Gulf Islands National Seashore
The Gulf Islands National Seashore draws millions of visitors with its emerald waters, pristine white beaches, lush marshes, and rich historical landscapes. From pine warblers to pelicans, the area offers abundant birding opportunities. The diverse habitats, including beaches, dunes, freshwater marshes, maritime forests and salt marshes, support over 300 bird species. The area is a vital stopover for migrating birds, providing a resting and feeding spot along their journey. Freshwater marshes shelter rails and Spotted Sandpipers, while a variety of gulls, terns and shorebirds can be seen year-round.
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Sites At This Location
Perdido Key Area
This property encompasses the eastern tip of Perdido Key at the mouth of Pensacola Bay, with miles of undeveloped beach. To begin, turn left (north) 0.25 mile past the fee booth and park at the end of the road. A 0.5-mile loop with a boardwalk nature trail begins here, which can be good in spring for songbird migrants such as Swainson’s Thrushes. Pine Warblers and Eastern Towhees call from the pinewoods while the boardwalk winds through marsh good for Clapper Rails and Spotted Sandpipers at muddy edges. Return to the main park road, which runs eastward for another 2 miles. Beach (south side) and lagoon (north side) accesses along the road allow looks at Northern Gannets October through March, and a diversity of gulls, terns and various shorebirds year-round. Least Terns and Snowy Plovers nest in the protected areas on the north side of the road and elsewhere, so be careful not to disturb them. Small coves on Big Lagoon shelter ducks and Common Loons from the winter wind, offering good, close views.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Managing Agency
US Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service
Operational Hours: 8 am to sundown
Size: 778 acres
Naval Live Oaks Area
This hub for the national seashore spans the spit of land separating Santa Rosa Sound from Pensacola Bay. Scan the sound for wintering water birds such as Common Goldeneye and Horned Grebe. All three species of scoter have been observed here. During spring and fall migration, check the live oaks; 22 species of wood-warbler have been recorded including Golden-winged and Cerulean. Look carefully, you may find a rare visitor; During the winter months Brown Creepers and Red-breasted Nuthatches have shown up. Check the shoreline for shorebirds; Piping Plover and Bonaparte’s Gulls may occur in winter and Black Skimmers and Snowy Plovers between spring and summer.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managing Agency
US Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service
Operational Hours: 8am to sundown
Size: 1,244 acres
Fort Pickens Area
This migratory hotspot is not to be missed in spring and fall, as tired migrants make landfall after long migratory flights. Batteries Langdon and Worth are both good stops for migrants; closely check flowering oaks. Please respect closed areas protecting nesting birds: the beach here is prime for breeding Snowy Plovers and Least Terns spring through fall. Black Terns are ubiquitous in summer and early fall. By far, the fort and surrounding trails offer this site’s most exciting birding, rarities such as Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bewick’s Wren and Green-tailed Towhee have been recorded in recent years. In open areas surrounding the fortifications, watch for sentinel flycatchers on any minor promontory. Gray Kingbirds breed here and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are occasional in fall and winter. The trails on the fort’s bayside can be extraordinary for migrant songbirds like Tennessee, Cape May, and Magnolia Warblers. Morning is not necessarily the best time to see these birds; long-term sighting logs from dedicated local birders indicate these migrants can make landfall in early afternoon. Fallouts are exaggerated by early afternoon rain showers that ground migrants as soon as they reach land. Fort Pickens Road is prone to storm-related closures; call ahead before you visit.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Managing Agency
US Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service
Operational Hours: 7am to sundown
Size: 1,483 acres
