Alabama is located along the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major bird migration routes in North America. This flyway stretches from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and funnels migratory birds through the central part of the United States. Alabama’s diverse habitats, including forests, wetlands, and agricultural fields, provide important stopover sites for migratory birds heading south for the winter. October is a peak month for fall bird migration in Alabama, as many species pass through the state on their way to their wintering grounds.
Waterfowl
Many species of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl migrate through Alabama in October on their way south for the winter. Some key species to look for include:
- Mallard
- Northern Pintail
- Green-winged Teal
- Blue-winged Teal
- Northern Shoveler
- Gadwall
- American Wigeon
- Canvasback
- Redhead
- Ring-necked Duck
- Lesser Scaup
- Bufflehead
- Ruddy Duck
- Hooded Merganser
- Common Merganser
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Canada Goose
- Snow Goose
- Ross’s Goose
These waterfowl species stop to rest and feed in Alabama’s marshes, rivers, lakes, and flooded agricultural fields as they migrate south. The Tennessee River valley provides important habitat for migrating ducks and geese. Peak numbers are usually seen in late October and early November.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds also pass through Alabama in October on their way to coastal wintering grounds. Some shorebirds that can be seen migrating through the state include:
- Killdeer
- Greater Yellowlegs
- Lesser Yellowlegs
- Solitary Sandpiper
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Semipalmated Sandpiper
- Least Sandpiper
- Pectoral Sandpiper
- Dunlin
- Short-billed Dowitcher
- Wilson’s Snipe
- American Woodcock
These shorebirds stop over at mudflats, wetlands, flooded fields, and along the edges of ponds and lakes in Alabama as they migrate. Dauphin Island and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta are two key sites to see migrating shorebirds in October.
Raptors
October brings the migration of many birds of prey species through Alabama as they head south for the winter. Some key raptors to look for include:
- Osprey
- Bald Eagle
- Northern Harrier
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Northern Goshawk
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Broad-winged Hawk
- Swainson’s Hawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
- American Kestrel
- Merlin
- Peregrine Falcon
These birds of prey use rising warm air thermals to help power their long-distance flights south for the winter. Mountain ridges like Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama are excellent sites to witness migrating raptors in October.
Songbirds
A wide variety of songbirds migrate through Alabama in October on their way to wintering grounds, including:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Eastern Phoebe
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Black-and-white Warbler
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Tennessee Warbler
- Orange-crowned Warbler
- Nashville Warbler
- Chestnut-sided Warbler
- Magnolia Warbler
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Palm Warbler
- Bay-breasted Warbler
- Blackpoll Warbler
- Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Black-throated Green Warbler
- Scarlet Tanager
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Indigo Bunting
- Bobolink
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Rusty Blackbird
- Common Grackle
These songbirds fly by day and stop to rest and feed in Alabama’s woodlands, fields, and backyards as they migrate. Fall leaf color attracts many of these migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers, and thrushes to forested parks and natural areas in the state.
When and where to see migrating birds in Alabama in October
Some of the best places in Alabama to spot migrating birds in October include:
- Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge – A 35,000 acre refuge along the Tennessee River that attracts migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds.
- Dauphin Island – Located at the mouth of Mobile Bay, this barrier island is a hotspot for migrating shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds along the Gulf Coast.
- Fort Morgan Peninsula – Juts into the mouth of Mobile Bay across from Dauphin Island, providing habitat for migrating waterbirds.
- Lookout Mountain – This ridge in northeast Alabama sees impressive migrations of raptors rising up on thermals in the fall.
- Monte Sano State Park – Over 2,000 acres of forested mountains and trails attract migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes and more.
- Oak Mountain State Park – Almost 10,000 acres of woodlands surrounding a picturesque lake harbor migrating songbirds.
- Gulf State Park – Almost 6,500 acres of varied habitat on the coast attract migrating birds.
- Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area – Managed wetlands provide habitat for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.
- Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area – Wetlands attract waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds during migration season.
The peak times to see migrating birds are often early in the morning or late afternoon and evening when birds are most active. However, migrations occur throughout the day, so watching the weather and being outside during days with good migration conditions can pay off.
Some excellent birding events to take part in during October include:
- Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Hawk Watch – Daily hawk counts conducted from Smith Mountain fire tower during peak migration.
- Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries Fall Bird Count – Occurs each October to count migrating birds on Dauphin Island.
- Alabama Coastal BirdFest – Held in early October, includes birding field trips targeting migratory hotspots along the Gulf Coast.
- Tennessee Valley Authority Eagle Watch – Eagle watching events in north Alabama during peak migration in late October/early November.
Challenges facing migrating birds in Alabama
Migrating birds face a number of threats and challenges as they pass through Alabama each fall, including:
- Loss of stopover habitat – Draining of wetlands and destruction of forests eliminates crucial rest stop sites.
- Collisions with buildings and towers – Birds collide with tall structures during migration, especially at night or in poor weather.
- Light pollution – Artificial light can disorient night-migrating birds and cause collisions.
- Climate change – Shifts seasons and affects habitat and food supply along migration routes.
- Invasive species – Nonnative plants and animals compete with native species for resources.
- Pesticides – Chemicals reduce insect prey abundance and can accumulate in birds.
- Overhunting – Legal harvest and illegal poaching threatens some waterfowl populations.
Organizations like the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama Audubon Society, and Birmingham Audubon Society work to protect and expand habitat for migratory birds in the state through acquiring new public lands, managing existing preserves, policy advocacy, education programs, and citizen-science bird counts to monitor populations.
How to attract migrating birds to your yard in Alabama
You can turn your Alabama yard into a welcome rest stop for migrating birds with a few simple steps:
- Provide fresh water – Birdbaths, dripping fountains, and small backyard ponds attract thirsty migrants.
- Supply native fruiting plants – Dogwoods, American hollies, spicebush, and more produce nutritious berries for fueling up.
- Plant native trees and shrubs – Oaks, maples, blueberry bushes, and other native plants support insect prey.
- Keep dead trees – Snags provide perches for hunting insects.
- Allow fallen leaves – Leaf litter holds insect food sources.
- Install nest boxes – Cavity nesting birds use boxes for quick shelter on migration stopovers.
- Avoid pesticides – Chemicals reduce insect food sources.
- Limit lighting – Bright lights can confuse night migrating birds.
- Keep cats indoors – Pet cats kill millions of migratory birds each year.
Following these tips will create an oasis for migrating birds right in your backyard as they pass through Alabama.
Conclusion
October marks an exciting time for birding in Alabama, as a diverse array of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds pass through the state on their southbound journeys. By visiting some of Alabama’s birding hotspots, anyone can witness these epic migrations and enjoy the beauty of the birds that停 briefly in the state. Protecting habitat and reducing threats will help ensure Alabama continues to provide vital rest stops for birds each fall for generations to come.