Birds Put on a Show in March Across Louisiana

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As the annual spring bird migration ramps up in Louisiana, the month of March serves as an 'opening act' for the main event in April. This year, early arrivals like Northern Parulas, Yellow-throated Warblers, and Prothonotary Warblers have already been putting on a spectacular show for local birders across the state.

Why it matters

The spring bird migration is a highly anticipated annual event for Louisiana's large community of birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. While the peak of the migration occurs in April, the early arrivals in March provide a tantalizing preview of the colorful songbirds and raptors that will soon flood the state's marshes, swamps, and forests.

The details

Birder and photographer John K. Flores has been scouring the countryside in St. Mary Parish, spotting early migrants like Northern Parulas, Yellow-throated Warblers, and Prothonotary Warblers. Flores has found the birds at locations like Palmetto Island State Park, the Cajun Coast Visitors Center, and Cypremort Point State Park. Meanwhile, fellow birder Frank Garacci has been documenting Northern Parulas and even almost capturing photos of Hooded Warblers at the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and the Centerville Unit.

• In the second week of March, Flores spotted his first Northern Parulas at Palmetto Island State Park.
• A few days later, Flores saw his first Yellow-throated Warbler at the Cajun Coast Visitors Center.
• By the last week of March, Prothonotary Warblers had arrived in large numbers along the Louisiana coastline.

What they’re saying

What’s next

As April arrives, the peak of the spring bird migration in Louisiana is just getting underway. Birders will be closely monitoring weather patterns and scouring the state's coastal areas, marshes, and forests for an influx of colorful songbirds, raptors, and other migratory species.