2 Days Exploring Birmingham’s Unique Birding Opportunities

Best known to most outsiders for the civil rights struggle, Birmingham is also known for a huge iron statue of the Roman god Vulcan, first class medical research, and, increasingly, great food. Missing any of these would be missing the heart of this southern icon. But, with over 250 birds on the county checklist, there are excellent opportunities for birding Birmingham at nearly every step.

Anytime in Birmingham can offer good birding opportunities. However, spring in the Magic City is truly magical for birding. Migration brings a surge of songbirds. Some pass through on their way far north to their breeding grounds, while others settle down for the season.

Winter is usually the least productive season for birding, and summer can be extremely hot. Even in winter, waterfowl—from Ross’ Goose to wayward waders—can appear nearby. In summer, nesting Anhinga are just a stone’s throw away, alongside soaring Mississippi Kites. Despite being outside the norm, even Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks have been spotted within 30 miles of the city center.

If flying into the Birmingham Airport, be sure to spend a little time around its edges. Loggerhead Shrikes live near the airport in small numbers year-round. Check e-bird for the best spots. Wintering sparrows and Eastern Meadowlarks are also possibilities for birding Birmingham.

This airport area hasn’t experienced the same growth and redevelopment as other parts of the city in recent years, so don’t expect glamour.

Highlights for any visit to Birmingham include the well-known attractions. A visit to the Civil Rights Institute, the statue of Vulcan (the largest cast iron statue in the world), the Negro Southern League Museum, and Sloss Furnaces are all must-see sites.

For birding, the parks, particularly those near these attractions, are the real highlights.

Day One: Birding Birmingham in Spring

In the morning, grab a cup of coffee and a pastry at Red Cat in the Lakeview District before heading to the eastern side of Birmingham for some migrant watching. Anytime during the day can be good here, but early morning offers a symphony of birdsong. Kentucky, Chestnut-sided, and Hooded Warblers get started singing early in the day, so an early wake-up call is really worth it.

Ruffner Mountain is the perfect starting point for your morning adventure. This thousand-acre park in Birmingham features nearly 15 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging. Begin your day by enjoying coffee (bring your own) at the treetop deck while listening for and watching birds.

A walk along one of the trails immerses you in wilderness and offers great opportunities to see spring migrants continuing their northward journey after a tiring trip across the Gulf of Mexico. In the fall, some of those same migrants return, as Ruffner is a great place to rest and build strength before the long flight south.

Looking for a lunch spot after exploring? Drive just 3 miles to the Irondale Cafe, famous from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes as the WhistleStop Café. Here you can enjoy a cafeteria-style meal, complete with fried green tomatoes and hearty slices of pie.

East Lake Park is a perfect after-lunch stop. You will likely see migrants in season, but the main reason to visit is for the lake and the Black-crowned Night-Herons.

The herons usually spend all day on the small island at the center of the lake, away from humans but close enough for careful observation. Water from Roebuck Springs and Village Creek keeps this 45-acre lake full, while the 100-acre park shelters the lake and its birds from the surrounding urban area.

Mature hardwoods host resident songbirds and winter feeding flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Highlights include resident Black-crowned Night-Herons and, from spring to fall, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons. Green Herons and Hooded Mergansers are frequent visitors in season, while Belted Kingfishers hunt the lake.

Watch the skies for Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks too. Long-tailed Ducks, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, and other rare birds for Alabama have also been spotted here.

The 67-acre Birmingham Botanical Gardens is an ideal place to end a long day of birding.

Walk along the mostly level grounds, enjoy beautiful blooms, and watch for some of the 150 birds documented here. The Gardens are considered one of Alabama’s top attractions for a reason. It’s a prime site for songbirds, particularly during spring and fall migration.

Focus on the more natural northern end of the park, especially the Bog Gardens, the Kaul Wildflower Garden, the Fern Glade, and the paved trail loop that begins between these gardens. You’ll almost certainly find both White-breasted and Brown-headed Nuthatches year-round, along with a variety of songbirds passing through Alabama in spring.

Spend the night just across the street from the Gardens at the new Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. This hotel is located within 5 minutes of the Birmingham Zoo and less than 10 minutes from the Vulcan Statue and Park, as well as downtown Birmingham.

Enjoy family-style pizza less than a mile away at Davenports Pizza Palace, serving the same thin-crust pizza for over 50 years. Treat yourself to a nostalgic scoop of ice cream on the way back at Mountain Brook Creamery, or grab a bite to eat at Gilchrist Drugs (try the fresh-squeezed limeade and a pimento cheese sandwich with bacon).

Alternatively, you can get a head start on the next day by driving south to Oak Mountain State Park (see description under Day 2). Tent and RV camping options, along with back-country camping, are available. Spend your evening deep in the woods, listening to owls calling before rising early to avoid rush hour!

Day 2: Close by, but Deep in the Woods

Rise early for breakfast at Another Broken Egg before heading out for another day of birding. If you spent the night at Oak Mountain, brew a cup of coffee over a campfire and savor the birdsong from your campsite.

Start your birding with a visit to Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park. With 10,000 acres of ridgeline, valleys, lakes, and streams, it’s only a 30-minute drive from downtown Birmingham.

Within the park, there are miles of roads to drive, a lake to paddle on (rentals available), and over 50 miles of trails to hike and bike.

Birds are abundant throughout the park, but a sure spot to find them is the Alabama Wildlife Center on Terrace Drive, just a 5-minute car ride from the park entrance. In addition to the many injured birds receiving care, there are multiple bird feeders that attract a multitude of songbirds.

Look along the lakeshore for waders. A hike to Peavine Falls offers good woodland birding and a pleasant hike to enjoy the waterfall. Black-throated Green Warblers and Blue-headed Vireos breed in the park’s highest elevations—be sure you’re familiar with their songs and listen for them as you hike the ridgetops.

Break for lunch, either with a picnic in the park or by heading towards Alabaster, about 20 minutes south. Joe’s Italian serves lasagna that will help you power through the rest of the day. Their Lasagna Bianca combines spicy sausage, turnip greens, and a rich cream sauce into a dish you won’t soon forget.

For a lighter lunch, try their tomato basil soup, but save room for one of their famous cakes.

Next, head 15 minutes south to Limestone Park, an unusual Tupelo Gum swamp that coexists with an RC aircraft club. The model aircraft can be seen (and heard) most mornings, but the birds have grown accustomed to them and rarely react.

American Coots and Pied-billed Grebes are typically common, as are most hawks and both vulture species. Blue-winged Teal are usually present year-round. However, the real treat is the Anhinga, which have nested nearby in recent years. The park has also hosted Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks, though these sightings are very rare.

Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve is another 10-minute drive west of Limestone. This upland hardwood swamp features an accessible boardwalk that leads you into its depths. Prothonotary Warblers, Northern Parulas, Common Yellow-throats, and Yellow-throated Warblers are present in spring and summer, along with Summer Tanagers, Wood Thrushes, and Hooded Warblers.

Barred Owls are common, as are Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Keep an eye out for beavers, a keystone species for the park. Glossy Ibis and Purple Gallinule have been spotted here. While it’s a mistake to expect them, knowing that rarities are relatively common is a reason to stay alert.

Shoal Creek Park in Montevallo has quickly become a favorite for local birders. The trails are mixed-use, so be on the lookout for bikers, especially on busy days. However, there are miles of easy trails filled with birds.

From breeding Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings to potential migrating flocks of Bobolinks and resident Loggerhead Shrikes, there’s plenty to get excited about at this 167-acre park just north of downtown Montevallo. With a pavilion, a gravel parking lot, and restrooms, this park is a great spot to spend an hour—or even half a day.

Also Visit:

Railroad Park: This park isn’t a traditional birding hotspot, but it’s centrally located in Birmingham’s developing downtown. It’s close to several of the city’s museums and offers an excellent place for a quick walk. Highlights include Peregrine Falcons, Green Herons, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, and other surprises.

Due to its central location, the park boasts well over 100 species of birds. Spring and fall are typically the best times for bird activity, but surprises happen frequently. Stroll across the street for coffee at the Red Cat or visit the Negro Southern League Museum. Enjoy a minor league baseball game at Regions Field, which is within easy walking distance.

Avondale Park: This small urban park is at the heart of one of Birmingham’s developing entertainment venues. A brewery and a dozen restaurants are within easy walking distance. While the park may lack in size and wildness, it compensates by providing reliable sightings of Brown-headed Nuthatches and occasional rarities like Common Loons and Ross’ Goose.

This park can be birded in about 30 minutes. Ferus Ales, Black Market, Saws BBQ, Avondale Brewing and other eateries are all located nearby.

Moss Rock Preserve is a 349-acre nature preserve featuring 10 miles of trails, where you can find Blue Grosbeaks, Yellow-breasted Chats, and American Woodcocks in season. The plant biodiversity found in the sandstone glades is surprising, with multiple rare and sensitive species. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded in the preserve.

Turkey Creek Nature Preserve features a fast-flowing stream and a series of waterfalls, along with botanical diversity, making it an outstanding birding spot on all but the hottest summer days. Hooded, Black-and-white, Kentucky, and Pine Warblers breed here, along with Scarlet and Summer Tanagers.

Look for Louisiana Waterthrushes and Acadian Flycatchers during the warmer months. Located northeast of Birmingham, it’s easy to spend a half-day birding this park.

Red Mountain Park: This park spans 1500 acres along the Red Mountain ridge just outside of Homewood. Hike the 16 miles of trails and discover a variety of woodpeckers, vireos, warblers, and flycatchers. Also, the park is home to Remy’s Dog Park, making it easy to spend an entire day here.

Connect with Audubon: Alabama Audubon has been active for over 75 years, offering multiple outings each month. They lead ongoing projects throughout the state, so check their schedule for events during your visit. Bird walks and other events are typically open to the public and free of charge.

About the Author: Joe Watts resides with his wife Ann and their two young Burmese cats in one of Birmingham’s historic neighborhoods. He serves on the board of directors for the National Audubon Society, Alabama Audubon, and Birdability. Joe was the President of Alabama Audubon from 2016-2019. He manages the Alabama Birding Trails project in collaboration with the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, and has a diverse background in publishing, having worked as a food editor for Southern Progress.