Saturday morning at 8:45 a.m., we’ll begin in the classroom at the Sky Lake Boardwalk (directions, 1090 Simmons Rd, Belzoni, MS 39038), where we will hear two brief presentations: 1) identification and ecology of winter grassland birds of Mississippi (by J.R. Rigby and the Delta Wind Birds team), and 2) archaeology and history of native peoples in the Sky Lake area (by professional archaeologists Jessica Crawford, of The Archaeological Conservancy (TAC), and Cindy Carter-Davis, chief archaeologist at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH)). Participants can optionally arrive early for a self-guided walk along the boardwalk, among the ancient bald cypress trees of the Sky Lake swamp, many of which are more than 1000 years old. Restrooms are available here. The whole trip is free, and participants can come and go during the day as desired.
Next (likely ~10:00 a.m.), we will depart from the Sky Lake WMA boardwalk to caravan over to the Jaketown Mounds site, which is located just 5 miles to the south of the Sky Lake Boardwalk, on the west side of Hwy 7. We’ll tour the mound site, practicing our bird identification skills while also learning about the archaeology and history of the mounds themselves. This is a unique private site, conserved for its archaeological value, but also providing valuable habitat for nesting and wintering grassland birds. The site is normally not accessible to visitors except as viewed from the roadside, but we will have the special opportunity to explore it under the guidance of experts from TAC and MDAH, who jointly own the site. No restrooms are available at this site.
Around 12:15 p.m., we will break for lunch, heading to nearby Belzoni to eat. We have a group lunch reservation at Jerri’s Bakery & Southern Kitchen, but that option is now SOLD OUT. We suggest that additional participants consider having lunch in Belzoni at Fiesta Grill, which is located at 15065 US 49. In addition, Belzoni has several fast-food options.
After lunch (likely around 1:30 p.m.), we’ll tour the nearby Jaketown Museum in Belzoni (116 W. Jackson St.), where participants can view artifacts (some approximately 4000 years old) excavated from the Jaketown Mounds, with interpretation by our participating experts.
Directions: The Sky Lake WMA Boardwalk, where the trip 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. The Sky Lake Boardwalk has spacious parking, restrooms, and a covered picnic area.
The trip is free (except for lunch), but space is limited and advance registration is required—please click the “Sign Up” button below. To make an optional donation to support DWB’s educational and conservation programs, please click here. If you have difficulty with the registration process, please send us an e-mail (dwindbirds@gmail.com).