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| (Sites 16-22) |
This loop begins at the intersection of AL 59 and East 29th Avenue, just north of the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores. It is an inland route with lots of sod farms and other agricultural operations. Prime attractions in this area are Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpipers and winter sparrows. This section is not really a loop but several excursions off AL 59.
ACBT 16.
Mariculture Center
Turn right (east) on East 29th Avenue, go two blocks, turn right (south) onto East 2nd Street, drive two blocks and turn left on Mildred Casey Drive and continue past the industrial park to the Claude Peteet Mariculture Center, a facility operated by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, on the left [1.4]. Ask in the office Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm for permission to bird around the ponds and in the fields. You may find assorted herons, egrets and shorebirds on the ponds, but the best birding here is in the fields for winter sparrows.
ACBT 17.
Sod Farms
Return to AL 59 and turn right (north) and continue northward to BC 12 [4.8]. Turn right (east) and continue eastward. After about a mile you will see fields of grass, sod farms, beginning on the right. Check these carefully during spring and fall migration for Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpipers and for Snow Geese in winter. There are many sod farms in this part of Baldwin County providing opportunities for good birding. However, do not drive on any of the lanes or dirt trails nor interfere with the operations of the farms. Observe from the road. A spotting scope gives a definite advantage here. Continue on BC 12, passing the Glenlakes Country Club and subdivision on the left (north) and noting the small lake to the right (south). Check the fields between the lake and the road for winter sparrows if the grass has not been cut recently. In a short distance you will pass Wolf Bay Drive on the right (south) continue past this a few hundred yards to a swampy pond on the left (north) where Lincoln's Sparrow has been seen in recent winters.
ACBT 18.
Glenlakes Country Club
Return along BC 12 (west) to Eagle Lane and turn right, making your way through this charming lakeside neighborhood. Look for waterfowl on the lake in winter, and waders along the stream sides. Check all the open spaces, winter birding here is sometimes rewarding. Continue winding your way northward through the development until you reach BC 20, turn left and continue west along BC 20 to AL 59 [2.9], checking the sod farms as you pass.
ACBT 19.
Magnolia Springs Landfill
Turn right (north) on AL 59 and continue to US 98 in Foley [2.5]. Turn left (west) and travel west on US 98 to BC 49 in Magnolia Springs [5.0]. Turn right (north) on BC 49 and continue northward, crossing BC 24 after two miles and coming to a sharp turn westward in another 0.5 miles, continue another 0.4 miles to the entrance of the landfill on the right.
This is a county landfill and is open Monday-Saturday, 7 am to 3 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. 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. Gulls often loaf just north of the pit in a flat place on the way to the public dump. And as you leave the landfill, check the small ponds on the west side of the entrance road for ducks and shorebirds.
ACBT 20.
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve
Return to Magnolia Springs and turn right (west) on US 98, proceeding some four miles to cross the Fish River and find Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve on the left. The interpretive center is only a short distance from the highway and provides restrooms, bird cards and other material. Inquire here about recent sightings. Explore the boardwalk leading to an observation platform viewing Weeks Bay. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. For guided tours call 251/928 9792.
ACBT 20A.
Mullet Point County Park
Exit the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve parking lot and turn left (west) on US 98, continue approximately five miles to Bryant's Landing where US 98 turns abruptly north. Bear to the left on BC 1, and proceed 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 ducks and waterfowl. Scoter are not uncommon here in colder weather.
ACBT 21.
Sod Farms and Fields BC 49
Return to Magnolia Springs, turning right (south) on BC 49, winding through the little village, crossing Magnolia River and continuing south on BC 49, checking the sod farms and fields along the way. In winter, check the large flocks of blackbirds for vagrants, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Bronzed Cowbird are possibilities. Check the shorter grass areas for American Pipit. Shortly after passing BC 16 on the left [4.6] check the low area on the right for geese, Greater White-fronted and Ross's have been seen here. Continue southward on BC 49 to a turn eastward and a bridge across Skunk Bayou. This is a good spot for American Woodcock at winter twilight and Winter Wren. If you are here in the evening hours it's a good place to try your tapes for owls.
ACBT 22.
Bon Secour Bay
Continue eastward on BC 49, crossing BC 19 [1.4] to BC 10 [2.2]. Turn right (southwest) on 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. 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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