Louisiana
Islands off Louisiana coast, newly rebuilt, providing homes for brown pelicans
Nesting material to be used for nesting on Queen Bess Island Near Grand Isle, La. Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. Queen Bess Island is a 37-acre island located near Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish. It is the fourth largest brown pelican rookery in Louisiana, producing 15-20 percent of the state’s nesting activity. It is also nesting habitat for about 10 species of nesting colonial water birds, such as tri-colored herons, great egrets and royal terns. Developed in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, it is designed to restore suitable colonial waterbird nesting and brood-rearing bird habitat on the island through the placement of dredged material, vegetative plantings, and limestone rip rap and aggregate. The project calls for the enhancement of the existing rock ring, the strategic placement of bird ramps around the island, and the installation of breakwaters. These project features are intended to protect the island and enhance its nesting and brooding habitat. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLAcom, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)