Coastal birding habitat

Dauphin Island - Pelican Island

Alabama · Southeast

Habitat
Coastal
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Dauphin Island - Pelican Island is a productive birding destination in Alabama, with 246 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, and Mourning Dove among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

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

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

5/31/2026Jemison’s Bait & Tackle - Mudflats5 observed

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri

5/31/2026Cedar Point1 observed

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

5/31/2026Dauphin Island--Audubon Bird Sanctuary1 observed

Ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapilla

5/30/2026Fort Morgan State Historic Site1 observed

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

5/22/2026Fort Morgan--Mobile Point1 observed

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa

5/22/2026Bon Secour NWR--Pine Beach Trail1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Semipalmated Sandpiper

56/2/2026

Laughing Gull

306/2/2026

Least Tern

96/2/2026

Sandwich Tern

26/2/2026

Royal Tern

56/2/2026

Snowy Egret

16/2/2026

Great Blue Heron

16/2/2026

Brown Pelican

46/2/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

46/2/2026

Boat-tailed Grackle

56/2/2026

Semipalmated Plover

16/2/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

36/2/2026

Great Crested Flycatcher

16/2/2026

Blue Jay

26/2/2026

Purple Martin

16/2/2026

Carolina Wren

46/2/2026

Northern Mockingbird

46/2/2026

Common Grackle

46/2/2026

Pine Warbler

16/2/2026

Northern Cardinal

86/2/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.

  2. 2

    Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Dauphin Island - Pelican Island for birding?
The best months to visit Dauphin Island - Pelican Island for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Dauphin Island - Pelican Island?
Notable species at Dauphin Island - Pelican Island include Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Mourning Dove, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer. The area supports coastal habitats.
How difficult is birding at Dauphin Island - Pelican Island?
Birding at Dauphin Island - Pelican Island is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.
What amenities are available at Dauphin Island - Pelican Island?
Dauphin Island - Pelican Island offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.