Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip to Logan Springs Preserve near Siloam Springs on Sunday, September 24th, 2023 at 8:00 AM. This relatively new preserve, maintained by The Nature Conservancy, is a former fish hatchery in the bottomlands alongside Osage Creek that receives outflow from a huge spring at the adjoining Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge. TNC staffer Mike Slay will serve as our guide, highlighting the preserve’s unique offerings and how to bird it, as well as sharing some of the current management projects. Mike is the Ozark Karst Program Director for TNC, but also an avid birder and the driving force behind the creation of this preserve, so he knows it well! As for the birding, we should have plenty of lingering summer breeders and well as fall migrants beginning to move through this mostly forested walk. Meet in the preserve parking lot (GPS: 36.1963654, -94.3896068) at 8:00 AM. Expect to walk 1-2 miles for ~2 hours on fairly level grass and dirt trails. Sturdy hiking shoes, water, sun protection, and insect repellant are recommended. There are no restrooms. The trip is free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of NWAAS to attend.
From Fayetteville: Follow 1-49 N to exit 72 for US-412. Head west on US-412 for 10.2 miles. Turn right on Robinson Rd to Old Hwy 68. Follow Old Hwy 68 2 miles then turn right onto Logan Rd. Follow Logan Rd. north for 1.5 miles then turn left on Osage Hill Rd. Soon after turning onto Osage Hill Rd., you’ll see the driveway to Logan Springs Preserve on the left. Follow the driveway down the hill to the parking area where we’ll meet. GPS: 36.1963654, -94.3896068