The Honey Island swamp offers some of the best and most accessible bottomland swamp birding in the area. To reach this area from New Orleans, take I-10 to the east past Slidell. After passing Slidell, watch for the major interchange at which I-10 splits off to the right toward the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I-59, the center fork, begins here and heads northward toward Picayune and Hattiesburg in Mississippi. Take I-59 north past the Pearl River exit to the Honey Island exit, just past the bridge over the West Pearl River.
After you leave the interstate, follow the narrow paved road ahead into the Honey Island Wildlife Management Area. The road proceeds for 3 miles to the East Pearl River and the Mississippi state line. A Louisiana hunting license or a Wildlife Stamp is required to legally enter this area. Contact the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. There is very little traffic, and you can stop anywhere on the roadside. The birds are those typical of southern bottomland swamp habitat: Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireo, Prothonotary Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Swainson's Warbler (not uncommon but very secretive; you must know its song!), Summer Tanager, and so on. You may see an Anhinga overhead. The specialty of this area is the Swallow-tailed Kite, which is present (in small numbers) from early April through August. If you're lucky you may see one soaring over the trees.
Two unpaved roads to the south are worth exploring, especially the easternmost, which has a nature trail beginning about ¼ mile south of the pavement. The trail is about a ½ mile walk through bottomland forest, but includes a small area of beautiful cypress-tupelo swamp. This is a good place to look for Swainson's Warbler, if you know the song. They are very easily called up by tape (please don't overdo this). The gravel road to the left or north is also interesting, and is especially good for Swainson's Warbler.
Other areas of interest in the vicinity include the Pearl River turnaround, about 2 miles north of the Honey Island exit on I-59. There is good habitat here for Painted and Indigo Buntings and for Yellow-breasted Chats. The open area to the south provides a good opportunity for scanning the sky for kites. You can go east to the bridge over the East Pearl River where Barn Swallows nest; Rough-winged Swallows can often be seen here or over the gravel pits.
If you are especially adventuresome, rather than heading back west on I-59 after passing under the bridge, take the narrow dirt road which parallels the interstate. This goes several miles through bottomland, cypress swamp, and pinewoods. There is no exit, so you have to return to I-59. The town of Pearl River also offers some interesting birding, especially at creek crossings, and it offers access to LA 41 north toward Bogalusa or LA 36 east toward Abita Springs.
