Audubon Society of Central Arkansas

     Join our field trip and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), experiencing the excitement of spring migration. At least four thousand different species of birds are moving from their southern wintering grounds to their northern summer nesting sites. It will be a great day to be outside enjoying nature. This birding trip is also a BirdAR Birdathon team. This is a fun, friendly competition among the teams to raise money for bird conservation in Arkansas, sponsored by Audubon Arkansas. Donate to the team by going to ar.audubon.org/birdathon/asca.

     Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Gillam Park in the far parking lot. It’s moderate walking on fairly level, but possibly muddy trails. Gillam is great for spring warblers. Once finished at Gillam, we’ll head to Industrial Harbor Road and the David D. Terry Lock & Dam area to look for Western Kingbirds, Bobolinks, spring warblers, and Painted Buntings. Bring water and snacks, the trip can last into early afternoon. Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots.

     Directions—Gillam Park is in southeast Little Rock near the airport. Address is 5300 Gillam Park Road, Little Rock. Take I-30 West south from Little Rock. Merge onto I-440 going towards the airport. Take Exit 1-Springer Road. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Springer Road. Go approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto Gillam Park Road. Follow it into the park to the last parking lot.

     Coordinates: 34.7068, -92.2560 

 Meet at 6:30 a.m. at the Mayflower commuter lot located at Exit 135 off I-40 West.  It’s approximately a 2 hour drive to Frog Bayou. Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area was established in 2005 by the AGFC in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service. This former farm is a wetland restoration area, with migratory waterfowl as its main user. Secretive marsh birds like Sora, Virginia Rail, and Least Bittern will be our target birds. A variety of wading birds also visit the area.  Walking the moist soil units will be on level dirt paths. If time allows, we’ll check the Alma Sewer Treatment Facility area for Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. 
 Bring water, snacks, and lunch. We’ll return to Little Rock by late afternoon.
 For those in western Arkansas who would like to join us, meet our group at 8:45 a.m. at the Phillips 66 Truck Stop located at the Dyer Exit 20 on the south side of I-40.  The truck stop is on your right just before the Hwy. 64 intersection.  Breakfast and lunch items are available at the truck stop.