Get Outside - Field Trips and Bird Walks
HSV Audubon Field Trips and Bird Walks are a great opportunity to see and learn about what Nature has to offer. Explore trails in and around Hot Springs Village, with a knowledgeable and experienced group leader.
Upcoming Events
Who can participate?
Unless otherwise noted
HSV Audubon field trips & bird walks are open to
MEMBERS ONLY.
If there is room, members may bring a guest(s) after contacting the field trip group leader. No pets, please!
If you wish to participate in a Field Trip AND did not sign-up at the monthly program meeting, please send an email to the field trip group leader with the field trip date in the subject line. The trip leader will confirm the maximum group size has not been reached. If space is still available, you will be added to the group roster and be given information pertaining to meeting time and location, approximate trip duration, and items to bring.
plan on joining us next time.
HSV AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS & BIRD WALKS
ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY.
Members may bring a guest(s) after contacting the Field Trip leader to confirm that space is available. The leader will establish meeting time, location, approximate trip duration, and a list of items you need to bring. All participants must sign a release form in advance. NO PETS, PLEASE!
As a member of HSV Audubon or guest who is participating in this activity, you agree to practice birding ethics, respect wildlife, the environment and the rights of others. You understand that field activities may include encounters with wildlife, walking, operating a golf cart, driving or riding in a car and hereby release HSV Audubon, the board and committee members from all liability.
Past Events:
Popular Destinations:
Boyd Point in Pine Bluff
Hummingbird banding trip to Cook's Lake Educational Center
Richardson Bottoms - swamp/wetland & mixed forest area
Annual Migratory Bird Count at Brookhill Ranch
Bell Slough
Cedar Creek Trail in HSV
Beaver Dam Trail in HSV.
Holla Bend NWR
As part of the GBBC - Great Backyard Bird Count - we will survey most of the Village lakes. Waterfowl is the primary target, but all birds will be counted.
Suttgart Airport
Past Field Trip Report
Nov 12 Vic Prislipsky Nature Conservancy Cooper Nature Preserve
Twenty-one HSV Audubon members enjoyed a glorious fall morning at the Cooper Nature Preserve this Saturday. It was the first time for most of us to see the fine work done by the Nature Conservancy crew.
Although the birding started out slowly, we finished strong. A few had a quick, long distance look at a Bald Eagle. Most all had good looks at Goldfinches, male and female Purple Finches, a Hermit Thrush, Pileateds and both Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets. White-throated Sparrows were numerous. Of course we had the usual Chickadees, Titmice, Crows, etc.
Thanks to Barbara Baker for researching the mystery moss seen hanging from the pines across the river as a lichen commonly called Old Man's Beard. Possible we have a late season record in Arkansas for these birds.
June 15 Vic Prislipsky Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA
Our search for the Painted Bunting was "mission accomplished" on our trip to Ed Gordon WMA. We had good looks at 1, 2, 3....wow...6 birds. More than we imagined were there.
Throw in close perching looks at a Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow-billed Cuckoo and you have a fine Field Trip. Then a special bonus - on the way back we decided to take some cross country farm field roads. Tons of Red-winged Blackbirds and Cow Birds.
Then, all of a sudden 4 Northern Harrier hawks flying low and dipping and darting over the rice fields. Harriers should not be here this late, and it's possible we have a late season record in Arkansas for these birds.
Past Field Trip Report
May 18 thru 20 Various Leaders Buffalo River Field Trip
Our late May Field Trip to the Buffalo River area was a great success. We had two out of three days with ideal weather- not bad considering what we have to put up with lately. Also not bad considering we had only 1 potential 911 call.
Fifteen of us met for lunch on Monday at the Ozark Cafe. We went from there to sightsee at Twin Falls (Triple Falls when the water is high) and then to the nationally famous Ruark's Bluff on the Buffalo River. We had some birds in the late afternoon but nothing remarkable.
We met Joe Neal early on Tuesday. For those of you who don't know Joe, understand that he is one of the best birders in Arkansas. We started off with a steep and curvy drive up a mountainside road in search of the threatened Cerulean Warbler. Our first stop included a short hike to a cliff's edge which is where our suspense began. Seventeen of eighteen of us made it to the cliff's perilous edge for a super panoramic view of the upper Buffalo Valley. Because it was a bit cool, our 18th member, a really good husband, went back to the car for his wife's jacket. After a bit we realized that the good husband had not returned.
Back at the cars we called, yelled and honked horns with no response. Imagination can run wild in a case like this but it is always best to stick first with the most likely possibilities. Yes, our good husband missed the trail and dutifully hiked up the road for more than a mile in search of his chilly wife. "Good husband" was eventually located, wife's jacket in hand, by one of our rescue parties. As they say, "all's well that ends well". And, yes, "good husband" got a big hug from his wife and we did see the Cerulean's.
We also had good looks at several other warblers, including Kentucky, Yellow-throated, Ovenbird, and American Redstarts. A Scarlet Tanager was a special treat. We also had good looks at Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos.
Tuesday ended in Jasper with great food, even better company and an impromptu birthday party for one of our members. Our Wednesday plan to see the special birds and plants at Baker's Prairie in Harrison was washed out (what else is new) by an accurate forecast of 100% chance of rain.