The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip to Shores Lake in the Ozark National Forest on Saturday, March 16, 2024, starting at 9:00 AM. This area features mature shortleaf pine habitat that’s the best place in Northwest Arkansas to find our target species: Brown-headed Nuthatch. We’ll enjoy all the fine birds this pine forest offers, keeping a keen eye out for Red Crossbill, which has been seen in this area in the past. Bill Beall, veteran birder from Ft. Smith will co-lead this trip. Meet at 9 AM at the Shores Lake picnic area entrance (GPS: 35.640199, -93.959962) on the west side of the lake. We’ll bird around the lake and surrounding area for a few hours. You are welcome to leave whenever you need.
For those who want to keep birding in the afternoon, Bill Beall will lead us down to the Kibler Bottoms and Frog Bayou WMA area (near Alma, AR) to explore the ponds, river, and agricultural fields in the valley.
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, take I-49 south ~50 miles to Mountainburg. Take exit 34 and turn left to connect to HWY 71 S. Follow HWY 71 south for ~1 mile, then turn left on Hickory St (by the Post Office). Head up the hill, turning left again to stay on Hickory St for two more miles. Then turn left onto NF-1007/Old Locke Rd. Follow Old Lock Rd for ~5 miles, then turn right onto Old Fern Rd. Follow Old Fern Rd ~4 miles, then turn left on AR-215. Follow AR-215 for ~3 miles to Shores Lake Recreation Area. We’ll meet at the picnic area entrance (GPS: 35.640199, -93.959962).
For the optional second half of the day exploring Kibler Bottoms and Sharp Chapel Rd, here are some key locations to use for routing: