Dauphin Island is one of the main birding 'hotspots' in the country during the spring and fall migration seasons. The park is managed by the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, whose offices are on the back side (northeast corner) of the park.
Shell Mound Park, with its ancient live oaks, therefore, provides the insects and cover that the neotropical migrants depend upon at thier landfall.
The greatest variety of birds can be seen during the spring (April) and fall (October) migrations. During these periods not only neotropical passerine migrants can be viewed, but also the area is a good place to observe raptors such as Swallow-tailed Kite and Mississippi Kite, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk and Peregrine Falcon soaring overahead. During peak spring "fallouts" it is not at all unusual to log 25 warbler species. Content and images originally posted by rhavard
