Students use a spotting scope to view Mississippi sandhill cranes.

The refuge offers birding opportunities year, round both at our Visitor Center viewing stations and trails. The best time to see the Mississippi sandhill cranes are Fall and Winter months, as they become more secretive during nesting season (Spring/Summer). Migratory grassland birds like the Henslow’s sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) and Bachman’s sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) are best seen in the winter season. Check in at our Visitor Center desk or our sightings board to see what has been seen lately!