Page 99 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2020

count that’s been going on for years.”
In the winter, South Mississippi attracts many waterfowl
species. The area also features numerous nesting colonies for rare least terns. People might also spot bald eagles. Endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers like the pine forests of the De Soto National Forest between Biloxi and Hattiesburg and the Homochitto National Forest in southwestern Mississippi.
“Around South Mississippi, people can do a lot of beach birding and ‘harbor hopping,’ going from harbor to harbor looking for di erent kinds of birds,” Cox explains. “On
the coast, we see pelagic birds that usually stay out over the water. Frigate birds are becoming more common. Some people call them storm birds. They almost look prehistoric.”
Other good birding places include Hancock County Marshes Preserve bordering Mississippi Sound, Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on the Mississippi- Alabama line, trails at the Interstate 10 West Mississippi Welcome Center, Gulf Islands National Seashore and
the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Birders might also visit several state wildlife management areas, such as Pascagoula River, Little Biloxi, Red Creek and Ward Bayou. Before venturing into any public hunting areas, check the season dates and go when fewer people might be roaming the property.
For more information on bird watching and the Mississippi Coast Audubon Society, visit mscoastaudubon.org.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a wide variety of birds for bird watchers to enjoy. During the fall and winter those numbers grow as migrants add to the resident population.
FACING PAGE: A WARBLER keeps an eye on potential dinner. BELOW: 1. Purple Gallinule, 2. Brown Pelican,
3. Great Egret, 4. Common Gallinule, 5. Cardinal, 6. Bald Eagle, 7. Painted Bunting, 8. American Oyster Catcher
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