This weekend adventure includes multiple activities across Saturday and Sunday; participants can sign up for part or all of it (see registration link at bottom of this page). Throughout the weekend, we’ll learn all about birds and other wildlife, plants, wetlands, and the ecological connections among them.
Overview:
Saturday afternoon/evening: Guided birding and nature tour at 3 sites (Sky Lake Boardwalk, DWB Sky Lake Nature Reserve, and Four Winds Refuge)
Overnight: Dinner, accommodations, breakfast, and sunrise birding at Four Winds Refuge (space is limited)
Sunday morning paddle tour: Guided paddle (canoe/kayak) tour among the ancient trees at Sky Lake Boardwalk
Saturday afternoon/evening birding & nature tour (free):
At 1:00 p.m. Saturday, we will offer a birding and nature walk at the Sky Lake WMA boardwalk (directions, 1090 Simmons Rd, Belzoni, MS 39038), among the ancient bald cypress trees of the Sky Lake swamp, many of which are more than 1000 years old. While marveling at the giant trees, we will also ID birds and other animals by sight and sound, and will highlight dominant plants of the swamp besides the bald cypress. Birds may include permanent residents, lingering wintering birds, and spring migrants. Restrooms are available here. There is also a covered picnic area, in case you want to arrive early and enjoy a picnic lunch
Next (likely ~2:30 p.m.), we will depart from the Sky Lake WMA boardwalk to caravan over to the DWB Sky Lake Nature Reserve., which is located on the other side of Sky Lake, approximately a 15-20 minute drive from the Boardwalk. At the DWB Reserve, we will enjoy views of Sky Lake itself, and will conduct a short walking nature tour focusing especially on unique plants and mushrooms of the forested wetland, as well as birds of the forest and adjacent Sky Lake. We will park along Sky Lake Rd, at the north end of the DWB Reserve. No restrooms are available at this stop.
Around 4:15 p.m., we will depart the DWB Sky Lake Nature Reserve to head down the road to the nearby Four Winds Refuge, a private duck camp where former catfish ponds are now being managed by the owners for diverse wildlife, including shorebirds and wading birds. Participants can bird right up to sunset (~7:30 p.m.), if desired (the birding gets better as dusk approaches and birds fly over heading to roost). We’ll tour the refuge by vehicle caravan, stopping periodically to enjoy the birds and other diverse nature. Restrooms are available at this site.
Although this afternoon/evening tour is free, advance registration is required (see below)
If you’re not staying overnight at Four Winds Refuge, we suggest dinner at Rusty Magnolia (link) or at Jerri’s Bakery & Southern Kitchen (link) in Belzoni (call in advance to confirm availability)
Overnight at Four Winds Refuge ($80/person):
Around sunset (7:30 p.m.), we’ll enjoy a catered dinner in the dining room. After dinner, participants will be free to explore the property on a guided nighttime walk, if desired.
Comfortable overnight accommodations will be provided at Four Winds Refuge, which functions as a family hunting lodge. A small number of 2-person rooms may be available, as well as beds in several bunk-style rooms that will be segregated by gender; each room has its own bathroom. Please inquire with questions or concerns regarding the lodging (dwindbirds@gmail.com).
Beginning at dawn on Sunday (~6:30 a.m.), we’ll explore Four Winds Refuge looking for birds and other wildlife, with the potential option of a unique “duck blind experience” for some participants
A light breakfast will be available around 8:30 a.m.
Sunday morning paddle tour (free):
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., we’ll guide a kayak/canoe tour of the paddle trail at the Sky Lake WMA Boardwalk (directions, 1090 Simmons Rd, Belzoni, MS 39038). This paddle trail winds 2.6 miles through the old growth cypress swamp (although shorter loops are also possible) near the Boardwalk (link for more info on the paddle trail, including a downloadable map). There are restrooms available at this site.
We will have a limited number of extra 2-person canoes (free) for this paddle tour. If you would like to borrow a canoe for 2 people, or be paired up in a canoe with someone else, please register for that option below.
For those who want to do some more paddling after lunch, and have their own boats, we’ll provide a map and directions to another nearby site (~15 minutes drive around Sky Lake), the Delta Wind Birds Sky Lake Nature Reserve (information). Here, paddlers can travel through the flooded forested wetland of the DWB Reserve, and then circumnavigate the south end (or more) of Sky Lake itself, which is not easily accessible from the Boardwalk.
Although this paddle tour is free, advance registration is required (see below)
Food, bathrooms, and other details: There will be restrooms available at the Sky Lake Boardwalk and at the Four Winds Refuge, but not at the DWB Sky Lake Nature Reserve. Don't forget sunscreen, especially for DWB Sky Lake Nature Reserve and Four Winds Refuge. Bug spray is recommended if you tend to be a bug magnet. Rubber boots and/or other extra footwear are also recommended.
Directions: The Sky Lake WMA Boardwalk, where the Saturday birding tour and the Sunday paddle will begin, is located at 1090 Simmons Rd., Belzoni, MS 39038, and can be found on mapping apps (Google Maps link). From Belzoni, drive north on Hwy 7 for 6.5 miles and turn left on Four Mile Rd (follow signs for the Sky Lake Boardwalk). Drive west on 4 Mile Rd for less than a mile, turn left and drive 0.2 miles, then turn right on Simmons Rd and drive less than a mile—the Sky Lake Boardwalk parking lot will be on your right. If any participants sign up only for the overnight option at Four Winds Refuge, directions will be provided by email in advance of the event.
To make an optional donation to support DWB’s conservation and outreach programs, please click here.