Ansley Preserve

Spring-Late March to Mid-May

Fall-Late August to Mid November

This site, one of the Mississippi coastal chéniers, is owned and managed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR).This site is also recognized by the National Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It is a classic “migrant trap” for trans-gulf migrants, providing refuge during spring fallouts and serving as a staging area in fall.  Another less appreciated function is that it also serves in the fall as a refuge for southbound coastwise migrants that have fought back to shore after being blown out to sea by powerful north winds.

Two trails lead from the parking lot.  A short one to the east over a bridge and along a narrow neck between the pond and marsh; it can be spectacular when birds are actually arriving but does not hold them long. A much longer loop trail extends westward. It was specifically laid out to visit the spots where migrants tend to cluster. Cheniers do not support particularly diverse breeding populations but  Ansley does have several pairs of Painted Bunting. They are on territory by late April. Bronzed Cowbird also occurs but is much easier to find in the residential area a bit to the west. The land on the north side of the road, former cattle pastures that were restored back to tidal salt marsh, is also a DMR holding. It supports a growing nesting population of Least Bittern, Clapper Rail and Seaside Sparrow and in winter harbors a large number of Sedge Wrens, some Nelson’s Sparrows and on rare occasions

Le Conte’s Sparrow.

In fall, watch the power lines for Vermilion Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Western Kingbird.  Other western strays that show up with some regularity are Swainson’s Hawk, Groove-billed Ani and Lark Sparrow. Traveling west on Ansley Road, look for the tidal pond on your left and pull into to the gravel road immediately on the left to access the trails. Refer to the GPS coordinates for parking area. Be aware that feral hogs can be found here, and the area is open to hunting. For your own safety, wear highly visible blaze orange hunting clothes during hunting seasons. For more information on hunting seasons, click on the hunting icon to the right.

Website -Mozart Mark Dedeaux

Updated: 9/17/2013