Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nesting colony of least terns in the world. The sight of these birds on the beach and swirling
overhead is quite impressive. Be sure to watch from a distance so as not to disturb the birds
and to avoid having your head dive-bombed by irritated terns. US 90 goes right by the nesting
area, and if you travel this road in the early summer, the nesting area on the south side of the
highway is impossible to miss; there are fences and signs marking the areas. The terns also
nest east of US 49 in Gulfport, between Courthouse Road Pier and the Broadwater Marina in
Biloxi. Watch for fish crows which raid the colony for eggs to eat. June and July are the best
times for observing the nesting terns.
The entire beach in Harrison County from Pass Christian to Biloxi is more than 25 miles
long. To make stops at turnoffs along the road, it is best to be traveling from west to east, as
the beach and the turnoffs are on the south side of the highway. The beach is quite wide in
places, and groups of shorebirds can occur anywhere along its length. Black skimmers, num-
bering in the hundreds at times, can be seen on the beach.
Buccaneer State Park
Located in Waveland, on the western portion of Mississippi's coast, Buccaneer State Park
is a basically developed park, but it does have some trails and some beach area that can oc-
casionally provide good birding. The developed portion of the park is on the northern side
of Beach Road, and the Gulf of Mexico is immediately across the road. Depending on wave
action and the tides, there will be more or less beach to bird upon. In the park itself, there
are nature trails through some woods and alongside a tidal marsh; these are the nature trails
leaving from the comfort station near the main entrance and the Old Hickory Nature Trail
(where the marsh is) at the day-use area entrance, just east of the main entrance. A short trail
called Pirates Paradise Nature Trail is near the activity building. Spring migration can bring a
fair number of warblers, orioles, tanagers, and other migrants through the woods of the park;
however, there are better places to find such migrants.
The area in and around Buccaneer State Park was used by the notorious Jean Lafitte in the
late 1700s as a base for his smuggling and pirating operations along the Gulf coast. Later,
Andrew Jackson used the site as a base of military operations during the Battle of New Or-
leans. The park has campgrounds, picnic areas, a wave pool, and tennis courts. The park ad-
dress is Buccaneer State Park, 1150 S. Beach Boulevard, Waveland, MS 39576. To reach the
park, turn south off US 90 at the sign near where US 90 intersects with SH 43; proceed south
on Nicholson Avenue. After about 1.5 miles, cross some railroad tracks and make an immedi-
ate right (there is a sign) onto Central Avenue. Come to a four-way stop intersection; turn left
onto Coleman Avenue. Go through the main part of Waveland, and the street will dead-end
at the beach onto Beach Road (also called Beach Boulevard). Turn right (there is a sign), and
the park entrances will be on the right, the day-use area first, and then the main entrance.
