Brown Pelican, courtesy of BirdingLouisia.com
Because the Pelican State is located along two major migration routes in North America, state tourism has launched a new interactive website, it’s BirdingLouisiana.com. Doug Bourgeois with the Office of Tourism said it’s a one-stop shop for birdwatchers.
“We try to point people to places where they can actually get a glimpse of any of the over 470 bird species in Louisiana. So, the site lists actual places for birders to visit all across Louisiana,” said Bourgeois.
Bourgeois said the website is a great way to cater to a unique market and entice them to swoop in for bird sightings. And another great thing about a large majority of birders, they’re retired so they tend to visit longer.
“So, it does bring, even though it’s a niche market, it does bring these people will a little extra spending power into these smaller areas of the state,” said Bourgeois.
And if you’re a novice spotting birds, the site provides photos and details about birds in your area of the state along with a checkoff list. You can also listen to birds on the website.
Bourgeois said Jefferson Davis Parish is a popular site for birders to attend the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival.
“Cause when you cut the rice the Yellow Rails come out and we were getting people from truly every nation around the world that would come to this festival just to look at the Yellow Rails,” said Bourgeois.
This year’s festival in southwest Louisiana will be held October 23rd to the 27th.
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