SPANISH FORT — Bird enthusiasts from all over the country will flock together at the fourth annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest, which will be held Oct. 18-21.

From the experienced birder to the beginner birder, participants will be offered some of the best sightseeing spots in North America.

President John Borom of the Mobile Bay Audubon Society said this is the only BirdFest that is not limited to only one town and actually has a 240-mile trail.

“This event allows people to participate in the way they can. The end result is to protect the environment, stimulate the economy and have an ecotourism event all at the same time,” Borom said. “Alabama is situated right in the flight path of birds.”

In the spring, birds travel from Central and South America across the Gulf of Mexico to build nests and raise their young in North America.

Then, in the fall, birds migrate from the North American continent back across the Gulf to spend the winter in the rain forests in Central and South America.

Carl Couret, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reported that there are approximately 373 bird species at the Bon Secour refuge.

And there are at least three bird species that are on the federally protected or endangered species list that could be seen in this area, Couret said.

The northern Gulf Coast is a very good place to observe birds, Borom said. Dauphin Island has even been designated as the “birdiest” coastal city in the United States.

The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, which is 240 miles long, extends from the Florida-Alabama state lines to the Mississippi state line.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife data supports that more people watch wildlife and spend more money on watchable wildlife than people who hunt and fish.

Four years ago, coastal Alabama didn’t have a Birdfest. It wasn’t until attending a BirdFest in Louisiana one year, that Borom began working on the idea of the Gulf Coast having its own BirdFest.

Over the past three years, more than $30,000 has been raised from BirdFest. One primary goal of the Alabama Coastal BirdFest is to donate proceeds, which are left over after the Birdfest, to help purchase land.

“We have been able to expand the bird sanctuary on Dauphin Island and buy a small lot on Fish River,” Borom said.

Borom said what’s unique about BirdFest is that it provides a unique approach to education for visitors, as well as residents of Baldwin County.

The BirdFest Expo, a bird and conservation expo held on the Fairhope campus of Faulkner State, informs the public about natural resources.

The BirdFest Expo is free and open to the public. All ages are invited, and it includes films, talks, exhibits, artists and give away prizes.

Ticket sales to a haunted house for the youngsters will also benefit Birdfest. Participants can learn about raptors and snakes too.

This year’s BirdFest will bring in sightseers from 16 different states including New York, Washington, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Canada.

Organizers said they are expecting some tourists from England.

“People from out of the country are looking at ecotourism here to see how we are using ecotourism to the benefit of everyone and everything in our area,” Borom said.

There will be a lot of tour guides available from the Department of Conservation and other states. Birders are encouraged to bring cameras and binoculars, and spotting scopes on tripods will be provided.

Many people typically move to Gulf Coast because of the natural resources, Borom said.

“We’ve got a beautiful area here and we are growing so rapidly … every time farm is changed to subdivision, it displaces what was there, one little development at a time,” Borom said. “It is the environment that is the engine that stimulates the economy.”

In Baldwin County, bird, flower and butterfly enthusiasts know that these creatures are becoming harder to find.

“I know if you don’t make an effort to save something usually it is not going to be saved,” Borom said.

The BirdFest was brought about by the effort of hundreds of people working together trying to do good, Borom said.

“We are all trying to do the same thing — to protect the environment,” Borom said. “Bring your cameras. Bring your friends and enjoy,” he said.

BirdFest Schedule

BirdFest is held over a series of days at various sites. If you have a specific species in mind, here is just a sample of where you can see various species. For more details, visit alabamacoastalbirdfest.com:

Fort Morgan Peninsula

< Named “One of globally important bird areas in U.S. by American Bird Conservancy”

Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island Sea Lab

< Research Vessel, A. E. Verrill Cruise: Learn Mobile Bay’s history and value

< Species include: Caspian Tern & Double-crested Cormorant

Dauphin Island-Trans Gulf Migration Flyway

< Named “Birdiest Small City”

< Over 185 species

< Species include: Great Blue Heron & Swainson’s Thrush

Lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta Cruise

< Guided by a naturalist from Alabama State Lands

< Species include: White Ibis & American White Pelican

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

< Contains 7,000 acres of coastal barrier habitat for migratory birds

< Species include: Tennessee Warbler & Yellow-billed cuckoo

Dauphin Island/Sand Island Shorebirds

< 14-mi. long barrier island

Meaher State Park or 5 Rivers; Daphne Bayfront Parks; Jackson’s Oak

< Wide variety of shore birds and migratory birds

< Species include: Brown Pelican & Magnolia Warbler

Mobile-Tensaw Delta; Historic Blakeley State Park Delta Explorer cruise

< One of the wildest regions in Alabama

< Species include: Bald Eagle & Red-tailed Hawk

Blakeley Island Ponds; Mud Lakes; Polecat Bay

< Lots of waterfowl and waders

< Large dredge disposal ponds

< Species include: Black-necked stilts and swallows.

The Alabama Coastal Birdfest will be holding other activities and events throughout the weekend.

Complete list of events available on alabamacoastalbirdfest.com