Dauphin Island
Alabama · Southeast
Easy
March-May
Free
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
Dauphin Island sits at the northern edge of the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the first landfall points for trans-Gulf migrants each spring. Exhausted songbirds pile into the island's oak hammocks, creating legendary fallout events that draw birders from across the country.
The Audubon Bird Sanctuary on the island's east end offers boardwalks through maritime forest, marshes, and dune habitats, providing close encounters with dozens of warbler species, tanagers, grosbeaks, and buntings during peak migration.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Dunlin
Calidris alpina
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus forficatus
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mourning Dove
Great Blue Heron
Brown Pelican
Osprey
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Purple Martin
Brown Thrasher
House Finch
Eastern Towhee
Willet
Ruddy Turnstone
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Black Skimmer
Least Tern
Caspian Tern
Sandwich Tern
Royal Tern
Snowy Egret
Birding Tips
- 1
Visit during spring cold fronts for the best fallout conditions — overcast skies with light rain push migrants down
- 2
The Audubon Bird Sanctuary on the east end is the top spot for warblers and songbirds
- 3
Fall migration (September-October) brings waves of southbound warblers and raptors
- 4
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
- 5
Check the tide schedule — shorebirds are most active during falling and low tides
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Fort Gaines
- Bellingrath Gardens
More in Alabama
Alabama Birding Guide
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