State guide
When to catch Louisianathrough the year
We follow 4 places in Louisiana for spring migration, wildlife by season, winter wildlife and wildflowers: winter at Bayou Sauvage Refuge and Mandalay Refuge, spring at Atchafalaya Refuge and Keiffer Prairies and summer at Bayou Sauvage Refuge. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in Louisiana
Good in fall
- Bayou Sauvage RefugeFall: blue-winged teal and northern harriers listed as common (2013 bird list)
- Keiffer PrairiesWildflowers bloom from early March through December
- Mandalay RefugeBald eagles forage along the waterways and marshes
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after fall
“Visit in April or May for the best birding.” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Winter in Louisiana
- PHASE · WINTER WILDLIFEBayou Sauvage RefugeWinter (December-February), 2013 bird list (and 1 more phase)Louisiana
“Winter (December-February), 2013 bird list” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFEMandalay RefugeWatch for bald eagles October - May.Louisiana
“Watch for bald eagles October - May.” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in winter
- Bayou Sauvage RefugeWinter: gadwall, northern pintail, northern shoveler and redhead listed as common (2013 bird list)
- Mandalay RefugeBald eagles forage along the waterways and marshes
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after winter
“Visit in April or May for the best birding.” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Spring in Louisiana
- BEST VIEWING · SPRING MIGRATIONAtchafalaya RefugeVisit in April or May for the best birding.Louisiana
“Visit in April or May for the best birding.” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- PHASE · WILDFLOWERSKeiffer PrairiesFrom March to May, forbs dominate the prairies. (and 1 more phase)Louisiana
“From March to May, forbs dominate the prairies.” · USDA Forest Service ↗
Also good in spring
- Atchafalaya RefugeBest birding: spring migrants in April and May
- Bayou Sauvage RefugeProthonotary warblers listed as common in spring and summer (2013 bird list)
- Keiffer PrairiesWildflowers bloom from early March through December
- Mandalay RefugeBald eagles forage along the waterways and marshes
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in Louisiana
- SEASON · WILDLIFE BY SEASONBayou Sauvage RefugeSummer (June-August), 2013 bird listLouisiana
“Summer (June-August), 2013 bird list” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in summer
- Atchafalaya RefugeWood storks listed as abundant in summer, June and July (2013 bird list)
- Bayou Sauvage RefugeGreen, little blue and tricolored herons and yellow-crowned night-herons listed as common (2013 bird list)
- Keiffer PrairiesWildflowers bloom from early March through December
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
“Visit in April or May for the best birding.” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Places in Louisiana
- Spring
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a Louisiana trip
Towns to stay in
- New Orleans, LABayou Sauvage Refuge · 6 mi
- Baton Rouge, LAAtchafalaya Refuge · 35 mi
- Lafayette, LAAtchafalaya Refuge · 28 mi
- Monroe, LAYazoo Refuge · 74 mi
- Alexandria, LAAtchafalaya Refuge · 70 mi
- Houma, LAMandalay Refuge · 4 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Browse by season and event
- Spring migration · 1 place hereSpring migration, everywhere →
- Wildlife by season · 1 place hereWildlife by season, everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 2 places hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
- Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit or stamp to visit at Atchafalaya Refuge?
Yes, if you are older than 16 and younger than 60: the refuge is part of a state wildlife management area (the Sherburne Unit), which needs a Wild Louisiana Stamp or a Louisiana hunting or fishing license. The stamp is $3 a day or $9.50 a year.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atchafalaya NWR: Hunting ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atchafalaya NWR: Camping ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there hunting at Atchafalaya Refuge?
Yes: the refuge is part of the popular Sherburne Complex public hunting area. In hunting season, blaze orange or pink is highly recommended for everyone.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atchafalaya NWR: Hunting ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atchafalaya NWR: Hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where should I look for herons and egrets at Bayou Sauvage Refuge?
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 at Bayou Sauvage Refuge?
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)
When is the refuge open at Bayou Sauvage Refuge?
Every day in daylight hours; it's closed at night.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are parts of the refuge closed in winter at Bayou Sauvage Refuge?
Yes, in the mornings: for safety, everything outside the hurricane-protection levee is closed to public entry until noon from November 1 to January 31, and during the state teal season (youth waterfowl hunting excepted). Fishing outside the levee is allowed only after noon in those periods.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Mississippi · Alabama · Texas · Oklahoma
Louisiana in pictures
How we know
- Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: spring migrants, visit in April or May for the best birding; swallow-tailed kites and Louisiana black bearsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atchafalaya NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceBest birding in April or May; the old Big Alabama Bridge birding viewing areaSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atchafalaya NWR: Birding in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceThe refuge's seasonal bird checklist (on and adjacent to the refuge), with its season and abundance legendSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage NWR Bird List (September 2013) in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceWildflower viewing on the Keiffer Prairies: bloom season, spring and fall flowers, safety, prescribed burns and directionsSource (opens USDA Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Keiffer Prairies (Kisatchie National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceWaterfowl, and bald eagles October to May: early nesters in cypress along the waterways, gone north by MaySource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Birding in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceFreshwater marshes for migrating waterfowl; bald eagles forage along refuge waterways and marshes October to MaySource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Species in a new tab)