Have you ever seen a pitcher plant bog or hiked a trail with a saltwater lagoon on one side and a freshwater lake on the other? Part of the amazing diversity of the southernmost tip of Alabama is the wetlands in the coastal barrier habitats. These undeveloped lands also include beach dunes and maritime forests that offer protection for a multitude of wildlife, including migrating birds, the endangered beach mouse and nesting sea turtles.
The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 7,000 acres of protected lands in coastal Alabama. One of our favorite activities on Alabama’s Coastal Connection is hiking the trails in this natural habitat. The trails take you through maritime forests, wetlands and dune habitats. The Jeff Friend Trail, which is universally accessible, takes you through a maritime forest and wetlands to Little Lagoon. Then meander through wetlands and marshes on the Pine Beach Trail and Centennial Trail.
For a unique experience, add a visit to the Weeks Bay pitcher plant bog to your itinerary. The carnivorous pitcher plants blossom in early spring and the pitchers and many orchids emerge in late spring and summer. When fall rolls around, wildflowers take over the bogs. Pitcher plants attract their prey and drown it in their tubular, modified leaves. The sundews trap insects with sticky hairs much like an insect trapped on flypaper.
Increase your chances for seeing more wildlife during your wetlands trek by traveling quietly and listening and looking for signs of wildlife.