #103 9:30-11:30am – Meet at Blakeley State Park Entrance Fee: $30 #110 – ADVANCED BIRDING WORKSHOP 4pm-6pm – 5 Rivers | Fee: $25 The extensive hardwoods at Blakeley State Park attract many migrant birds in October, including the striking Take your birding knowledge to the next level with this Blackburnian Warbler. The park is also one of the best advanced class, taught by Alabama Audubon’s Olivia places in the Mobile area to find such resident birds as Morpeth and Sabrina Cobb. Hairy Woodpecker. In addition to birds, Blakeley State Park has a wonderful assortment of flowers that attract #111 – SUNSET AIRBOAT TOUR a great diversity of butterflies. It also is a seasonal 5:30pm-6:30pm – Departs from the Original Oyster home for many species of dragonfly ranging in size House | Fee: $55 from Little Blue Dragonlet and Amanda’s Pennant to several of the large clubtails. The nature walk gives you Join Airboat Express for a beautiful evening explor- a great opportunity to hear and see many of the birds ing the Delta by airboat. This tour is a photographer’s as well as other wildlife. dream with chances to see eagles, gators, and other critters as well as a beautiful sunset over the water. #107 – SOUTHEASTERN HUMMINGBIRDS Guides from Airboat Express are knowledgeable about WORKSHOP the flora and fauna of the Delta and happy to educate Noon-2pm – 5 Rivers | Fee: $25 all participants about the natural wonders they see. Note: Boat Tour The program, taught by Fred Bassett, will discuss Ruby-throated hummingbirds in depth and introduce #112 – DELTA SUNSET CRUISE several western hummingbird species wintering in 5pm-7pm – Departs from Cafe Del Rio Restaurant the Southeast and show how they are banded. Fred Fee: $35 Bassett is a certified master bird bander who is pres- ident of Hummingbird Research, Inc, a non-profit Explore the calm waters of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta organization dedicated to the study and preservation and Northern on this late afternoon boat of hummingbirds. He has worked with birds for over tour. You’ll explore the open marsh, watching for a vari- twenty-five years. During the winter Fred documents ety of wildlife along the riverbanks as we make our way western hummingbirds wintering in Alabama and Flori- into Mobile Bay where we’ll watch the sun set over the da. Over the past twenty winters, he has captured more bay and the city of Mobile, Alabama. Snacks and soft than 3,500 hummingbirds of eleven different species in drinks are provided. Note: Cruise that area. He travels each summer to study humming- birds in western states and has done hummingbird #113 – WELCOME RECEPTION AND PRESENTATION research in Alaska and Canada. He has banded more 5pm-7pm | Fee: $40 than 30,000 hummingbirds at more than 1,200 loca- tions from Miami, Florida to Haines, Alaska. Results of Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres on the outside deck his research have been presented in several national of the famed Bluegill Restaurant on the Causeway. publications. Catch a beautiful sunset over the Mobile skyline, meet your fellow birders, pick up local brochures, and enjoy #108 – BASICS OF BIRDING WORKSHOP “Nature Through Lenses” focusing on works from 2021 2pm-4pm – 5 Rivers | Fee: $25 featured photographer, Andrew Haffenden. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 #204 – MOBILE BAY, DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB RESEARCH VESSEL ALABAMA DISCOVERY CRUISE #200 – JACINTO PORT, WILLIAM BROOKS PARK, 6:30am-2:30pm – Ride bus from 5 Rivers | Fee: $60 CHICKASAW PONDS, and BATTLESHIP PARK 6:30am-noon – Carpool from 5 Rivers | Fee: $40 Join marine biologists from Dauphin Island Sea Lab for a cruise aboard the Research Vessel Alabama Discovery. Enjoy birding the 7.5 miles of this Forever Wild prop- You’ll learn the Bay’s history, ecology, and value, per- erty located in Saraland, Alabama. Our guides will take haps see bottlenose dolphins and the Sand Island Light- you through various habitats that include longleaf pine, house up close, and view specimens caught in a trawl slash, and hardwoods with views of Bayou Sara and net. Includes a stop at the George F. Crozier Estuarium. surrounding Mobile-Tensaw Delta. William Brooks Park Note: Cruise is located on Chickasaw Creek and offers trails and a boardwalk system to view the waterfowl, waders, and #205 – MONARCHS AND MORE BUTTERFLY WORKSHOP migratory birds. Birds that are frequently seen at Chick- 9am-10:30am – 5 Rivers | Fee: $25 asaw Ponds include Common Gallinule, Least Bittern, Purple Gallinule, Anhinga, and various migratory birds. Join naturalist Eric Haskell in watching an informative Note: Moderate walking film about butterflies! Following will be a discussion of the movie and a question / answer session. Eric will also #201 – DAUPHIN ISLAND/TRANS GULF MIGRATION touch on butterflies of coastal Alabama, butterfly con- FLYWAY servation, gardening for butterflies and moths, photo- 6:30am-2pm – Ride bus from 5 Rivers | Fee: $60 – graphing insects, how to locate butterflies, and more! includes lunch #206 – PERCH CREEK/MOBILE BLUEWAY KAYAK TOUR Dauphin Island has been named the “Birdiest Small 1pm-4 pm – Departs from McNally Park | Fee: $55 City” in the U.S. and for good reason – an informal count in April 2008 recorded 203 species. Located on Come paddle the City of Mobile’s new birding trail, the the Gulf Migration Flyway, Dauphin Island has been Perch Creek Nature Trail Preserve in the lower named one of the “top four locations in North America Watershed. Join other nature lovers as we depart from for viewing neotropical migration.” This heavy-walking the Perch Creek launch of the Dog River Scenic Blue- trip will visit prime birding spots, including the Dauphin way inside McNally Park off Dauphin Island Parkway in Island Audubon Bird Sanctuaries, the airport marsh, Mobile. We will meander through serene waters of this Shell Mound Park, the goat trees, rock jetties at Fort quiet natural resource-rich complex. Watch for Bald Gaines, and the causeway. Eagle, osprey, various songbirds and shorebirds, and maybe a glimpse of the resident Pileated Woodpecker. #202 – SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF MOBILE Local guides will also be on hand to discuss the unique TENSAW DELTA flora and fauna found in this urban estuarine system. 7am-10am – Departs from Bartram Landing at 5 Rivers Note: Moderate paddle Fee: $100 | *See trip #103 for description #207 – RAPTORS AND FALCONRY WORKSHOP #203 – FIELD SESSION AT BAYFRONT PARK 2pm-4pm – 5 Rivers | Fee: $25 7:30am-10:30am – Meet at Bayfront Park in Daphne Fee: $30 Five Rivers Delta Center assistant manager and director of education Mark Wetzel will explore the variety of Take the skills you learned in the birding workshops raptors found in Alabama. A licensed falconer, Mark will out into the real world at one of the area’s most easily also describe the techniques and traditions associated accessible and highly diverse birding spots...Bayfront with the sport of falconry and will introduce you to some Park. Local birding expert, Larry Gardella, will teach of the amazing birds he works with. participants how to identify specific species of birds that are regularly seen at this particular spot. Be sure to #208 – SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF MOBILE- bring your binoculars and any bird identification books TENSAW DELTA you have. Note: Moderate walking 2pm-5:pm – Departs from Bartram Landing at 5 Rivers Fee: $100 | *See trip #100 for description

#209 – SUNSET AIRBOAT TOUR #301 – BIRDING & NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY AT 5:30pm-6:30pm – Departs from the Original Oyster MEAHER PARK House | Fee: $55 | *See trip #111 for description 6:30am-9am – Meet at Meaher Park on the Causeway Fee: $30 #210 – WEEKS BAY SUNSET CRUISE 5pm-7pm – Departs from Weeks Bay Marina | Fee: $35 Meaher State Park, just off the Causeway, is a public park situated where the Mobile – Tensaw Delta empties into End your day with a leisurely cruise onboard the Weeks Mobile Bay. A raised 1,000-foot-long boardwalk offers Bay Explorer along Weeks Bay and Magnolia rivers, and spectacular viewpoints of Ducker Bay and Bay John and watch birds and marine life end their day. The sunsets affords photographers a close vantage point to the birds. over Mobile Bay are spectacular! We will position the A fishing pier and an oyster shell beach also provide boat perfectly, giving you time to snap great photos be- unique views and photo opportunities. Shorebirds large fore heading back to dock. Note: Cruise and small feed in the shallow waters of Ducker Bay along with Ospreys, herons, egrets, bitterns, ibis, American #211 – DELTA SUNSET CRUISE White Pelicans, terns, Common and Purple Gallinules, 5pm-7pm – Departs from Cafe Del Rio Restaurant and several species of rails. Alligators, raccoons, otters, Fee: $40 | See trip #112 for description rabbits, butterflies, dragonflies, and a large variety of plants also inhabit the park. Join local award-winning #212 – CHOOSING A BIRDING TOUR – UNITED nature photographers Rodney Kilgore and Carol Furman STATES AND ABROAD who will guide a morning photo walk to explore the park 6pm-8pm – 5 Rivers Theater | Fee: $25 and all it has to offer, and give tips on where and how to get the best shots. Most birders at some point consider taking a guided birding tour, from just a few hours in an area they are #302 – SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF MOBILE-TENSAW visiting to multi-day domestic or international tours. Join DELTA Andrew Haffenden as he talks about how to decide 7am-10am – Departs from Bartram Landing at 5 Rivers which tour is right for you. He’ll answer all of your ques- Fee: $100 | *See trip #103 for description tions, such as whether to take a privately guided tour just for your party or a group tour, what’s a good size for #303 – BON SECOUR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE a group tour, and how long should the tour last? Those 7:30-11:30am – Meet at Bon Secour National Wildlife are just a few of the topics, but rest assured by the end of Refuge | Fee: $40 – Lunch will be provided the program you’ll feel confident that the tour you might select is the best one to meet your birding needs, ability, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge on Fort Morgan comfort level, expectations and travel style. We’ll also Peninsula is a prime birding location. Guides and natu- discuss tour etiquette and how to behave on the tour so ralists will take you down trails through woods, coastal you and your fellow tour participants get the most from marsh, and sandy beaches to seek birds and wildlife in a the shared experience. variety of habitats. A new boardwalk trail opened in 2018. Please note, this is a remote area and you will need to FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 bring water. Note: Extensive walking/sand & distance

#300 – BAYOU LA BATRE, FOREVER WILD GRAND BAY #304 – DELTA WILDLIFE BOAT TOUR SAVANNA, GRAND BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REF- 9am-10:30am – Departs from Cafe Del Rio Restaurant UGE, POINT AUX PINS Fee: $35 6:30am-2pm – Ride bus from 5 Rivers Fee: $60 – includes lunch Experience the lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta on this highly rated wildlife tour. You’ll float amongst the open Marsh The Nature Conservancy calls this area one of the “last watching for a variety of wildlife, and learn about these great places on Earth.” Fishing, shrimping, and oyster unique animals of the swamp and how they live. This harvesting are big businesses here, and birding concen- is the “must do” tour for all avid lovers of nature and trates on water birds, shorebirds, and marsh species, with its creatures when visiting Mobile, Alabama. The Mo- passerines and raptors abundant in the fall. bile-Tensaw Delta is Mobile’s biggest jewel - If you do Note: Moderate walking nothing else, take this trip! Note: Cruise

#305 – BUILDING A BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITAT #309 – AVIAN CONSERVATION: PAST, PRESENT, 10am-11:30am – 5 Rivers | Fee: $25 AND FUTURE 4:30pm-5:30pm – Tensaw Theatre at 5 Rivers | Fee: $25 Creating a backyard habitat that attracts birds, bugs, bunnies and the rest of the local wildlife is a fun and Explore the history of human exploitation of avian popu- rewarding experience. Whether you live in the city, on lations, causes (past and present) of species declines and suburban lot, or in a rural area with loads of land, you the efforts applied to mitigate habitat/species losses, and can provide all of the basic necessities for inviting the future problems associated with increased land use/al- locals into your yard. Planting a wildlife-friendly garden teration, climate change, and sea level rise. Joel Borden can enhance the enjoyment of any yard, and providing is a vertebrate ecologist and instructor of biology at the for the birds and animals has a positive impact on wildlife University of South Alabama where he has been active in that extends far beyond the boundaries of your prop- education and research in avian biology for over 10 years. erty line. You’ll be led by Rebecca Bryant, architect and co-founder of WATERSHED, where she works to create #310 – AN EVENING OF SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY and build environments that inspire a greater connection 6pm - 9pm - 5 Rivers | Fee: $60 to the natural world, and 5 Rivers assistant manager and director of education Mark Wetzel, where Mark will show What better way to experience Southern hospitality than participants a “backyard habitat” in the works at 5 Rivers. with a delicious meal that features coastal favorites, plus a great selection of beer and wine, followed by keynote #306 – MOBILE RIVER, BAY, AND DELTA TOUR speaker Mark Woodrey, PhD, a research biologist at 1pm-2:30 pm – Departs from Cooper Riverside Park the State University Coastal Research Cen- Fee: $35 ter. Mark also serves as the Research Coordinator at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. His top- The most interesting water-based tour in Alabama – ic for the evening will be Pine Savanna Birds. Throughout You’ll experience the 10th busiest Port in the nation, the the evening enjoy a beautiful video presentation of bird 4th largest, and most diverse estuary in North America and wildlife photography from along the Coastal Birding and the 2nd largest river delta in the U.S. You’ll see a Trail, created by Kathy Hicks, outreach and education, of working port, naval vessels, large and interesting cargo 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center. We will announce win- ships up exceptionally close, along with Mobile Bay, his- ners of the raffle following the keynote presentation. torical landmarks, birds, dolphins, and gators are all often seen on this tour. Note: Cruise SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

#307 – GRAHAM CREEK/WOLF BAY KAYAK TOUR BIRD AND CONSERVATION EXPO 1pm-4:pm – Departs from Graham Creek Nature Preserve 10am-2pm – Free Fee: $55 This family-oriented expo features a variety of conserva- This tour departs from the Graham Creek Nature Pre- tion organizations, raptor shows, touch tanks, and hands- serve in Foley, Alabama. We’ll explore the protected on activities such as building birdhouses and making art waters of Graham Creek as we watch Brown Pelicans dive from trash. Food trucks available all day. around us. This tour will make its way out to the North end of Wolf Bay, a premiere dolphin habitat of the area. #400 – BLAKELEY ISLAND MUD PONDS & BATTLESHIP There we’ll explore the bay and its local wildlife including PARK many species of wading birds and raptors. 6:30am-noon – Carpool from 5 Rivers | Fee: $30 Note: Moderate paddle Mobile River’s Blakeley Island is known for large dredge #308 – SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF THE MOBILE disposal ponds that are the premier shore-birding spots TENSAW DELTA in Alabama. With Battleship Park on the Causeway, these 2pm-5pm – Departs from Bartram Landing at 5 Rivers sites are great for spotting osprey, shorebirds, and water- Fee: $100 | *See trip #103 for description fowl-and the occasional Roseate Spoonbill. Note: Moderate walking

#401 – SALT AIRE IN MOBILE COUNTY #405– SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF MOBILE-TENSAW 7am-noon – Carpool from 5 Rivers | Fee: $30 DELTA 2pm-5pm – Departs from Bartram Landing at 5 Rivers Located north of the mouth of East in Fee: $100 | *See trip #103 for description Mobile County, the 233-acre Salt Aire property possesses one of the most pristine examples of old growth mesic #406 – WINE ON THE FARM Beech-Magnolia hardwood forest in the area and one of 4pm-6pm – The Hope Farm in Fairhope | Fee: $60 the few remaining examples of this rare habitat. The can- opy trees across the property are massive and impressive; Sample wines chosen by The Hope Farm sommelier, their large stature reflects Salt Aire’s lack of logging over enjoy delicious appetizers in a beautiful outdoor setting, a period of 100 years or more. This old-growth hardwood and hear tales from local naturalist and Mobile-Tensaw forest is important ecologically as the habitat offers nu- Delta ambassador Jimbo Meador as he talks about the merous benefits to wildlife, including providing stopover connection between birding and wildlife and land conser- and foraging habitat for neotropical migrants and local vation, the work of South Alabama Land Trust. breeding species. The upland knolls and ridges serve as scenic promontories overlooking the adjacent marshes, #407– SUNSET AIRBOAT TOUR offering unique opportunities to view wading and marsh 5:30pm-6:30pm – Departs from the Original Oyster House birds such as herons, egrets, rails, and ospreys. Fee: $55 | *See trip #111 for description Note: Moderate walking #408 – WEEKS BAY SUNSET CRUISE #402 – SMALL BOAT ECO-TOUR OF MOBILE-TENSAW 5pm-7pm – Departs from Weeks Bay Marina DELTA Fee: $30 | *See trip #210 for description 7am-10am – Departs from Bartram Landing at 5 Rivers Fee: $100 | *See trip #103 for description REGISTRATION INFORMATION

#403 – SHOREBIRD FIELD WORKSHOP Registration opens Monday, August 9, 8am. 6:30am-2pm – Carpool from 5 Rivers | Fee: $40 All registration is done online. If you are unable to register Dauphin Island is one of the “10 most globally import- online, please call 251-990-5004. Registrations are taken in the order in which they are received. You will receive a confirmation ant sites” for migration. We will visit the maritime forest, email from the ticketing site. marshes, and dunes of Audubon Bird Sanctuary and Pelican “Island,” a narrow strip of land that migrated from Prices listed do not include 7% state and local taxes. Sand Island Lighthouse and is now attached to Dauphin Island. will lead the tour and give ex- Andrew Haffenden CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY tensive instruction on field identification.Note: Moderate to extensive walking/sand & distance Alabama Coastal Birdfest reserves the right to cancel any event for any reason. In the unlikely event that BirdFest must cancel a #404 – EARLY BIRD KAYAK TOUR OF BAY MINETTE BAY trip, we will notify registered participants as soon as possible. 7am-9am – Departs from Buzbee’s Fish Camp | Fee: $55 Should you need to cancel any or all of your trips or events, a Paddle out of Buzbee’s Fish Camp to get right away into refund will be issued subject to the following: the southern reaches of the great Mobile-Tensaw Delta, • Cancellations on or before Sept 6 will receive a full refund minus a $10 administrative fee. Alabama’s Amazon. The diversity of plant and animal • Cancellations after Sept. 6 and on or before Sept. 16 will life is astounding! Near shore, you can hear some of the receive a 50% refund minus a $10 administrative fee. resident and summer resident birds still singing. Out • No refunds will be issued after Sept. 16. on the open water, look for herons and gallinules along • No refunds will be issued for no-shows. marshy edges and cast your eyes upward for birds flying overhead including Bald Eagles, Osprey, an assortment If BirdFest cancels a trip/event due to circumstances that cause of other raptors, both Glossy and White Ibis, both Black- safety concerns, such as weather, a full refund for the trip will be crowned and Yellow-crowned Night-herons and several available upon written request submitted on or before Oct. 31. species of swallow. Note: Easy paddle Please include address and phone number. Please send all refund requests to: [email protected]