Mark off a variety of birds from your life list as you travel the America's Byways in the South. From common woodpeckers to the more endangered piping plover, there are many species for you to discover.
Travel on the El Camino Real in New Mexico and visit the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to catalog some of the tens of thousands of birds that migrate and make this area their home. Sandhill cranes, arctic geese and many kinds of ducks gather in the autumn and stay through the winter. In late November, experience the annual Festival of the Cranes.
On the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway visit the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. One of the first stops along this section of the Great Florida Birding Trail is the Bald Eagle habitat, a refuge for this threatened species. At Pelican Island over thirty species of birds roost, feed or loaf around. The brown pelican, double-crested cormorant, snowy egret and great blue heron are just a few of the more common species on the island. To catch a lucky glimpse at an endangered or threatened species, add wood storks and the piping plover to your list.
The Creole Nature Trail is well known for its diverse landscape and wildlife. With half of all land birds that breed in eastern North America passing through the area twice each year, it's easy to spot some of the magnificent creatures as they fly by. The Peveto Woods Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary is for the birds, literally. So stop by and see the millions that call the sanctuary home. If you listen closely, you will find that the marshes along the Byway are filled with the songs of the cardinal and blackbird, the constant tapping of the woodpecker, and the quacking and honking of ducks and geese.
Also known as the Mississippi Flyway, the Little Dixie Highway is a prime spot for bird watching. Birding is such an exciting activity in this part of the country that annual festivals are held to celebrate the eagle and the other fowl that travel through the area. Another great place to see American bald eagles is across the river to the east, on the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route in Illinois. They winter by the hundreds along the bluffs in this area. Experience the thrill of watching these majestic birds dive for food in the mighty Mississippi River or glide above the riverbanks along the Byway.
The Wetlands & Wildlife Scenic Byway in Kansas introduces you to the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, where bird watching opportunities abound. Depending on what part of the year and time of day you visit, something different will greet you every time you come. With everything from the yellowheaded blackbird to mallards, white pelicans and pintail, fall is an excellent time to view many of these species. True bird enthusiasts add such favorites as white-faced ibis and American avocets to their list.
Whatever terrain you may find yourself in on the Byways, you're sure to have many bird sightings to record. Birding is an activity you can do all of your life and in any part of the country, so grab your binoculars and set out on one of America's Byways.
