The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host an evening field trip on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Lake Wedington, west of Fayetteville, to witness the “sky dance” of the American Woodcock. We’ll meet promptly at 5:30 p.m. (the time window for their evening display is narrow). Carpooling is strongly encouraged as parking is very limited at the site. This field trip will be co-led by Taylor Long and woodcock expert Dr. David Krementz, UA-Fayetteville (retired), who will tell us a lot about woodcocks at the parking site. We will walk a short distance out into the fields and wait in place for the woodcock displays to begin near and shortly after sunset (~6:00 p.m.). The terrain is relatively flat but can be uneven. We recommend good shoes, warm clothes (not too bright), and a flashlight. The displays won’t last too long; expect to be heading back to the car by 6:30 p.m.
If this trip doesn’t fit your schedule woodcocks display in many open fields at this time of year, including those at Lake Fayetteville. In recent years, woodcocks have displayed immediately west of the Environmental Study Center on the disk golf course. Learn more about what to expect and when/where to look in this great Audubon article: Do Yourself a Favor This Spring: Go See the American Woodcock’s ‘Sky Dance’
Because parking is limited at this site, we’re asking participants to RSVP to limit our group size to no more than 30. To RSVP, email [email protected] to let us know you plan on attending the Woodcock field trip. In your email, please include your name and the total number in your party.
From Fayetteville, head west on HWY 16 to Lake Wedington. Continue past the main entrance to Lake Wedington Recreation Area, and travel west on Highway 16 for 1.9 miles. A small grass parking area is directly across from a barn with a metal roof in disrepair and a 2-story house (GPS: 36.099495, -94.408563).
Carpooling is strongly encouraged as parking is very limited at the site. There’s a nice paved parking area near the main entrance of Lake Wedington Rec Area (GPS: 36.0918163, -94.3776189) that’s a great place to meet friends and consolidate vehicles before heading to the woodcock site less than two miles away. We’ll park as many cars as we can in the parking area, and the rest may park along the south side of HWY 16.