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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 State 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 – Jeff Friend Trail
From AL 59, travel westward on AL 180 to the Jeff Friend Trail on the left (south) side of the road [6.0]. Drive through the gate and follow the road to the parking lot and trailhead. The Jeff Friend trail is a 1-mile loop to Little Lagoon and is accessible to disabled persons. Habitats include maritime forest, freshwater marsh, and open water along the north shore of Little Lagoon. A small observation deck midway down the trail at Little Lagoon is a great place to set up a spotting scope and look for common loon, bufflehead, and horned grebe in winter. Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Sandwich Tern, and Osprey may be seen over the water. On the trail, woodland birds including Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Summer Tanager, and Northern Parula may be observed in summer. At dusk and dawn (please keep in mind the refuge is closed at dark), Chuck-will's-widow and Great Horned Owl are commonly heard in spring and summer. Whip-poor-will and Eastern Screech-Owl are also occasionally heard calling. The 2-mile Centennial Trail connects the Jeff Friend and Pine Beach Trails and has forested wetlands on the eastern end that would be good places to look for Prothonotary Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and other migrants in spring and fall. Return to AL 180.
ACBT 12.
Bon Secour NWR – Pine Beach Trail
From the Jeff Friend Trail, travel westward on AL 180 [1.5]. The refuge office sign is on the left and you may want to stop for information about the refuge and the latest bird sightings. From the office, continue westward on AL 180 for 1.5 miles (3 miles west of the Jeff Friend Trail) until you see the Pine Beach Trail on the left (south) side of the road. Enter the parking lot. An interpretive kiosk here has trail maps and bird lists. This is a two-mile trail (each way) southeastward to the beach by way of Little Lagoon and Gator Lake. The hike is an enjoyable walk through a variety of habitats including oak mottes, sand pine scrub, fresh and saltwater marshes, dunes, and beaches. The Pine Beach Trail will generally have the best birding on the refuge during migration and can also provide excellent winter birding opportunities. Species that are commonly observed in woodland areas during migration include Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and American Redstart. Open habitats along the trail often have Eastern Kingbird, Prairie Warbler, and Eastern Bluebird. Once you reach the western shore of Little Lagoon, look for Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and Red-breasted Merganser during winter. A large observation deck near the bridge at Gator Lake will provide a good opportunity to set up a scope and look for wintering ducks, alligators, and grebes. The 2-mile Centennial Trail connects the Pine Beach and Jeff Friend Trails and the western end of this trail features an observation deck where you may spot swamp sparrow, rails, and common yellowthroat. At the end of the trail, keep an eye out for Common Ground-dove in the dunes and Snowy Plover on the beach. Please be sure you stay on the trail and observe all closed area signs since this is a snowy plover nesting area.
ACBT 13.
Bon Secour NWR – Mobile Street
Just west of the Pine Beach Trail parking lot is Mobile Street, a paved 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 in the wetland swales along the road. About 0.75 miles down the road you will see the parking area on your left for the 1-mile (each way) Gator Lake Trail, which connects Mobile Street with the Pine Beach Trail. This narrow trail can be excellent for winter birding where you may see large flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and both kinglets. At the end of Mobile Street, the beach provides a vantage point for Northern Gannets, loons, and other seabirds and shorebirds. Common Ground-dove is often spotted near the dune walkover. Return to AL 180.
ACBT 14.
The Pines
From Mobile Street, 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. Long-tailed Duck and scoters have been observed from this point.
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
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| (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 open-country birds.
15D.
The Fort
Look around the fort [0.5], especially in oleander bushes, for a variety of 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 by driving north on AL 59 to the US 98 intersection in Foley or you may catch the ferry to begin the Dauphin Island Loop.
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Bon Secour National
Wildlife Refuge
12295 Highway 180
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251/540 7720
bonsecour.fws.gov
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Fort Morgan
Historical Park
51 Highway 180
West Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251/540 7125
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