Whistling-Ducks through Quails

Nesting of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks was established in Crawford Co with the appearance adults with at least 12 recently hatched chicks near Alma, King Ranch along Orrick Road, Crawford Co 18 Jun (Joe Neal). In addition, two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were observed along the Coal Hill BBS route through Clarksville, Johnson Co on 9 Jun and again on 13 Jun (Dan Scheiman). Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are generally becoming common in Western Arkansas.

It is unusual to find a Greater White-fronted Goose in Jul, but for the second year one was found at Bald Knob NWR associating with Canada Geese, White Co 26 Jul (Glenn, Michelle Wyatt). In this same flock a rare hybrid of Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose was identified and photographed. The hybrid was present in the same location the previous summer.

Although the bird may have been injured and could not migrate a summering Common Goldeneye was able to swim away from the observer at Two Rivers Park, Little Rock, Pulaski Co 7 Jul (Beth Peter).

A high number, four, of Hooded Mergansers during breeding season was seen at Beaver Lake Nursery Pond, Benton Co 2 Jun (Joe Neal). One male and three females or fully grown juveniles were present. Hooded Mergansers nested in this area in the early nineteen hundreds.

Northern Bobwhite appear to be making a come-back on prairies in the vicinity of Charleston: Cherokee, Presson-Ogleby, and Flanagan. Eleven birds were seen or heard in these prairies in Franklin Co 1 Jun (Joe Woolbright).

Doves through Warblers

An Inca Dove visited a feeder at a residence in Vilonia, Faulkner Co 20 Jul (Tracie Lemar, Michael Linz, Patty McLean). A total of 15 White-winged Doves were reported this summer: at Hope, Hempstead Co 20 Jun (Tim and Rhonda Irvin); on Oscar Gray Road, Hot Springs, Garland Co 20 Jun (Jerre George); on a power line at Okay Landing, Millwood Lake, Howard Co 12 Jun (Dottie Boyles, Doris Boyles, Karen Holliday); two on Ferguson Road, Crossett, Ashley Co 25 Jun (Bobby Schat); a record of eight at a feeder in Hope, Hempstead Co 20 Jul (Tim Ervin); at a home in Dolph, Izard Co 30 Jul (Edward Tiede).

Sandhill Cranes are more often seen during periods of migration and in the fall and winter; however, it was surprising to find a late migrating individual in a public park in Russellville, Pope Co 6 May (Lisa Anderson).

A very late to migrate Common Loon was spotted at Heber Springs Park Marina, Cleburne Co 16 Jun (Tamalyn and Danny Wortham).

A very rare Willow Flycatcher, a county record, was seen at Cherokee Prairie Natural Area, Franklin Co 12 Jun (Dan, Samantha Scheiman). Willow Flycatchers nested in the prairie in the early-1900s.

A pair of out of season Pine Siskins was joined every now and then by a third adult. The birds are visiting a finch feeder across University Avenue from Cammack Village, Pulaski Co 2 Jun (Cindy Franklin and Bill Burnham).

Currently very rare in Eastern Arkansas, but expanding its range eastward is the Great-tailed Grackle. One was seen on N Bankhead Avenue, Carlisle, Lonoke Co 5 Jul (Brendan Fogarty).

An impressive number of 18 Ovenbirds were seen or heard along Mount Magazine State Park roadways, Logan Co 14 Jun (Joe Neal). This has long been one of the best places to find Ovenbirds in Arkansas.

Report processed by Jose Ramirez-Garofalo, 01 May 2023.