Audubon Delta

06/15/2026

06/10/2026

Meet Tater Tot 🥔

Two weeks ago during a survey at Joseph's Harbor on Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, researchers spotted a banded female Wilson's Plover known as T8, affectionately nicknamed "Tater Tot."

Tater Tot was banded in 2016 as an adult, meaning she was born in 2014 or earlier. Since then, she has been documented returning to the area nearly every year.

This latest sighting marks not only a full decade of documented returns, but also a new longevity record for Wilson's Plovers. As far as we know, Tater Tot is now the oldest Wilson's Plover on record.

Her remarkable story highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and the value of protecting the coastal habitats that shorebirds depend on year after year.

📸 Have you ever spotted a banded bird? Let us know in the comments!

*All birds are captured, handled, and banded in accordance with proper training and with the necessary federal and state permits.

06/03/2026

Accessible outdoor spaces help connect people with nature and inspire the next generation of conservationists.

We're excited to see the newly repaired boardwalk at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, making it easier for visitors to experience wildlife and bird habitat up close. From hummingbirds to migratory songbirds, these spaces provide important opportunities to connect with the birds that depend on healthy habitats across the Delta region.

If you're in north Mississippi, be sure to stop by and explore!

06/02/2026

Today we're celebrating National Mississippi River Day!

Millions of birds follow the Mississippi Flyway each year, relying on a network of habitats connected by one of North America's most iconic rivers.

From river-connected forests and wetlands to coastal marshes and barrier islands, the Mississippi River helps sustain habitats that birds rely on to feed, nest, and migrate. Species like the Swallow-tailed Kite, Least Tern, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Mottled Duck all depend on habitats influenced by the river in different ways.

As one of the defining features of our region, the Mississippi River connects landscapes, wildlife, and communities across state lines. Today, we celebrate the habitats it supports and the birds that depend on them.

05/09/2026

🐦‍⬛🐦🦆Happy World Migratory Bird Day!

Every year, migratory birds travel across the hemisphere along routes like the Mississippi Flyway, depending on healthy habitats across Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana to survive the journey. In Louisiana, the Maurepas swamp — one of the nation’s largest forested wetlands and a continentally important bird area — provides critical habitat for migratory birds like the Prothonotary Warbler.

But as the swamp becomes more stagnant and habitat declines, so do the birds that depend on it. Coastal restoration projects like the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp will help reconnect the swamp to the Mississippi River, bringing in fresh water, nutrients and sediment needed to improve forest health and slow further wetland loss. Restoring this habitat will help support the migratory birds that connect our region to the rest of the hemisphere.

Photo credits: Maurepas Swamp Aerial/Sydney Walsh/Audubon
Prothonotary Warbler/ David Sloas/APA
Migration data from Audubon's Bird Migration Explorer

05/08/2026

Each spring, least terns return to the Gulf Coast—traveling thousands of miles from Central and South America to nest right here on our beaches.

Along the Mississippi coast, these federally protected birds depend on safe, undisturbed nesting areas to raise their chicks. That’s why Audubon Delta teams are out on the sand placing signage and working with communities to protect these vulnerable colonies through the busy summer months.

“They come spend the summer with us just like your average tourists, but they’re not just here to enjoy the beach, they are here to raise their families,” said Jessica Martin, Audubon stewardship manager.

These beaches support over 20% of the Gulf’s breeding population, according to stewardship coordinator Amanda Douglas—making protection efforts more important than ever.

🐦 Please respect posted nesting areas and give birds space.

Least terns return to South Mississippi beaches for nesting season

05/06/2026

🌊🐣Want to help protect nesting birds along our coast?

Audubon Delta is hosting a Volunteer Bird Steward Training for Mississippi and Louisiana volunteers on May 14. Learn about beach-nesting bird behavior, the threats they face, and simple ways you can help reduce disturbance and protect critical nesting habitat.

Whether you’re a bird lover, beachgoer, or conservation advocate, this is a great way to make a difference for species like Least Terns and other coastal birds.

May 14 | 6–7 PM (CST) | Zoom
Preregister here: https://audubon.zoom.us/meeting/register/_5n12onTT4OL6toiE6djkQ #/registration

05/05/2026

Spring migration is underway, and World Migratory Bird Day on May 9 is a chance to celebrate the incredible journeys of birds across the Delta.

Earlier this month at the Little Rock Audubon Center, a single morning bird walk recorded 53 species, with banding efforts highlighting how vital this region is for migratory birds.

When we care for the Delta, we support birds across the hemisphere.

04/27/2026

Share the shore with coastal birds like least terns while they nest and rest on our beaches.

These birds can be easily scared off when beachgoers are too close. We can help keep birds safe by respecting posted areas and giving them space.

Here are some simple ways to help nesting birds this season:
🐣Stay away from areas that have been roped off for nesting birds, and avoid walking through flocks of birds. Birds need space to thrive! If a parent is scared off a nest, they can expose their eggs or chicks to potentially fatal heat or predators. Getting too close also causes stress to the birds, wasting their precious energy. If space allows, give birds at least 100 feet of distance, and make sure to follow any more specific local guidelines.

🐩Only take your pup to beaches where dogs are allowed, and remember to always use a leash. We love dogs, but unfortunately our furry friends look like predators to coastal birds.

🗑️Take your trash with you when you leave. Garbage can attract predators, and some trash such as fishing line can entangle birds.

04/22/2026

Queen Bess Island is alive with wings, nests and the next generation of coastal birds.

A beautiful reminder this Earth Day of why protecting bird habitat matters.