Bird Celebration

The GI Migratory Bird Celebration
April 14 & 15, 2023

The annual Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration will take place April 14 & 15, 2023 throughout the town of Grand Isle. “After a long flight across the Gulf of Mexico, migrating birds flock to Grand Isle to rest after their difficult journey. The island has become one of the best places in the world to see the variety of species flying north,” said Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle. “The Migratory Bird Festival not only celebrates their arrival but provides easy viewing access to visitors.”

This Annual Celebration Event, initiated in 1998, was created in part to support the purchase and management of the Grand Isle Sanctuary to protect some of the last remaining undeveloped chenier habitats (live oak ridges). The event is hosted by the Grand Isle Sanctuary Group, Grand Isle Community Development Team, Town of Grand Isle, The Louisiana Nature Conservancy and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program.

​Activities include:  Kayak tours of nesting birds, boat tours of pelican-rookery Queen Bess Island, expert-led daily tours of Grand Isle birding trails, watch Wildlife and Fisheries catch migrating songbirds for weighing and measuring before release in Lafitte Woods Preserve, History tour of Grand Isle, State Park tour, Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries Research Lab tour and much more.

Download & Mail Registration Form

Mailto:
GICDT
PO Box 944, Grand Isle, LA 70358

Kayaks can be rented by calling Sherry at (225)937-6472. Kayaks will be at the Grand Isle School for you to rent.

Private tours of Queen Bess Rookery can be booked by contacting Keith “Herk” Bergeron owner of “Pair a Dice Charters” at (985)860-7855

Rooms – Hurricane Hole
Jessica Fayard – at (985)-718-9889.

Charters, Kayak Rental, Room Rentals
2023 List of Events
Tour Descriptions

Queen Bess Rooker Boat Tour – (Meet at LA Wildlife and Fisheries building Friday, 2:45 pm – Sat. 6:45 am, 9:45 am and 1:45 pm) – (Limit 5 birders) – Free

Tour the Landry/LeBlanc Tract – (Meet at G. I. School Friday, 3:45 pm - Sat. 6:45 am and 2:45 pm at the G.I. School) – (Limit 25 birders) - guide Seth Blitch

Tour Grand Isle State Park Birding (Meet at G.I. School at 7:45 am to carpool) - (Limit 25 birders) - Guide Joelle Finely and Ken Harris

Tour Elmer’s Island Road and Shoreline - (Meet at G.I. School at 8:45 am) - (Limit 25 birders) – guide Kathy Rhodes

Tour Cox Oil Grass Fields (formerly Exxon) – (Meet at G. I. School at 9:45 am and 2:45 pm) - (Limit 25 birders) – guides: Joelle Finley and Ken Harris

Tour the Grilletta Tract – (Meet at G.I. School at 10:45 am and 2:15 pm) – (Limit 25 birders) – guide Seth Blitch

Photography with George Ritchie – (Meet at G.I. School at 1:45 pm) – (Limit 12 birders) guide George Ritchie

Kayak Tour of Marshes off Ludwig Lane – (Meet at G.I. School at 2:45 pm) - (Limit 25 birders) – guide Seth Blitch

Arrival times for Tours
History of Grand Isle