Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip to Kibler Bottoms and Sharp-Chapel Road near Alma on Sunday, August 25th, at 9:00 AM. The focus of this trip will be migrating fall shorebirds with reasonable chances at seeing Upland Sandpipers and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Other local specialties include Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and Least Terns. This will be a car-caravan-style field trip: mostly slow driving with frequent stops for observing with binoculars (and spotting scopes). At Sharp Chapel Road we may walk from the cars up to one mile to get a better view of wet units so please bring bug spray, sun protection, and water.
We will meet at the Alma McDonald’s parking lot (Address: 247 U. S. Hwy 71, Alma, AR 72921) at 9:00 AM to consolidate cars. From there, we’ll first make our way through the sod farms and agricultural fields of Kibler Bottoms, then over to the Orrick Road ponds, Sharp Chapel Road wet units, and finally into Frog Bayou WMA to scan the big river for terns. We expect to finish around noon. The trip is free and open to the public. You do not need to be an NWAAS member to attend.
Because this trip involves mostly driving and stopping along backcountry roads, we’re limiting our group size to 20 to ensure a good and safe experience for our participants. To RSVP, email [email protected] to let us know you plan on attending the August shorebird field trip. Please include your name and the total number in your party.
<aside> ⚠️ This trip is full, but we are keeping a waitlist.
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From Fayetteville to Alma McDonalds, take I-49 South toward Fort Smith. Take exit 20 to merge onto I-40 E toward Alma, then soon after take exit 13 and turn right on US-71 N. McDonald’s is on the right. GPS: 35.486811, -94.2270521