Post by kingbird on Aug 18, 2013 18:52:44 GMT -6
Grand Lake
Grand Lake is an old oxbow of the Mississippi River and located in extreme southeastern Chicot County, east of the town of Eudora. It is reached via HWY 8 from HWY 65.
Most of the lake is open water (great for Least Terns), but both the south and north ends have large cypress trees and shallow, marshy, lilypad covered areas. The north end is best viewed with a scope from the AGFC public boat launch area. Storks, ibis, spoonbills, egrets and herons often roost in the trees here.
On the west side of the road (HWY 8), just before the south end of the lake, is a farm with several grain silos. The spilled grain here is probably one of the reasons why there are so many Eurasian Collared-Doves in this area. However, White-winged Dove has also been seen here so be aware.
The south end is a bit more accessible and better for feeding, rather than roosting, birds. I always park on the side of the road (HWY 8), just before a small white house. From here, you can easily see the marshy south end. This area is excellent in late summer for egrets, herons, all 3 ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Black-necked Stilt. Additionally, Purple Martins form very large late summer roosts in the cypress trees near the south end.
The Mississippi River Levee
At the north end of Grand Lake, there is a road (I think it's called Cariola or maybe Levee Road) that leads you up to the MS River Levee and additional birding areas. Once atop the levee, the best birding is found by turning right (south). As soon as you turn south, you will see a shallow marshy channel (that was once connected to Grand Lake and the MS River) and a large borrow pit. This area is always good for Least Tern, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and the occasional Wood Stork or Roseate Spoonbill. About 3 miles down the levee is another borrow pit that is often productive for late season wading birds such as White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron and Wood Stork. Two miles farther south and you'll see another borrow pit that is often lined with herons, egrets and storks. From here it is about a mile to the last "exit" off the levee. I always exit here and stop at the south end of Grand Lake. However, it is possible to continue on the levee for another 2 miles, until you reach a gate at the Louisiana state line, but there are seldom any areas here worth birding.
Grand Lake is an old oxbow of the Mississippi River and located in extreme southeastern Chicot County, east of the town of Eudora. It is reached via HWY 8 from HWY 65.
Most of the lake is open water (great for Least Terns), but both the south and north ends have large cypress trees and shallow, marshy, lilypad covered areas. The north end is best viewed with a scope from the AGFC public boat launch area. Storks, ibis, spoonbills, egrets and herons often roost in the trees here.
On the west side of the road (HWY 8), just before the south end of the lake, is a farm with several grain silos. The spilled grain here is probably one of the reasons why there are so many Eurasian Collared-Doves in this area. However, White-winged Dove has also been seen here so be aware.
The south end is a bit more accessible and better for feeding, rather than roosting, birds. I always park on the side of the road (HWY 8), just before a small white house. From here, you can easily see the marshy south end. This area is excellent in late summer for egrets, herons, all 3 ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Black-necked Stilt. Additionally, Purple Martins form very large late summer roosts in the cypress trees near the south end.
The Mississippi River Levee
At the north end of Grand Lake, there is a road (I think it's called Cariola or maybe Levee Road) that leads you up to the MS River Levee and additional birding areas. Once atop the levee, the best birding is found by turning right (south). As soon as you turn south, you will see a shallow marshy channel (that was once connected to Grand Lake and the MS River) and a large borrow pit. This area is always good for Least Tern, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and the occasional Wood Stork or Roseate Spoonbill. About 3 miles down the levee is another borrow pit that is often productive for late season wading birds such as White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron and Wood Stork. Two miles farther south and you'll see another borrow pit that is often lined with herons, egrets and storks. From here it is about a mile to the last "exit" off the levee. I always exit here and stop at the south end of Grand Lake. However, it is possible to continue on the levee for another 2 miles, until you reach a gate at the Louisiana state line, but there are seldom any areas here worth birding.
