GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Are you looking for ways to spend more time outside exploring the Alabama Gulf Coast and help science while doing it? Scientists are looking to gather snapshots of local birding populations all across the U.S. and Canada and need volunteers to count these feathered friends during the Great Backyard Bird Count.

“This project is a fun way to learn about the birds of coastal Alabama while being part of a very important study that helps with bird conservation efforts,” said Joanne McDonough of the Nature Tourism Initiative. “You can even go beyond the backyard and explore the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail that spans two counties and is enhanced by directional and interpretive signage, offering enthusiasts endless opportunities to count birds and explore their habitats.”

The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail is a series of loops winding through Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Event participants can also checkout more habitats in the area including the Gulf State Park and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

Tracking begins on Friday, Feb. 17 and lasts until Monday, Feb. 20. No registration is required for the event and it is open to all ages. Participants are asked to simply watch birds wherever they choose for 15 minutes and document the species at www.birdcount.org. Helpful charts and other tools are also available on the website.

Last year, the Great Backyard Bird Count had great success with participants submitting over 92,000 lists and 11 states making new checklists records. More than 11.4 million birds were observed, and 596 species were identified.

To learn more about the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, visit www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com. Additional information on the Great Backyard Bird Count can be found at www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

Nature tourism business owners who would like more information or assistance may contact Joanne McDonough at 251-974-4634 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Additional online resources may be found at www.agccvb.org/business-of-nature.