**LOUISIANA**

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="2.4583333333333335in"
height="2.2958333333333334in"}

Fig. 1. Bird monitoring regions in Louisiana.

**Bird monitoring region 127: Louisiana-West Gulf Coastal Pl/Ouachitas**

This region covers the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Ouachitas region of
Louisiana. Approximately 27 aquatic species occur at least commonly, at
some time of year, in the region (Table 1); 6 designated sites and 2
matrix strata have been identified (Fig. 2, Table 2).

Table 1. Aquatic species that occur commonly in bird monitoring region
127 (M=migration, B=breeding season, W=winter).

  ------------------ ------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
  **Species**        **Seasons**   **Species**    **Seasons**   **Species**     **Seasons**

  Pied-billed Grebe  M             Wood Duck      MBW           American Coot   MW

  Anhinga            B             Mallard        MW            Killdeer        MBW

  Double-crested     MW            Gadwall        MW            Spotted         M
  Cormorant                                                     Sandpiper       

  Green Heron        MB            Green-winged   MW            Pectoral        M
                                   Teal                         Sandpiper       

  Little Blue Heron  M             American       MW            Common Snipe    MW
                                   Wigeon                                       

  Great Egret        MB            Northern       MW            Wilson\'s       M
                                   Pintail                      Phalarope       

  Great Blue Heron   MBW           Blue-winged    M             Ring-billed     MW
                                   Teal                         Gull            

  Snow Goose         MW            Northern       MW            Swamp Sparrow   MW
                                   Harrier                                      

  Canada Goose       MW            Bald Eagle     MW            Red-winged      MBW
                                                                Blackbird       
  ------------------ ------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- -------------

*Stratum 1: Designated Sites*

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.6666666666666665in" height="2.3125in"}

Fig. 2. Designated sites and matrix strata in bird monitoring region 127

Table 2. Designated sites in bird monitoring region 127.

  ------ ------------------------ ------- -------- ------------ ------------ ------------
  Site   SiteName                 Lat.    Long.    Importance   Importance   Comments
  ID                                               to secretive to migrating 
                                                   marsh birds  shorebirds   

  1      Black Bayou Lake NWR     32.89   -93.92   Unknown      Unknown       

  2      D\'Arbonne NWR           32.63   -92.23   Medium       Low           

  3      Handy Brake NWR          32.76   -91.85   Low          Low           

  4      Ouachita WMA             32.33   -92.03   Medium       Medium        

  5      Toledo Bend Reservoir    31.19   -93.57   Unknown      Unknown      

  6      Upper Ouachita NWR       32.93   -92.11   Medium       High          
  ------ ------------------------ ------- -------- ------------ ------------ ------------

*Stratum 2: Red River Corridor (matrix stratum)*

[]{.mark}

Stratum 2 includes all areas along the Red River within BMR 127 that are
not in designated sites or other matrix strata. Most to all of the focal
species in the BMR occur in the stratum. The Red River bisects this BMR
in north-northwestern Louisiana, coming southward from Arkansas, and
crosses southeastward across the state to the Atchafalaya River and runs
into the Mississippi River. Type 1 habitat is made up of
riparian-associated wetland habitat along the Red River and its
tributaries. Not much Type 2 habitat exists. Survey methods have not
been designed for the stratum but are expected to vary widely among the
survey areas. Habitat includes state and private ownership.

[]{.mark}

*Stratum 3: Northwest Louisiana (matrix stratum)*

[]{.mark}

Stratum 3 includes all areas in BMR 127 that are not in designated sites
or other matrix strata. All of the focal species in the BMR likely occur
in the stratum. Type 1 habitat is made up of other lakes, prairie ponds,
and wetland habitat, including riparian-associated wetlands. Type 2
habitat would include those special habitat types that are unique to
north-northwest Louisiana that theoretically may provide some habitat
for aquatic bird species. This includes seepage bogs, flatwood ponds,
and saline prairie ponds in the northern upland region. Survey methods
have not been designed for the stratum but are expected to vary widely
among the survey areas. Habitat is mostly private so gaining access will
require careful planning.

***Sources***: Clinton W. Jeske, Wildlife Biologist, National Wetlands
Research Center. Site names are mostly from Audubon Louisiana's
Potential Important Bird Areas website (online at:
http://www.jjaudubon.net/Possible%20IBAs.htm) and the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Refuge System website for Louisiana (online at:
http://southeast.fws.gov/ maps/la.html). Matrix strata information was
derived from interviews and the Nature Conservancy's Louisiana Chapter
home page, online at: http://nature.org/wherewework/
northamerica/states/louisiana/preserves/. No checklists were available
for this region, so 2 checklists from Arkansas (BMR 125) were used.

**Bird monitoring region 128: Louisiana-Gulf Coastal Prairie**

This region covers the west Gulf Coastal Prairie of Louisiana.
Approximately 67 aquatic species occur at least commonly, at some time
of year, in the region (Table 3); 4 designated sites and 2 matrix strata
have been identified (Fig. 3, Table 4).

Table 3. Aquatic species that occur commonly in bird monitoring region
128 (M=migration, B=breeding season, W=winter).

  ------------------- ------------- ---------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------
  **Species**         **Seasons**   **Species**      **Seasons**   **Species**       **Seasons**

  Pied-billed Grebe   MW            Gadwall          MW            Lesser Yellowlegs M

  American White      MW            Green-winged     MW            Spotted Sandpiper M
  Pelican                           Teal                                             

  Anhinga             MB            American Wigeon  MW            Sanderling        M

  Double-crested      MW            Northern Pintail MW            Dunlin            MW
  Cormorant                                                                          

  Least Bittern       MB            Northern         MW            Semipalmated      M
                                    Shoveler                       Sandpiper         

  American Bittern    W             Blue-winged Teal MW            Western Sandpiper MW

  Black-crowned       MB            Cinnamon Teal    W             Least Sandpiper   MW
  Night-Heron                                                                        

  Yellow-crowned      MB            Ring-necked Duck MW            White-rumped      M
  Night-Heron                                                      Sandpiper         

  Green Heron         MB            Lesser Scaup     MW            Short-billed      MB
                                                                   Dowitcher         

  Tricolored Heron    MBW           Northern Harrier MW            Long-billed       MW
                                                                   Dowitcher         

  Little Blue Heron   MBW           King Rail        MBW           Common Snipe      MW

  Cattle Egret        MBW           Clapper Rail     MBW           Laughing Gull     MBW

  Snowy Egret         MBW           Virginia Rail    W             Ring-billed Gull  W

  Great Egret         MBW           Sora             W             Herring Gull      W

  Great Blue Heron    MBW           Purple Gallinule MB            Forster\'s Tern   MBW

  White-faced Ibis    MBW           Common Moorhen   MBW           Black Tern        MB

  White Ibis          MBW           American Coot    MW            Black Skimmer     MBW

  Roseate Spoonbill   MB            Black-bellied    MW            Tree Swallow      MW
                                    Plover                                           

  Greater             MW            Killdeer         MBW           Marsh Wren        MBW
  White-fronted Goose                                                                

  Snow Goose          MW            Black-necked     MB            Seaside Sparrow   MBW
                                    Stilt                                            

  Fulvous             MW            Willet           MBW           Swamp Sparrow     MW
  Whistling-Duck                                                                     

  Mallard             MW            Greater          M             Red-winged        MBW
                                    Yellowlegs                     Blackbird         

  Mottled Duck        MBW                                                             
  ------------------- ------------- ---------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------

*Stratum 1: Designated sites*

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.6666666666666665in" height="2.375in"}

Fig. 3. Designated sites and matrix strata in bird monitoring region 128

Table 4. Designated sites in bird monitoring region 128.

+---+-----------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+------------------+
| S | SiteName        | L   | Lo  | Impo   | Impo   | Comments         |
| i |                 | at. | ng. | rtance | rtance |                  |
| t |                 |     |     | to     | to     |                  |
| e |                 |     |     | sec    | mig    |                  |
| I |                 |     |     | retive | rating |                  |
| D |                 |     |     | marsh  | shor   |                  |
|   |                 |     |     | birds  | ebirds |                  |
+---+-----------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+------------------+
| 1 | Cameron Prairie | 30  | -93 | High   | Medium | Common snipe     |
|   | NWR             | .00 | .05 |        |        |                  |
+---+-----------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+------------------+
| 2 | Lacassine NWR & | 29  | -92 | High   | High   | Anhinga,         |
|   |                 | .96 | .86 |        |        | American coot,   |
|   | Lake Arthur     |     |     |        |        | King rail,       |
|   |                 |     |     |        |        | Common moorhen,  |
|   |                 |     |     |        |        | Purple gallinule |
+---+-----------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+------------------+
| 3 | Rockefeller     | 29  | -92 | Medium | High   | American coot;   |
|   | State Refuge    | .61 | .61 |        |        | Numerous         |
|   |                 |     |     |        |        | shorebirds,      |
|   |                 |     |     |        |        | rails            |
+---+-----------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+------------------+
| 4 | Sabine NWR      | 29  | -93 | High   | High   |                  |
|   |                 | .91 | .61 |        |        |                  |
+---+-----------------+-----+-----+--------+--------+------------------+

*Stratum 3: Coastal Prairies & "Rice Prairies" (matrix stratum)*

Stratum 3 is made up of the agricultural plants in the rice-prairies of
southwest Louisiana in BMR 128 that are not in designated sites or other
matrix strata. All of the focal species in the BMR likely occur in the
stratum. Type 1 habitat is made up of many agricultural rice fields,
converted from native coastal prairie, which are periodically flooded
and create wetland habitat. The entire rice prairies are important for
both groups. Many rails winter in the rice prairies, and up to 3.5
million shorebirds use the rice prairies during spring migration, with
lesser numbers during fall migration. It is difficult to gauge how much
Type 2 habitat exists. Survey methods have not been designed for the
stratum but are expected to vary widely among the survey areas. Habitat
is mostly private so gaining access will require careful planning.

[]{.mark}

*Stratum 3: Southwest Louisiana (matrix stratum)*

[]{.mark}

Stratum 3 includes all areas in BMR 128 that are not in designated sites
or other matrix strata. All of the focal species in the BMR likely occur
in the stratum. Type 1 habitat is made up of Louisiana coastal marshes,
which includes emergent marsh, salt marsh, brackish marsh, intermediate
marsh, and freshwater marsh. Other less well-known wetland communities
found in this region include submergent estuarine vascular vegetation,
or \"grass beds,\" coastal mangrove thickets, and floating marsh/scrub,
all of which could potentially provide aquatic bird habitat. Of the
habitat mentioned as Type 1, it is difficult to gauge how much is really
Type 2. Survey methods have not been designed for the stratum but are
expected to vary widely among the survey areas. Habitat is state and
federally owned but is mostly private so gaining access will require
careful planning. Difficulty of navigating some areas is to be expected,
due to marshy/boggy terrain. Most of the state lands are accessible only
by boat and are not developed. Coastal areas may only be accessible by
boat as well.

[]{.mark}

***Sources***: Clinton W. Jeske, Wildlife Biologist, National Wetlands
Research Center. Site names are mostly from Audubon Louisiana's
Potential Important Bird Areas website (online at:
http://www.jjaudubon.net/Possible%20IBAs.htm) and the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Refuge System website for Louisiana (online at:
http://southeast.fws.gov/ maps/la.html). Matrix strata information was
derived from interviews and the Nature Conservancy's Louisiana Chapter
home page, online at: http://nature.org/wherewework/

northamerica/states/louisiana/preserves/. The species list was based on
2 checklists from the region.

**Bird monitoring region 129: Louisiana-Mississippi Alluvial Valley**

This region is made up of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Louisiana.
Approximately 66 aquatic species occur at least commonly, at some time
of year, in the region (Table 5); 30 designated sites and 3 matrix
strata have been identified (Fig. 4, Table 6).

Table 5. Aquatic species that occur commonly in bird monitoring region
129 (M=migration, B=breeding season, W=winter).

  ----------------- ------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------- -------------
  **Species**       **Seasons**   **Species**      **Seasons**   **Species**         **Seasons**

  Pied-billed Grebe MW            Green-winged     MW            Lesser Yellowlegs   MB
                                  Teal                                               

  American White    MW            American Wigeon  MW            Spotted Sandpiper   MBW
  Pelican                                                                            

  Anhinga           MB            Northern Pintail MW            Dunlin              W

  Double-crested    MW            Northern         MW            Western Sandpiper   M
  Cormorant                       Shoveler                                           

  Least Bittern     MB            Blue-winged Teal MW            Least Sandpiper     M

  Yellow-crowned    MB            Ring-necked Duck MW            Pectoral Sandpiper  M
  Night-Heron                                                                        

  Green Heron       MB            Lesser Scaup     MW            Buff-breasted       M
                                                                 Sandpiper           

  Tricolored Heron  MBW           Red-breasted     W             Short-billed        M
                                  Merganser                      Dowitcher           

  Little Blue Heron MBW           Ruddy Duck       MW            Long-billed         M
                                                                 Dowitcher           

  Cattle Egret      MBW           Northern Harrier MBW           Common Snipe        MW

  Snowy Egret       MBW           King Rail        MBW           American Woodcock   MW

  Great Egret       MBW           Clapper Rail     MBW           Laughing Gull       MBW

  Great Blue Heron  MBW           Virginia Rail    MW            Ring-billed Gull    MW

  Glossy Ibis       MBW           Sora             MW            Herring Gull        MW

  White-faced Ibis  MBW           Purple Gallinule MB            Royal Tern          MW

  White Ibis        MBW           Common Moorhen   MBW           Caspian Tern        MW

  Greater           MW            American Coot    MW            Forster\'s Tern     MBW
  White-fronted                                                                      
  Goose                                                                              

  Snow Goose        MW            Black-bellied    MW            Least Tern          MB
                                  Plover                                             

  Wood Duck         MBW           American         M             Tree Swallow        MW
                                  Golden-Plover                                      

  Mallard           MW            Killdeer         MBW           Marsh Wren          MBW

  Mottled Duck      MBW           Black-necked     MB            Swamp Sparrow       MW
                                  Stilt                                              

  Gadwall           MW            Greater          M             Red-winged          MBW
                                  Yellowlegs                     Blackbird           
  ----------------- ------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------- -------------

*Stratum 1: Designated sites*

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="2.6666666666666665in"
height="2.4895833333333335in"}

Fig. 4. Designated sites and matrix strata in bird monitoring region 129

Table 6. Designated sites in bird monitoring region 129.

+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| S | SiteName        | L   | L    | Impo   | Impo   | Comments      |
| i |                 | at. | ong. | rtance | rtance |               |
| t |                 |     |      | to     | to     |               |
| e |                 |     |      | sec    | mig    |               |
| I |                 |     |      | retive | rating |               |
| D |                 |     |      | marsh  | shor   |               |
|   |                 |     |      | birds  | ebirds |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Atchafalaya Bay | 29  | -9   | High   | High   |               |
|   |                 | .42 | 1.34 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Atchafalaya NWR | 30  | -9   | Low    | Low    |               |
|   |                 | .46 | 1.64 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 3 | Barataria Bay & | 29  | -8   | High   | High   |               |
|   |                 | .37 | 9.92 |        |        |               |
|   | Connecting      |     |      |        |        |               |
|   | Bayous          |     |      |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 4 | Bayou Cocodrie  | 31  | -9   | Medium | Low    | Anhinga,      |
|   | NWR             | .52 | 1.61 |        |        | Killdeer,     |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | Solitary      |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | sandpiper,    |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | Common snipe, |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | American      |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | woodcock,     |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | American coot |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 5 | Bayou Sauvage   | 30  | -8   | Medium | Low    |               |
|   | NWR             | .01 | 9.88 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 6 | Big Branch      | 30  | -8   | Medium | Low    |               |
|   | Marsh NWR       | .27 | 9.93 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 7 | Bogue Chitto    | 30  | -8   | Medium | Low    |               |
|   | NWR             | .59 | 9.83 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 8 | Breton NWR      | 29  | -8   | Low    | Medium |               |
|   |                 | .83 | 8.83 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 9 | Breton Sound    | 29  | -8   | Low    | Low    |               |
|   |                 | .55 | 9.38 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Caillou Bay     | 29  | -9   | Low    | High   |               |
| 0 |                 | .14 | 0.96 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Cat Island NWR  | 30  | -9   | Low    | High   | Solitary      |
| 1 |                 | .77 | 1.37 |        |        | sandpiper,    |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | Greater       |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | yellowlegs    |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Catahoula Lake  | 31  | -9   | Medium | High   | Long-billed   |
| 2 | & NWR           | .49 | 2.09 |        |        | dowitcher,    |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | Pectoral      |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | sandpipers    |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Cote Blanche    | 29  | -9   | Low    | High   |               |
| 3 | Bay             | .61 | 1.67 |        |        |               |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        |               |
|   | (East & West)   |     |      |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Cypress Island  | 30  | -9   | U      | U      |               |
| 4 | Preserve        | .27 | 1.91 | nknown | nknown |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Delta NWR       | 29  | -8   | High   | High   |               |
| 5 |                 | .22 | 9.20 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Grand Cote NWR  | 31  | -9   | Low    | Low    |               |
| 6 |                 | .07 | 2.17 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Lake Borgne     | 30  | -8   | Low    | Low    |               |
| 7 |                 | .01 | 9.65 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Lake Maurepas   | 30  | -9   | Low    | Low    |               |
| 8 |                 | .26 | 0.51 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 1 | Lake Ophelia    | 31  | -9   | Medium | Low    |               |
| 9 | NWR             | .21 | 1.88 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Lake            | 30  | -9   | Low    | Low    |               |
| 0 | Pontchartrain   | .16 | 0.17 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Lake Salvador   | 29  | -9   | High   | Low    |               |
| 1 |                 | .75 | 0.25 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Mandalay NWR    | 29  | -9   | Medium | Low    |               |
| 2 |                 | .52 | 0.78 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Pass-a-Loutre   | 29  | -8   | High   | High   |               |
| 3 | WMA             | .06 | 9.17 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Pearl River WMA | 30  | -8   | Medium | Low    |               |
| 4 |                 | .16 | 9.62 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Shell Keys NWR  | 29  | -9   | Not    | High   |               |
| 5 |                 | .41 | 1.85 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Sherburne WMA   | 30  | -9   | High   | High   | American      |
| 6 |                 | .51 | 1.70 |        |        | woodcock;     |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | Managed for   |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | migratory     |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | shorebirds,   |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | also          |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | important for |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | nesting       |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | colonial      |
|   |                 |     |      |        |        | waterbirds    |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Tensas River    | 32  | -9   | Medium | Medium |               |
| 7 | NWR             | .16 | 1.44 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Terrebonne Bay  | 29  | -9   | High   | High   |               |
| 8 |                 | .13 | 0.56 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 2 | Timbalier Bay   | 29  | -9   | Low    | High   |               |
| 9 |                 | .12 | 0.27 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+
| 3 | Vermillion Bay  | 29  | -9   | Low    | High   | Clapper rails |
| 0 |                 | .72 | 1.96 |        |        |               |
+---+-----------------+-----+------+--------+--------+---------------+

*Stratum 2: Barataria-Terrebonne Basin Estuarine Complex (matrix
stratum)*

[]{.mark}

Stratum 2 is made up of areas within the Barataria and Terrebonne basins
that have not already been designated as sites or are in other matrix
strata. Most to all of the focal species in the BMR occur in the
stratum. The Barataria-Terrebonne estuarine complex is located between
the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in south Louisiana. Bayou
Lafourche separates this complex into two basins, Barataria Basin to the
east, and Terrebonne Basin to the west (for reference, a good map can be
found at: http:// www.ccshost.com/ btnep/items/ image1.gif). Type 1
habitat is made up of freshwater marshes, estuarine marshes, and
floating marsh (also known as "flotant"). . It is difficult to gauge how
much Type 2 habitat exists. Survey methods have not been designed for
the stratum but are expected to vary widely among the survey areas. Type
1 and Type 2 habitat includes private, state, and federal ownership.
Difficulty of navigating some areas is to be expected, due to
marshy/boggy terrain.

[]{.mark}

*Stratum 3: Lower Mississippi River Valley & River Delta (matrix
stratum)*

[]{.mark}

Stratum 3 includes all areas along the Mississippi River Valley and the
river's delta not in designated sites or other matrix strata. All of the
focal species in the BMR likely occur in the stratum. Type 1 habitat is
made up of the Mississippi River batture (alluvial floodplain lands
bordering the river) and associated oxbow wetlands, lakes, and marsh, as
well as that created by Mississippi River tributaries. Additional Type 1
habitat includes the forested wetlands and cypress swamps of the
Mississippi Valley. The entire Mississippi River Delta (which is
partially covered by designated sites Pass-a-Loutre WMA and Delta NWR)
is of high importance for both marsh and shorebirds. Type 2 habitat is
made up of the sandbars and islands along the river channel, as well as
suitable ephemeral habitat found in natural levees, meander scrolls,
sloughs, and smaller oxbow lakes. Survey methods have not been designed
for the stratum but are expected to vary widely among the survey areas.
Habitat includes private, state, and federal lands.

[]{.mark}

*Stratum 4: East-Southeast Louisiana (matrix stratum)*

[]{.mark}

Stratum 4 includes all areas in BMR 129 that are not in designated sites
or other matrix strata. All of the focal species in the BMR likely occur
in the stratum. Type 1 habitat is made up of any overlooked marshes,
lakes, ponds, swamps, or artificially created wetlands, such as flooded
rice fields. The rice fields in Morehouse Parish in northeast Louisiana
provides abundant habitat for rails and migrating shorebirds, although
little data has been collected on abundance. It is difficult to gauge
how much Type 2 habitat exists. Survey methods have not been designed
for the stratum but are expected to vary widely among the survey areas.
Habitat is mostly private so gaining access will require careful
planning. Difficulty of navigating some areas is to be expected, due to
marshy/boggy terrain. Many coastal areas may only be accessible by boat.

[]{.mark}

***Sources***: Clinton W. Jeske, Wildlife Biologist, National Wetlands
Research Center. Site names are mostly from Audubon Louisiana's
Potential Important Bird Areas website (online at:
http://www.jjaudubon.net/Possible%20IBAs.htm) and the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Refuge System website for Louisiana (online at:
http://southeast.fws.gov/ maps/la.html). Matrix strata information was
derived from interviews and the Nature Conservancy's Louisiana Chapter
home page, online at: http://nature.org/wherewework/

northamerica/states/louisiana/preserves/. The species list was based on
5 checklists from the region.