There’s quite a commotion going on in the Rookery at the Noxubee Refuge these days. The wading birds are busy nesting.  They are squawking, flapping, and fighting like neighbors in some cramped tenement that just refuse to turn the stereo down.

I decided to pay a close visit to the Rookery in my kayak, and the scene it just crazy.  Flight after flight of birds arrive and depart as they look for food and building materials.

As I watched an Egret swooped down 15 feet from me and pulled a lily pad stalk from the water and flew back up to cram it into the side of a nearly complete nest.

The smell is the kind of thing that has to be experienced to believe.  It was like a million poorly cleaned bird cages combined with a hint of Indian food.

The smell would have to discourage all but the most determined predator from getting to close.  That being said, there were a few Alligators hanging around in the cypress knees just waiting for some bird to linger at the water line a bit too long.

The water was coated with what could only be used bird food.  To the fish it was dinner though.  Fish were nibbling and gulping down gobs of the stuff everywhere I looked.  The food chain was in overdrive in the Rookery.

It was really something to see so many birds and so many species all in one place.  There were Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Little Blue Herons and White Ibises.  I’m no professional bird watcher but identifying so many different birds gave me a feeling of accomplishment.

Despite the assault on the senses the Rookery is a must see.  This is the kind of wildlife viewing opportunity that makes the Noxubee Refuge so special.

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