Apalachicola is a migration and all around birding hot spot. Many shorebirds -sandpipers, plovers, and the like, migrate through Apalachicola each spring and fall. Some species also migrate to the area to over-winter. The shorebird migration begins in mid July and continues until late October/early November, with different species peaking at different times during this period. Many of these species; such as Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling, and Least Sandpiper; will have individuals that stay in our area for the winter. Other species, such as Semipalmated Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, and Pectoral Sandpiper are transients that simply pass through our area on their way further south.

To see these shorebirds one should look anywhere along the bay where there are exposed mud and sand flats. These are the areas where these birds like to feed and rest during migration. Many songbirds including swallows, thrush, vireos, warblers, buntings, tanagers and more also pass through each spring and fall. St. George Island State Park  in the area of the youth campground is an excellent place to see hordes of these migrating songbirds. Watch for passing cold fronts to bring down the birds. One might also visit St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge to see these same birds and many other species such as shorebirds, herons and egrets.

Fall is also the time to watch for migrating raptors. Nesting Bald Eagles return to the area and begin courting. Many other hawks and falcons also pass through or come to our area to stay for the winter. The Peregrine Falcon, the fastest animal on the planet, is often seen hunting Laughing Gulls as it follows our coast south to its wintering grounds. American Kestrels, absolutely striking beauties, begin to show up in large numbers. They will stay the winter in our area and are easy to find anywhere there are open fields for hunting. Hawk migration peaks around the end of September, beginning of October. A great place for watching migrating hawks is St. Joe Peninsula State Park. Many ducks, gulls, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, sparrows and others also migrate to our area for the winter.

Another interesting winter resident is the American White Pelican. Large flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, will pass through our area and some will stay here for the winter. A good place to watch for these huge pelicans is around Bird Island located just south of the western end of the John Gorrie Bridge.
Alan Knothe, Education Specialist Apalachicola National Research Reserve.