Audubon Delta

Today we're celebrating National Mississippi River Day!

Millions of birds follow the Mississippi Flyway each year, relying on a network of habitats connected by one of North America's most iconic rivers.

From river-connected forests and wetlands to coastal marshes and barrier islands, the Mississippi River helps sustain habitats that birds rely on to feed, nest, and migrate. Species like the Swallow-tailed Kite, Least Tern, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Mottled Duck all depend on habitats influenced by the river in different ways.

As one of the defining features of our region, the Mississippi River connects landscapes, wildlife, and communities across state lines. Today, we celebrate the habitats it supports and the birds that depend on them.

🐦‍⬛🐦🦆Happy World Migratory Bird Day!

Every year, migratory birds travel across the hemisphere along routes like the Mississippi Flyway, depending on healthy habitats across Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana to survive the journey. In Louisiana, the Maurepas swamp — one of the nation’s largest forested wetlands and a continentally important bird area — provides critical habitat for migratory birds like the Prothonotary Warbler.

But as the swamp becomes more stagnant and habitat declines, so do the birds that depend on it. Coastal restoration projects like the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp will help reconnect the swamp to the Mississippi River, bringing in fresh water, nutrients and sediment needed to improve forest health and slow further wetland loss. Restoring this habitat will help support the migratory birds that connect our region to the rest of the hemisphere.

Photo credits: Maurepas Swamp Aerial/Sydney Walsh/Audubon
Prothonotary Warbler/ David Sloas/APA
Migration data from Audubon's Bird Migration Explorer

Each spring, least terns return to the Gulf Coast—traveling thousands of miles from Central and South America to nest right here on our beaches.

Along the Mississippi coast, these federally protected birds depend on safe, undisturbed nesting areas to raise their chicks. That’s why Audubon Delta teams are out on the sand placing signage and working with communities to protect these vulnerable colonies through the busy summer months.

“They come spend the summer with us just like your average tourists, but they’re not just here to enjoy the beach, they are here to raise their families,” said Jessica Martin, Audubon stewardship manager.

These beaches support over 20% of the Gulf’s breeding population, according to stewardship coordinator Amanda Douglas—making protection efforts more important than ever.

🐦 Please respect posted nesting areas and give birds space.

Least terns return to South Mississippi beaches for nesting season Least terns return to South Mississippi beaches for nesting season

🌊🐣Want to help protect nesting birds along our coast?

Audubon Delta is hosting a Volunteer Bird Steward Training for Mississippi and Louisiana volunteers on May 14. Learn about beach-nesting bird behavior, the threats they face, and simple ways you can help reduce disturbance and protect critical nesting habitat.

Whether you’re a bird lover, beachgoer, or conservation advocate, this is a great way to make a difference for species like Least Terns and other coastal birds.

May 14 | 6–7 PM (CST) | Zoom
Preregister here: https://audubon.zoom.us/meeting/register/_5n12onTT4OL6toiE6djkQ #/registration

Spring migration is underway, and World Migratory Bird Day on May 9 is a chance to celebrate the incredible journeys of birds across the Delta.

Earlier this month at the Little Rock Audubon Center, a single morning bird walk recorded 53 species, with banding efforts highlighting how vital this region is for migratory birds.

When we care for the Delta, we support birds across the hemisphere.

Share the shore with coastal birds like least terns while they nest and rest on our beaches.

These birds can be easily scared off when beachgoers are too close. We can help keep birds safe by respecting posted areas and giving them space.

Here are some simple ways to help nesting birds this season:
🐣Stay away from areas that have been roped off for nesting birds, and avoid walking through flocks of birds. Birds need space to thrive! If a parent is scared off a nest, they can expose their eggs or chicks to potentially fatal heat or predators. Getting too close also causes stress to the birds, wasting their precious energy. If space allows, give birds at least 100 feet of distance, and make sure to follow any more specific local guidelines.

🐩Only take your pup to beaches where dogs are allowed, and remember to always use a leash. We love dogs, but unfortunately our furry friends look like predators to coastal birds.

🗑️Take your trash with you when you leave. Garbage can attract predators, and some trash such as fishing line can entangle birds.

Act now to protect one of the Gulf’s most important ecosystems!

Estuaries, coastal areas where rivers meet the ocean, are vital habitat for shorebirds and seabirds, and the Mississippi Sound is no exception. Right now, there’s an opportunity to secure major federal support for its future.

The House has passed the ESTUARIES Act, which would expand the National Estuary Program and recognize the Mississippi Sound as an estuary of national significance—unlocking resources for restoration, wetlands protection, fisheries, and coastal communities.

Now it’s up to the U.S. Senate.

Tell your Senators: support the National Estuary Program and protect the Mississippi Sound. Act today.

AUDUBON ALERT: Protect America's Seabirds Take action and ask your U.S. Senator to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, which strengthens local community-led restoration of vital coastal habitat.

📣 We’re hiring in the Delta!

Audubon Delta is looking for a Senior Communications Manager to help lead strategic communications across our three state region.

This role will shape how we tell the story of conservation in the Delta—from restoring vital habitat and protecting coastal communities to advancing policies that support birds and people alike.

We’re looking for a experienced and collaborative communicator who can translate complex issues into compelling narratives and drive meaningful engagement across the region.

📍 New Orleans (hybrid)
🔗 Apply here:

Senior Communications Manager About Audubon The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinel...

The Mississippi River Delta ecosystem and coastal Louisiana support 100 million migratory, nesting, and wintering birds. Protecting and restoring this vital habitat is crucial to the health and survival of many of these species.

We need your help telling state leaders that Louisianans overwhelmingly back restoration and rebuilding of Louisiana's rapidly eroding coast – and doing so in a transparent way.

Act now and make your voice heard: https://actnow.mississippiriverdelta.org/a/reconnect-the-river?fbclid=IwY2xjawRGAI5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDV0pLVTU4UXlteGJYUG8xc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkKbtI4EkyzwgF3mEvfXERX5v9MEUWz_kdxosi4Ki-6IWkB9FxTTVvUhnV_-_aem_z9vWrG8WlIxXv1hBWzDz6Q

Restoring Louisiana’s coast can’t wait—and the public agrees.

Recent polling shows overwhelming support for the solutions that build land and protect communities:
- 89% support using the Mississippi River to restore wetlands
- 76% oppose canceling major river reconnection projects
- 88% want more transparency about the risks we face without these projects

Coastal restoration remains at a crisis point in Louisiana. We need your help telling state leaders that Louisianans overwhelmingly back restoration and rebuilding of Louisiana's rapidly eroding coast.

📣 Take action now: https://actnow.mississippiriverdelta.org/a/reconnect-the-river