Bayou Sauvage Refugewinter wildlife
At Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for winter wildlife comes in 2 separate phases, each its own display, neither a peak: Blue-winged teal and northern harriers, listed as common in fall, Fall (September-November), 2013 bird list; and Gadwall, northern pintail, northern shoveler and redhead, listed as common in winter, Winter (December-February), 2013 bird list. No official report yet this season.
- September–NovemberBlue-winged teal and northern harriers, listed as common in fallFall (September-November), 2013 bird list
- December–FebruaryGadwall, northern pintail, northern shoveler and redhead, listed as common in winterWinter (December-February), 2013 bird list
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- 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 mudflats
- 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 90
Nearby
- Mandalay Refuge65 miWatch for bald eagles October - May.
- Noxubee Refuge231 mi4 separate phases, from August
- Dahomey Refuge260 miNovember – February
- Trinity River Refuge294 milate August to early November
- Brazoria Refuge333 miNovember through January
- St. Marks Refuge340 mibetween Thanksgiving and ChristmasSatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
The year at Bayou Sauvage Refuge
- Fishing and crabbing allowed all year inside the hurricane-protection leveeNowJan–Dec
- Prothonotary warblers listed as common in spring and summer (2013 bird list)Mar–Aug
- Green, little blue and tricolored herons and yellow-crowned night-herons listed as common (2013 bird list)Jun–Aug
- Least terns, indigo buntings and yellow-breasted chats listed as common in summer (2013 bird list)Jun–Aug
- Fall: blue-winged teal and northern harriers listed as common (2013 bird list)NowSep–Nov
- Everything outside the hurricane-protection levee closed until noon, November 1 to January 31 (and in the state teal season)Nov–Jan
- Winter: gadwall, northern pintail, northern shoveler and redhead listed as common (2013 bird list)Dec–Feb
Bayou Sauvage Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge?
In 2 separate phases, each at its own spot: Blue-winged teal and northern harriers, listed as common in fall, Fall (September-November), 2013 bird list and Gadwall, northern pintail, northern shoveler and redhead, listed as common in winter, Winter (December-February), 2013 bird list. They're separate displays, not one long season, and neither is a peak.
Is it wildlife season at Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
When is the refuge open?
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?
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)
When are the biggest numbers of ducks here?
The refuge says thousands of waterfowl use it in late winter and spring.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I paddle from Joe Madere Marsh?
Usually not: the waterway there is silted in, and most times of year paddling is no longer possible. The Hwy 11 Boat Launch, with a small fishing pier, reaches a canal leading to Lake Maisson and Lake Antoine.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog or my bike?
Dogs are welcome on a leash. Bikes are allowed on the Maxent Levee at the Ridge Trail site and on dirt roads and levees.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge?
Joe Madere Marsh Overlook: on 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 mudflats; Ridge Trail boardwalk: the 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 90.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge?
Everything outside the hurricane-protection levee closed until noon, November 1 to January 31 (and in the state teal season) (Nov–Jan).
What is Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Fall: blue-winged teal and northern harriers listed as common (2013 bird list) (Sep–Nov), Winter: gadwall, northern pintail, northern shoveler and redhead listed as common (2013 bird list) (Dec–Feb), Everything outside the hurricane-protection levee closed until noon, November 1 to January 31 (and in the state teal season) (Nov–Jan), Fishing and crabbing allowed all year inside the hurricane-protection levee (Jan–Dec), Green, little blue and tricolored herons and yellow-crowned night-herons listed as common (2013 bird list) (Jun–Aug), Least terns, indigo buntings and yellow-breasted chats listed as common in summer (2013 bird list) (Jun–Aug) and Prothonotary warblers listed as common in spring and summer (2013 bird list) (Mar–Aug).
How we know · Sources (6)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage NWR Bird List (September 2013) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Rules and Policies (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Birding (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Hiking (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)