Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a spring migration hike around Ninestone Land Trust (GPS coordinates: 36.227713, -93.547752) on Sunday, May 7 at 9:00 AM. Birders are welcome, of course, but so are botanists, hikers, and those who just want to explore the rural Ozarks. Ninestone is an affiliate of the Ozark Land Trust and protects 412 acres of unique and valuable habitats: a waterfall that cascades over sandstone kettles into Piney Creek, classical Ozark upland fields, sandstone glades, soaring bluff lines, stands of mixed hardwoods and native shortleaf pines. On this casual hike we will identify migrating birds and spring wildflowers, enjoy Piney Creek and picturesque bluffs, and visit glade restoration areas. After the hike we’ll have lunch overlooking the waterfall so bring food for yourself or something to share with others.
From Fayetteville or South: From intersection of Hwy 412 & Hwy 21 N, take Hwy 21 North for about 7+ miles. Cross the Cedar Creek Bridge & immediately turn LEFT onto the gravel road CR 512 before the cyclone fence kennels on the LEFT. Continue on gravel road CR 512 for 1 MILE, staying to the LEFT at any choices. You will pass a large blue mailbox on the LEFT and a yellow WATCH FOR DOGS sign on the RIGHT. Continue on down the drive and park on the grass.
From Berryville or North: From intersection of Hwy 62 E & Hwy 21 S just east of Berryville, take Hwy 21 South for 10 + miles to cyclone fence kennels on the RIGHT. Immediately after the kennels & parking lot turn RIGHT onto the gravel road marked CR 512. Do NOT cross the bridge over Cedar Creek! Continue on gravel road CR 512 for 1 MILE, staying to the LEFT at any choices. You will pass a large blue mailbox on the LEFT, and a yellow WATCH FOR DOGS sign on the RIGHT. Continue on down the drive and park on the grass.
Depending upon weather conditions, Ninestone field trips include several shallow creek crossings. If you have rubber boots (Muck boots, barnyard boots, etc), they might be helpful. The creek, a traditional body of water in the Ozarks, also gladly accepts tennis shoes, water sandals, and bare feet.
If extensive walking & hiking doesn’t work for you, there is plenty of high quality scenery right where we park, at the home of Judith Ann Griffith and Don Matt. The amazing waterfall is easily seen there and heard as well. Piney Creek is just below, with Louisiana Waterthrushes singing, plus migrants passing through the Ozarks. So you don’t need to be very mobile to enjoy all of this, including the big native pine grove and farm yard. This is all fun and fulfilling stuff to do while everyone else is “off to the woods and fields.”
Please note: Ninestone Land Trust is private property. The public is welcome on organized field trips. Visits at other times are usually welcome, but must be arranged in advance. For more information, contact: Judith Ann Griffith & Don Matt, Ninestone Land Trust, 870-545-3559. Email: [email protected].
When the weather is bad for humans, it’s usually bad for birds too. We’ll cancel the trip at least 12 hours in advance if the weather is forecasted to be dangerous or unsuitable for birding. Field trip cancellations will be emailed to the NWAAS field trip list (email [email protected] to be added to this list). We’ll also try to post wherever else we can in a timely manner (Facebook, etc.)
Contact info for questions about the trip.
All Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. We always welcome new members, but membership in NWAAS is not required for participation. We try to make our field trips accessible to everyone, all ages, abilities, interests. Beginning birders are always welcome. We have field trips on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate different schedules. We try to arrange carpools where possible.
If you plan on attending a field trip, please RSVP to [email protected]. This helps us plan for attendance, communicate to participants last-minute, and manage attendance for trips with limited capacity.
For maps and more information about these places, check the Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society web site http://www.nwarkaudubon.org/ and the section “Places to bird in northwest Arkansas” (under Menu on upper left side of the home page).
If you are interested in being added to the NWAAS email list for updates on field trips and other society events, please send a message to: [email protected]. Some of the information on the trips below can change, so additional details & updates about trips are sent via the email prior to the announced date -- check the NWAAS Facebook page for the latest.
SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS! Our field trips are open to everyone. We try to warn about any special dangers that might be encountered, but neither NWAAS nor individual field trip leaders assume responsibility for personal safety. If you have special needs, or special concerns, please ask the field trip leader before the trip starts. We do not knowingly place anyone in danger on any field trip. We count on those who attend to keep trips safe for everyone.
Cover photo courtesy of Ozark Land Trust