GET TO KNOW THE WILDLIFE
Tara’s commitment to sustainable use and management of natural resources means that there is an abundance of wildlife on the 9,000 acres of lakes, riverbanks, and forests that make up the property.
Guests staying at our cabins or lodges are welcome to walk the gravel roads, woods roads and levees, ride their bicycles, or even canoe on our lakes to view wildlife and scenic areas.
Wildlife at Tara
Some of the animals you can expect to see include white-tailed deer, armadillos, raccoons, ruby-throated hummingbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, opossums, beaver, eastern wild turkeys, foxes, river otters, skunks, rabbits, fox squirrels, alligators, and maybe even a bobcat or coyote.
Tara is in the Mississippi Flyway, providing seasonal resting spots for many migratory birds in spring, fall, and winter.
Nature Trails
Enjoy a walk on one of our nature trails. Trails are easy to moderate and range from 2.4 miles (round trip) to 3.8 miles. The trails pass through a variety of southern habitats and you may see indigo and painted buntings, wintering waterfowl, Wood ducks all year round, foxes, white-tailed deer, turkey and much more of our native Mississippi Delta wildlife. View a map of the nature trails PDF).
Open-Air Wildlife Watching Bus
Take a tour of Tara on our open-air birding and wildlife watching bus. Be sure to bring your binoculars as guides will point out wildlife and roosting locations as you ride through the property. This guided tour is available to groups with advance reservations. Contact our friendly staff to make your reservations at 601-768-8211.
Eight miles of Tara lie along the Mississippi River, providing seasonal nesting and roosting areas for an abundance of wildlife.
Mississippi River Nature Weekend
The Mississippi River Nature Weekend is held each August, providing a variety of outdoor recreational activities and educational activities to our guests. Guests can enjoy bird watching, canoeing on the local lakes, tethered hot air balloon rides, seminars and more. The overnight package includes lodging, reception, meals, nature seminars, open-air bus tour, and music for the evening entertainment. Day visitors are welcome.
Spring Outdoor & Birding Weekend
In late April or early May, you can enjoy guided bird watching tours at sunrise and sunset, led by local birding enthusiasts. There are also short seminars on topics of interest at our birding weekends. Packages include meals, lodging, tours, and social events. Day visitors are welcome.
Read What is the Spring Birding Weekend Like? A Personal Account
Wildlife Watching Articles
