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Gulf Shores - Orange Beach is a well known resort area with many fine restaurants and accommodations as well as a variety of attractions
and recreational opportunities. The Gulf Shores - Orange Beach Loop of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail begins at the bridge over Perdido Pass,
east of AL 59 on AL 182 [8.8].
ACBT 1.
Perdido Pass/Alabama Point - East
(Formerly Florida Point when the state border was located at Perdido Pass.) This site is part of Gulf State Park (251/948 7275) and consists of beach and sea oat habitat where there are opportunities for bird observation, fishing, and viewing both Perdido Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. There are no posted hours for this park but overnight camping is not permitted. There are portable restroom facilities at the site.
Snowy Plover, a species on the Watch List, nests in the area, most often found in depressions in the sand away from the water and near the first line of dunes. Alabama Point also provides critical habitat for the federally endangered Perdido Key beach mouse. A wide variety of shorebirds are common in summer, as are wading birds. In winter, numbers of Common Loons feed in the pass during changing tides. An occasional vagrant Pacific or Redthroated Loon may show up in their midst. A spotting scope is usually needed for the distant waterfowl. After viewing the pass take the loop under the bridge and return to AL 182.
ACBT 2.
Perdido Pass/Alabama Point - West
Cross over the bridge traveling west and turn left (south) [0.6] into the parking lot for this portion of the Alabama Point facility. There is a sea wall along this side of the pass with benches. Portable restroom facilities are available. As with the east side no overnight camping is allowed but there are likely to be some fisherman here at any hour of the day or night. This location provides another perspective on the same areas viewed from the east side. Rock jetties extend a considerable distance out into the gulf on this side and can be accessed by walking west along the beach. This is a somewhat perilous venture since the rocks tend to be wet and slippery. The trip out does provide for a better chance to observe the winter seabirds that may be in the area, scoters, phalarope and loons.
ACBT 3.
Boggy Point
Continue west on AL 182 to AL 161 [2.0], turn right (north) and continue to Marina Road on the right [0.8], turn right (east) and proceed to the end of the peninsula that ends [1.5] at the Boggy Point Boat Launch, an Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources facility. There is a small beach here and an excellent view of Robinson Island to the east, a roosting site for herons and egrets. This location gives an alternate view of Perdido Pass. Return from Boggy Point to AL 161, turn left (south) and retrace your route back to AL 182.
ACBT 4.
Gulf State Park Pavilion
Turn right (west) on AL 182 to the Gulf State Park Pavilion and Beach [3.6] on the left (south). There is a nominal parking fee. This is a large, covered picnic pavilion with tables and benches, restrooms and water fountains. The pavilion closes at sunset. This is another great place to look for seabirds, particularly in winter. Northern Gannet is common off shore during migration. Any flock of loons should be carefully sorted for Red-throated and Pacific. Walk the beaches for plovers and peeps.
ACBT 5.
Nature Center - Gulf State Park Campground
Continue west on AL 182 to State Park Road (Baldwin County Road 2 "BC 2"), [0.6] and turn right (north), cross the bridge over the boat canal and park on the left (west) side of the road in the grassy area. You may walk Middle Lake Trail along the edge of the canal to Lake Shelby. Groove-bill Ani is a possible winter find in here and look for winter sparrows too.
Return to State Park Road turning left (north) and continue a short distance to Campground Road on the right (east). In a short distance you will come to the registration building where non-camping visitors register and pay a small fee. Proceed along the main route, Raccoon Road, to the third turn on the right which is marked for the Nature Center and Camp Pavilion.
The pavilion has restrooms, public phones and a camp store, open six days a week, Monday -Thursday, 7 am to 9 pm and Friday - Saturday, 7 am to 10 pm. The Nature Center is across the parking lot and is open and staffed Monday - Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm. Maps showing the six walking trails in the park and bird lists are available and the naturalist on duty can give you the latest information on birds in the park. In winter check Middle Lake from the pavilion for ducks. Also in winter check the Alligator Marsh Trail for Sandhill Crane.
ACBT 6.
Marsh Bridge
Return to State Park Road (BC 2), turn right (north) and continue to the intersection with AL 135 [2.5] and bear to the left (south) at the intersection. The park headquarters will be up hill on your right. Continue south on AL 135 one mile to Marsh Bridge, the stream is the effluent from Shelby Lakes and Little Lagoon. Cross the bridge and there is parking on the left. Check for bitterns, rails and winter sparrows.
ACBT 7.
Shelby Lake Picnic Grounds
Continue on AL 135 to the entrance to the picnic grounds [0.9] where there is a nominal admission charge. There are bathhouses, restrooms and a store. The area closes and the gate is locked at sunset. Check the main lake for waterfowl in winter, an occasional rarity has appeared in the past. Be sure to check the small lagoon southeast of the easternmost parking lot. Jon boats are available for rent at the store but you have to furnish your own motor.
ACBT 8.
Gulf State Park Fishing Pier
Exit the picnic area to the left (south) and enter the right lane of AL 135. Go to AL 182 and turn right at the traffic light. Move into the left lane and turn left to the fishing pier in a short distance [0.3]. Park in the parking lot, trying to avoid the places reserved for fisher folk. There is a small admission for sightseeing, including birding. The end of the pier is an excellent viewing point for seabirds especially in winter. Recent Christmas Bird Counts have yielded Red Phalarope and all three scoters at this site.
ACBT 9.
Little Lagoon Pass
Leaving the fishing pier, turn left (west) on AL 182 and drive through the main beach front intersection at AL 59 and continue to the bridge over Little Lagoon Pass [4.2]. There is a parking lot on the right (north) with restrooms. Little Lagoon is now essentially surrounded by development but good birds can be seen from this little park provided by the City of Gulf Shores. From here you may scan a sandbar (north) and part of Little Lagoon. A fair number of gulls, terns, Brown Pelican and occasionally American White Pelican, and shorebirds are generally found here. Your chances for rarities increase during migration; Reddish Egret occurs here regularly.
ACBT 10.
Wade Ward Nature Park
Return east on AL 182 to AL 59, turn left (north) and continue two blocks. On the right (east) is the Wade Ward Nature Park, owned and operated by the City of Gulf Shores. The park offers scenic boardwalks overlooking canals and coastal salt marshes. A unique rarity in the midst of such a vibrant resort city, it is a relatively new birding site. It offers ideal habitat for bitterns and rails. Public parking is available just south one block east of AL 59 between East Second and East First Avenue.
This is the end of the Gulf Shores - Orange Beach Loop. You may continue northward on AL 59 to the intersection with AL 180 and the
beginning of the Fort Morgan Loop or to the north side of the Intracoastal Waterway and the beginning
of the South Baldwin County Loop.
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Alabama Gulf Coast
Convention and Visitors Bureau
P.O. Drawer 457
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
251/968 7511 or 800/745 SAND
www.gulfshores.com
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Gulf State Park
20115 Highway 135
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251/948 7275
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