Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Mayflower commuter lot off I-40 West at Exit 135. We’ll carpool to Delaware Park, located on the southwest side of Lake Dardanelle. We should arrive at the Delaware Park boat ramp around 9:15 a.m. for anyone who wants to meet us there. We’ll scan the lake for gulls, pelicans, loons, mergansers, ducks, grebes, and eagles. A rare gull or duck is a possibility.
Next, we’ll caravan to the Holla Bend NWR headquarters’ parking lot. There is a $4.00 entrance fee per vehicle. A duck stamp or a National Parks pass will get a vehicle in for free. Our target birds will be raptors, including nesting Bald Eagles, also swans, ducks, geese, and sparrows. We’ll return to Little Rock late afternoon. The lake can be very cold and windy. Dress in layers, including gloves and hats. At Holla Bend, there will be some walking in tall grass, so boots are recommended. Bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water.
Directions from the town of Dardanelle to Delaware Park: At the junction of Hwy. 7 and Hwy. 22, go west on Hwy 22 approximately 10 miles. Turn right onto Hwy. 393, which is the first road on your right after you cross the long causeway at the west end of the lake. Hwy. 393 dead ends at Delaware Park. GPS coordinates: 35.295749, -93.271458. For more information about the Holla Bend NWR, go to http://www.fws.gov/hollabend/. The headquarters is located at 10448 Holla Bend Road, Dardanelle, AR 72834. GPS coordinates: 35.163222, -93.093477.