Summer 2024: 1 Jun–31 Jul
Chris Kellner
ckellner@atu.edu
Recommended citation:
Kellner, C. J. 2025. Summer 2024: Arkansas Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-jhm> North American Birds.
It was a slow summer for birds in Arkansas. Although temperatures were normal, we had very little rain after mid-June which may have influenced bird encounters in Arkansas.
Abbreviations BKWR Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge; LDNP Lake Dardanelle Nichols Property (restricted access)
Ducks to Siskins
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks continue to expand into Arkansas. Two were photographed in Etna, Franklin Co 24 Jun (Rebecca Howell). The only report of a White-winged Dove was of a vocalization heard on Arkansas Dr. in Benton in Saline Co 13 Jul (Devon and Jennifer Moon). A large rail, either King or Virginia was seen along the Buffalo National River near Erbie in Newton Co on 29 Jul (Jack Stewart). Either would be rare/unusual in the area. Two very early Upland Sandpipers were photographed at BKWR in White Co on 1 Jul (Michael Linz). A Laughing Gull was observed on Lake Dardanelle very early in the season at LDNP, Yell Co 4 Jun (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols). Also early was a Ring-billed Gull observed at the Dardanelle Lock and Dam in Yell Co 6 Jul (Kenny and LaDonna Nichols). Brown Boobies have been seen regularly since 2012 and a sixteenth individual was photographed on the Arkansas River in Conway Co 18 Jul (Nathan Mansor). Two juvenile Black-crowned Night-Herons were photographed in a backyard in Sherwood, Pulaski Co 20 Jun (Natalie Alexander). Also unusual were two Roseate Spoonbills that were photographed at BKWR in White Co 23 Jun (Daniel Denman). Vermillion Flycatchers have been seen regularly in Arkansas lately and one was photographed in open fields within Jessieville in Garland Co 7 Jun (Elmore Loretta). Finally, a very late Pine Siskin was observed in Hot Springs Village in Garland Co 12 Jun (Janis Rowe).
Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 25 Jul 2025.
Photos–Arkansas: Summer 2024
