Skip to main content
Cypress trees in autumn color at the edge of the water at Noxubee refuge

Photo: Vicki Maples · Public Domain, cropped; resized

Cypress in autumn at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (date not given)

Noxubee Refugefall & winter wildlife

Wildlife refuge

At Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for fall & winter wildlife comes in 4 separate phases, each its own display: Teal and shorebirds migrate early, August; Shorebirds and broad-winged hawks migrating; blue-winged teal pass through, September; Peak of fall bird migration, October; and Wintering bald eagles on the lakes, nesting by January, November to February. No official report yet this season.

Updated

Sources for this timing ↓
Separate phases
  • AugustTeal and shorebirds migrate earlyAugust
  • SeptemberShorebirds and broad-winged hawks migrating; blue-winged teal pass throughSeptember
  • OctoberPeak of fall bird migrationOctober
  • November–FebruaryWintering bald eagles on the lakes, nesting by JanuaryNovember to February
Each is its own display at its own spot: not one season, not a peak.

About Noxubee Refuge

What it is
A wildlife refuge in Mississippi
What you'll see
Teal, shorebirds and hawks · November to February
Before you go
When are the trails open? The trails and boardwalks are open in daylight all year, and the refuge closes after dark.
Sources (2)

Next 7 days at Noxubee Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayPatchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms92° / 69°22% rain
  • SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms88° / 68°60% rain
  • SunShowers And Thunderstorms80° / 64°80% rain
  • MonMostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers83° / 57°19% rain
  • TueSunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers83° / 57°22% rain
  • WedMostly Sunny81° / 54°3% rain
  • ThuSunny85° / –3% rain

Today: sunrise 6:51 a.m., sunset 6:40 p.m., light until 7:04 p.m. · moon last quarter, 55% lit (our calculation)

Your guide to the area

Best spots and nearby places

Visitor points on this map: Bluff Lake Recreation Area (0.2 mi) · Goose Overlook Observation Deck (0.8 mi)

Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census; visitor points from agency records.

Where to watch

  • Goose Overlook

    Best spot

    A viewing area on a bluff above the Dickerson Arm of Bluff Lake, reached by a level 150-foot concrete walk

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

  • Morgan Hill Overlook

    Best spot

    An observation platform on Morgan Hill with perhaps one of the best views on the refuge, over the whole 450-acre Loakfoma Lake; the overlook trail is 0.39 mile

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Worth the drive

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

The year at Noxubee Refuge

  • Tree blossoms: red maples and elmsFeb
  • Lake fishing season, March 1 through October (bank fishing in set areas all year)NowMar–Oct
  • Tree blossoms: redbud, crabapple, wild plum and dogwoodMar
  • Eagles migrate off the refugeMar
  • Red-cockaded woodpeckers start to nestApr
  • Queen Anne's lace and maypops bloomJun
  • White-tailed deer fawns are bornJun
  • Black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers bloomJul
  • Selected lakes are drainedJul
  • Ironweeds bloomAug
  • Alligators very visibleAug
  • Fall colors start to showNowOct
  • First osprey and bald eagles usually reportedNowOct
  • Peak of fall colors; expect a killing frostNov
  • End of the season for flowering plantsNov
  • Woodcock flights arrive from the north; waterfowl numbers buildNov
  • December is the refuge's peak hunting month: hunter orange recommended on trails in hunt areasDec

Noxubee Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Cypress trees in autumn color at the edge of the water at Noxubee refuge
Cypress in autumn at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Vicki Maples · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

When is the best time to see wildlife at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge?

In 4 separate phases: Teal and shorebirds migrate early, August, Shorebirds and broad-winged hawks migrating; blue-winged teal pass through, September, Peak of fall bird migration, October and Wintering bald eagles on the lakes, nesting by January, November to February. They're separate displays, not one long season.

Is it wildlife season at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge right now?

There's no official report yet this season.

Is there hunting on the refuge?

Yes, in set areas and seasons, and some trails run through hunt areas. Wearing hunter orange is recommended during gun seasons, and birders should check where and when hunting is allowed.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Birding ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can the trails flood?

Yes. In winter and spring some trails can be under water after floods.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is there an easy, level viewpoint?

Goose Overlook is reached by a level, 150-foot concrete walk. Otherwise, trails aren't wheelchair accessible unless marked.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Photography ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When are the trails open?

The trails and boardwalks are open in daylight all year, and the refuge closes after dark.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Are the winter eagles just passing through?

No. The refuge's January calendar has bald eagles nesting and present on the refuge lakes.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When do the eagle chicks hatch?

February, in the refuge calendar. Watch only from public areas and stay well away from nests.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What happens on the lakes in November?

Waterfowl numbers build and wintering eagles and ospreys show up; the refuge doesn't call November a peak.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What else happens in winter besides the waterfowl?

In December the deer are in rut, late acorns fall and great horned owls begin nesting, with bald eagles and ospreys on the lakes; by February black vultures and red-shouldered hawks are nesting.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge?

Goose Overlook: a viewing area on a bluff above the Dickerson Arm of Bluff Lake, reached by a level 150-foot concrete walk; Morgan Hill Overlook: an observation platform on Morgan Hill with perhaps one of the best views on the refuge, over the whole 450-acre Loakfoma Lake; the overlook trail is 0.39 mile.

What is Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?

Fall colors start to show (Oct), Peak of fall colors; expect a killing frost (Nov), Lake fishing season, March 1 through October (bank fishing in set areas all year) (Mar–Oct), December is the refuge's peak hunting month: hunter orange recommended on trails in hunt areas (Dec), Tree blossoms: red maples and elms (Feb), Tree blossoms: redbud, crabapple, wild plum and dogwood (Mar), Queen Anne's lace and maypops bloom (Jun), Black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers bloom (Jul), Ironweeds bloom (Aug), End of the season for flowering plants (Nov), Red-cockaded woodpeckers start to nest (Apr), White-tailed deer fawns are born (Jun), Alligators very visible (Aug), Selected lakes are drained (Jul), First osprey and bald eagles usually reported (Oct), Woodcock flights arrive from the north; waterfowl numbers build (Nov) and Eagles migrate off the refuge (Mar).

How we know · Sources (7)

How we know

National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Birding (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Photography (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR: Hiking (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)

All our sources and how we use them →