Flora & Fauna in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Visitors come to Louisiana to experience the state’s way of life and vibrant culture — and many leave fascinated by the wildlife and plants that thrive here, many of which call the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area home.
The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (pronounced uh-CHA-fuh-LIE-uh) is close to New Iberia, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, among other cities, and rich in swampy habitats.
When to View Wildlife in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Spring is prime time for nature viewing in this outdoor haven. Alligators emerge from winter dormancy, and Colonial birds such as great blue herons, great egrets and roseate spoonbills fight for spots to lay their eggs. Even the elusive Louisiana black bear becomes, well, a little less elusive. So bring your camera to photograph some of these majestic animals in their natural habitats.
Where to See Flora and Fauna in the Area
Cypress Island Preserve
Only a few miles from Lafayette, Cypress Island Preserve boasts both a bottomland hardwood forest and a classic cypress-tupelo swamp. The preserve’s Lake Martin supports a nationally significant waterbird rookery for nesting herons, ibis and more. Take a swamp tour through the Spanish moss with Cajun Country Swamp Tours, go paddling, or follow one of the walking trails to look for roseate spoonbills, alligators and nutria that thrive here.
Gardens in Iberia Parish
Iberia Parish is known as a nature photographer’s paradise thanks to the beautiful Jungle Gardens and Rip Van Winkle Gardens, both of which boast over-water rookeries that serve as nesting grounds for snowy egrets, blue herons, roseate spoonbills, geese, ducks, and other wading birds and songbirds. To spot other wildlife, look along the banks, where gators like to nest, and in the marshlands for deer, racoons, rabbits and the occasional Louisiana black bear.
Where to Find Louisiana Black Bears
But the best places to spot Louisiana’s mysterious black bears are the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish and the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge in St. Mary Parish. Black bears are most active from spring through late fall, entering a dormant period during winter. But because of Louisiana’s warmer climate, some males remain active in the colder months.
Black bears are beloved in Louisiana — they’re the state mammal. Franklin even hosts the Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival each spring to educate locals and visitors about the species.
Bald Eagle Nesting Spots
St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes are home to a large concentration of the more than 350 active bald eagle nests in Louisiana. The state provides ideal habitats for the bird, as marshes are rich in fish and tall, sturdy cypress trees are ideal for their large nests.
Every February, fans of this feathered national icon flock to the Eagle Expo in Morgan City for boat and walking tours, presentations by wildlife and birding experts, and other events. If you attend and take one of the swamp or wetland tours, keep your eyes peeled and you're likely to see one of these majestic creatures soaring through the skies.
More Birdwatching in Louisiana
For the best birdwatching trails, detailed maps and other resources, visit Louisiana Birding.
For more information about how to explore the swamp or to download a copy of the Louisiana Birding Guide, visit the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area’s official site.
