Mandalay Refugewinter wildlife
Bald eagles forage along the refuge's waterways and marshes from October to May, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Right now at Mandalay Refuge
Right now in Mandalay Refuge · September
- Hot and buggy: bring sunscreen, water and insect repellent · May–Sep
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Mandalay Nature Trail and wetland overlookThe refuge's only land access, west of Houma at the end of the gravel Rue de Manson off Bayou Black Drive (Hwy 182): an easy, kid-friendly 3/4-mile out-and-back trail onto an elevated boardwalk, ending at an observation deck over the wetlands
- Refuge waterways by boat, from Cannon's LandingMost of the refuge can be reached only by boat. Boating is allowed in the open canals, ditches and trenasses; the nearest launch is Cannon's Landing on Bayou Black (3663 Southdown Mandalay Road, Houma), with a $5 launch fee. Airboats and marsh buggies aren't allowed
Nearby
- Bayou Sauvage Refuge65 mi2 separate phases, from Fall (September-November), 2013 bird list
- Trinity River Refuge242 milate August to early November
- Brazoria Refuge273 miNovember through January
- Noxubee Refuge282 mi4 separate phases, from August
- Dahomey Refuge286 miNovember – February
- San Bernard Refuge293 mi3 separate phases, from October to early November
The year at Mandalay Refuge
- Hot and buggy: bring sunscreen, water and insect repellentNowMay–Sep
- May: By May most eagles have gone north for the seasonMay
- Bald eagles forage along the waterways and marshesOct–May
Mandalay Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge?
Bald eagles forage along the refuge's waterways and marshes from October to May, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: Watch for bald eagles October - May.. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual winter wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: Watch for bald eagles October - May., local timing.
When is the refuge open?
From sunrise to sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I see an eagle nest?
Maybe: look for their huge nests in large cypress trees along the waterways. Eagles nest early in Louisiana: eggs are laid in the fall and most hatch around the new year, and by May most eagles have gone north.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Birding ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What is it like in summer?
May through September can be hot and buggy. Bring sunscreen, plenty of water and insect repellent.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Activities ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there hunting on the refuge?
Yes, but most of the refuge is closed to waterfowl hunting: only the 750-acre Hanson Unit is open, two days a week through the waterfowl season, with permits by lottery. Archery deer hunting reaches most of the refuge.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Hunting ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I fly a drone?
Not without a special permit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge?
Mandalay Nature Trail and wetland overlook: the refuge's only land access, west of Houma at the end of the gravel Rue de Manson off Bayou Black Drive (Hwy 182): an easy, kid-friendly 3/4-mile out-and-back trail onto an elevated boardwalk, ending at an observation deck over the wetlands; Refuge waterways by boat, from Cannon's Landing: most of the refuge can be reached only by boat. Boating is allowed in the open canals, ditches and trenasses; the nearest launch is Cannon's Landing on Bayou Black (3663 Southdown Mandalay Road, Houma), with a $5 launch fee. Airboats and marsh buggies aren't allowed.
What is Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Bald eagles forage along the waterways and marshes (Oct–May), By May most eagles have gone north for the season (May) and Hot and buggy: bring sunscreen, water and insect repellent (May–Sep).
How we know · Sources (7)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Birding (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Rules and Policies (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Activities (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Hunting (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mandalay NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)