Dauphin Island

Alabama · Southeast

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

CoastalForestWetland

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

March-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Dauphin Island sits at the northern edge of the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the first landfall points for trans-Gulf migrants each spring. Exhausted songbirds pile into the island's oak hammocks, creating legendary fallout events that draw birders from across the country.

The Audubon Bird Sanctuary on the island's east end offers boardwalks through maritime forest, marshes, and dune habitats, providing close encounters with dozens of warbler species, tanagers, grosbeaks, and buntings during peak migration.

Location

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Notable Species

Scarlet Tanager Rose-breasted Grosbeak Painted Bunting Brown Pelican Reddish Egret

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026Harrison Lake1 observed

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

3/4/2026Foley1 observed

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

3/4/2026Foley1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

3/4/2026Tasha's house1 observed

Grasshopper Sparrow

Ammodramus savannarum

3/4/2026Dauphin Island--Pelican Bay and Spit1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/4/2026Bayfront Park/Village Point (Daphne)1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

3/4/20262000 Lock and Dam Rd, Demopolis US-AL (32.5163,-87.8681)1 observed

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus borealis

3/4/2026Oakmulgee, NFS Road 737, Brent, Alabama, US (32.967, -87.348)1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

3/3/2026Tasha's house1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/3/2026Old Creek Town Park1 observed

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

3/3/2026Foley1 observed

Bullock's Oriole

Icterus bullockii

3/3/2026Foley1 observed

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

3/3/2026Foley3 observed

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

3/3/2026Foley2 observed

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

3/3/2026Union Camp1 observed

Red-tailed Hawk (Krider's)

Buteo jamaicensis

3/3/2026Swan Creek WMA1 observed

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

3/3/2026Chickasaw Ponds1 observed

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

3/3/2026Chickasaw Ponds1 observed

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus borealis

3/3/2026Talladega NF--Pinhoti Trail/Coleman Lake2 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/3/2026Talladega NF--Pinhoti Trail/Coleman Lake10 observed

Recent Observations

Brown-headed Cowbird

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

3/4/2026

10 birds

Chipping Sparrow

337 CR-79, Billingsley US-AL (PRIVATE PROPERTY-NO ENTRY)

3/4/2026

8 birds

Swamp Sparrow

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Palm Warbler

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Song Sparrow

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Eastern Bluebird

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Meadowlark

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Northern Cardinal

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Great Egret

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Purple Martin

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

3 birds

Eastern Phoebe

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Towhee

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Carolina Chickadee

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Turkey Vulture

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Fish Crow

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Northern Mockingbird

Limestone Park

3/4/2026

3 birds

Birding Tips

1
Visit during spring cold fronts for the best fallout conditions — overcast skies with light rain push migrants down
2
The Audubon Bird Sanctuary on the east end is the top spot for warblers and songbirds

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Fort Gaines
Bellingrath Gardens

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Dauphin Island for birding?▼

The best months to visit Dauphin Island for birding are March-May. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Dauphin Island?▼

Notable species at Dauphin Island include Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Painted Bunting, Brown Pelican, Reddish Egret. The area supports coastal, forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Dauphin Island?▼

Birding at Dauphin Island is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Dauphin Island?▼

There is no entrance fee at Dauphin Island. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Dauphin Island?▼

Dauphin Island offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.