Early History-
Although first colonized in the 1600s, it was not until 1954 that
a 3 1/2mile bridge was built connecting Dauphin Island to the mainland.
During this development phase, the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board
was created to provide recreation opportunities for the citizens of
Alabama. The sand dunes covering the walls of Fort Gaines were excavated,
the Campground was established, fishing piers built and beach and
picnic park developments begun. During this time period, Dr. Wilson
Gaillard, an avid birder and conservationist, recognized the need
to create an Island refuge to protect the natural ecosystem as well
as provide safety and resources for the incredible numbers of migrating
birds and butterflies on their twice annual passages. The Board of
Directors (Sidney Pfleger- Chairman) of the Dauphin Island Park and
Beach Board were immediately receptive to this idea, and selected
perhaps the most beautiful parcel of land on the Island. More importantly,
the 164-acres would include the widest possible range of habitats
from a fresh water lake, Gulf beaches, swamp, pine forest, dune system
and hardwood clearings. This "Bird Sanctuary", as it was known, was
established in 1961 by the Park and Beach Board. In 1967, the Park
and Beach Board enhanced the status of the Sanctuary by entering into
a formal agreement with the National Audubon Society, so that it was
officially included as part of the national system of Audubon wildlife
sanctuaries. As the years passed, there was a growing awareness of
Dauphin Island's unique location and resources related to the spring
and fall migrations. For example, one of the first acts when the Town
of Dauphin Island was created in 1988, was to designate the entire
Island as a Bird Refuge. Recognition and expert advice were increased
for the site in 1992 by the creation of the nonprofit Friends of the
Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Inc. Although the Park and
Beach Board has sole responsibility for the Sanctuary, including maintenance
and improvements, the partnership with National Audubon, the Friends
of the Sanctuary, and others, has produced an ideal situation protecting
the needs of wildlife and the interest of the general public. In the
last few years alone, a 1000-foot handicap access boardwalk from the
parking lot to "Gaillard Lake" has been constructed along with a beautiful
lake pier. The trail system has been enlarged and a raised walkway
through the Tupelo swamp created. A ground breaking grant from the
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program was secured to reverse the spread
of Cogan Grass and reestablish native vegetation. (Note: besides their
efforts with the Sanctuary, the Friends also have an excellent project
purchasing undeveloped lots on the Island to insure they remain wildlife
refuges- contact them for further information) Due to the dedication
of those named, as well as the Coastal Programs Division of the Alabama
Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the future of this incredible
site has never been brighter. It will be one of the featured attractions
of the new Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and a separate project will
implement an extensive nature interpretive sign system along the paths.
Strategic Importance.
Wild Bird Magazine recently selected Dauphin Island as one of the
top four locations in North America for viewing spring migrations!
It has also been sited as one of the ten most globally important sites
for bird migrations.
The Sanctuary consists of 164 acres of maritime forest, marshes, and
dunes, including a lake, a swamp and a beach. It is located at the
Eastern end of Dauphin Island, a 14 mile-long barrier island situated
off the Alabama Gulf coast. The Sanctuary is of vital importance because
it is the largest segment of protected forest on the island and
the first landfall for neotropical migrant birds after their long
flight across the Gulf from Central and South America each spring.
Here these birds, often exhausted and weakened from severe weather
during the long flight, find their first food and shelter. It is also
their final feeding and resting place before their return flight each
fall.
Habitat Description.
The dominant trees in the maritime forest are longleaf and slash pine,
southern magnolia, live oak, and tupelo gum. A transition zone of
white sand dunes separates the forest from the beach. Sea oats cover
the dunes, giving way to a sparse covering of pines, scrubby oaks,
seaside goldenrod, and lichens. Gaillard Lake, approximately four
and a half acres in size, lies at the southern edge of the pine woods
and is borderd by tall pines on the north and west, and by a tupelo
swamp on the east and south. Alligators may be seen in the lake.
Friends of Dauphin Island Audubon Sanctuary.
Formation of Friends. In 1992 the National Audubon Society sought
local support in maintaining their lease with the Dauphin Island Park
and Beach Board for the Sanctuary. With the help and financial support
of the Alabama Audubon Council, the Friends of Dauphin Island audubon
Sanctuary, Inc. was created as a nonprofit corporation to provide
financial support and to take an active role in managing the Sanctuary.
In 1997 the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board assumed responsibility
for the management of the Sanctuary. The Friends continue to work
with the Park and Beach Board in protecting the Sanctuary and managing
it as a stopover habitat for neotropical migrants.
Purpose of Friends is to protect, maintain, and improve the Sancturay. We are actively involved in acquiring additional neotropical migrant habitat, both on the island and elewhere. We also work to promote knowledge of, and appreciation for, all wildlife.
Gulf Coast Bird Observtory Initiatives.
Efforts are underway to preserve similar areas of vital coastal habitat
along the entire perimeter of the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Coast Bird
Observatory was initiated by a unique partnership including Huston
Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancies of Texas and Louisiana,
the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Department, Amoco Production Co. , Phillips
Petroleum Co., and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The
Observatory's mission, conservation of migratory birds and their habitat,
works under the umbrella of Partners in Flight- Aves de las Americas,
an international cooperative effort working to reverse declining population
trends in birds. The Friends have joined as Site Partners in the Observatory's
efforts to secure protected stopover habitat for nearctic-neotropical
migratory birds, joining with other coastal site partners in Mississippi,
Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico.
| Audubon Bird Sanctuary Provided and Maintained by the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board 109 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 251-861-3607 |