Date: 4/2/26 1:10 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] AE LeBlanc Old Growth Forest in Plaquemine Point
Posting this for Amber King:
Brandon Johnson and Amber King have been visiting the AE LeBlanc Old Growth Forest in Plaquemine Point to help the homeowner gather iNaturalist data on the plants and wildlife living there. The homeowner has extended an invitation to organizations that want to have a field trip there, and also to any researchers who would like to do a survey or research at the site.
I know Van Remsen has visited the site (unfortunately at a bad time of year), and one other birder visited during the winter (Brandon mentioned her name but I can't remember), so there definitely is a gap in spring bird species data.
Time is of the essence, as the forest is in the path of the new Mississippi River bridge option E-11-IV.
The home owner is available all of May, so Brandon and I wanted to offer to team up to help arrange up a field trip, but he is traveling the first half of May, and I am traveling the second half of May, so I thought I would pivot and share this invitation with you directly just in case there is interest in visiting the site in May regardless of whether Brandon and I are here or not.
A warning though… The site is not accessible to all mobility levels, as there is no trail and requires a long hike over very uneven ground to get to the old growth section. It also collects rainwater, so sometimes knee-high boots are necessary.
It is a wonderfully unique site with a tree canopy so high, you almost forget it is there. I’ve never seen such an undisturbed forest with completely uniform understory grasses and plants. It is so very interesting and I hope it is preserved.
We ran a moth sheet study out there earlier this month and found a rare moth that is only found in a handful of large cypress conservation tracts and state forests in the Southeast, so that tells me that the old growth habitat is incredibly unique.
Feel free to contact her directly. Laura is wonderfully kind and wants to have people visit the site. I would also be happy to be a liaison, if you prefer.
