NORTHWEST ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY

October 11-13, 2024 - Sparrows at Woolsey Wet Prairie
(RSVP: Limit 10 per trip)

The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a series of birding field trips to Woolsey Wet Prairie on three consecutive mornings—Friday, October 11th to Sunday, October 13th—at 8:00 AM. Woolsey Wet Prairie Wildlife Sanctuary is a wetland mitigation site and former seasonal wetland associated with tallgrass prairie habitat. Woolsey has an esteemed reputation amongst local birders for delivering special wetland and grassland birds that are difficult to find elsewhere in Northwest Arkansas. In mid-October, this is THE spot to find LeConte's Sparrows and, with luck, maybe even Nelson's and Henslow's Sparrows. We'll also be on the lookout for Marsh Wren and Sedge Wren. Parking at Woolsey is limited, and a smaller group has better chances of finding small cryptic birds, so we're offering multiple *small* trips, limited to 10 participants each. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Woolsey parking area (GPS: 36.064467, -94.232408 ). Expect to walk 1-2 miles across flat, well-maintained mowed grass trails for up to two hours. There are no facilities at this location.
Limited to 10 attendees per trip. RSVP at trips@nwarkaudubon.org. In your email, please include the trip name, your name(s), and the total number in your party. Also, indicate which trip you'd like to attend. If you're available on other dates, please include a backup date as well in case your first preference is full.

• Woolsey Trip #1, Fri, Oct 11, 8:00am. Leaders: Taylor Long, Mitchell Pruitt
• Woolsey Trip #2, Sat, Oct 12, 8:00am. Leaders: Kenny Younger, Jeremy Cohen
• Woolsey Trip #3, Sun, Oct 13, 8:00am. Leaders: Tyler & Mollie Ficker

Saturday, October 19, 2024 - Fall at Ninestone Land Trust (RSVP: Limit 25)

Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a fall migration hike at Ninestone Land Trust (GPS coordinates: 36.227713, -93.547752) on Saturday, October 19th, at 9:00 AM. Birders are welcome, of course, but so are botanists, hikers, and those who just want to explore the rural Ozarks. Ninestone is an affiliate of the Ozark Land Trust and protects 412 acres of unique and valuable habitats: a waterfall that cascades over sandstone kettles into Piney Creek, classical Ozark upland fields, sandstone glades, soaring bluff lines, stands of mixed hardwoods and native shortleaf pines. On this casual hike, we will identify migrating birds and other native flora and insects, enjoy Piney Creek and picturesque bluffs, and visit glade restoration areas. After the hike, we'll have lunch overlooking the waterfall, so bring food for yourself and/or something to share with others. The trip is free and open to the public. You do not need to be an NWAAS member to attend.
Limited to 25 attendees. RSVP at trips@nwarkaudubon.org with the trip name, your name, and the number attending.
More details...

Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Winter Waterfowl at Lake Fayetteville

Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a birding field trip to Lake Fayetteville on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, starting at 9:00 AM. The focus of this trip will be winter waterfowl (ducks, geese, grebes) that accumulate on the lake at this time of year. We will meet at the trailhead parking lot South of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Address: 4607 N Crossover Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72764) and make our way along a forest trail to the site of the former Mulhollan Waterfowl Blind that sadly burned down this year. Despite the loss of the blind, we will still do our best to survey waterfowl on the lake from this vantage point. The walk to the blind and back will be approximately 1.25 miles on flat dirt trails and boardwalks with the trip lasting no more than 2 hours. If waterfowl are congregating on the North or West sides of the lake, we may add an optional addition to the trip by driving around to the ONSC dock, or the marina. There is no participant limit, but please RSVP to trips@nwarkaudubon.org with the trip name, your name, and the number attending so we know how many to expect.
More details...

Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Fayetteville Christmas Bird Count

The 2024 Fayetteville Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will be held on Sunday, December 15th. This all-day bird census involves a number of teams spreading out to survey different zones around Fayetteville. At the end of the day, we reunite to gather our data into one official report to be submitted to the National Audubon Society's database that stretches back a century. There are plenty of opportunities for new birders to join more experienced teams for some or all of the day.
Email CBC Coordinator Mitchell Pruitt if you are interested in joining: mitchellpruitt24@gmail.com.