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Description
The Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge spans about 18,000 acres, encompassing freshwater and brackish marshes, swamps, and forested wetlands. The Boy Scout Road area is mixed marsh, hardwood and pine savannah. It is easily accessible with good parking. There is a short boardwalk over the marsh and a 5 mile (round trip) through all three habitats including a broader over look of the marshes on the edge of Lake Pontchartrain.
The area is reliable for Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch , egrets, herons and Osprey year round. Year round warblers include Common Yellowthroat and Pine Warbler. Yellow-rumped Warblers are usually abundant in winter. Good spot for six different Southeastern U.S. woodpeckers. Added bonus is an occasional river otter sighting.
Details
Access
Big Branch Marsh NWR - Boy Scout Road is located a bit east of Lacombe, Louisiana in part of the Southeaster Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge. It is easily accessible by car with good parking at the trailhead. Press P on the map for directions. No public transportation.
Access is by foot only. Allow an hour to four hours depending upon how much of the trail is to be done. Excellent birding wihtin the parking lot and boardwalk area alone if short on time.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Pond , Scattered trees and bushes , ForestConditions
Flat , High water possibleCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Spring , AutumnRoute
Wide path , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
This trail is very close to the Lake Road hotspot and is often combined into a productive morning.
On weekends in particular the trail can be busy with casual hikers and dog walkers. If possible go as early in the day as possible. Early is also usually better for Red-cockaded Woodpecker from the parking lot through the first mile of the trail.