Hi, Jed,
I don't know if they get these emails, but Wanda and Michael Beelman bird this area often, and they have been great help to me when looking for loons and waterfowl and even owls in the area in years past.
As Jody indicated, the area has been highly developed. But before construction was completed, my husband and I would drive through the area to bird, and we have driven through the development a few times since to try our luck.
I believe the last time I birded the area, I went through the new development since the houses have been built, but I was able to pull over and park near the playground areas where I could get out of my car and look for waterfowl in the ponds.
There is also a canal with a small road that goes behind the gorilla fireworks place, near the interstate, and dead ends at a few houses. Waders and waterfowl in the canal and osprey atop poles, as well as small birds flitting across the road back and forth, as it is a low travel area, can sometimes be seen. At the dead end, you may be able to walk to the former pay pier, though I have not tried it myself.
There is also an apartment complex that you can drive to near that canal road and there is a small canal along side it, last time I went, that held waterfowl and waders.
Thank you for bringing up this topic, as it has been a puzzle for me as well, and I look forward to hearing feedback from other birders. It is one of our many unexplored areas that hopefully will be preserved for more to enjoy.
Happy birding all!
Terri Skelton
On Monday, January 13, 2025 at 12:16:40 PM CST, feralbiologist via groups.io <feralbiologist...> wrote:
LaBirders,
Seeking intel about where specifically people bird at
Howze beach in St. Tammany. Map pins and/or detailed
descriptions will be greatly appreciated. Please email me
off-list if you can help: <feralbiologist at gmail.com>.
