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| (Sites 16-22) |
This loop begins at the intersection of AL 59 and US 98 in Foley. It is an inland route featuring sites offering an interesting mix of habitats and offering great opportunities to see a high diversity of species. This section is not really a loop but several excursions off AL 59.
ACBT 16.
Lillian Swamp Forever Wild Tract
From AL 59 in Foley, turn right (east) onto US 98 and drive to Lillian [15.0]. In Lillian, turn left (north) at last stoplight before the bridge onto Boykin Blvd. Continue to Oak Street [1.7], turn left (north) and park in designated parking area. There is no parking or entrance fee. Be sure to check the billboard for hunting season dates. Enter from the parking lot (past locked gate) and follow the sandy roads into the tract. Bicycles are allowed, but can be difficult to use where roads traverse through deep sand. Lillian Swamp encompasses nearly 3,000 acres managed for conservation by the ADCNR State Lands Division and hosts a variety of habitats representative of the lower Coastal Plain. At anytime of year, Brown-headed Nuthatches, most of the woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Blue Jays, Brown Thrashers and other resident species are common in the piney uplands and adjacent thickets. In spring and fall, varying assemblages of neotropical migrants can be seen depending on weather conditions. Continuing north on the road, the piney uplands transition to forested swamplands and open pitcher plant bogs. These areas are good for wintering sparrows, migratory shorebirds, waterfowl and an assortment of waders. Recent notable winter sightings include Rusty Blackbirds; a species of high conservation concern. Bald Eagles and Osprey are regularly seen year around, particularly along the Perdido River to the east. Because of the large size of this tract, be prepared to spend at least a half day and bring plenty of water, snacks and insect repellent.
ACBT 17.
County Road 95 Park/Arnica Bay
Return to US 98 in Lillian and turn right (west). Continue to CR 95 [6.7] and turn left (south). While traveling down CR 95, watch for Loggerhead Shrikes on the power lines. Proceed to the end of CR 95 [7.3], which dead-ends overlooking Arnica Bay. This site is a small public access point maintained by the county. Various species of wintering waterfowl may be seen. Also look for Brown-headed Nuthatches in the surrounding pines.
ACBT 18.
Graham Creek Nature Preserve
Return to US 98, take a left (west) and proceed through the town of Elberta to the Foley Beach Express [6.1]. Take a left (south) and travel to BC 12 [3.6]. Drive 1.2 miles and take a right onto Wolf Bay Road. Follow south and around sharp curve to the east and the entrance is on the right [0.7]. The City of Foley recently acquired this 484-acre tract to be managed as a public nature preserve. In addition to protecting a portion of the Wolf Bay watershed, this preserve also possesses open pine forest with extensive wire grass and pitcher plant bogs. The combination of habitats is attractive to a high diversity of bird species including Northern Bobwhite, Loggerhead Shrike, numerous warblers, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks, sparrows, waders (along the creek) and raptors. Birding potential increases during migration in spring and fall. Additionally, watch for secretive wintering sparrows foraging between wire grass clumps or within the pitcher plant bogs. Note: Plans for the preserve include a new nature center, picnic pavilions, restrooms and several looping hiking trails with interpretive signs. The nature preserve is scheduled for opening in early 2010. For more information, call the Foley Community Development Department at 251/971 1471.
ACBT 19.
Magnolia Springs Landfill
From Graham Creek Nature Preserve (ACBT 18) return west on BC 12 (passing through the Foley Beach Express) to AL 59 [3.0] and turn right (north) and proceed to the AL 59/US 98 intersection [3.5]. Turn left (west) onto US 98 and continue to BC 49 in Magnolia Springs [5.0]. Turn right (north) on BC 49 and continue straight through the BC 24 intersection to a sharp curve westward [2.5], and continue another 0.4 miles to the entrance of the landfill on the right (north). This is a county landfill and is open Monday - Friday, 7 am to 3 pm and Saturday 7 am to 12:30 pm. Proceed to the second gate and enter the landfill. Park in the parking area and stop by the office to ask permission to bird. After checking in drive straight ahead (east) and proceed up the hill. At the top, turn left (north) and park well off to the side of the road. A path leads to a viewing platform offering birders a great vantage point to thoroughly scan for wintering gulls and other birds. Rarities like Glaucous, Iceland, Franklin’s and Lesser Black-backed Gulls are all possibilities amongst the scores of Herring, Ring-billed, and Laughing Gulls. American Pipits (winter), Fish Crows and both vultures are also regular. As you leave the landfill, be sure to check the small ponds on the west side of the entrance road for waterfowl and shorebirds during the winter months.
Note: While at this site, take great care not to block or otherwise interfere with the heavy machinery. Do not enter the pit area for any reason. View birds from the roadside only.
ACBT 20.
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve
Return to Magnolia Springs and turn right (west) on US 98 and proceed about 4 miles. After crossing the Fish River, turn into the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on the left. The interpretive center is only a short distance from the highway and provides restrooms, bird checklists and other informative material. Inquire here about recent sightings. Explore along the boardwalk leading to an observation platform viewing Weeks Bay. To the east of the center is a paved trail (paralleling the south side of US 98) that leads to the new Arthur C. “Skipper” Tonsmeire III Weeks Bay Resource Center. Next to the resource center is a public boat launch where Clapper Rails, Soras (winter), Marsh Wrens, Brown Pelicans, gulls and terns are among the species that are typically encountered in the surrounding vicinity. This is also a regular place to find Great Horned Owls. Hours are Monday - Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. For guided tours call 251/928 9792..
ACBT 20A.
Weeks Bay NERR – Pitcher Plant Bog
Exit Weeks Bay Reserve and turn right (east) on US 98 and continue over the Fish River bridge and turn left onto BC 17 [0.8]. Then proceed 0.3 miles to the pitcher plant bog parking lot on the right (east). The boardwalk offers a pleasant walk with interpretive signs along the way. The boardwalk circles a pitcher plant bog and then proceeds to its terminus overlooking the Fish River. Bird species expected include Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Brown Pelican, Osprey and several species of terns.
ACBT 21.
Mullet Point County Park
Exit the Weeks Bay Reserve parking lot and turn left (west) on US 98, continue approximately 5 miles to where US 98 turns abruptly north. Continue straight (west) at this intersection and bear to the left on BC 1, and proceed south approximately 0.4 miles to the Mullet Point County Park on the right. There is ample parking, portable restrooms and picnic facilities. The Park provides an excellent view of the Bay from an elevated perspective. This has been a good site in the winter for waterfowl. Scoters are not uncommon here in cold weather months.
ACBT 22.
Bon Secour Bay
Return east on US 98 back to Magnolia Springs and turn right (south) on BC 49 [8.5]. Proceed through the little village, crossing Magnolia River and continue south on BC 49. Where BC 49 eventually curves east [6.1], it will cross Skunk Bayou (a good spot for American Woodcock at twilight and Winter Wren). After a brief stop here for birds, continue eastward from Skunk Bayou on BC 49 crossing BC 19 [1.4] to BC 10 [2.2]. Turn right (southwest) onto BC 10 and continue to River Road, a main street of Bon Secour. Turn right (west) a few hundred yards to the waterfront and a seafood wharf. Park in the parking lot and scan the bay and the small canal next to the parking lot. In winter look for Black-crowned Night Heron in addition to the usual gulls and terns. River Road is about a half mile long, on the waterfront. Return along River Road, continuing past BC 10 to the eastern end. Park in an out-of-the-way location and walk to the shore where you can look northeast up the Bon Secour River. Please be sure not to trespass on private property, which includes all the piers along the river. In winter look for Horned Grebe and Eared Grebe is a possibility, plus Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers.
This is the end of the South Baldwin County Loop. Return northward along BC 10 following it as it turns right (east) [2.3] to AL 59 [2.5].
Here you may turn right to return to Gulf Shores or turn left (north) to move on to the Eastern Shore, Mobile Bay Causeway and Blakeley Island Loop.
South Baldwin
Chamber of Commerce
104 N. McKenzie Street/Highway 59
P.O. Box 1117
Foley, AL 36536
251/943 3291
www.southbaldwinchamber.com
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