1/17 Jackson County Sewage Lagoons, Vancleave
Leader: Sharon Milligan, 2sharon123@gmail.com, (228) 861-1622
Co-leader: Melinda Repperger, Board President, melinda.repperger@audubon.org
, (239) 410-6971
Closed to the public — special entry arranged for our chapter!
Join us for a unique and adventure-filled winter birding outing at the Seaman’s Sewage
Lagoons in Vancleave! While it may not sound glamorous, this site is one of Jackson
County’s hidden hotspots for waterfowl and winter visitors — and because it’s normally
off-limits, every trip here feels like stepping into a secret birding world.
We’ll scan the lagoons for a variety of ducks, including Northern Shoveler, Gadwall,
Ring-necked Duck, and other wintering species that love these quiet waters. The
surrounding fields and edges often hold sparrows, blackbirds, pipits, and the occasional
surprise flyover. Gulls and terns sometimes drop in, too, keeping things exciting.
Expect easy walking, plenty of time behind binoculars, and lots of fun bird chatter with
fellow enthusiasts. Whether you’re padding your year list or simply love seeing what
turns up in unexpected places, this field trip promises great views, good company, and a
few laughs as we enjoy one of the most productive (and oddly charming!) birding spots
on the coast.
Bring binoculars, scopes if you have them, and snacks.
Place and time: Meet at the facility between 7:15 and 7:30 am.
Coordinates: 30.500856, -88.798156
Conditions: Slow driving with stops; some groups will walk a lot.
Important: This is a working facility. You must stay with leaders while on
site. Call Sharon (above) if you have questions about policy
2/7 Sparrow Sweep – Grand Bay NERR, Jackson
County
Leader: Dr. Mark Woodrey
The Sparrow Sweep is a returning favorite trip! Each February, we
partner with Grand Bay NERR and Dr. Mark Woodrey at Mississippi State University-
Coastal Avian Ecology Lab to sweep the grassland savanna for Henslow’s Sparrows. We
also catch plenty of Swamp and Song Sparrows, along with Sedge Wrens and other pine
savanna birds. Come spend the morning with us learning about the different species of
sparrows and other birds that winter in south Mississippi. Activities include field
observation, pine savanna hiking, mist netting observations, and photography
opportunities. All ages are welcome!
Registration: First come, first serve! Space is limited to 30 participants! Please
register by emailing Jennifer Cumbest at Jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov
Place & Time: Meet at the Grand Bay Resources Center (6005 Bayou Heron Road,
Moss Point, MS) at 9:00 AM. This event will last until 12:00 PM (noon).
Conditions: Dress for the weather and wear either rubber boots (preferably) or shoes
that can get wet. The ground in the savanna is extremely uneven, so please watch your
footing.
2/13-2/16 Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, annual, four-day global event (usually
in February) where anyone can count birds in their local area for at least 15 minutes and
report sightings online, providing valuable data for scientists tracking bird populations
and migration patterns, coordinated by organizations like the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Participants simply watch birds, tally
species and numbers, and submit checklists on the GBBC website, helping understand
bird health and conservation needs. https://www.birdcount.org/
