Annual Coastal Bird Banding 2023

In partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Mississippi State University, and Fort Morgan State Historic Site, Alabama Audubon is pleased to announce the return of its popular Coastal Bird Banding event April 18–22 at Historic Fort Morgan. 

Bird banding provides an opportunity to educate the public about birds and bird conservation. Of the 450+ bird species in Alabama, many pass through the state on their annual migrations to the tropics and back. These spring and fall migrants bring color and song to our forests, and rejuvenate our landscapes through pest control and seed dispersal. Ensuring their survival is a top priority for Alabama Audubon and this annual event allows for researchers to capture and mark migratory birds by placing tiny metal bands on their legs before their release, which provides insight into bird health, migration, and life span. 

The Fort Morgan banding station is one of only a very few in the U.S. that are open to the public. It offers our community unparalleled access to researchers and close-up looks at a variety of bird species.

DAILY SCHEDULE

• April 18 12pm– 3pm
• April 19–21 8am–3pm
• April 22 8am–12pm

PARTNERS & SPONSORSThis annual event is made possible through logistical support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the Alabama Historical Commission, and through financial support from Alabama Tourism Department, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, the Edwin L. and Elizabeth L. Skelton Foundation, the Sybil and White Smith Foundation, and the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Through more than seventy-five years of conservation work in one of our nation’s most ecologically rich states, Alabama Audubon has seen firsthand how diversity strengthens natural communities. This same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing equitable and inclusive opportunities for all Alabamians to learn about and enjoy wild birds, their habitats, and the natural world. One of the best ways to support that belief is by valuing and actively seeking to strengthen diversity among our staff, our board, and our membership. To that end, Alabama Audubon welcomes everyone to participate in our work, and strives to make our programs, classes, and events welcome, inclusive, and accessible to all.