Image

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY

The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society is a registered non-profit organization serving the four-county region of northwest Arkansas -- Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties, committed to Preserving the Natural World in Northwest Arkansas through Education, Environmental Study and Habitat Protection.

Quick links

To navigate this website, click on the menu icon at the top left of this page.

Upcoming Field Trips & Events

All field trips are free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of NWAAS to attend. For questions or to RSVP, email trips@nwarkaudubon.org

Saturday, March 16, 2024 - Brown-headed Nuthatches at Shores Lake

The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip to Shores Lake in the Ozark National Forest on Saturday March 16, 2024, starting at 9:00 AM. This area features mature shortleaf pine habitat that's the best place in Northwest Arkansas to find our target species: Brown-headed Nuthatch. We'll enjoy all the fine birds this pine forest offers, keeping a keen eye out for Red Crossbill, which has been seen in this area in the past. Bill Beall, veteran birder from Ft. Smith will co-lead this trip. Meet at 9 AM at the Shores Lake picnic area entrance (GPS: 35.640199, -93.959962) on the west side of the lake. We'll bird around the lake and surrounding area for a few hours. You are welcome to leave whenever you need. For those who want to keep birding in the afternoon, Bill Beall will lead us down to the Kibler Bottoms and Frog Bayou WMA area (near Alma, AR) to explore the ponds, river, and agricultural fields in the valley. RSVP at trips@nwarkaudubon.org with the trip name, your name, and the number attending.
More details...

Sunday, April 21, 2024 - 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 21, 2024 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: 35.837772,-94.2681282), then slowly 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. After lunch, those up for a more challenging walk may hike the steep trail down the creek to search for Louisiana Waterthrush. The trip is free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of NWAAS to attend. Limited to 25 attendees. RSVP at trips@nwarkaudubon.org with the trip name, your name, and the number attending.
More details...

Sunday, April 28, 2024 - Spring at Ninestone Land Trust

Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a spring migration hike around Ninestone Land Trust in Carroll County (GPS coordinates: 36.227713, -93.547752) on Sunday, April 28, at 9:00 AM. An affiliate of the Ozark Land Trust, Ninestone 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. Taylor Long and Ninestone founder and steward Judy Griffith will lead participants on a hike to identify and enjoy migrating birds and other native flora and insects, enjoy Piney Creek and picturesque bluffs, and visit glade restoration areas. Expect the hike to cover ~1.5 miles across a mix of formal and informal soft-surface trails. Some walking near high cliff areas and moderate scrambling over boulders is involved in completing the hike loop, but participants are welcome to turn back at any point and enjoy the waterfall from the comfort of the porch. After the hike, we'll have lunch overlooking the waterfall, so bring food for yourself and/or something to share with others. Limited to 25 attendees. RSVP at trips@nwarkaudubon.org with the trip name, your name, and the number attending.
More details...

May 3-5, 2024 - Arkansas Audubon Society Spring Convention at Petit Jean State Park

The 2024 Spring Convention of the Arkansas Audubon Society will be held May 3-5 at beautiful Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton. This meeting of birders from around the state offers outstanding speakers, field trips, and activities! Several types of lodging have been reserved. Register by April 3rd to reserve rooms and get early bird pricing.
More details and registration...

May 4-5, 2024 - Birders Weekend at Devil's Den State Park

Devil's Den State Park will host a number of bird-themed activities during the weekend of May 4th-5th as part of their annual "Birders Weekend." NWAAS will co-host some bird outings. Check back here for more details in April.

June 8, 2024 - 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 8th, 2024 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. As always, the trip is free and open to the public. You do not need to be a member of NWAAS to attend. RSVP at trips@nwarkaudubon.org with the trip name, your name, and the number attending.
More details...

Field trips for July, August, and September will be posted in June.

Past Field Trips

A man using his hands to illustrate the spiral flight display of a woodcock as three participants watch.
Dr. David Krementz explaining American Woodcock flight display at start of a field trip on February 22, 2020