The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip to view Bald Eagles at SWEPCO Lake in Gentry on Saturday January 18th, 2025. Meet at 9:00 AM in the Eagle Watch Nature Trail parking lot (21721-21779 AR-12, Gentry, AR). There is a short walk on the trail through open field habitat to a pavilion designed to provide high quality views plus an older viewing platform. The total walking distance is 1 mile round-trip on generally level mulched surface. The outing should last about an hour and a half. There are no restrooms (the closest restroom is the Gentry McDonald’s). We’ll have good potential to see Bald Eagles, various species of hawks and sparrows, ducks and other water birds. The approximately 1,500 acres of EWNT are part of the 500-acre SWEPCO Lake constructed to provide cooling water for the coal-fired plant generating electricity for Northwest Arkansas. During winter, temperatures in the lake average in the low 70s. This warm water is presumably the reason for high numbers of Bald Eagles and other interesting bird records. While seeing eagles is likely, it’s never guaranteed. The trip is free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of NWAAS to attend.
This trip is free and open to the public. There is no participant limit. Please RSVP by email to [email protected] so we know how many to expect. In your email, please include your name and the total number in your party.
While the lake water is warm, temperatures at the lake can still be very cold in January. Warm jackets, warm waterproof shoes, hats, and gloves are all recommended. The total walking distance is 1 mile round-trip on generally level mulched surface. There are two covered viewing areas on the lake that can provide a place to sit and shelter from the wind. The outing should last about an hour and a half but participants can come and go as they please. There are no restrooms (the closest restroom is the Gentry McDonald’s).
Gentry is at the intersection of HWY 59 and HWY 12. From this intersection, travel west on HWY 12 for approximately two miles. The Eagle Watch Nature Trail is approximately 1 mile west of the city limits on the south side of the highway. Look for the parking lot on the highway’s south side, immediately east of the highway bridge spanning Little Flint Creek. There is a map and information sign in the parking area.
When the weather is bad for humans, it’s usually bad for birds too. We’ll cancel the trip at least 12 hours in advance if the weather is forecasted to be dangerous or unsuitable for birding. Field trip cancellations will be emailed to the NWAAS field trip list (email [email protected] to be added to this list). We’ll also try to post wherever else we can in a timely manner (Facebook, etc.)
Contact info for questions about the trip.
All Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. We always welcome new members, but membership in NWAAS is not required for participation. We try to make our field trips accessible to everyone, all ages, abilities, interests. Beginning birders are always welcome. We have field trips on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate different schedules. We try to arrange carpools where possible.
If you plan on attending a field trip, please RSVP to [email protected]. This helps us plan for attendance, communicate to participants last-minute, and manage attendance for trips with limited capacity.
For maps and more information about these places, check the Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society web site http://www.nwarkaudubon.org/ and the section “Places to bird in northwest Arkansas” (under Menu on upper left side of the home page).
If you are interested in being added to the NWAAS email list for updates on field trips and other society events, please send a message to: [email protected]. Some of the information on the trips below can change, so additional details & updates about trips are sent via the email prior to the announced date -- check the NWAAS Facebook page for the latest.
SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS! Our field trips are open to everyone. We try to warn about any special dangers that might be encountered, but neither NWAAS nor individual field trip leaders assume responsibility for personal safety. If you have special needs, or special concerns, please ask the field trip leader before the trip starts. We do not knowingly place anyone in danger on any field trip. We count on those who attend to keep trips safe for everyone.