Hobbs is Arkansas’s largest state park, spanning a 12,054-acre tract of Ozark landscape along the southern shore of Beaver Lake. Its dynamic topography and abundance of evergreens make it a scenic and birdy spot to seek out spring migrants. Hobbs is hosting a birding festival on this Saturday, and this AAS field trip will join up with festival bird walks and get a behind-the-scenes look at the bird-banding station.
On the morning of Saturday, April 26th, NWAAS field trip leader Taylor Long will lead up to 15 participants to Hobbs State Park in a three-part tour. At 8:00 AM we’ll arrive at the Van Winkle Trail an hour-long walk of ~1 mile. At 9:00 AM we’ll head over to the visitor center to spend some time at an active bird-banding station with U of A bird researcher Jen Mortensen. At 10:00 AM, we’ll take another bird walk around the visitor center trail. By 11:00 AM we’ll head back to Fayetteville to arrive at Mt Sequoyah no later than noon. This is one of our longer field trips, so bringing ample water and snacks is strongly encouraged.
Meet at the Mt. Sequoyah Retreat Center on Saturday morning at 7:00 AM. Taylor Long will lead the carpool to Hobbs (~45 minutes drive time). Anyone who wishes to meet there can expect us at the Van Winkle trailhead by 8:00 AM. Participants along for the full trip can expect to return to Mt. Sequoyah no later than 12:00 PM, although anyone may choose to leave early.
Van Winkle Hollow has high species diversity because of numerous habitats, including forested slopes, moist thickets, old fields, a spring-fed stream, and a highly variable Beaver Reservoir shoreline. Join NWA Audubon Society field trip leader Taylor Long on a beginner-friendly bird walk focused on identifying the many spring migrants arriving at Hobbs in late April. Participants can expect to walk about 1 mile along a well-maintained accessible trail for about 1 hour. Meet at Van Winkle Trailhead at 8:00 AM.
The Ozark Plateau Trail is a comfortable, paved path leaving from the Hobbs State Park visitor center that makes a short loop through pine forests home to resident birds and migrant summer breeders. Join NWA Audubon Society field trip leader Taylor Long on a beginner-friendly bird walk focused on identifying the many spring migrants arriving at Hobbs in late April. Participants can expect to walk a little less than 1 mile along a ADA-accessible trail for no more than 1 hour. Meet at the outdoor pavilion on the East side of the visitor center parking lot at 10:00 AM.