Lake Martin Rookery

Twenty thousand nesting birds return to Lake Martin each year. The rookery is one of the largest waterbird nesting colonies in North America. Over 250 bird species have been documented here — roughly a quarter of all species found in the U.S. and Canada combined. The 9,500-acre Cypress Island Preserve is the largest remaining tract of hardwood forest in the Teche-Vermilion watershed. Great blue herons, snowy egrets, roseate spoonbills, and anhingas nest in branches close enough to the roadside that binoculars aren't required. Alligators move through the shallows directly below the nesting trees. Peak nesting season runs February through June. The rookery road is free and open year-round. Bring binoculars if you want them, but you won't need them to see what you came for.