BirdwatchingBirding enthusiasts interested in experiencing the many wonderful bird families in Walthall County have plenty to see, as our county is know to have over 300 species of birds. Many of the local parks, rivers, creeks, and lakes are great places to visit for a glimpse of interesting birds and other beautiful wildlife. If you are planning a birding outing in Walthall County, stop by one of our Birdwatching Locations. We hope you will spot and enjoy some of the many family of birds such as Buntings, Eagles, Kittiwakes, Goshawk, Kestrel, Woodpeckers, or Yellowthroat in Walthall County. Walker's Bridge is profiled on the United States Geological Service (USGS) Progress Topological map and considered a top location for bird watching in the State of Mississippi.
Please email us your sightings and stories for us to share with your fellow birdwatchers. If you would like to become involved in establishing a birding map our starting a birding group for our area, please let us know.
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Mississippi Flyway
The Mississippi flyway holds the longest migration route in the Western Hemisphere, but for the most part can be a fairly smooth route for most migrating birds. For more than 3000 miles of this flyway, this route remains uninterrupted by mountains, its greatest elevation above sea level sitting at less than 2000 feet. This large flyway encompasses a large span of land, stretching from the Arctic Coast of Alaska all the way down to its southern tail in Patagonia, following the Mississippi River loosely as it travels through most of the United States. More than 325 bird species make the round-trip each year along the Mississippi Flyway, from their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to their wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico and in Central and South America. Central Flyway Perhaps the narrowest flyway, the Central Flyway closely follows the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains down through Canada and then heads toward the east, eventually merging with the Mississippi Flyway and heading down the eastern coast of Mexico. The travel patterns along this flyway are typically that of a simply nature, as birds simply follow a strict north to south (and vise versa) travel route. |
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Holmes Water Park is located in the middle of Tylertown and meandering along the sandy banks of scenic Magee's Creek is a paved walking trail known simply as "The Trail of Seven Bridges". Many species of birds are frequently seen and heard, such as the Pileated Woodpecker and Brown Headed Nuthatch. Lake Walthall also has a variety of species visible from the Courtesy Pier.
Brown Headed Nuthatch ~ This species is probably the least numerous nuthatch in North America and has lost ground in some areas because of habitat loss, but is still common where southern pine forest exists. A small nuthatch of the southeastern pine forests, found in pairs or family groups all year. It is often heard before it is seen; the birds call to each other constantly as they busily clamber about on the branches. In winter, small groups of Brown-headed Nuthatches often join mixed foraging flocks including chickadees, woodpeckers, and Pine Warblers.
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Walkers Bridge Water Park consists of 5 acres in Walthall County off of Highway 48. The park is located on the Bogue Chitto River and its facilities include: pavilion, boat ramp and picnic tables. Walkers Bridge Water Park is operated and maintained by Walthall County. Phone (601) 876-4947.
Pileated Woodpecker
Their numbers in eastern United States declined sharply in 18th and 19th centuries with clearing of forest land. Since about 1900, a gradual comeback, with the species becoming common again in some areas. May be adapting to second-growth woods and proximity of humans. A big, dashing bird with a flaming crest, the largest woodpecker in North America (except the Ivory-bill, which is almost certainly extinct). Excavating deep into rotten wood to get at the nests of carpenter ants, the Pileated leaves characteristic rectangular holes in dead trees. This species became rare in eastern North America with clearing of forests in centuries past, but has gradually increased in numbers again since about the beginning of the 20th century. Where unmolested, it even lives in parks and woodlots around the edges of large cities. John James Audubon Foundation / Gloster ArboretumLocated @ 1334 Arboretum Ln., Gloster, was founded in 1965 by the late Sara & Frank Gladney, of Baton Rouge, LA. This 400 acre tract is managed by the Foundation to preserve the unique indigenous plant associations with special care being given to the beech, magnolias, stewartia, mountain laurel, rhododendrons, viburnums and other native species, and to protect & enhance the special population of non-indigenous plantings introduced by the Gladneys and others. For more information, or to schedule a tour, please contact Mr. Von Odenwald, Site Director, (601) 225-4132.
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The Mississippi Coast Birding Trail is sponsored by the National Audubon Society, Inc., one of the oldest nature conservation organizations in the United States. Formed in 1905, this organization operates from a national office in New York City, 30 state offices including Audubon Mississippi, and 40 plus interpretive centers and sanctuaries across the country. The Scenic Rivers Development Alliance is a regional alliance to promote events and outdoor activities in Amite County, Franklin County, Pike County, Walthall County, Wilkinson County, and the City of McComb, MS.
