Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Other birds of note that have been seen on the refuge include least bittern, American bit-
tern, snow goose, purple gallinule, merlin, Cooper's hawk, and burrowing owl. Nesting song-
birds in summer consist of prothonotary warbler, northern parula warbler, yellow-throated
warbler, yellow-breasted chat, hooded warbler, American redstart, white-eyed vireo, red-eyed
vireo, eastern bluebird, blue-gray gnatcatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, wood thrush, and indigo
bunting. Nesting raptors include red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, broad-winged hawk,
and American kestrel. During the spring, when the dirt roads near the entrance are open, drive
to the end of the main, more-traveled fork of the road alongside the river; it will dead-end
where part of Okatuppa Creek comes into the Tombigbee. This is good viewing area over the
river, and in the trees along the bank, prothonotary and parula warblers can be found at min-
imum focus range.
Green-backed Heron
Bald eagles have been hacked on the refuge, and a number of them have begun to return.
The hacking tower is in the field to the right of where the entrance road reaches the boat
ramp.
Information and a partial bird list can be obtained from the Refuge Manager, Choctaw Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 808, Jackson, AL 36545. This address gives you some idea
of the remoteness of the refuge, as the headquarters is over 45 miles from the actual refuge it-
self. For information on arranging a possible winter visit to the closed portions of the refuge,
call the headquarters at 205-246-3583.
