Fort Morgan Loop

(Sites 11-15)

The Fort Morgan Loop begins at the intersection of AL 59 and AL 180 in Gulf Shores. Much of the Fort Morgan Peninsula is in the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and the extreme western end is in the Fort Morgan Historical Park. Other parts of the peninsula are under intense development and much of the access is on private property. Although there are no motels on the peninsula there are rental condominiums, beach houses and bed and breakfast accommodations available. There are only a few service stations and restaurants.

ACBT 11.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Travel westward from the intersection of AL 59 and AL 180. Pass the Jeff Friend Trail sign on the left (south) and then the refuge office sign, also on the left. You may want to stop at the office for refuge information. Continue on AL 180 until you see the Pine Beach Trail sign on the left (south) [8.8]. Enter the parking lot. An interpretive kiosk here usually has trail maps and bird cards. There is a two-mile trail southeastward to the beach by way of Little Lagoon and Alligator Lake. Birding may not be challenging here but it is an enjoyable walk through pine-oak scrub and marshes and dune scrub. Just west of the parking lot is Mobile Street an unpaved road leading to a public parking lot near the gulf beach. There are in-holdings in this area so birders should be particularly careful to respect the private property here. The road out to the beach is through marsh and palmetto habitat with the occasional opportunity to observe alligators. Caution is urged in these places, some of which are fenced to provide a healthy reminder not to get too close. There is also good habitat for winter sparrows and some waders along the road. The beach provides a vantage point for Northern Gannett, loons and other seabirds and shorebirds. Return to AL 180.

ACBT 12.
The Pines
Continue westward on AL 180 to the wide open beach and boat ramp at the site known as the Pines [4.0]. This provides the best open view of Bon Secour Bay to the north. If it is a good winter for ducks (cold enough northward to force them south) there can be huge rafts of grebes, ducks and mergansers. Old Squaw and scoters have been observed from this point.

ACBT 13.
St. Andrews Bay
Continuing west on AL 180 the pine woods on the right (north) gives way to marsh and open water. There will be a sand track [4.2] leading off to a boat launch with access to view St. Andrews Bay and Mobile Bay beyond. This is a good area for rails and waterbirds. It is also a good area to watch for raptors during fall migration.

ACBT 14.
Pilot Town
Proceed westward on AL 180 to Pilot Town on the right (north) a development underway between the road and Mobile Bay. Turn right [1.0] on unpaved Choctaw Road and continue north a short distance to Muskogee at the next intersection, turn right over to Cherokee and follow this along the canal to the end of the road. This is all private property but there are open spaces to view the bay and inlet. Common Ground Dove is usually here. It is also a good place to watch for swallows as they gather for fall migration.

ACBT 15.
Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan [2.0] is located at the western extremity of the peninsula and is an important stopover for spring and fall neotropical migrants. This is a classic migrant trap, and a birding paradise when adverse weather forces birds down in a "fallout," especially in spring. Many vagrant species find their way to this favorite birding spot, which can equal Dauphin Island in excitement. In fall, hundreds of migrating hawks can be seen moving west. Winter produces many waterbirds and sparrows. Summer is the slowest season, but can be good for terns. There are restrooms at the ferry landing and at the museum plus a snack bar at the ferry landing.

15A.
Stables

(Sites 15A-15E)

Just after the entrance kiosk at the eastern sea wall, park and bird the wooded area on the right known as the Stables[0.2]. This is the best spot in the park for passerine migrants, and should be explored thoroughly. The Hummer/Bird Study Group maintains their banding station in the Stables area each April and October and welcomes visitors.

15B.
Ferry Landing
Following the main road to the west, you reach the landing [0.1] for the ferry to Dauphin Island, where an admission fee is paid to enter the park.

15C.
Middle Ground
The brush and scrub opposite the landing are known as the Middle Ground, another good migrant spot. Fields and lawns to the west, between the ferry landing and the museum, are excellent for opencountry birds.

15D.
The Fort
Look around the fort [0.5], especially in oleander bushes, for migrants.

15E.
Marsh
The marsh and field area south of the fort can be observed from the sea wall on the south side. Please take care around the homes here. Walk to Mobile Point to the south, either along the beach or between the dunes and the marsh. This is a good seawatching spot, and the point itself is excellent for gulls and terns.

This is the end of the Fort Morgan Loop. At this point you may either return to Gulf Shores, perhaps to rest for the evening, or start the South Baldwin County Loop or you may catch the ferry to begin the Dauphin Island Loop.

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PO Drawer 457
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
Phone: 877-226-9089 | Fax: 251-968-6095

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