The Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration
Avid ornithologists and amateur birders alike flock to Grand Isle as this spring's migration comes to the tiny barrier island to rest.
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Grand Isle Grand Isle, Louisiana 70358
First, bird watching novices should know that a cheniere, a type of habitat not found in many other places outside of Louisiana, is a sandy or shelly beach ridge, often wooded with live oak groves and separated from other chenieres by marsh and swamp vegetation. Second thing to know is that these coastal chenieres are some of the most important habitat for many Neotropical migratory birds. Millions of birds use these forests to rest and forage during their migrations. There are only a few undeveloped chenieres left; only 10% of Grand Isle's original cheniere forests still exist today.
Every April since 1998, during the height of spring migration, the Grand Isle Sanctuary Group has hosted The Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration. This weekend, the protected pockets around Grand Isle will be the educational playground of bird lovers who will come to the area, binoculars in hand, to explore the chenieres via kayak and boat tours, attend educational workshops on bird banding and native plant identification, attend talks by avian experts, and otherwise enjoy all nature has to offer. This year will also feature a special photography tour led by Award Winning Photographer George Ritchie. Agendas, vicinity maps, birding trail maps, accommodations, and directions are available on the website: townofgrandisle.com/grand-isle-migratory-bird-festival/. We also wrote a weekend getaway on the barrier island, available HERE if you want to plan additional excursions. (800) 259-0869.
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