Dauphin Island Times
Dauphin Island Information and NewsBirding
Birding on Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island is living up to its well earned reputation as a great spot for birders.
This weekend they were out in force, binoculars and spotting telescopes in tow, in pursuit of any of the various species of neo-tropical birds who have made their way north over the Gulf of Mexico. The birders I spoke to were having a great time of it spotting warblers and tanagers at the shell mounds; herons and plovers on sand flats on the West End.
Despite stories to the contrary, this spring has been a relatively good one for some birders. Even though it's been a relatively dry spring with fewer rains the birding has been good according to birders on Dauphin Island.
Alabama Gulf Coast land purchases good for birders
John Ehinger's monthly birding column in the Huntsville times today discusses a couple of important developments for Gulf Coast birders. Most notable among them is the greatly expanding areas to be set aside from development activities along the coast.
Recently International Paper announced their intent to sell 218,000 acres of land across the southern United States. The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund will purchase tracts of this real estate valued at approximately $300 million. This is great news for birders all across the south. In Alabama they will be buying 14,000 acres along the Perdido River on the panhandle border between Alabama and Florida. Together with 4000 acres already owned by the State of Alabama's Forever Wild, these 18,000 acres will only serve to raise the importance of Alabama's coast to birders.
News for Dauphin Island Birders
Today we have a couple of news items for our Dauphin Island birder friends.
Mobile Bay Audubon Society Annual Christmas Party
First, the Mobile Bay Audubon Society will hold its annual Christmas party at 7:30pm at the Government Street Baptist Church in Mobile. Bring an hors d'oeuvre and partake in an evening of good food and conversation. More information can be found on the Mobile Bay Audubon Society web site.