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Louisiana

When to catch Bayou Sauvage Refugeat its best

Bayou Sauvage Refuge through the year: wildlife by season (local timing: Summer (June-August), 2013 bird list) and winter wildlife (2 separate phases, from Fall (September-November), 2013 bird list). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat showers and thunderstorms, 84°F · Sun showers and thunderstorms, 82°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Bayou Sauvage Refuge

Good in fall

  • Fall: blue-winged teal and northern harriers listed as common (2013 bird list)

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Where to go at Bayou Sauvage Refuge

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Bayou Sauvage RefugeLocal timing: Summer (June-August), 2013 bird listThis page
  • Mandalay RefugeLocal timing: Watch for bald eagles October - May.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Wildlife by season

  • Joe Madere Marsh OverlookOn US 90: a short boardwalk to a marsh overlook, with a canoe launch and picnic pavilion. Look for waterfowl, and for shorebirds such as black-necked stilts and avocets in the shallow water and mudflatsU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Ridge Trail boardwalkThe refuge's most popular access point, also on US 90: a half-mile interpretive boardwalk loop through a forest being restored after Hurricane Katrina, with a marsh overlook, restrooms and a picnic pavilion. Egrets, herons and ibis use the water impoundment between the parking lot and US 90U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Winter wildlife

  • Joe Madere Marsh OverlookOn US 90: a short boardwalk to a marsh overlook, with a canoe launch and picnic pavilion. Look for waterfowl, and for shorebirds such as black-necked stilts and avocets in the shallow water and mudflatsU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Ridge Trail boardwalkThe refuge's most popular access point, also on US 90: a half-mile interpretive boardwalk loop through a forest being restored after Hurricane Katrina, with a marsh overlook, restrooms and a picnic pavilion. Egrets, herons and ibis use the water impoundment between the parking lot and US 90U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Bayou Sauvage Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodaySunny87° / 77°10% rain
  • ThuChance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms87° / 77°62% rain
  • FriShowers And Thunderstorms Likely86° / 76°74% rain
  • SatShowers And Thunderstorms84° / 76°83% rain
  • SunShowers And Thunderstorms82° / 74°87% rain
  • MonChance Showers And Thunderstorms80° / 73°52% rain
  • TueChance Showers And Thunderstorms80° / 72°37% rain

Heads up: Windy (winds up to 20 mph): Tuesday, Tuesday Night.

Today: sunrise 6:53 a.m., sunset 6:47 p.m., light until 7:11 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Bayou Sauvage Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A wooden boardwalk leading into green trees and shrubs beside a sign titled Forests of Bayou Sauvage
The Ridge Trail boardwalk and an interpretive sign about the forests of Bayou Sauvage, October 28, 2021. Photo: Jo Anne Dolan/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

Where should I look for herons and egrets?

At the Ridge Trail, check the water impoundment behind the water control structure, between the parking lot and US 90. Joe Madere Marsh Overlook is good for shorebirds and waterfowl.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Birding ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Are herons only here in summer?

No: wading birds are seen year-round. The 2013 bird list marks these four herons as common in summer and less common the rest of the year.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage NWR Bird List (September 2013) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What should I bring in summer?

The refuge has little shade and can be buggy much of the year: bring drinking water, insect repellent and sunscreen.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Will I see alligators?

Quite possibly: American alligators are frequently seen. Feeding them, or any wildlife, is prohibited.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 30