The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society and Devil's Den State Park will host a field trip on Saturday, May 4, 2024, starting at 8:00 AM. This walk is part of Devil’s Den’s Annual Birder Weekend that takes place May 4-5. This is peak migration, so we’ll be on the lookout for all the dazzling warblers, tanagers, vireos, and other migrant birds that can be seen at this time of year. Expect to walk ~1 mile on paved surfaces. Meet in the parking area at the lower Devil's Den Trailhead on the south side of Lee Creek bridge on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM (coordinates: 35.781349, -94.249876). The walk generally lasts a couple of hours.
This trip is free and open to the public. There’s no limit to participation. We ask that you 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.
From Fayetteville, head south on I-49, then take exit 53 for AR-170 toward West Fork. Stay on 179 for 16 miles and follow signs to Devil’s Den State Park. Once you reach the park, continue across the bridge over Lee Creek, then park at the trailhead immediately south of the bridge (coordinates: 35.781349, -94.249876). For restrooms or general park information, continue along 170 just around the corner to the visitor center.
This walk is one of a handful of other bird walks and bird-themed activities at Devil’s Den on this weekend.
8:00 – 10:00 a.m. BIRD WALK Join birding expert Taylor Long on a casual stroll around Lee Creek and Campground A in search of spring migrants. Expect to walk ~1 mile on paved surfaces. Please bring your binoculars. Meet in the parking area at the lower Devil's Den Trailhead on the south side of Lee Creek Bridge.
10:00 – 11:00 BIRD GAMES FOR THE FAMILY Join bird expert Karen Garrett in the Visitor Center Audio-Visual room and try out some fun bird games. Test your bird knowledge as you learn more about our beautiful flying friends.
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. LIVE BIRDS OF PREY Nothing quite compares to the chance of meeting a real hawk or owl up close and personal! So bring the family and all your questions to learn more about Arkansas’s Birds of Prey as Lynn Sciumbato from Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation gives you that up close view. Bring your camera and meet at the Amphitheater near Area E. (In case of inclement weather, we will meet at the Visitor Center Audio-Visual room).
3:00 – 3:00 p.m. NIFTY NESTS Just as humans live in different types of houses, birds live in different types of nests! Join Park Interpreter Kara to find out which birds live in what nests and how those nests compare to our own style of home. Meet in the Visitor Center Audio – Visual room.
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. THE EARLY BIRDER Join birding expert, Karen Garrett as she searches high and low for our spring migrants. This birding experience is sure to add a life bird to your list. Please bring your binoculars. Meet at the Horse Day-Use parking area on Hwy 220.
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. TRAIL BIRD WALK For those of you who aren’t so inclined to early bird watching, join Karen Garrett for a later morning walk as you look for the birds who are busy carrying out their daily activities. Meet at the New Devil’s Racetrack parking lot on Hwy 220 and please bring your binoculars because the park has a limited number to loan out.
10:30 a.m. PRIZE TIME Meet in the Visitor Center Audio-Visual room and discover how well you did on your scavenger hunt! Prizes will be awarded to different age groups and categories.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. BIRD SONG SYMPHONIES While exploring you may here a symphony of songs being performed by the many different birds here at Devil’s Den. Join Park Interpreter Kara at the Sundial in front of the Visitor Center to learn how to pick out some of the common individual bird songs you could hear in the park.