Louisiana Events
The Great Louisiana Bird Fest
Apr 05, 2019 Apr 08, 2019

Just the thought of catching a glimpse of the elusive rare red-cockaded woodpecker is enough to give birdwatchers goosebumps. While the red-cockaded woodpecker is non-migratory, scores of species seasonally spotted here are not. On some spring days, more than one million birds reach Louisiana’s coast, migrating through the Northshore from Mexico and South America. As many as 150 different species have been seen during previous BirdFests. The BirdFest is hosted by the Northlake Nature Center, a lovely 400-acre non-profit preserve just outside Mandeville. The center has seven miles of trails for self-guided tours offering such highlights as a grove of giant magnolias, a beaver pond on Bayou Castine, cypress trees and a resident flock of 20 wild turkeys. The Northlake Nature Center is only the beginning on the Northshore for birding enthusiasts. There are more than 80,000 acres of wildlife preserve in St. Tammany Parish, held in areas like the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, the Big Branch National Wildlife Reserve and the Nature Conservancy’s Abita Flatwood Preserve. The Great Louisiana Bird Fest organizes workshops and self-drive tours for birders in these and other areas, including Manchac Swamp. Birders can be on the lookout for seasonal visitors like the scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, ruby-throated hummingbirds, raptors, orioles, and a host of waterfowl species. Resident species include great blue herons, white ibis, numerous hawk species, and many others. More Info

Northlake Nature Center, 23135 Hwy. 190 East
Mandeville, LA 70448

Cost: Trip prices range from $5 up to $45. Tickets purchased in advance.
Reocurrence: Annual
Time: 6:15am-9pm Friday, 7am-6pm Saturday, 7am-7:30pm Sunday
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