This weekend adventure includes multiple activities across Saturday and Sunday; participants can sign up for part or all of it (see registration links 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 early afternoon: Guided paddle (canoe/kayak) tour among the ancient trees at Sky Lake Boardwalk
Saturday evening: Dinner and sunset birding at Four Winds Refuge
Saturday overnight: Accommodations, breakfast, and sunrise birding at Four Winds Refuge (space is limited)
Sunday morning: Birding & nature walk at Sky Lake Boardwalk
Saturday afternoon paddle tour (free):
Beginning at 1:00 p.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 have a limited number of extra boats (2-3 person canoes and 1-person kayaks) (free) for this paddle tour. If you would like to borrow one of our boats, or be paired up in a boat with someone else, please register for that option below.
For those who want to do some more paddling afterwards, 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)
Saturday evening: Dinner & sunset birding at Four Winds Refuge:
At 5:00 p.m. Saturday, we’ll enjoy a casual family-style catered dinner ($20/person) in the lodge at Four Winds Refuge, a private recreational property where former catfish ponds are now being managed by the owners for diverse wildlife, including shorebirds and wading birds. Alternatively, you can bring your own food, and just use the restrooms at the Refuge, and then bird with us for free after dinner. Immediately after dinner, we’ll head onto the property to go birding, potentially right up to sunset (~7:30 p.m.). The birding at this site tends to get better as dusk approaches and birds fly over, heading to roost. We’ll tour the refuge by safari-style vehicle caravan, stopping periodically to enjoy the birds and other diverse nature. If you have a truck with an open bed, it would be great if participants could ride in the back. Restrooms are available at this site.
Overnight at Four Winds Refuge ($60/person):
Limited overnight accommodations are available at Four Winds Refuge, which functions as a family hunting lodge. Mainly, what we have available are bunk-style rooms that will be separated by gender, sleeping 4-7 persons; each room has its own bathroom. Please inquire with questions or concerns regarding the lodging (dwindbirds@gmail.com). If you want to stay overnight nearby, we recommend the SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western in Greenwood (link), which is only about 30-45 minutes away.
Beginning at dawn on Sunday (~6:30 a.m.), we’ll explore Four Winds Refuge looking for birds and other wildlife.
Light breakfast food will be available before and after the birding.
Sunday morning birding & nature tour at Sky Lake Boardwalk (free):
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, 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 bring lunch to eat afterwards.
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. A change of clothes is highly recommended for the boat trip.
Directions: The Sky Lake WMA Boardwalk, where the Saturday paddle and the Sunday nature walk will take place, 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. Directions to Four Winds Refuge will be provided by email in advance of the event.
World Catfish Festival: On Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., the World Catfish Festival will be taking place in downtown Belzoni. There will be live music, food vendors, and booths with arts & crafts. We recommending visiting the festival before joining us on Saturday afternoon, or making sure to navigate around Belzoni if you want to avoid the traffic.
DWB Delta Nature Murals: In 2024, DWB commissioned the painting of two spectacular nature murals in the town of Belzoni, featuring the natural & human heritage of the Delta, especially of nearby Sky Lake. Please visit them on your way to or from this event! Both can be seen when you are driving east on Jackson Street, from Hwy 49, into Belzoni. Learn a bit more about the murals here: link.
If you are able, please consider a (100% optional) donation, which helps us to pay for liability insurance and other costs associated with these outreach events. To make a donation, please click here.