This trip is a collaboration between NWAAS and the Fort Smith Birding group, and will be led by Fort Smith birder Matt Matlock. Meet at the Alma McDonalds at 7:00 AM on Saturday, April 12th.
Since Arkansas Game and Fish Commission began managing Sharp Chapel Road for waterfowl-focused wetland units, it has become Northwest Arkansas’ premier hotspot for shorebird viewing, and mid April is the peak of Spring shorebird migration. We will check Sharp Chapel Road and the surrounding areas for migrating shorebirds primarily, though we will encounter Spring migrants in wooded areas along the way, as well as open grassland and agricultural field habitat. Highlight species observed last year include Prothonotary Warbler, Marbled Godwit, Willet, and American Avocet.
Meet at the McDonald's in Alma at 7:00am and plan to leave promptly at 7:05am. We will carpool as much as possible, due to nature of the roads and parking along the way. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots (bonus if they are waterproof) and bring sunscreen, insect repellant, and water/snacks. Expect the trip to last about three hours.
Meet-up Location: McDonald's in Alma, 247 US-71, Alma, AR 72921
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.
This trip is free and open to the public. There’s no need to RSVP, but if you want to do so on Facebook, here’s the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1325378842037040/
In the event of cancelation (usually due to weather) the back-up date will be April 19th, 2025. If the trip is cancelled we will update this page and the Facebook link above.