An early spring has flowers blooming, trees budding new bright green leaves, pollen is in the air, and those pesky mosquitoes. Speaking of, a mild winter will definitely mean more mosquitoes and bugs in general for this year. Two early bird migrants that already arrived (mid-Feb.) are the “Common Yellow Throated Warbler” and the “Ruby-Throated Hummingbird”. If you haven’t seen this warbler yet, just listen for their distinct call "wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty". The early hummers are being seen feeding on “Bottle-Brush”, “Swamp Marigolds”, and “Clover”. Geese were heard flying overhead late this Feb. heading due north. Who knows “how” and “why” geese migrate during the night.  March is prime time for migratory birds to arrive. Large flocks will begin appearing in South Louisiana and Iberville Parish in flocks of one species, and more often than not in flocks made up of several different species flying together. How do all the different birds know when it’s time to go and know where to meet up together before they migrate? Large flocks of migratory birds will show up on the weather radar used by offshore oil rigs located in the gulf. On the radar screen, the large flocks appear like weather clouds, except they move more erratic and quick. Some of these flocks are hummingbirds, native to only the “Americas” and the smallest mammal in the world. During their long migration across open water, migrants become exhausted. Last spring, a fisherman who had been fishing some 40 miles offshore in the gulf witnessed a “prothonotary” warbler land on his boat rail. There was no other land or other structures in sight. The warbler didn’t mind the fishermen who carried on fishing. The fisherman said the little yellow bird looked exhausted and figured he would let it rest. Then all at once, the warbler was back in flight heading off in a direction toward Louisiana’s coastline. Many birders routinely visit sites along the coast to witness a migrant “fall-outs”, which is when large flocks of migrants first arrive on land and seem to just fall-out from exhaustion. Food and rest are their number one priority after a fall-out and not evading people offering close encounters for bird watchers. As soon as the birds recover, they head further inland often to the same area they were born to start a new family. For migratory birds, Iberville Parish is their destination.              

 

The best ways to see birds in Iberville Parish is getting out on the water! Iberville Parish offers 13 public boat launches that provide access to its abundant waterways and vast swamps. Next to best is driving along parish roadways that follow along a waterway or bayou, such as:

 1) LA HWY 77 from Maringouin south to Plaquemine, which is listed as a “State Scenic Highway” and is a leg of the “Mississippi River Bike Trail” (MRT). 2) The “East Atchafalaya Basin Levee Road” from Interstate 10 at Ramah, LA south to Bayou Sorrel is off the beaten path, but offers a wilder view of the birds in their natural habitat. 3) The “Sherburne Wildlife Management Area” is one of Louisiana’s State Wildlife Management Areas located in Iberville Parish, just north of Ramah, Louisiana at Interstate 10. It is a premier public birding location, and during April public crawfishing is allowed their too. Be prepared to walk, bike, or bring an ATV because no automotive vehicles are allowed into the wildlife area. The walk in and out can be exhausting, and prepare for mosquitoes, intense sun, and high humidity. Those who do bear the elements will be rewarded with a rare and up close up encounters with diverse and rare species of migratory birds. 4) Last but not least is the “Bayou Manchac Road” that begins on LA Highway 30 in St. Gabriel as “Bayou Paul Road” then becomes the Bayou Manchac Road, which follows the old bed of Bayou Manchac from the Mississippi River to its junction with Alligator Bayou. The riparian habitat along the bayou and the vast wetland forests within the Spanish Lake Sub-Basin is one of the last areas of refuge for wild and migratory birds. Located so close to metropolitan Baton Rouge, the demands for developing new land is ever increasing, but the low land elevations and greater risk of flooding has kept this area from development. Iberville Parish government is working with private landowners to help keep this area natural. Don’t venture too close to the waterway because there is more than birds to expect, there are alligators, hence the name “Alligator Bayou”. 

 

Warblers (Common-Yellow-Throated, Prothonotary, Hooded, Yellow, Northern Parula and Louisiana Waterthrush...), Buntings (Indigo, Blue, and Painted), Tanagers (Scarlet, and Summer), Grosbeak (Blue and Rose-breasted), Flycatchers (Great Crested, Yellow-bellied), Vireos (White-eyed, Red-eyed, Solitary, and Bell’s), Kinglets (Ruby-crowned, Golden-crowned), Orioles (Orchard and Baltimore), Hummingbirds (Ruby-Throated, Rufous, Broad-billed, Buffed-bellied), Egret (Great White, Snowy, Cattle), Heron (Great Blue, Tri-colored, Little Blue, Yellow Crown Night, Green Back), Ibis (Rosette Spoon-billed, Crooked-billed), Raptors (Bald Eagle, Swallow-tailed kite, Mississippi kite, Black-shouldered kite, Hawks, Osprey, Kestrel, Barred Owl and Great-Horned Owl), Vulture (Black and Turkey-neck),Wood Stork, and Cormorants.