11, go 6 miles to hwy. The number of nesting brown pelicans has substantially increased despite loss of nesting habitat.
Brown pelicans are frequent users of the refuge.
Although listed as an endangered species, falcon numbers have increased in the past year. Several bald eagles continue to nest on the refuge each year and population numbers are increasing steadily. Waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, swamp rabbits, alligators, and other raptors, game and small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The marshes along Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne serve as estuarine nurseries for various fish species, crabs, and shrimp. Freshwater lagoons, bayous, and ponds serve as production areas for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.