Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
area on the lake, and an intersection with SH 182, which runs along the coast. The Lodge
Complex is on the beach across from the intersection of SH 135 and SH 182. The left fork
is Baldwin County Road 2; this will take you to the cabins on the north side of Lake Shelby,
the existing golf course, the campgrounds, and an intersection with SH 182, about 0.5 mile
east of the intersection of SH 135 and SH 182. The campgrounds are on Middle Lake, and
they have a number of trails that go through the woods surrounding the campgrounds. Vari-
ous pine woodland species such as white-eyed vireo can be found here, and luck will allow
you to see one of the few red-cockaded woodpeckers that live in the park. Marshy areas along
the trails, particularly along Bear Creek Trail (which starts on the northern side of the camp-
ground, close to the middle of the campground area), have produced king rail year-round and
yellow rail in the winter and early spring. Areas with younger pines can have prairie warblers.
In warm weather, the insects here can be very annoying.
The preserved area of pine woods is immediately east of the campgrounds and Middle
Lake, and entry on foot is the only means of exploring here. Finding the red-cockaded wood-
pecker is a chancy proposition as the few birds have more than 1,000 acres to roam over;
nonetheless, having this bird still alive in pine habitat this close to the Gulf of Mexico is un-
usual.
Public Beach
Along SH 182, Gulf State Park preserves about 2 miles of beach and dunes. Various shore-
birds can be seen here, and flights of brown pelicans in formation are virtually guaranteed
throughout the day during almost any time of year. In late summer, collections of small fish
just offshore may attract large flocks of terns of various species. Black terns, in particular,
may appear here in late summer before they migrate to South America.
Perdido Point Public Beach
Perdido Point, also known as Florida Point, is on the eastern side of the pass out of Perdido
Bay at the very western end of Perdido Key. After crossing the bridge over Perdido Pass on
SH 182, take an immediate right onto the access road that leads to a public parking area un-
der, and south of, the bridge. Here there is a path that leads to a boardwalk over the dunes to
the beach. The birds that can be spotted here are the same ones that can be seen at other areas
along the Alabama coast; one would have no trouble seeing brown pelican, double-crested
cormorant, and a variety of gulls and terns. In winter, common loon can be found inside the
seawalls at the mouth of Perdido Bay. This is a nice and little-used area that provides about a
mile of undeveloped beach to walk and to bird upon. Northern gannet can sometimes be seen
from the jetty at the mouth of the bay.
