FIRST ANNUAL ALABAMA COASTAL BIRDFEST COMING IN OCTOBER

Jun 28th, 2004

By D. Fran Morley


No one has been able to estimate accurately the volume of migrating shorebirds, waterfowl, and passerines fanning out over the 600 mile-wide Gulf of Mexico each autumn and spring, but biologists estimate that the number could run as high as six billion. Biologists have documented more than 200 species of birds that use the rim of land around the Gulf as a way station and launch pad.

Every fall millions of migrating birds come to or pass through Coastal Alabama. This fall, thousands of bird watchers are expected to join them when the first annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest is celebrated October 14-17, 2004. A series of paid and free events, including guided wildlife and bird tours, nationally known speakers, displays, exhibits, workshops, children’s activities, and social events are planned to take place all around the Mobile Bay area. Guided tours along the 240-mile long Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, which has been noted for its diversity of natural habitats, will be a highlight of the event.

"Flocks of birds from as far away as Alaska or Canada come here to their wintering grounds on the Northern Gulf Coast or pass through here on their way to Central and South America. We are in a perfect spot for bird watching," said Dr. John Borom, director of Faulkner State Community College in Fairhope and president of the Mobile Bay Audubon Society, one of the event organizers. Other participants include the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, Alabama Power Foundation, Baldwin County Commission, City of Fairhope, Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, Mobile Bay Audubon Society, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Mobile Convention and Visitors Corp., The Forum, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation.

According to Borom, bird watchers can expect to see birds of all size, ranging from the tiny Piping Plover to the American White Pelican. "The Piping Plover is a shorebird that weighs less than two ounces. It returns year after year between July and March to winter on Dauphin Island, Little Lagoon Pass, and Mobile Point. At the opposite end of the scale is the 16-pound American White Pelican that soars into Mobile Bay each fall from British Columbia, Wyoming, and North Dakota. These pelicans have a nine-foot wingspan, the largest of any bird in North American except the California Condor."

Such bird diversity is a big attraction to bird watchers. "What’s great is that people can come here and see not only birds that are year-around residents to our area but also migratory species from all over North America," said Kathie Barton, communications director for the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. "This is such a wonderful opportunity for our entire area. Ecotourism is very popular now, and we hope that this event will encourage people to come and explore everything that we have to offer. October is a beautiful time of the year here, and this event is a great alternative or addition to a trip to the beach."

According to federal wildlife officials, more money is spent watching birds and other wildlife in Alabama than is spent on hunting. An economic analysis by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that, counting purchases of everything from vehicles for exploring, to birdseed and binoculars, $626 million was spent in 2001; that’s almost $25 million more than was spent on hunting. "We want people to realize that birding is a huge industry and preserving the stopover habitat on the Northern Gulf Coast is important," said Borom. All of the proceeds from the Alabama Coastal BirdFest will be used to purchase and improve habitats for birds on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

For more information on Alabama Coastal BirdFest 2004, including registration forms and a complete schedule of events, visit www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com or call 251-990-0423.