51³Ô¹ÏÍø Birding
Interested in birds or birdwatching? 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's urban-situated campus is an important migratory flyway with an active birder community!
Click the link below to learn about the species of birds observed at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
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Organizer
- Elizabeth Sigler, Director of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Center for Undergraduate Research & Creativity and Assistant to the Vice President for Research & Economic Development
NFWF Urban Bird Treaty Grant
In 2021, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø received a $34,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to create an urban bird habitat on campus and support educational programming connected to environmental conservation. The grant funded habitat restoration, the creation of a birding trail on campus, and educational experiences for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø TRiO Upward Bound students.
The project established a 1-mile birding trail at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø—with interpretive signage, designated parking, and an accompanying website—and project leaders conducted regular bird counts to monitor populations along the route. The Greater New Orleans chapters of the Native Plant Initiative and Louisiana Master Naturalists worked with volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs at two sites along the trail—totaling 4 acres—enhancing campus canopy and providing birds with needed refuge.
Elizabeth Sigler, John Bishop, and Dan Shahar submitted and received the grant.
Annual Reports
In The News
Audubon Delta: New Orleans Rooftop_Nesting Pilot Year 2023 (51³Ô¹ÏÍø Least Terns)
USFWS Winter 2022 News (pg.3)
Trees Planted
The goal of the grant was to plant 120 trees and shrubs. The total trees planted throughout the life of the grant amounted to 140 trees/shrubs and 43 perennials—significantly exceeding initial expectations.
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Fine Arts Woodlot
On January 29, 2022 — 58 trees and shrubs:
- 3 winterberry hollies
- 5 eastern redcedars
- 3 Mexican plums
- 3 yaupon hollies
- 3 possumhaws
- 3 American hornbeams
- 3 swamp cyrillas
- 3 sweet bay magnolias
- 6 winged sumacs
- 5 American beautyberries
- 5 Virginia willows
- 3 wax myrtles
- 5 arrowwood viburnums
- 3 fringe trees
- 5 pokeberries
On April 1, 2022 — 8 trees:
- 2 Nuttall oaks
- 6 Mrs. Schiller’s Delight viburnums
On December 3, 2022 — 43 perennials
- 17 native perennials for Woodlot Island Plantings
- 26 four-inch Perennials for Woodlot edges (Blue Mistflower, Eupatorium serotine)
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Liberal Arts Woodlot
On December 3, 2022 — 37 trees:
- 9 Green Ashes, Pin Oaks
- 14 Eastern Red Cedars, Swamp Tupelos, Spruce Pines
- 2 Carpinus carolinianas
- 7 Eastern Redbuds, Tulip Poplars
- 5 Yaupon Hollies 'Hodgkins Shadow,' donated by Jefferson Feed
On January 28, 2023 — 37 trees:
- 36 Winged Sumacs, Bur Oaks, Swamp Chestnut Oaks, Mockernut Hickories, Cherry Laurels, Yaupon Hollies
- 1 Chalk Maple
51³Ô¹ÏÍø Birding Trail
Directions
If approaching from Leon C. Simon Drive:
Turn into campus on Founders Road—the road closest to the London Avenue Canal. Follow Founders Road until it curves and becomes Levee Road. A parking area will be on your right.
If approaching from Lakeshore Drive:
Turn into campus from Lake Pontchartrain and turn right on Levee Road. Before the road curves and becomes Founders Road, a parking area will be on your left.
If approaching from Elysian Fields Avenue:
Turn into campus on Alumni Drive, passing the University Center. Turn right on Milneburg Road. Follow Milneburg Road until it curves and becomes Levee Road. Before the road curves again and becomes Founders Road, a parking area will be on your left.
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