INTRODUCTION
Rocky Springs is a major
point on the Natchez Trace from Jackson, but there is much more to explore
along the Natchez Trace! This 444 mile parkway connects Natchez, MS with
Nashville, TN just as it did for the Indians hundreds of years ago. Indian
Mounds remain along the way. This is a very senic route for birders,
campers, bicyclist, motorcyclists, horse riders, and hikers.
Begun in 1938, the Natchez
Trace roadway was completed in 2005. Celebrations locally included 67
antique cars traveling from the new Clinton Visitor Center at Mile 93 to
Natchez (Mile 0). That's one car for each year.
The Natchez Trace is the
sister of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the most visited unit in the National
Park System. They bear the same design right down to bridges and
signposts. Its 469 miles connects the Great Smokey Mountains NP with
Shenandoah NP (Virginia).
Watch for Wild Turkeys on
the Trace near dusk and listen for Chuck-wills-widows after dark (breeding
season). You may even hear a Whip-poor-will. After dark you may see
raccoons, armadillos, o'possums coyotes, or foxes and in winter quite a
few deer grazing along the shoulders of the road.
THE TRACE FROM NATCHEZ
Mile 10 Emerald
Mound - The second largest Indian Mound in North America is only
a couple of miles off the Trace and also a part of the National Park
System. Take the trail up and watch for Hawks, Eagles, Mississippi Kite,
E. Kingbird, and E. Bluebird. The mound is 8 acres - you could have a
football field on top!
Mile 17-19 Cole's
Creek Picnic Areas - There are several creeks along here with
good birding and scenic picnic opportunities. Listen for Yellow-billed
Cuckoos and watch for Summer Tanagers.
Mile 46 Grindstone
Ford / Mangum Mound This is a double stop on the Trace so don't
miss one! Grindstone Ford has a trail to the site of an old crossing on
Bayou Pierre. The trail is a good place for Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and
Vireos. You will cross the Bayou Pierre and Little Bayou Pierre along the
Natchez Trace. Mangum Mound makes a nice overlook, so take the walk to the
top and watch for hawks. To reach the mound take the road that loops back
underneath the roadway from Grindstone Ford.
Rocky
Springs 
Mile 55 -
A scenic place in the spring or fall and good for migration. The Old
Methodist Church is still in use here at Rocky Springs. Watch for the old
safe along the trail nearby. Owens Creek is two and a half miles south at
Mile 52. Here are two waterfalls. One near the parking area and the other
just up the trail toward Rocky Springs. The trail to Owens Creek is in a
picnic area shown on the map. Trail begins near the restrooms. Little Sand
Creek is so pretty - be sure to go wading in the creek! At Owens Creek
(Mile 52.4) the trail crosses the creek on stepping stones (pictured
above) a short distance from the parking area.
EXPECTED BIRDS
Prothonotary Warbler,
Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, N. Parula Warbler, Pine Warbler,
Louisiana Waterthrush, Black & White Warbler, Great Crested
Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, E. Kingbird, Summer Tanager,
Yellow-breasted Chat, Inditgo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, E. Towhee, Carolina Wren, C. Chickadee, Tufted
Titmouse, Brown-headed Nuthatch, White-Breasted Nuthatch, N. Cardinal,
Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Blue Jay, Red-bellied
Woodpecker, Downey Woodpeckers, Red-headed Woodpecker, Chimney Swift, Barn
Swallow, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo and Yellow-throated Vireo.
Other
Birds
Mississippi Kite, E.
Phoebe, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Orchard Oriole, Barred
Owl, Great Horned Owl, and hawks. In winter see River Bend
below.
Spring
Migration on the Trace
in addition to the expected
tropical migrants watch for American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow
Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. This will be late March - May 1 and the
birds will be in the best colors!
Fall
Migration on the Trace
Fall migration is usually
better here than spring. Birds are loading up with fruits and berries
before they make the big flight across or around the gulf. Watch for
American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler,Tennessee Warbler, Yellow-throated
Warbler, Blue-wing Warbler. Nashville Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and
Golden-Wing Warbler are possible. This will be early September thru mid
October.
Mile 106 -
Reservoir Overlook - A scenic place all year that is a good place
to see Wood Ducks, Mallards, Ring-bill Gulls, Mississippi Kites, Great
Blue Heron, Green Heron, American Coot, Belted Kingfisher, Canada Goose,
Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, and Pied-bill Grebes. You could see the Bald
Eagle, American White Pelican, or Brown Pelican.
In winter you can also
expect Hooded Mergansers, Bufflehead, Ring-neck ducks, Scaup, Blue-wing
and Green-wing Teal, N. Shoveler,Gadwall, American Widgeon, Common Loon,
Forster's Tern, Bonapart's Gull, Horned Grebes, White Pelican, Anhinga,
and Double-crested Cormorant. Bring a scope or large binoculars if
possible.
Mile 115 - Pearl
River Waterfowl Refuge (See separate description under Places to
go Birding). This is the exit to take for the Observation Area at Turcotte
Lab and Pipeline Rd.
Mile 122 - Cypress
Swamp - Trail winds through a beautiful cypress swamp.
Expected birds: Look for Prothonotary Warbler, Hooded
Warbler, N. Parula Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Louisiana
Waterthrush, Summer Tanager, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and
Great Blue Heron. Other Birds: Yellow Warbler, Acadian
Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great Creasted Flycatcher, E. Kingbird, Pine
Warbler, Wood Duck, Belted Kingfisher and in migration Least Flycatcher.
In winter Ruby-crowned and Golden Kinglets, Winter Wren,
Orange-crowned Warbler and White-throated Sparrow. You may see small or
even medium sized alligators any time of year.
Mile 123 - River
Bend - Any birds mentioned for the Cypress Swamp above. Look for
Pileated and other woodpeckers, Pine Warbler, Pied-bill Grebe, Anhinga,
Red-wing Blackbird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Great
Egret, Snowey Egret, and Great Blue Heron. Black and Turkey Vultures may
roost across the river and be seen gathering before dusk, especially in
winter. In winter White-Throated Sparrow, Winter Wren,
Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Golden-crowned Kinglets are
possible. You may see alligators in the water any time.
Mile 193 - Jeff
Busby - Trails, campground, and the only store on the Natchez
Trace. Trails can be very good in migration.
Mile 305 - Tishomingo State
Park. |