I was fortunate enough to be able to get out into the field this past Thursday, after a three-month absence. My good friend Richard Ezell and I headed back down to the south end of the Pascagoula WMA, where I hoped to do a little more exploring in the area between John Goff Slough and the Pascagoula River. (I have since discovered that the south end of the Slough may also be referred to as Files Pond on old USGS maps, but I will continue to refer to it as John Goff Slough.) The remoteness of the area and the excellent habitat continue to intrigue me, and I also hoped to perhaps find a way around the northern tip of the ancient oxbow, and to explore along its old outside shoreline.
The day was clear and cool, and blustery. The swamp and bottomland forest was noisy throughout our hike with the groan and crack of the great trees as they bent in the wind. We bore northward from the trailhead, between Lice Lake and the River. Beyond a long, slender lake (unnamed on Google Earth), the trail ended; but we easily navigated the relatively open bottomland, keeping the River in view to our left. Broad swathes of sand in the woods hinted at past flooding by the Pascagoula. Eventually we found a trail again, which turned out to be one I had walked before. We continued northward, and I was pleased to find that the trail did indeed wander around the northern tip of John Goff Slough. Richard and I followed it another mile or two before venturing out into the muck of the old lake bed for a closer look at the baldcypresses and tupelos, then turned to follow the trail back. Our total hike that day was six miles.
The water of John Goff Slough looked very low to me, though the River and nearby lakes seemed full enough. We found no woodpecker scaling of note, and heard no kents, SK's, or DK's; but we saw and heard Pileated, Downy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, along with sapsuckers and flickers. I continue to be impressed with the quality of the habitat there, though, and I hope to return to continue my survey of the Slough's outside shoreline.
The day was clear and cool, and blustery. The swamp and bottomland forest was noisy throughout our hike with the groan and crack of the great trees as they bent in the wind. We bore northward from the trailhead, between Lice Lake and the River. Beyond a long, slender lake (unnamed on Google Earth), the trail ended; but we easily navigated the relatively open bottomland, keeping the River in view to our left. Broad swathes of sand in the woods hinted at past flooding by the Pascagoula. Eventually we found a trail again, which turned out to be one I had walked before. We continued northward, and I was pleased to find that the trail did indeed wander around the northern tip of John Goff Slough. Richard and I followed it another mile or two before venturing out into the muck of the old lake bed for a closer look at the baldcypresses and tupelos, then turned to follow the trail back. Our total hike that day was six miles.
The water of John Goff Slough looked very low to me, though the River and nearby lakes seemed full enough. We found no woodpecker scaling of note, and heard no kents, SK's, or DK's; but we saw and heard Pileated, Downy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, along with sapsuckers and flickers. I continue to be impressed with the quality of the habitat there, though, and I hope to return to continue my survey of the Slough's outside shoreline.
Near the trailhead.
Pascagoula River from the east bank.
Typical view of the bottomland between the River and John Goff Slough.
Richard and a very large water oak at trailside.
The area to the north of us is clear-cut, privately-owned land.
Old woodpecker cavity on a downed baldcypress.
View of the dry swamp forest from the muddy northern edge of John Goff Slough.
Enjoy reading the reports and admire your persistence.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that, Gary. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteChris, can you PM me on IBWO forum please? motiheal, John
ReplyDelete