The Magnolia State attracts countless birds that winter here or pass through on their way elsewhere.
At the southern terminus of the Mississippi Flyway, the Magnolia State attracts countless birds that winter here or pass through on their way elsewhere.
“Any location in Mississippi would be good for winter birding,” explains Mitchell Robinson from Holly Springs, the Mississippi Ornithological Society vice president. “Even resident birds like woodpeckers become more active during the winter because food is scarce, so they go looking for something to eat. In the winter, many species move in foraging flocks for safety. Flocks might contain several species feeding together.”
Founded in Jackson in 1955, the society exists to promote a greater appreciation and protection of native birds. The organization helps connect birders to local opportunities throughout Mississippi.
Many birds eat insects. Most people rake their leaves in the fall. Numerous insects stay in leaf litter all winter. People can make brush piles with leaf material and branches to create warmth and cover for birds.
Birders today can download a free app called Merlin to identify birds. The Cornell University Lab of Ornithology launched the app, which accesses a worldwide database. People can record bird sounds. The program analyzes those sounds and determines what species made it.
“Merlin gives information on what bird species should be in that area so people can identify them in real time on their phones,” Robinson says. “It’s a great way to get started learning how to identify birds using technology. People could look up on ebird.org and see places close to them where they might spot different bird species.”
Anyone can get into birdwatching for practically no cost. People commonly see numerous bird species in their backyards. Many people place bird feeders around their homes to attract birds.
Others plant native vegetation that creates bird food all year long.
“Many birds eat insects,” Robinson states. “Most people rake their leaves in the fall. Numerous insects stay in leaf litter all winter. People can make brush piles with leaf material and branches to create warmth and cover for birds.”
Millions of birds live throughout the state, but a few public places stand out for birding. These include Tishomingo State Park and Hall Doxey State Park. All major lakes, like Ross Barnett, offer great opportunities to see various bird species. In Grenada, visit Lee Tartt Nature Preserve.
On the coast, people see species not found elsewhere in the state. Follow the Mississippi Coast Birding Trail to more than 40 sites. Most of the Mississippi subspecies of sandhill crane population lives on or near the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge near Gautier.
Even urban areas often contain parks and other places where birds gather. In Jackson, LeFleur’s Bluff State Park
covers 305 acres and includes nature trails good for birding.
“Some species, like red-breasted nuthatches, come through or overwinter here,” Robinson says. “Another notable species, cedar wax wings are strikingly beautiful birds. They almost look like someone wearing eye mascara with a crest like a cardinal.”
Birders might want to participate in Christmas Bird Counts. Conducted by the National Audubon Society since 1900, the count runs from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Volunteers record the different species they spot to compile data on wintering bird population densities and distribution.
