Upcoming Field Trips
All field trips are free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of NWAAS to attend. Questions? Email trips@nwarkaudubon.org
Sunday April 23, 2023 – Warblers at Wattle Hollow
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a casual bird walk at Wattle Hollow Retreat Center deep in the Boston Mountains on Sunday, April 23 2023 at 9:00 AM. We will explore hardwood forests, a small farm, and stream environments in search of spring migrants, especially warblers that are often just arriving at this time of year. We'll meet at the top of the driveway (GPS: 35.837750, -94.267806), then slow walk ~1.25 miles toward Wattle Creek ending at the retreat center around noon. If you wish to stay for lunch, bring food for yourself or something to share with others.
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Saturday May 6, 2023 – Birder's Weekend at Devil's Den
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society and Devil's Den State Park will host a field trip on Saturday May 6, 2023, starting at 9:00 AM. The Den includes Lee Creek valley in the Boston Mountains near Winslow. This is an easy guided bird walk open to everyone. Much of this is on paved surfaces (for example 0.6 mile walk through campground A) so quite a bit will work for those with mobility impairments. Meet in the parking area at the lower Devil's Den Trailhead on the south side of Lee Creek bridge on Saturday morning at 9:00 AM (GPS: 35.781349, -94.249876). The walk generally lasts a couple of hours. We often see a bunch of birds. Depending upon how the day goes, we may continue to other areas of the park. As on all NWAAS field trips, please feel free to come and go as suits you.
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Sunday May 7, 2023 – Spring at Ninestone Land Trust
Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a spring migration hike around Ninestone Land Trust (GPS: 36.227713, -93.547752) on Sunday, May 7 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 spring wildflowers, 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 or something to share with others.
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Saturday May 20, 2023 – Prothonotary Warblers at Lake Sequoyah
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a morning field trip to Lake Sequoyah on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 8:00 AM. This city park southeast of Fayetteville is one of our region's most productive birding hotspots; we'll admire everything it has to offer, but our goal will be to identify Prothonotary Warblers that have just returned from wintering grounds in Central and South America to nest in Northwest Arkansas. Lake Sequoyah is one of the best places in Washington County to see these spectacular warblers. The field trip will be led by local birder Todd Ballinger, an English teacher at Fayetteville High School, who has extensive experience birding at this location. Meet at the main marina paved parking lot promptly at 8:00 AM (GPS: 36.0556621, -94.0647094).
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Sunday June 4, 2023 – Cerulean Warblers at Cave Mountain
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip to Cave Mountain and the upper Buffalo River in Newton County Sunday, June 4 at 9:00 AM. Birding and botanizing go hand-in-hand on this field trip, but our most sought-after prize will be the fabulous Cerulean Warbler that breeds on these slopes. Other local specialties include Hooded Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, and Wood Thrush. We'll meet at 9:00 AM at the Boxley Bridge (GPS: 35.961136, -93.404506) where Cave Mountain Rd. (Co Rd 5) splits off of HWY 21. We will make our way up Cave Mountain, then head north on HWY 21 towards Ponca ending around noon. The trip will consist mostly of driving to different stops with modest walking and no extensive hiking. All ages and experience levels are welcome.
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Saturday June 10, 2023 – Intro to Betty Hinshaw Bird Sanctuary
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society and the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust will co-lead a field trip to Betty Hinshaw Bird Sanctuary on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 9:00 AM. Birders will have the opportunity to explore this newly protected sanctuary of 25 acres along Wildcat Creek, guided by an NWA Land Trust representative who will share management plans to support grassland birds. We hope this trip will serve as an introduction to birders interested in this new sanctuary and encourage more regular visits in the future. The trip will consist of ~1 mile of hiking around a former farm pasture with flat but uneven ground. We'll plan for two hours but participants may come and go as they please. Sturdy shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, and water are encouraged. The Sanctuary is located at 2150 County Rd 84, Springdale AR. The driveway to access the sanctuary has a large white cow statue at its entrance. Follow the driveway around the lake, then fork to the right down towards the open field (do not proceed up the hill, this is a private residence). Parking should be available in the field (GPS: 36.144923, -94.236811) and overflow parking is available in the church parking lot across from the driveway entrance.
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Field trips for July, August, and September will be posted in June.
