Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While on the trail, look for the other bird species that frequent the refuge; these include
most of the herons and egrets native to the region. In the open pine savannahs, pine warblers
and brown-headed nuthatches are common. In the brushy areas near the visitor center, watch
for sedge wrens, which nest on the refuge. During winter, Lincoln's sparrow may also be
spotted near the visitor center. Some other birds seen on the refuge include snow goose, ful-
vous whistling duck, swallow-tailed kite, ferruginous hawk, and long-billed dowitcher. Dur-
ing spring migration, any of the migrating warbler, tanager, bunting, and oriole species are
possible, but as the refuge is landward of their first landfall, sighting these migrants here is
largely a matter of luck.
A portion of I-10 runs through two of the units, and you can see signs identifying the
refuge in the pine woods just past the fence along the highway. Also, the two rest areas (for
eastbound and westbound traffic) at the western end of the bridge over the West Pascagoula
River are good places to stop to watch for marsh birds and for hawks over the marshes and
river. These rest stops are in part of the Gautier Unit of the refuge, where it abuts the river.
For more information on the refuge, write Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife
Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 7200 Crane Lane, Gautier, MS 39553. An informat-
ive brochure with a map of the refuge units is available.
