Geese through Limpkins

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continue to expand within Arkansas. Two were photographed at Williams Lake in Vilonia, Faulkner Co 31 Aug (Theresa Wright). One was also observed at Lake Dardanelle, Nichols Property (restricted access) on 22 Nov, Yell Co (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols). An American Black Duck was also observed at Lake Dardanelle, Nichols Property (restricted access) on 22 Nov, Yell Co (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols). The largest group of Black Scoters ever recorded in Arkansas (n=20) was observed at the Alma Water Treatment Plant in Crawford Co 27 Nov (Sandy Berger). This was a good year for Long-tailed Ducks. Two were observed in Yell Co at Lake Dardanelle, Nichols Property (restricted access) one on 23 Nov. An additional one, colored differently, was observed on 24 Nov at the same location in Yell Co. (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols).

White-throated Swifts are exceptionally rare in Arkansas. Two and possibly three White–throated Swifts were observed and one was photographed near the observation tower in Hot Springs National Park on North Mtn. in Garland Co 29 Nov (Steven Warmack). This is only the third time White-throated Swifts have been seen in Arkansas. An unusually large group of 510 Chimney Swifts was observed entering a Chimney Swift Tower in Cabot in Lonoke Co 2 Oct (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols). A very unusual leucistic Rufous/Allen’s hummingbird was photographed at a residence in Crittenden Co 24 Sep (Gail Kyzar). Another in normal plumage was photographed at 474 Madison St. in Huntsville in Madison Co 14 Sep (Randy Ridgeway). Limpkins continue to be seen regularly in Arkansas. One was photographed at the Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc Wildlife Management Area in Hempstead Co on 23 Oct (James Vaitkus).

Sandpipers through Harriers

A large group of 22 American Avocets was recorded at Beaverfork Lake in Faulkner Co on 23 Oct (Bill Burnham). A Piping Plover was observed at the Little Rock Port Authority in Pulaski Co on 2 Aug (Kenny and LaDonna Nichols). Two Ruddy Turnstones were photographed at the Oxidation Ponds in Clark Co 31 Aug (Renn & Terry Tumlison). Two Sanderlings were observed at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge in White County on 12 Aug (Kenny and LaDonna Nichols). Red-necked Phalaropes are rarely observed in Arkansas. One was photographed at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, White Co 29 Aug (Dawna Stirrup).

Laughing Gulls are rare in our area. Three individuals of different age classes were observed on three different dates (one bird on each occasion) at Lake Dardanelle, Nichols Property (restricted access) on 13 Aug, 26 Sep and 27 Nov, Yell Co (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols). Lesser Black-backed Gulls are also uncommon in our area. Three were observed at Lake Dardanelle, Nichols Property (restricted access) on 19 Aug in Yell Co (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols); two more were seen at the same location on 10 Oct and then another observation of one was made on 25 Nov at the same location.

A very early Common Loon was photographed at Norfork Lake Baxter Co on 14 Aug (Kristy Shockley). The first record of an Anhinga in Northwest Arkansas was observed 8 Aug (Joanie Patterson) and photographed 14 Aug at Lake Sequoia in Washington Co (Todd Ballinger). Also, documented farther north than usual was a Tricolored Heron, photographed at the Little Rock Port Authority in Pulaski Co 17 Aug (Lance Runion). Unusual for this time of year, a Glossy/White-faced Ibis was observed at Lake Nimrod in Perry Co 13 Aug (Kenny and LaDonna Nichols). A very early Northern Harrier was observed at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge in White Co 12 Aug (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols).

Flycatchers through Bobolinks

The fourth record of Say’s Phoebe for Boone Co was photographed at Bull Shoals Lake at the Lead Hill Public Use Area on 17 Aug (Heather Cook). The third state record of an Ash-throated Flycatcher was photographed at the Beaver Lake Nursery Pond Benton Co on 10 Oct (Robert Langston). Vermilion Flycatchers are showing up more regularly in Arkansas. One was observed on the University of Arkansas Experimental Farm in Fayetteville Washington Co 25 Sep (Robert Caulk) and another was photographed along Hardin Rd in Crittenden Co 14 Nov (Devin Moon). Very few Bewick’s Wrens have been recorded in Arkansas lately, but one was observed on Loop Road in Sherwood in Pulaski Co 9 Oct (Guy Luneau).

Two Red Crossbills were observed on Loop Road in Sherwood in Pulaski Co 21 Oct (Guy Luneau). The 17th record of a Lesser Goldfinch was photographed at Mill Branch Park in Goshen in Washington Co 28 Nov (Chris Dillard). Finally, a very early fall migrating Bobolink was observed along Frazier Pike in Pulaski Co 2 Aug (Aster Droste).

Report processed by Eric DeFonso, 17 Mar 2025.