I don’t know when it happens, but one day, you’ll wake up and become a birdwatcher. For me, it happened around 35. I’m not complaining, though; I truly enjoy the symphony of sounds that come from the songbirds I feed every day. Luckily, Mississippi has plenty of opportunities for birdwatching—including the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi.

The Pascagoula River is a gateway for nature lovers. Not only is it the largest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States, but its unique ecosystem enables thousands of species to thrive—including over 300 species of birds. 

Clocking in at over 80 miles long, the Pascagoula River is an important nesting ground for migratory birds. Depending on the time of year you visit, your adventure could be met with any number of the 300 species that call this area home during the year. 

Warblers are two of my favorite species, and they have some lovely melodic tunes for you. Pictured above is a hooded warbler, but they’re not the only warblers singing their sweet tunes here…

…this friendly fellow above is the magnolia warbler. Take a listen to how each warbler sounds. Do you think you could tell the difference if you were wandering through the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi? It’s such a slight difference; I’m not sure I could identify them by just their sounds alone! Guess I have a new goal this year.

Other notable birds that utilize the Mississippi Flyway are the Swallow-tailed Kite and the Bald Eagle. Watching a kite fly down into the water is some of the best television you could watch. 

Perhaps my favorite bird found around the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi is the Hooded Merganser. Look at this beautiful thing! Mergansers are the only ducks in the center that eat fish, and they’re also the most elusive. You can usually catch them in wooded ponds and swampy areas that tend to get overlooked. They’ve developed excellent underwater vision, which helps them swim down to catch tasty snacks like fish and crawfish.

Mergansers are migratory, but the southern variety tends to set up shop year-round in the Mississippi Delta area, so you’ve got a chance to see one all year long. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to birdwatching at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi. Herons and pelicans are also fairly common residents, though I know those don’t feel as special, considering you can see them as you’re driving on the interstate. 

If you’ve ever been to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, share your experience with us! What’s your favorite bird that you’ve seen (or heard) here?

If you want to take your birdwatching to the next level, you might want to start looking into photography. Pair your camera body with a nice zoom lens, and with a little patience, you might end up with an award-winning photo!

Read on to check out some of our favorite pumpkin patches in Mississippi.