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Buccaneer State Park

 Buccaneer State Park, located on the waterfront in Waveland, was named for the famous French buccaneer Jean Lafitte, who ranged the Gulf Coast in the early 1800’s. Its wooded areas of maritime forest were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina but are slowly recovering and its typical avifauna (Downy Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse,

Brown-headed Nuthatch and Pine Warbler) is becoming re-established. Parts of the park have been reopened, and rest room facilities are available. There is now access to a looping nature trail that winds through woodland and tidal marsh.  The picnic grove of ancient live oaks at the eastern end of the site that was once superb during fallouts has not yet re-opened but can be partially observed from outside the fence. During inclement weather, the lawns that flank the entrance ways may host flocks of stalled migrant shorebirds that are also fully visible from South Beach Blvd. American Golden-Plover is fairly regular there in spring. There are also two small free parking bays on the boulevard from which to scan the beach and Mississippi Sound. The site is owned and operated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks and there are entry and camping fees.