The Mayes Lake component of LeFleur's Bluff State Park (LBSP) is probably the best all-around birding spot that is convenient to downtown Jackson. While the main component of LBSP is located immediately adjacent to I-55 on Highland Drive, the entrance to Mayes Lake is located two miles away on Lakeland Drive (also called Highway 25). An often productive nature trail (portions of which are sometimes closed) with mature hardwoods and native understory connects the two locations. Part of the trail parallels the Pearl River and passes several picturesque cypress and tupelo gum ponds, one of which was used in the film version of Willie Morris's book "My Dog Skip." The trail entrance on the Mayes Lake side is at the "back" of the picnic grounds near the narrow strip of land that separates the two largest lakes. The trail entrance on the LBSP side is at the rear of the Mississippi Musuem of Natural Science. The LBSP trail entrance is located high on the bluff, and quickly descends down a series of wooden stairs to a pair of narrow cypress oxbox lakes. NOTE: The Mayes Lake area has been targeted for commercial development which would destroy this prime and rapidly vanishing habitat for Mississippi's native birds and wildlife. Do what you can to help preserve it.
