Winter 2025–2026: 1 Dec–28 Feb
Chris Kellner
ckellner@atu.edu
Recommended citation:
Kellner, C. J. 2026. Winter 2026: Arkansas. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-lo6> North American Birds.
Arkansas had very unusual weather patterns this winter that influenced the birds observed: the season flipped from very dry to very warm, and finally cold accompanied by an unusually heavy snowstorm that left the state with a persistent snowpack lasting longer than any in recent memory. The most unusual sightings were two separate reports of Scott’s Orioles and a Western Tanager. Many of the songbirds found this time of year are recorded at bird feeders and even poor photos can help with identification.
Abbreviations LDNP Lake Dardanelle Nichols Property (restricted access)
Ducks to Ibis
All three North American scoter species were recorded this winter: A Surf Scoter, the first ever for Sebastian Co, was observed at the James W. Trimble Lock and Dam 19 Dec (Matthew Matlock); a White-winged Scoter was photographed on Lake Balboa 6 Dec in Garland Co (Vic Prislipsky); and a Black Scoter was observed on LDNP on 8 Dec in Yell Co (Kenny and LaDonna Nichols and Clay Hooten). Two Long-tailed Ducks were photographed on Shores Lake in Franklin Co (the first county record) 18 Dec (Matthew Matlock).
Three Inca Doves were photographed in Plainview, Yell Co 23 Dec (Sonya Bonn). A Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird was photographed on 30 Dec in East-Central Sebastian Co (Pamela Logan).
Two species of ibis were photographed in Arkansas this winter: A very late juvenile White Ibis at the Arkadelphia Oxidation Ponds (restricted access) in Clark Co 10 Jan (Renn and Terry Tumlison); and a White-faced/Glossy Ibis off of Orrick Road in Crawford Co 31 Dec (Lindsey Turner).
Flycatchers to Tanagers
Two separate reports of Vermilion Flycatchers were submitted this winter. Two adult males were photographed on 12 Jan at Lake Chicot in Chicot Co (Jason True). The second sighting occurred during the Lonoke Christmas Bird Count during which a single adult male was observed along Pettus Rd. on 14 Dec in Lonoke Co (Kevin Krajcir).
Two out-of-season vireos were photographed this year: a second-year White-eyed Vireo at the Ruth Armstrong Nature Area on 2 Jan in Sebastian Co (Matthew Matlock); and a Blue-headed Vireo at Bona Dea Trails and Sanctuary 21 Dec in Pope Co (Dustin Kohler).
Scott’s Orioles are rarely seen in Arkansas, so two in one season was extraordinary. The state’s 10th was photographed at a feeder in Hot Springs National Park on 25 Jan in Garland Co (Fred and Mary Gerber), followed by the 11th at the Cabin Creek Recreation Area in Johnson Co 3 Jan (Ryan and Lyndsey Turner). An out-of-season Louisiana Waterthrush was photographed at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge on 18 Jan in Pope Co (Dustin Kohler). The 17th occurrence of a Western Tanager occurred this winter involving an adult male that was photographed at a feeder at Hot Springs Village in Saline Co 23 Jan (Phillip Vogt).
Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 7 Jun 2026.
Photos–Arkansas: Winter 2025–2026
