Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary Trail

The Audubon Bird Sanctuary on Dauphin Island is legendary among birders as one of the premier migration hotspots in North America. After crossing the Gulf of Mexico, exhausted songbirds make landfall on this barrier island, often concentrating in remarkable numbers at the sanctuary. The trail system winds through maritime forest, past freshwater ponds, and along coastal dunes, passing through habitats that attract an extraordinary diversity of species. Spring fallouts following cold fronts can produce spectacular concentrations of warblers, thrushes, and other migrants. Even outside peak migration, the sanctuary supports diverse resident birds and visiting shorebirds. Serious birders plan pilgrimages here, while casual visitors enjoy the peaceful coastal scenery.