Soda Lake WMA in Louisiana

Today I went to Soda Lake WMA near Shreveport, Louisiana. Description from the official site:

"Soda Lake WMA was historically a seasonal lake that flooded during late winter and spring. A similar water regime continues today, but only the bluffs located on the western edge of the WMA remain above flood level. The lower elevation habitat is a broken woodland consisting of willow, cottonwood, ash, hackberry, and overcup oak. Due to annual flooding, the understory is very sparse and contains rattan, peppervine, dewberry, and sawbriars. Open areas support wild millet, smartweed, and several species of grasses.

The rugged escarpment of Twelve Mile Bayou on the western edge of the area supports a diverse, old growth forest. Approximately 35 acres in size, this forest is a unique natural upland plant community of shortleaf pine, sweetgum, and white, post, cherrybark, shumard, and cow oak. The dominant trees are estimated to be 100 to 130 years old. Two rare plants, American alumroot (Heuchra americana L.) and lowland brittle fern (Cystopteris protrusa Bernh.) have been found growing on the north and east-facing bluffs."

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2760

I've been wanting to go because it's the nearest Louisiana WMA to where I live. I checked the observations last night, and until the wonderful @royaltyler visited it in September, there were no observations!

I arrived at the northern parking lot around lunch time. I could hear red-winged blackbird, crows, towhee, and yellow-rumped warblers. Lots of little yellows and phaon crescents flitted around in the sunlight. I spent over an hour just documenting species on the edges of the parking lot!

I walked along the edge of the bayou looking for promising fishing spots and found a few. The trail ended on a gravel road, and I wished I had that mountain bike that I put in layaway paid off so I could pedal far down the road. I documented some common plants before turning around because it was getting late.

I have a method for blitzing a new area. You don't have to use it, but it works for me. When I make the "first sweep" of a new area I focus on documenting the common species like chickadees and oaks to get them out of the way. On subsequent visits, I go back with a fine-toothed comb, doing things like turning over logs to look for invertebrates. Today was the "first sweep" for that section of the park.

Things to know if you visit Soda Lake WMA:

1). There is no sign for the park on the roadside, so it's easy to miss.
2). All Louisiana WMA's require a Wild Louisiana Stamp to enter. They are $9.50/year and can be bought here: https://la-web.s3licensing.com/ When you get to the catalogue, the stamp is under the hunting section.
3). Everyone is required to fill out a permit form. They are on a green kiosk near the entrance of the ATV trail. You will be fined if caught without one. The rangers DO check; one was in the parking lot asking for them.
4). The park is very swampy. Bring your waterproof boots and mosquito spray.
5). Have lots of fun! This is a beautiful park!

Posted on Νοέμβριος 18, 2018 0257 ΠΜ by cosmiccat cosmiccat

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cosmiccat

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Νοέμβριος 17, 2018 02:55 ΜΜ CST

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cosmiccat

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Νοέμβριος 17, 2018 01:52 ΜΜ CST

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Soda Lake WMA

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cosmiccat

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Νοέμβριος 17, 2018 12:20 ΜΜ CST

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If you come back message me first and I will join you. I live fairly closeby. You should have seen this place before they mowed all the trails. It was a pollinator paradise for a few months this summer. The road to the boat launch where you parked was great, but even better was the road behind the gate.

Αναρτήθηκε από royaltyler πάνω από 5 χρόνια πριν

I'm going to the south end this weekend, if you want to join.

Αναρτήθηκε από cosmiccat πάνω από 5 χρόνια πριν

Great post! I'm going to a funeral in Plain Dealing this week and was looking to see what is around if I have time on my way home. Glad you mentioned about the permit!

Αναρτήθηκε από kimberlietx περίπου 5 χρόνια πριν

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