The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a casual bird walk at Wattle Hollow Retreat Center deep in the Boston Mountains on Sunday, April 23 2023 at 9:00 AM. We will explore hardwood forests, a small farm, and stream environments in search of spring migrants, especially warblers that are often just arriving at this time of year. We’ll meet at the top of the driveway (GPS: 35.837750, -94.267806), then slow walk ~1.25 miles toward Wattle Creek ending at the retreat center around noon. If you wish to stay for lunch, bring food for yourself or something to share with others. The trip is free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of NWAAS to attend.
From Fayetteville: Take I-49 S to the West Fork exit (it’s after Greenland). Go right onto Hwy. 170, toward Devil’s Den State Park, for about 10 miles. When you see the sign that says: “Winslow: 19 miles and Devil’s Den: 4 miles” continue another half-mile on 170 to the first house on the right (a small white one, with a carport and an American flag). Please note: the old rock cairn and the Wattle Hollow sign are no longer there! But there is a large NEW house (that kinda resembles the Holiday Inn) that has been built on the property there. Turn left down that driveway, later taking the only fork to the right, which is marked, and continue to the end of the road. The entire driveway is 1.25 mile. NOTE: If you should miss the original turn off of 170, you will soon come to my neighbor’s driveway, which has two tall 14’ brick monoliths flanking it. That means you just passed the Wattle Hollow driveway. Turn around. 🙂
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.