The survey today started off overcast, cool, calm, and foggy, turning partly cloudy, mild, and windy by the afternoon. 51 species were found. "Goose" Pearson (OK) joined me for the afternoon portion of the survey. Best highlight today was the return of several Tree Swallows. Several species of Passerines were singing their Spring songs and trees were starting to bloom. Here is my list for today:
Date: 2/16/26 7:43 am From: Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...> Subject: Re: Hawk ID help
I'm no expert, but I'd call that an adult calurus Ted-tailed Hawk. We had
one 3-4 years ago in the Maysville. They're stunningly gorgeous.
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 12:57 PM Brian Carlson <brianrcarlson...>
wrote:
> Hello all, I could use some help in identifying this hawk. I think it is a
> Red-tailed. Is that correct? If so, what subspecies? Is it mature? Thanks,
> Brian
>
> ------------------------------
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Date: 2/16/26 6:00 am From: Dawna Stirrup <drdenman...> Subject: CORRECTED: ASCA Fieldtrip Stuttgart Airport
February 14, 2026
CORRECTED: The original had broken links and a Northern Shrike.
While most of the world was celebrating Valentine's day and the global
birding community was celebrating The Great Backyard Bird Count, 20 birders
decided to brave the impending rain and take a field trip to Stuttgart. We
were well rewarded for our efforts with good birds and good company.
Although a decent wind was blowing, conditions remained quite dry and not
too cold. Some of the best weather many of us had ever experienced at
Stuttgart.
To start our trip, we met at the Stuttgart Municipal Airport terminal where
Patty M. delivered an educational talk about our target species and the
best way to identify them on the field. We reviewed special airport safety
procedures and then we headed out on the tarmac.
Walking the long strips of grass alongside the runways, we saw a good
number of Savannah Sparrows, Killdeer, and Meadowlarks. A couple Northern
Harriers caught our eye, but we were struggling to find any Smith Longspurs
where they are typically found. Moving North, we could hear Longspurs, but
they were across the runway from us and we couldn’t see them. Eventually we
spotted a couple, but decided to switch our attention to an area known for
LeConte’s Sparrow.
We succeeded at finding a single LeConte’s Sparrow, but it was
uncooperative and moved away from us quickly.
Suddenly, a couple birders found a puddle with a collection of sparrows and
a pair of Wilson’s Snipe. This seemed to reenergize the trip and our luck
started to turn around. Walking the next track of grass, we managed to get
a good look at 8 Smith Longspurs, including one that was just 15-20 feet in
front of us (pointed out to us by Steve W. and Clay H.) Four took off all
at once and flew over our heads, treating us to a delightful show. Walking
back, Jerry B. found us another LeConte’s Sparrow. Just as we were thinking
we had done pretty well for the morning, two Short-eared Owls popped out of
the grass in front of us; another lifer for many in our group. We found a
couple more LeConte’s Sparrows before heading back to the Terminal.
From the Terminal, our group split into two parts. The first group, led by
Sarah, took a big driving loop around the East Side of the airport. This
group was rewarded for their efforts with a Red-tailed Hawk, a Loggerheaded
Shrike, and a few other species not yet seen that day.
The second group, led by Dawn S, decided we were starving for lunch and
made a group reservation at a nearby restaurant. We took a short driving
tour around the East side of the Airport where we saw a Loggerheaded
Shrike, some Northern Harriers, and then the road to lunch. On the way,
several birders stopped to inspect some hawks that turned out to be
Red-tailed Hawks. Over lunch we shared stories of some of our favorite
birding experiences.
Date: 2/16/26 5:47 am From: Dawna Stirrup <drdenman...> Subject: ASCA Field Trip Report - Stuttgart Airport
14 February 2026 - Stuttgart Municipal Airport
EBird Trip Report
While most of the world was celebrating Valentine's day and the global
birding community was celebrating The Great Backyard Bird Count, 20 birders
decided to brave the impending rain and take a field trip to Stuttgart. We
were well rewarded for our efforts with good birds and good company.
Although a decent wind was blowing, conditions remained quite dry and not
too cold. Some of the best weather many of us had ever experienced at
Stuttgart.
To start our trip, we met at the Stuttgart Municipal Airport terminal where
Patty M. delivered an educational talk about our target species and the
best way to identify them on the field. We reviewed special airport safety
procedures and then we headed out on the tarmac.
Walking the long strips of grass alongside the runways, we saw a good
number of Savannah Sparrows, Killdeer, and Meadowlarks. A couple Northern
Harriers caught our eye, but we were struggling to find any Smith Longspurs
where they are typically found. Moving North, we could hear Longspurs, but
they were across the runway from us and we couldn’t see them. Eventually we
spotted a couple, but decided to switch our attention to an area known for
LeConte’s Sparrow.
We succeeded at finding a single LeConte’s Sparrow, but it was
uncooperative and moved away from us quickly.
Suddenly, a couple birders found a puddle with a collection of sparrows and
a pair of Wilson’s Snipe. This seemed to reenergize the trip and our luck
started to turn around. Walking the next track of grass, we managed to get
a good look at 8 Smith Longspurs, including one that was just 15-20 feet in
front of us (pointed out to us by Steve W. and Clay H.) Four took off all
at once and flew over our heads, treating us to a delightful show. Walking
back, Jerry B. found us another LeConte’s Sparrow. Just as we were thinking
we had done pretty well for the morning, two Short-eared Owls popped out of
the grass in front of us; another lifer for many in our group. We found a
couple more LeConte’s Sparrows before heading back to the Terminal. See our
Checklist HERE.
From the Terminal, our group split into two parts. The first group, led by
Sarah, took a big driving loop around the East Side of the airport. This
group was rewarded for their efforts with a Red-tailed Hawk, a Northern
Shrike, and a few other species not yet seen that day. See their report
HERE.
The second group, led by Dawn S, decided we were starving for lunch and
made a group reservation at a nearby restaurant. We took a short driving
tour around the East side of the Airport where we saw a Logger-headed
Shrike, some Northern Harriers, and then the road to lunch. On the way,
several birders stopped to inspect some hawks that turned out to be
Red-tailed Hawks. Over lunch we shared stories of some of our favorite
birding experiences. Our Checklist is HERE.
Date: 2/15/26 3:25 pm From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...> Subject: ASCA Field Trips: March, April, and May 2026
Everyone is invited to join the upcoming field trips for the Audubon
Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA). All trips are open to the public.
Birders of all experience levels are welcome. You do not have to be an ASCA
member to attend. People may leave a trip at any time.
For questions, contact the ASCA Field Trip Coordinators, Sarah Morris and
Dawna Stirrup, off-list.
*2026 ASCA FIELD TRIPS*
*March 21: **Lake Maumelle - West Little Rock*
*Meet: *7:30 a.m. at WestRock Landing
The group will search for loons, mergansers, ducks, and grebes. Stops will
include Bufflehead Bay, Loon Point, and Vista Park to scan open water. The
wooded trails will also be explored for winter forest birds.
There will be light walking on level trails in the Moist Soil Units. The
trip should finish by noon.
*What to bring:*
· Warm jacket and gloves (wind off the lake can be cold)
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Water
· Binocular or scope (if available)
*Meeting location:*
WestRock Landing (formerly Jolly Rogers Marina)
11800 Maumelle Harbour Road, Roland
GPS: 34.8648042, -92.5660394
Located 10 miles west of Little Rock on Hwy. 10
*April 18: Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area*
*Meet:* 6:30 a.m. at the Mayflower commuter lot (Exit 135 off I-40 West).
Frog Bayou is a restored wetland. Migratory waterfowl are common here. The
group will look for marsh birds such as Sora, Virginia Rail, and Least
Bittern. Wading birds may also be seen.
Walking will be on level dirt paths. If time allows, the group may also
visit nearby birding spots. Return to Little Rock is expected by late
afternoon.
*What to bring:*
· Binocular or scope (if available)
· Water, snacks, and lunch
*Meeting location:*
For central Arkansas participants:
Mayflower commuter lot at Exit 135 off I-40 West
GPS: 34.970470483700275, -92.41647271395294
For western Arkansas participants:
Meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Phillips 66 Truck Stop at Dyer Exit 20 (southside
of I-40).
GPS: 35.51288282023821, -94.11406603724042
Breakfast and lunch items are available at the truck stop.
*May 2: Banding Demo at Gillam Park*
*Meet: *7 a.m. at Gillam Park (far parking lot)
Spring migration will be underway, offering a chance to see many species,
including warblers.
Kevin Krajcir, conservation biologist with the Arkansas Natural Heritage
Commission, will also demonstrate bird banding. He will explain how banding
works and why it is important. Bird banding will be weather-dependent.
There will be moderate walking on mostly level trails, which may be muddy.
After Gillam Park, the group will visit the Little Rock Audubon Center,
Industrial Harbor Road, and Terry Lock and Dam. The trip may last into
early afternoon.
*What to bring:*
· Water and snacks
· Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots
· Binocular
*Meeting location:*
Gillam Park
5300 Gillam Park Road, Little Rock
GPS: 34.700823, -92.258148
Directions: Take I-30 West heading south from Little Rock. Exit onto I-440
going towards the airport. Take Exit 1-Springer Road. At the bottom of the
exit ramp, turn left onto Springer Road. Go one mile to just past the
Little Rock Audubon Center and turn right onto Gillam Park Road. Follow it
into the park to the last parking lot.
Date: 2/13/26 6:55 am From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...> Subject: REMINDER: ASCA Field Trip is Tomorrow
Hi everyone,
This is a reminder that tomorrow is the ASCA field trip to the Stuttgart
Municipal Airport. Please see the details below. Current forecasts show
rain most likely after noon, and we expect to be finished by then.
*February 14 – Stuttgart Airport *
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Prothro Junction commuter lot located on the
southeast side of I-40 East at Exit 157. Turn right at the intersection,
then immediately turn left into the commuter lot.
We should arrive at the airport around 8:30 a.m. for anyone who prefers to
meet us there. Target birds include Lapland and Smith’s Longspurs,
Short-eared Owls, American Pipits, and sparrows.
Dress in layers and bring gloves. Be prepared for wind and cold
temperatures. Knee-high boots are essential for walking through spiny
grass. On the drive back to Little Rock, we will scan open fields for
flocks of geese and ducks.
*Reminder:* Today through Monday is the Great Backyard Bird Count. You can
participate as a citizen scientist by joining the field trip or by counting
birds anywhere you find them. Please submit your sightings to eBird so they
can be included.
See you in the morning!
Sarah Morris
---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...>
> Date: Sun, Jan 4, 2026 at 8:43 PM
> Subject: ASCA Field Trips Jan. & Feb.
> To: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...>
> Cc: Dawna Stirrup <drdenman...>
>
>
> Below are the upcoming Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA) field
> trips for January and February. Our trips are open to everyone, regardless
> of your level of birding experience. You don't have to be an ASCA member
> to participate. You can leave a trip at any time. Please feel free to
> contact me or Dawna Stirrup off-list if you have any questions.
>
> Come join us!
>
>
> *2026 ASCA FIELD TRIPS*
>
> *January 17, 2026*
>
> *Lake Dardanelle-Delaware Park and Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
> (NWR)*
>
> Meet at 7 a.m. at the Mayflower commuter lot off I-40 West at Exit 135.
> We’ll carpool to Delaware Park, located on the southwest side of Lake
> Dardanelle. We should arrive at the Delaware Park boat ramp around 8:15
> a.m. for anyone who wants to meet us there. We’ll scan the lake for gulls,
> pelicans, loons, mergansers, ducks, grebes, and eagles. A rare gull or
> duck is a possibility. The lake can be very cold and windy. Dress in
> layers, including gloves and hats, to stay warm.
>
> Next, we’ll caravan to the Holla Bend NWR headquarters’ parking lot.
> There is a $4 entrance fee per vehicle. A duck stamp or a National Parks
> pass will get a vehicle in for free. Our target birds will include
> raptors, such as nesting Bald Eagles and owls, as well as swans, ducks,
> geese, and sparrows. At Holla Bend, expect to walk through tall grass, so
> wearing boots is recommended. Bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water.
> We’ll return to Little Rock in the late afternoon.
>
> Directions from the town of Dardanelle to Delaware Park: At the junction
> at Hwy. 7 and Hwy. 22, go west on Hwy 22 for approximately 10 miles. Turn
> right onto Hwy. 393, which is the first road on your right after you cross
> the long causeway at the west end of the lake. Hwy. 393 dead ends at
> Delaware Park. GPS coordinates: 35.295749, -93.271458. For more
> information about the Holla Bend NWR, go to *http://www.fws.gov/hollabend/ > <http://www.fws.gov/hollabend/>*. The headquarters is located at *10448
> Holla Bend Road, Dardanelle, AR 72834*. GPS coordinates: 35.163222,
> -93.093477.
>
>
> *February 14, 2026*
>
> *Stuttgart Airport, Stuttgart*
>
> Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Prothro Junction commuter lot located on the
> southeast side of I-40 East at Exit 157. Turn right at the intersection,
> then immediately turn left into the commuter lot. We should arrive at the
> airport around 8:30 a.m. for anyone who would like to meet us there.
> Lapland and Smith’s Longspurs, Short-eared Owls, Pipits, and sparrows will
> be our target birds. Dress in layers; bring gloves, as you will be
> prepared for wind and cold temperatures. Knee-high boots are essential for
> walking through the Aristida grass. On the drive back to Little Rock,
> we’ll scan the open fields for flocks of geese and ducks.
>
> *Reminder: * February 13-16 is the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count
> (GBBC). Participate as a citizen scientist by joining the field trip, or
> counting anywhere you find birds. Submit your sightings to eBird.org.
>
Date: 2/12/26 4:43 pm From: Leif Anderson <leifforesteranderson...> Subject: Re: Western Meadowlark probable migration
I agree, the first couple weeks of March are the best time to hear
Westerns. Even river levees and small airports throughout the western AR
river valley can be good. The numbers go down as you head east, but can
hear a few in the MS river delta.
One of the signs of spring that I enjoy… sitting and being enveloped by
Meadowlark song. Thanks Joe, Leif at Hector.
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 5:07 PM Joseph Neal <
<0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Big fields grassy pastures associated with former Lindsley Prairie are on
> both sides of the drive down Railway Alley to Chesney Prairie Natural Area.
> It is often good for meadowlarks. This morning was no exception. First
> singing I heard was by an Eastern Meadowlark, then followed by several
> Western Meadowlarks.
> The first Western vocalizations were “chert” calls. Then I heard a good
> Western song. Another Eastern later, more Westerns. Just before reaching
> the chicken houses I was totally surrounded by Westerns in what I would
> call a chorus of songs and calls. They were in the field and in a tree
> right in front of me. Maybe altogether 20 birds. All of the calls and songs
> I heard were Westerns.
> This is not the first time I’ve encountered a flock of Westerns around
> this time. My thought is these are birds that are part of a flock that is
> migrating or about to migrate.
> I checked some my past records of encounters like this:
> --50 to possibly as many as 100 meadowlarks with Westerns songs and calls
> in Kibler bottoms March 1, 2018.
> --at University Experiment Farm in Fayetteville there were calls and songs
> from 5+ Westerns.
> --There were at least 74 Westerns in a tight flock at Maysville March 1,
> 2013. I couldn’t find any of them two days later.
> Overall, I have found only a few Western Meadowlarks in northwest Arkansas
> after mid-March.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 2/12/26 3:07 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Western Meadowlark probable migration
Big fields grassy pastures associated with former Lindsley Prairie are on both sides of the drive down Railway Alley to Chesney Prairie Natural Area. It is often good for meadowlarks. This morning was no exception. First singing I heard was by an Eastern Meadowlark, then followed by several Western Meadowlarks.
The first Western vocalizations were chert calls. Then I heard a good Western song. Another Eastern later, more Westerns. Just before reaching the chicken houses I was totally surrounded by Westerns in what I would call a chorus of songs and calls. They were in the field and in a tree right in front of me. Maybe altogether 20 birds. All of the calls and songs I heard were Westerns.
This is not the first time Ive encountered a flock of Westerns around this time. My thought is these are birds that are part of a flock that is migrating or about to migrate.
I checked some my past records of encounters like this:
--50 to possibly as many as 100 meadowlarks with Westerns songs and calls in Kibler bottoms March 1, 2018.
--at University Experiment Farm in Fayetteville there were calls and songs from 5+ Westerns.
--There were at least 74 Westerns in a tight flock at Maysville March 1, 2013. I couldnt find any of them two days later.
Overall, I have found only a few Western Meadowlarks in northwest Arkansas after mid-March.
Date: 2/12/26 10:57 am From: Brian Carlson <brianrcarlson...> Subject: Hawk ID help
Hello all, I could use some help in identifying this hawk. I think it is a Red-tailed. Is that correct? If so, what subspecies? Is it mature? Thanks, Brian
Date: 2/12/26 9:38 am From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Red Slough Bird Survey - Feb. 11
Mike, thank you for your note to David. You are telling him what I have told him off site many times. When the Ouachita National Forest acquired Red Slough, they obtained David's expertise 30 years ago to monitor the birds for Red Slough. David's surveys, data collection, observations, and pictures document the birds and other wildlife changes over these decades. Some may not be aware that David's work has found dragonflies and other species extending their range into Oklahoma; or that Red Slough is an eBird Hot Spot and Species Leader for the State of Oklahoma. Birders from every state and some foreign countries have found birds at Red Slough for their life lists. Many Oklahoma birders do not recognize the valuable birds and birding experiences that exist within the State. His list is also shared on the ARBird Listserve.
All should appreciate the weekly dedication that David has contributed to the scientific data collected and insight he provided for birders and others that appreciate the Wildlife Diversity of Red Slough.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
________________________________
From: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Mike Ludewig <fishinorbirding...>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2026 9:11 AM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Red Slough Bird Survey - Feb. 11
David, Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your weekly posts on the Red Slough birds and other "creatures". It's always fun to see your list! Mike Ludewig Claremore, OK On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 7: 10 PM arbour@ windstream. net
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External Email
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David,
Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your weekly posts on the Red Slough birds and other "creatures". It's always fun to see your list!
Mike Ludewig
Claremore, OK
On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 7:10 PM <arbour...><mailto:<arbour...> <arbour...><mailto:<arbour...>> wrote:
It was mostly overcast, mild (60's), and a bit windy on the survey today. 51 species were found. Neotropic Cormorants have returned and will start nesting in early March. Spring is almost here! Frogs are singing; butterflies are out, and plum
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External Email
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
It was mostly overcast, mild (60's), and a bit windy on the survey today. 51 species were found. Neotropic Cormorants have returned and will start nesting in early March. Spring is almost here! Frogs are singing; butterflies are out, and plum and pear trees are starting to bloom. Here is my list for today:
It was mostly overcast, mild (60's), and a bit windy on the survey today. 51 species were found. Neotropic Cormorants have returned and will start nesting in early March. Spring is almost here! Frogs are singing; butterflies are out, and plum and pear trees are starting to bloom. Here is my list for today:
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I have one follow up question just so I am clear on a point (not being scientific in my knowledge). As noted, I have already pulled the Nectar Defender off the shelves and literally thrown it away, so I am asking not to defend keeping it but simply so I understand (I am a "why" guy and it drives people nuts! LOL). I am also doing this 'publically so others may benefit from the exchange. Here's my question:
You mentioned "If a bird drank only ND, it would consume 50 ug copper/day...." Nectar Defender is used as an additive to nectar (they also make a premixed nectar that has ND in it, but I am assuming we are talking about the additive), so a hummer would never 'drink only ND.' When you said that, did you mean drink the additive 'straight out of the bottle,' or did you mean after being mixed with nectar according to label instructions? That would make a significant (but maybe not significant enough) difference in what they consumed.
Thanks for the clarification (and the compliments). 🙂
John Sommer
General Manager
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
Thanks so much for caring so deeply about birds' welfare that you're willing to sacrifice profits in service of their health and your integrity. You're a rara avis. :)
Nectar Defender contains copper sulfate. Years ago I was asked to help create exactly such a product, and I refused. Despite what the internet and the manufacturer (Sapphire Labs) may say, copper absolutely can accumulate to toxic levels in birds.
To my knowledge, no peer reviewed tests have been conducted on the safety of various amounts of copper sulfate for hummingbirds. Interestingly, the manufacturer doesn't disclose the amount they use. They do, however, have a very long recitation of numbers on their website that I find exceedingly confusing and misleading.
So I did some math for them. In nature, hummers likely consume about 2 ug (micrograms) of copper per day, given the copper content of fruit flies. From the Sapphire Labs website, a reasonable guess would be that Nectar Defender contains 5 ppm copper. If a bird drank only ND, it would consume 50 ug copper/day, or about 25x the amount it would get in the diet it evolved to eat, tolerate, and thrive on.
So using the precautionary principle, it's exceedingly unwise to offer them anything but sucrose in water. Your commercial mixes that only contain sugar and water (assuming in the appropriate proportions), should be entirely safe, and I heartily endorse them. :)
Sincere thanks again for your integrity. I sure wish every manufacturer and purveyor displayed your ethics.
Best,
Janine
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 01:28:08 PM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Janine -
I certainly bow to your knowledge in this area. So I just want to touch on a couple points for clarification:
1.
The "commercial mixes" we sell are just sucrose - no additives (see #2, below) or colors, and this is intentional as I agree with you 100% about using just sucrose. Now, while it may seem pointless to sell sugar in small packs, you might be surprised to learn that a significant number of people do not use sugar in their homes OR simply prefer the convenience of the small, pre-measured packs of "Nectar Mix" we sell, even when we tell them it is just plain, white sugar. So, I believe it is fair to suggest that people check the ingredients on commercial nectars to be sure they do not contain additives, colors or anything but sucrose, but to say 'no commercial nectars' is denying the realities of consumer preferences. We also sell premade nectar that is just a 1:4 sucrose to water ratio as well and we sell a lot of it simply due to convenience even though nectar is so easy to make.
2.
That being said, we DID bring in a commercially available nectar mix with added minerals this past Fall for use during the Winter, but your comments have convinced me to pull the remaining packets off the shelf. Thank you for the education in this area!
3.
Along with that, I reluctantly carry a product called Nectar Defender that is essentially a formula of food grade colloidal silver or copper (I don't recall which) in distilled water as an additive that helps prevent bacterial growth and therefore allows nectar to last 2-3 times longer in the feeder. I do not like it because I feel it simply encourages people not to clean their feeders as often as they should (1-3 days based on outside temps) which an alarming number of people do already, some going weeks or even months between cleanings. I had multiple conversations with the developer of the Nectar Defender product regarding my concerns before I finally went ahead and put it out last Summer. Do you have any data that would support not using this product other than a general 'no additives' rule that I can use to educate other store owners? I have gone ahead and (gladly) pulled it from the shelves as well. Again, thank you for this information.
Thank you again for your expertise. As I mentioned to someone earlier, although I have been doing this for 21 years, I have a thimble full of knowledge in an ocean full of facts, so I still have much to learn! I appreciate your educational information!
John Sommer
General Manager
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00 PM
To: <arbird-l...> <arbird-l...>; Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,
Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.
Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Hi John,
Thanks so much for caring so deeply about birds' welfare that you're willing to sacrifice profits in service of their health and your integrity. You're a rara avis. :)
Nectar Defender contains copper sulfate. Years ago I was asked to help create exactly such a product, and I refused. Despite what the internet and the manufacturer (Sapphire Labs) may say, copper absolutely can accumulate to toxic levels in birds.
To my knowledge, no peer reviewed tests have been conducted on the safety of various amounts of copper sulfate for hummingbirds. Interestingly, the manufacturer doesn't disclose the amount they use. They do, however, have a very long recitation of numbers on their website that I find exceedingly confusing and misleading.
So I did some math for them. In nature, hummers likely consume about 2 ug (micrograms) of copper per day, given the copper content of fruit flies. From the Sapphire Labs website, a reasonable guess would be that Nectar Defender contains 5 ppm copper. If a bird drank only ND, it would consume 50 ug copper/day, or about 25x the amount it would get in the diet it evolved to eat, tolerate, and thrive on.
So using the precautionary principle, it's exceedingly unwise to offer them anything but sucrose in water. Your commercial mixes that only contain sugar and water (assuming in the appropriate proportions), should be entirely safe, and I heartily endorse them. :)
Sincere thanks again for your integrity. I sure wish every manufacturer and purveyor displayed your ethics.
Best,Janine
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 01:28:08 PM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Janine -
I certainly bow to your knowledge in this area. So I just want to touch on a couple points for clarification:
- The "commercial mixes" we sell are just sucrose - no additives (see #2, below) or colors, and this is intentional as I agree with you 100% about using just sucrose. Now, while it may seem pointless to sell sugar in small packs, you might be surprised to learn that a significant number of people do not use sugar in their homes OR simply prefer the convenience of the small, pre-measured packs of "Nectar Mix" we sell, even when we tell them it is just plain, white sugar. So, I believe it is fair to suggest that people check the ingredients on commercial nectars to be sure they do not contain additives, colors or anything but sucrose, but to say 'no commercial nectars' is denying the realities of consumer preferences. We also sell premade nectar that is just a 1:4 sucrose to water ratio as well and we sell a lot of it simply due to convenience even though nectar is so easy to make.
- That being said, we DID bring in a commercially available nectar mix with added minerals this past Fall for use during the Winter, but your comments have convinced me to pull the remaining packets off the shelf. Thank you for the education in this area!
- Along with that, I reluctantly carry a product called Nectar Defender that is essentially a formula of food grade colloidal silver or copper (I don't recall which) in distilled water as an additive that helps prevent bacterial growth and therefore allows nectar to last 2-3 times longer in the feeder. I do not like it because I feel it simply encourages people not to clean their feeders as often as they should (1-3 days based on outside temps) which an alarming number of people do already, some going weeks or even months between cleanings. I had multiple conversations with the developer of the Nectar Defender product regarding my concerns before I finally went ahead and put it out last Summer. Do you have any data that would support not using this product other than a general 'no additives' rule that I can use to educate other store owners? I have gone ahead and (gladly) pulled it from the shelves as well. Again, thank you for this information.
Thank you again for your expertise. As I mentioned to someone earlier, although I have been doing this for 21 years, I have a thimble full of knowledge in an ocean full of facts, so I still have much to learn! I appreciate your educational information!
John SommerGeneral ManagerWild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock1818 N Taylor StreetLittle Rock, AR 82207501.666.4210From: JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00 PM
To: <arbird-l...> <arbird-l...>; Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it.Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand thatthe best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
- Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
- Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
- Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
- Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John SommerWild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock1818 N Taylor StreetLittle Rock, AR 82207501.666.4210
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:44 PM Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> wrote:
From National Audubon magazine, https://www.audubon.org/magazine/hummingbird-feeding-faqs Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
All —
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/11/26 11:53 am From: Ian MacGregor <00000489141846bd-dmarc-request...> Subject: Say's Phoebe at Cjesney Prairie
I found, or perhaps refound, a Say's Phoebe at Chesney Prairie today. I am wondering if it is the same bird Robert Langston saw late last year. I got some horrendous, but still diagnostic photos. They can be seen on the Ebird checklist
I certainly bow to your knowledge in this area. So I just want to touch on a couple points for clarification:
1.
The "commercial mixes" we sell are just sucrose - no additives (see #2, below) or colors, and this is intentional as I agree with you 100% about using just sucrose. Now, while it may seem pointless to sell sugar in small packs, you might be surprised to learn that a significant number of people do not use sugar in their homes OR simply prefer the convenience of the small, pre-measured packs of "Nectar Mix" we sell, even when we tell them it is just plain, white sugar. So, I believe it is fair to suggest that people check the ingredients on commercial nectars to be sure they do not contain additives, colors or anything but sucrose, but to say 'no commercial nectars' is denying the realities of consumer preferences. We also sell premade nectar that is just a 1:4 sucrose to water ratio as well and we sell a lot of it simply due to convenience even though nectar is so easy to make.
2.
That being said, we DID bring in a commercially available nectar mix with added minerals this past Fall for use during the Winter, but your comments have convinced me to pull the remaining packets off the shelf. Thank you for the education in this area!
3.
Along with that, I reluctantly carry a product called Nectar Defender that is essentially a formula of food grade colloidal silver or copper (I don't recall which) in distilled water as an additive that helps prevent bacterial growth and therefore allows nectar to last 2-3 times longer in the feeder. I do not like it because I feel it simply encourages people not to clean their feeders as often as they should (1-3 days based on outside temps) which an alarming number of people do already, some going weeks or even months between cleanings. I had multiple conversations with the developer of the Nectar Defender product regarding my concerns before I finally went ahead and put it out last Summer. Do you have any data that would support not using this product other than a general 'no additives' rule that I can use to educate other store owners? I have gone ahead and (gladly) pulled it from the shelves as well. Again, thank you for this information.
Thank you again for your expertise. As I mentioned to someone earlier, although I have been doing this for 21 years, I have a thimble full of knowledge in an ocean full of facts, so I still have much to learn! I appreciate your educational information!
John Sommer
General Manager
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00 PM
To: <arbird-l...> <arbird-l...>; Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,
Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.
Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/11/26 10:58 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Black Scoter at Lake Dardanelle
Several days ago, Kenny Nichols found an immature BLACK SCOTER off their private property on the lake. Michael and I decided to go look for it this morning. So, after joining a fun outing with Maureen McClung's Field Ornithology students at Beaverfork Lake in Conway, we drove to the Stinnett Creek hotspot where there's a somewhat open view of this section of Lake Dardanelle. It took a while as most of everything other than a few thousand Ruddy Ducks was further out. But there, mixed in a raft of scaup, we found him, sleeping with his head tucked but his pale cheek and small pointy tail visible. Needing certainty, we tracked him until he raised his head and we could see the features of this immature scoter. Then back to sleep he went and we headed out. Checklist attached showing the location. https://ebird.org/checklist/S299582276Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/11/26 10:09 am From: DUNN, JANE <DUNNJ...> Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
Thank you for such a complete analysis of what our hummers need. Jane Dunn
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00:45 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,
Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.
Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand thatthe best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
- Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
- Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
- Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
- Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John SommerWild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock1818 N Taylor StreetLittle Rock, AR 82207501.666.4210
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:44 PM Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> wrote:
From National Audubon magazine, https://www.audubon.org/magazine/hummingbird-feeding-faqs Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
All —
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Thanks for your response. All can imagine the damage that a nature tour guide is doing in dispersing misinformation about using honey which will impact hummingbirds wherever such bad information is used.
Alyson, you need to give notice to that nature guide to stop spreading such ignorance and stupidity.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 7:42 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/11/26 5:34 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Western Tanager Continues at Hot Springs Village
Michael and I went back yesterday, hoping for photos but we suspect the bird has moved on. Patty McLean
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/8/26 5:19 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Western Tanager Continues at Hot Springs Village A group of intrepid birding friends decided to try for the Western Tanager today, now that the snow had finally cleared off the hilltop where the bird has been seen. Apparently it's been visiting a few different feeders in this private neighborhood for well over a month!As soon as we got out of the car, we could hear it calling. A quick look for some -- and it was gone. No pictures, so we stayed around for a longer time than we initially planned for but finally gave up and headed home. Not the most satisfying way to get a lifer or state bird but still countable. I created a stakeout Hotspot from the Scenic Overlook and Trail, which is public access and fairly close to where the bird has been seen. However you need a gate pass to enter the Village.Here's our checklist.https://ebird.org/checklist/S299021238Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners -------- Original message --------From: Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation <hello...> Date: 2/8/26 2:11 PM (GMT-06:00) To: Michael Linz <plm108...> Subject: Information about your pre-order
You might be curious about what to expect before your plants are en route.
Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.
When will my plants ship?
Your order contains a plant species that has been marked "pre-order." We are currently accepting pre-orders for Spring 2026 delivery. Shipping will resume on a rolling basis after the last frost date in your region passes. The oldest pre-orders ship first. You can learn more about our shipping timeframes here.
For more information, visit our Help Center.
Why can’t you ship my order right away?
For most of the country, it's too cold to plant! Our growers are in the greenhouse preparing for the Spring 2026 shipping season. Each plant species is in a different stage of growth and will make its way to you when it's safe to plant and ready to thrive in your garden.
How will I know when my plants ship?
We’ll send you a confirmation email as soon as your order is on its way! We will send shipping updates as we resume live shipping in different regions. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on your area’s current estimated shipping timeframe here.
Read More FAQs
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I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:44 PM Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> wrote:
> From National Audubon magazine,
> https://www.audubon.org/magazine/hummingbird-feeding-faqs >
> *Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?*
>
> *A:* No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have
> additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the
> hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <
> <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> All —
>>
>> Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has
>> there been any scientific research into it?
>>
>> This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar
>> mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in
>> sugar syrup.
>>
>> But do hummers access honey in the wild?
>>
>> What I’ve always heard is:
>>
>> — One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers
>> drink.
>>
>> — This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
>>
>> — Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar
>> or maybe fructose.
>>
>> I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
>>
>> The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
>>
>> Alyson Hoge
>> ############################
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list:
>> write to: mailto:<ARBIRD-L-SIGNOFF-REQUEST...> >> or click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
*Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?*
*A:* No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have
additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the
hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <
<000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> All —
>
> Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has
> there been any scientific research into it?
>
> This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar
> mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in
> sugar syrup.
>
> But do hummers access honey in the wild?
>
> What I’ve always heard is:
>
> — One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers
> drink.
>
> — This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
>
> — Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar
> or maybe fructose.
>
> I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
>
> The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
>
> Alyson Hoge
> ############################
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list:
> write to: mailto:<ARBIRD-L-SIGNOFF-REQUEST...> > or click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Absolutely not. The point of using nectar is to mimic what’s in nature. That means water and plain sugar and nothing else. The three points you made are all correct. The ratio can be changed to increase or decrease sugar; after all, many top hummer plants like Cuphea and others may have sugar percentages of 27 to 31% instead of 20% like a 4:1 recipe. But definitely no honey or anything other than plain sugar.
John Dillon
Athens, LA
> On Feb 10, 2026, at 8:13 PM, Alyson Hoge <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> All —
>
> Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
>
> This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
>
> But do hummers access honey in the wild?
>
> What I’ve always heard is:
>
> — One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
>
> — This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
>
> — Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
>
> I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
>
> The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
>
> Alyson Hoge
> ############################
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list:
> write to: mailto:<ARBIRD-L-SIGNOFF-REQUEST...> > or click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/8/26 3:19 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Western Tanager Continues at Hot Springs Village
A group of intrepid birding friends decided to try for the Western Tanager today, now that the snow had finally cleared off the hilltop where the bird has been seen. Apparently it's been visiting a few different feeders in this private neighborhood for well over a month!As soon as we got out of the car, we could hear it calling. A quick look for some -- and it was gone. No pictures, so we stayed around for a longer time than we initially planned for but finally gave up and headed home. Not the most satisfying way to get a lifer or state bird but still countable. I created a stakeout Hotspot from the Scenic Overlook and Trail, which is public access and fairly close to where the bird has been seen. However you need a gate pass to enter the Village.Here's our checklist.https://ebird.org/checklist/S299021238Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
-------- Original message --------From: Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation <hello...> Date: 2/8/26 2:11 PM (GMT-06:00) To: Michael Linz <plm108...> Subject: Information about your pre-order
You might be curious about what to expect before your plants are en route.
Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.
When will my plants ship?
Your order contains a plant species that has been marked "pre-order." We are currently accepting pre-orders for Spring 2026 delivery. Shipping will resume on a rolling basis after the last frost date in your region passes. The oldest pre-orders ship first. You can learn more about our shipping timeframes here.
For more information, visit our Help Center.
Why can’t you ship my order right away?
For most of the country, it's too cold to plant! Our growers are in the greenhouse preparing for the Spring 2026 shipping season. Each plant species is in a different stage of growth and will make its way to you when it's safe to plant and ready to thrive in your garden.
How will I know when my plants ship?
We’ll send you a confirmation email as soon as your order is on its way! We will send shipping updates as we resume live shipping in different regions. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on your area’s current estimated shipping timeframe here.
Read More FAQs
211 Wendover Rd., Baltimore, MD, 21218
You are receiving this email because you subscribed at gardenforwildlife.com or nwf.org.
Your privacy is very important to us; review our privacy policy here.
Date: 2/8/26 11:22 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Tridens strictus
Tallgrass Prairies in southwestern Missouri lie adjacent to Northwest Arkansas City near Joplin, Missouri, an easy drive north on I-49. Our trip Saturday February included several tracts of Tallgrass Prairie owned and protected by Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Prairie Foundation.
Both open to the public. We also stopped in at George Washington Carver National Monument. A sign on the visitor center door includes a warning for those with peanut allegories. Took me a minute to catch up on that one. If you are still wondering, check out Carvers history, so well told in that space.
At Diamond Grove Prairie and Carver Prairie: Northern Harrier working grasslands. A shrike had impaled a huge black beetle and a small snake along the fence. Down the road, a flock of at least 25 White-crowned Sparrows.
Perched unfortunately too far away or close study: a reddish-tinged Red-tailed Hawk. I have no good idea about proper subspecies ID.
Then it was off to Joplins Wildcat Park, including Shoal Creek Glade (Conservation Education Center), walking trails, and adjoining Wildcat Village, a hands-on natural history demo and playground aimed at the young and families.
Formal education center was closed for the day, but not education itself, as things worked out. Feeders had lots of visitors: House Finches, Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-winged Blackbirds, +++. The Centers picture windows are covered with a dot pattern. This warns flying birds, helping reduce impact deaths, a key cause of bird mortality.
A flock of Eastern Bluebirds were performing a vigorous interaction in a wonderful old Post Oak. The ground under it is covered with native curly Poverty Grass. Vernal-Witch Hazel was in full bloom.
A perfectly installed bench allowed comfortable views of Education Center bird feeders. Then with just a little turning, a landscape view of Silver Creek flowing into Shoal Creek. A Red-shouldered Hawk was keeping watch, too. The bench is out on the glade where, in summer, it should be possible to see Eastern Collared Lizards.
On the short walk to Wildcat Village we noticed a native grass much favored by birds for bunches of small seeds: Tridens strictus. This is the season of visible seeds. Got me thinking about everywhere the seeds of tomorrow and tomorrow and ...
I enjoyed recently installed artwork including a butterfly chair. From there I had great views of a couple of White-throated Sparrows in dense vegetation. A Downy Woodpecker perched on the dense stalks of last seasons sunflowers.
At my age it seems worthwhile to just watch children playing. Reminds me, and probably you too, the future of all these seeds is in their hands.
On the way out we stopped to enjoy a Chimney Swift tower. My friend and in my view the father of Arkansas birding Doug James, always had in mind building something like that in Fayetteville. We dont have it done, yet. But here at Shoal Creek we see at least one more nudge, a seed in the right direction.
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Sent: Friday, February 6, 2026 9:14 PM To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Mr Maurice Loux and astonishing eagles Today was eagle day for us. Lots to see in western Benton County, plus adjacent eastern Oklahoma and SW Missouri. This whole area is the former Beatie Prairie. Still open country for the most part. Lots of huge chicken barns and pastures with cattle. We lucked out. Our eagle watching was comfortable under a big blue sky with temps in the upper 60s. After a couple of hours we counted at least 59 Bald Eagles – 29 adults, 30 subadults. We saw them everywhere we went. The Big Finale involved a concentration of mainly subadults south of Maysville. We saw them on the ground and then watched as they formed kettles. Watching a kettle like this contributes to an eagle version of “warbler neck.” I was reminded of January 1986 when Maurice Loux, a lifelong Maysville resident, invited our fledgling Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society to come out to see eagles on his farm. He promised a really big show. One family member was in the chicken business. For two weeks before our trip they saved dead chickens collected from the barns. On the day of our visit, Mr Loux loaded up the chickens and dumped them in a field where it would be easy to observe from his front yard along the county road. The eagle total came to an astounding 115! That was a typical cold January day. Thankfully, Mr Loux had invited the local 4 H club to set up a table with hot chocolate for sale.
Date: 2/7/26 8:45 am From: <cpatton412...> <00000151b1cba27b-dmarc-request...> Subject: Red shafted flicker...??
This bird has been coming intermittently to our suet feeder. Very clear looks at red mustache, red underwings in flight and white rump patch in flight. I know this would be rare and bird looks brownish rather than gray. These pics aren't great ( had to take from inside through window), but any thoughts on it being a hybrid? Thanks in advance.Cindy Patton
Date: 2/6/26 7:14 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Mr Maurice Loux and astonishing eagles
Today was eagle day for us. Lots to see in western Benton County, plus adjacent eastern Oklahoma and SW Missouri. This whole area is the former Beatie Prairie. Still open country for the most part. Lots of huge chicken barns and pastures with cattle.
We lucked out. Our eagle watching was comfortable under a big blue sky with temps in the upper 60s.
After a couple of hours we counted at least 59 Bald Eagles 29 adults, 30 subadults. We saw them everywhere we went.
The Big Finale involved a concentration of mainly subadults south of Maysville. We saw them on the ground and then watched as they formed kettles. Watching a kettle like this contributes to an eagle version of warbler neck.
I was reminded of January 1986 when Maurice Loux, a lifelong Maysville resident, invited our fledgling Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society to come out to see eagles on his farm. He promised a really big show.
One family member was in the chicken business. For two weeks before our trip they saved dead chickens collected from the barns. On the day of our visit, Mr Loux loaded up the chickens and dumped them in a field where it would be easy to observe from his front yard along the county road.
The eagle total came to an astounding 115! That was a typical cold January day. Thankfully, Mr Loux had invited the local 4 H club to set up a table with hot chocolate for sale.
Date: 2/6/26 9:11 am From: Jerry Butler <jerrysharon.butler...> Subject: Re: Lake Dardanelle CBC 2025/26
Wow! Good job.
On Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 10:05 PM Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...> wrote:
> On January 1, 2026, eleven birders collectively tallied 27,822 birds of
> 115 different species over 44.62 party hours and 192.26 miles.
>
> New species for the count were American Bittern and Gray Catbird. Notable
> High Counts were: Northern Bobwhite (5), Bald Eagle (17), Northern Flicker
> (71), Eastern Phoebe (27), and Carolina Chickadee (151).
>
> Observers this year were: Leif Anderson, Megan Foll, Michael Linz, Patty
> McLean, Matt Matlock, Sarah Morris, Dawna Stirrup, Clay Hooten, Steve
> Warmack, LaDonna and Kenny Nichols.
>
> Many thanks to all helping this count so successful.
>
> Kenny Nichols
> Lake Dardanelle CBC coordinator
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
On January 1, 2026, eleven birders collectively tallied 27,822 birds of 115 different species over 44.62 party hours and 192.26 miles. New species for the count were American Bittern and Gray Catbird. Notable High Counts were: Northern Bobwhite (5), Bald Eagle (17), Northern Flicker (71), Eastern Phoebe (27), and Carolina Chickadee (151). Observers this year were: Leif Anderson, Megan Foll, Michael Linz, Patty McLean, Matt Matlock, Sarah Morris, Dawna Stirrup, Clay Hooten, Steve Warmack, LaDonna and Kenny Nichols. Many thanks to all helping this count so successful. Kenny NicholsLake Dardanelle CBC coordinator
Date: 2/5/26 9:37 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
Sorry, all. It was the American Tree Sparrow (not swallow) that continues today at Cadron Bottoms. I threw some food out for him and his buddies. 🤣🤣🤣Patty
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/5/26 9:56 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: RE: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow The Amer6 Tree Swallow at Cadron Bottoms continues today. The one reported at Lollie Bottoms has not been seen for several days. Patty and Michael -------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/4/26 11:23 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch. Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.Patty McLean
Date: 2/5/26 8:15 am From: DUNN, JANE <DUNNJ...> Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
I saw a bird flying near Sams on Bowman yesterday that had definite swallow wings, but given the traffic, I could not tell more.
Jane Dunn
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2026 9:56:05 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
The Amer6 Tree Swallow at Cadron Bottoms continues today.
The one reported at Lollie Bottoms has not been seen for several days.
Patty and Michael
-------- Original message --------
From: Patty McLean <plm108...>
Date: 2/4/26 11:23 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6
If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch.
Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.
Date: 2/5/26 7:56 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
The Amer6 Tree Swallow at Cadron Bottoms continues today. The one reported at Lollie Bottoms has not been seen for several days. Patty and Michael
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/4/26 11:23 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch. Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.Patty McLean
Date: 2/5/26 6:44 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Common Merganser at Beaverfork Lake
We heard from Roger Massey that the Common Merganser continues this morning on Beaverfork Lake.Patty McLean
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/4/26 8:55 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Common Merganser at Beaverfork Lake There's a handsome looking male COMMON MERGANSER at Beaverfork Lake this morning. It's actively feeding where the gulls are, along with a female Red-breasted Merganser and several Common Goldeneye. Info on the site: https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L365158Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/4/26 9:23 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch. Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.Patty McLean
Date: 2/4/26 7:03 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Common Merganser at Beaverfork Lake
There's a handsome looking male COMMON MERGANSER at Beaverfork Lake this morning. It's actively feeding where the gulls are, along with a female Red-breasted Merganser and several Common Goldeneye. Info on the site: https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L365158Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Than Boves <0000066ff0d310d7-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 1:07 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Swainson's Warbler migration
Hi all - A few years ago, we collaborated on a project to better understand the migration of Swainson's Warblers. The AAST funded part of this research and it has just recently been accepted for publication! More broadly, this work also was the first to use a new method to track small birds using a barometer to measure pressure changes in the atmosphere. As a result, we now can track small birds with extraordinary detail, not just on the ground, but in flight as well!
Here is a visualization of one of our birds that we caught (and recaught) in the Mark Twain National Forest, just across the border in SE Missouri. Be sure to click on Bird's-eye View too!
Date: 2/3/26 1:07 pm From: Than Boves <0000066ff0d310d7-dmarc-request...> Subject: Swainson's Warbler migration
Hi all - A few years ago, we collaborated on a project to better understand the migration of Swainson's Warblers. The AAST funded part of this research and it has just recently been accepted for publication! More broadly, this work also was the first to use a new method to track small birds using a barometer to measure pressure changes in the atmosphere. As a result, we now can track small birds with extraordinary detail, not just on the ground, but in flight as well!
Here is a visualization of one of our birds that we caught (and recaught) in the Mark Twain National Forest, just across the border in SE Missouri. Be sure to click on Bird's-eye View too!
It was mostly clear, mild, and a bit windy on the bird survey today. 48 species were found. A lot of our smaller Passerines (wrens, warblers, sparrows, etc.) have apparently been pushed further south by the recent Arctic blast as they were in short supply today. With duck hunting season over now, the ducks have apparently dispersed throughout the nearby wetlands from the refuge area leaving few left on the large reservoirs. The levees were too wet to drive so I had to stay on gravel. Here is my list for today:
Date: 2/2/26 8:03 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Sequoyah NWR
An afternoon full of geese (4 species) and many duck species, plus other birds along Wildlife Drive at Sequoyah NWR on Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma. All about what Aldo Leopold called "goose music." In fine tune yesterday. We saw several active Bald Eagles nests. Here's the checklist submitted to eBird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297707667
I received the following email from National Audubon Society about the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 13-16. If you haven't participated in the past I encourage you to do so. Birds can be counted, not only in your backyard, but wherever you may be.
For the 2025 results, Arkansas ranked #32 out of 51 regions (50 states, plus Washington DC) with 134 species. There were 1,148 checklists submitted over the 4-day period. Out of AR 75 counties, 65 reported at least one species.
Hopefully, the link below will work if you're interested in registering for the webinar. If not you can also find the link at https://www.birdcount.org
Webinar: How to Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count
You're invited to a lively, beginner-friendly webinar to discover tips, tricks, and ideas on how you can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) on Thursday, February 5 at 3 p.m. ET or Wednesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. ET. Please join us and spread the word about this webinar and the GBBC! Register for the webinar here [1].
Taking place February 13-16, the GBBC is an inter-organizational effort between Audubon, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds Canada. This fun and impactful global community science event engages bird watchers of all ages and skill levels in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations.
Just back from witnessing the release of a young barred owl rescue at Ozark Natural Science Center at Lake Fayetteville. What a labor of love. See the article link below. And maybe 100 people there to watch. It was hard not to fall down in the snow in amazement when this magnificent bird took wing. A little tentative at first, a brief flop-down into some brush, but the rally at the end into the trees by the lake looked like it'll all be OK in the end. Best news ever. https://www.nwahomepage.com/northwest-arkansas-news/northsong-wild-bird-rehabilitation-rescues-barred-owl-from-lake-fayetteville/
Date: 2/1/26 11:48 am From: Kevin Krajcir <kjkrajcir...> Subject: February 2026 ASCA Meeting - Henslow's Sparrow Winter Ecology
Good afternoon!
Join the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA) on Thursday February
12th at 7 PM to hear from me (Kevin Krajcir) speak about habitat
associations and responses to prescribed fire of Henslow’s Sparrows in
southern Arkansas.
During the past few winters, Kevin has conducted surveys and studies of
Henslow’s Sparrows (*Centronyx henslowii*) that overwinter in rare saline
soil barren habitats of South Arkansas. Kevin will present some findings
from a habitat association study conducted at four natural areas during the
winter of 2023-2024. These results were also compared to a similar study
conducted almost 20 years prior to reveal how habitat preferences of this
declining grassland sparrow might be changing.
Kevin Krajcir completed his undergraduate degree from Hendrix College in
2017 and a master’s in biology at Arkansas State University in 2022. Kevin
currently works for the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission as a
Conservation Biologist and the agency’s Grants Coordinator. He also serves
as the Vice President and CBC Compiler for ASCA and the Conservation Chair
for the Arkansas Audubon Society.
Date: 2/1/26 11:04 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County)
The American Tree Sparrow continues at Lollie Bottoms in Faulkner County at this approx location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3ntVJfqYmjHU1toA6Several folks joined us this morning to see it, a lifer for some.Patty McLean and Michael Linz
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 1/30/26 5:33 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County) After joining a few jubilant birders at Lollie this afternoon to see all the LAPLAND LONGSPURS found earlier by Roger Massey (which was a life bird for Cody Massery and Jason Martin), Michael and I drove along Donnell Ridge Road and stopped to look at some sparrows, hoping to see a Lincoln's. But instead we were treated with a single AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, sitting in a small tree along the roadside. EBird list here with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297081667When/if accepted, this will be the 5td Faulkner County record, with the most recent sighting reported in 2000. We're pumped. It's a county bird for both of us, so you know we're excited. Stay warm this weekend. I hear it's gonna be cold and windy.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 1/30/26 4:09 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County)
My bad. I didn't check the Arkansas Bird Records for Faulkner County. There are FOUR previous records with the most recent being 2000, which would make this #5. First reported in 1973 by Bill Shepherd. Still pumped and hope others will have the chance to see this lovely little sparrow.Patty
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 1/30/26 5:33 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County) After joining a few jubilant birders at Lollie this afternoon to see all the LAPLAND LONGSPURS found earlier by Roger Massey (which was a life bird for Cody Massery and Jason Martin), Michael and I drove along Donnell Ridge Road and stopped to look at some sparrows, hoping to see a Lincoln's. But instead we were treated with a single AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, sitting in a small tree along the roadside. EBird list here with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297081667When/if accepted, this will be the 3rd Faulkner County record, with the most recent sighting reported in 1983. Basically 43 years ago. We're pumped. It's a county bird for both of us, so you know we're excited. Stay warm this weekend. I hear it's gonna be cold and windy.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 1/30/26 3:33 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County)
After joining a few jubilant birders at Lollie this afternoon to see all the LAPLAND LONGSPURS found earlier by Roger Massey (which was a life bird for Cody Massery and Jason Martin), Michael and I drove along Donnell Ridge Road and stopped to look at some sparrows, hoping to see a Lincoln's. But instead we were treated with a single AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, sitting in a small tree along the roadside. EBird list here with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297081667When/if accepted, this will be the 3rd Faulkner County record, with the most recent sighting reported in 1983. Basically 43 years ago. We're pumped. It's a county bird for both of us, so you know we're excited. Stay warm this weekend. I hear it's gonna be cold and windy.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Recently published research finds that Marsh Wrens with western songs and eastern songs can nest in the same marsh and still maintain their genetic "purity". Western singers and eastern singers nesting in the same marsh do not interbreed. It seems likely that a split will be coming.
Do you have these two future species "in the bank"?
-- Allan Mueller (It) 20 Moseley Lane, Conway, AR Home of the Arkansas State Champion Winged Elm 501-339-8071 Pura Vida
Date: 1/29/26 3:10 pm From: Francie Bolter <franciebolter...> Subject: Re: Name Change
The “how will people find us?” is an understandable concern. Fortunately, digital redirects and transition messaging both can be used to assist an organization with renaming itself.
If we do change the name, I’m curious about what people would miss about the old name?
Francie Ferguson Bolter
Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
> On Jan 29, 2026, at 4:28 PM, Robin Buff <robinbuff...> wrote:
>
> The Audubon Camp has been called the Halberg Ecology Camp for many moons. I always refer to it as the Ecology Camp as do others in my family. If I search for "Ecology Camp Arkansas" I get the same results if I search for "Audubon Camp Arkansas". Try it.
>
> Robin Buff
> Director, Halberg Ecology Camp
>
> On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:13 PM Adam Schaffer <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> <mailto:<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
>> The society at large may not realize that the shorthand most kids, parents, and staff usually use to refer to the AAS camp is not ecology camp, but instead Audubon Camp.
>>
>> Adam Schaffer
>>
>>> On Jan 29, 2026, at 12:52 PM, Renn Tumlison <tumlison...> <mailto:<tumlison...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Something I haven't read from the responses about name changes, but I think should be part of the thought process, is how far we go with a name change. Like Adam, I have taught at the Arkansas Audubon Society summer ecology camp for many years. Parents of some recent campers told me they had a great experience at camp when they were young and wanted their kids to have the same experience, so they googled to see if the "Audubon Camp" was still active, and found it online. Without that name, they may or may not have found the camp. Many recent campers are descendants of former campers. We need to imagine what happens to camp without the Audubon name. Also, there is some discussion about the move of several groups (including nationally) to drop honorary names. If we dropped the Audubon name on that basis, should we also drop the "Edith and Henry Halberg Arkansas Audubon Society Summer Ecology Camp" name, as that full name includes two honorary names?
>>>
>>> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>>> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> >>> From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> <mailto:<ARBIRD-L...>> on behalf of Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> <mailto:<sndbrgr...>> >>> Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:29:04 PM
>>> To: <ARBIRD-L...> <mailto:<ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...> <mailto:<ARBIRD-L...>> >>> Subject: Re: Name Change
>>>
>>> Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it disrespectful to them to be doing this?
>>>
>>> Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
>>>
>>> Sandy B
>>> Past President
>>> Arkansas Audubon Society
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> <mailto:<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
>>> I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
>>> More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al. It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
>>>
>>> Adam Schaffer
>>> Bentonville
>>>
>>>> On Jan 28, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Mitchell Pruitt <mitchellpruitt24...> <mailto:<mitchellpruitt24...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>> Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name. Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given their work in avian conservation across the globe.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>> Mitchell Pruitt
>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> <mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m very disappointed.
>>>>> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you,
>>>>> Sandy Berger
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> <mailto:<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
>>>>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> <mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>>>>
>>>>> Sandy Berger
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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>
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Date: 1/29/26 2:28 pm From: Robin Buff <robinbuff...> Subject: Re: Name Change
The Audubon Camp has been called the Halberg Ecology Camp for many moons. I
always refer to it as the Ecology Camp as do others in my family. If I
search for "Ecology Camp Arkansas" I get the same results if I search for
"Audubon Camp Arkansas". Try it.
Robin Buff
Director, Halberg Ecology Camp
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:13 PM Adam Schaffer <
<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> The society at large may not realize that the shorthand most kids,
> parents, and staff usually use to refer to the AAS camp is not ecology
> camp, but instead Audubon Camp.
>
> Adam Schaffer
>
> On Jan 29, 2026, at 12:52 PM, Renn Tumlison <tumlison...> wrote:
>
>
> Something I haven't read from the responses about name changes, but I
> think should be part of the thought process, is how far we go with a name
> change. Like Adam, I have taught at the Arkansas Audubon Society summer
> ecology camp for many years. Parents of some recent campers told me they
> had a great experience at camp when they were young and wanted their kids
> to have the same experience, so they googled to see if the "Audubon Camp"
> was still active, and found it online. Without that name, they may or may
> not have found the camp. Many recent campers are descendants of former
> campers. We need to imagine what happens to camp without the Audubon name.
> Also, there is some discussion about the move of several groups (including
> nationally) to drop honorary names. If we dropped the Audubon name on that
> basis, should we also drop the "Edith and Henry Halberg Arkansas Audubon
> Society Summer Ecology Camp" name, as that full name includes two honorary
> names?
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> > ------------------------------
> *From:* The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...>
> on behalf of Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...>
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:29:04 PM
> *To:* <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
> *Subject:* Re: Name Change
>
> Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of
> renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m
> proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think
> of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it
> disrespectful to them to be doing this?
>
> Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
>
> Sandy B
> Past President
> Arkansas Audubon Society
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <
> <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as
> being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good
> thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
> More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some
> well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al.
> It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas
> Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same
> organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid
> to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp
> in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
>
> Adam Schaffer
> Bentonville
>
> On Jan 28, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Mitchell Pruitt <mitchellpruitt24...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce
> confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal
> AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name.
> Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity
> of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and
> research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually
> predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given
> their work in avian conservation across the globe.
>
> Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside
> Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
>
> Best,
> Mitchell Pruitt
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
> very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
> do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>
> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
>
> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>
> Sandy Berger
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
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Date: 1/29/26 10:52 am From: Renn Tumlison <TUMLISON...> Subject: Re: Name Change
Something I haven't read from the responses about name changes, but I think should be part of the thought process, is how far we go with a name change. Like Adam, I have taught at the Arkansas Audubon Society summer ecology camp for many years. Parents of some recent campers told me they had a great experience at camp when they were young and wanted their kids to have the same experience, so they googled to see if the "Audubon Camp" was still active, and found it online. Without that name, they may or may not have found the camp. Many recent campers are descendants of former campers. We need to imagine what happens to camp without the Audubon name. Also, there is some discussion about the move of several groups (including nationally) to drop honorary names. If we dropped the Audubon name on that basis, should we also drop the "Edith and Henry Halberg Arkansas Audubon Society Summer Ecology Camp" name, as that full name includes two honorary names?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:29:04 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Name Change
Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it disrespectful to them to be doing this?
Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
Sandy B
Past President
Arkansas Audubon Society
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...><mailto:<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al. It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name. Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given their work in avian conservation across the globe.
Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
Best,
Mitchell Pruitt
On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...><mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m very disappointed.
Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
Thank you,
Sandy Berger
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...><mailto:<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...><mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
Date: 1/29/26 10:29 am From: Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> Subject: Re: Name Change
Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of
renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m
proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think
of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it
disrespectful to them to be doing this?
Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
Sandy B
Past President
Arkansas Audubon Society
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <
<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as
> being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good
> thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
> More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some
> well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al.
> It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas
> Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same
> organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid
> to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp
> in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
>
> Adam Schaffer
> Bentonville
>
> On Jan 28, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Mitchell Pruitt <mitchellpruitt24...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce
> confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal
> AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name.
> Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity
> of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and
> research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually
> predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given
> their work in avian conservation across the globe.
>
> Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside
> Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
>
> Best,
> Mitchell Pruitt
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
> very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
> do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
>> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
>> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
>> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>
>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
>> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
>> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>
>> Sandy Berger
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/29/26 7:32 am From: Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> Subject: Re: Interesting snow day on former Beatie Prairie in western Benton County
I too had Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks this past week in a local
park. Someone had done wheelies in a snow-covered field exposing grass and
mud. They were joined in the ruts by meadowlarks and Savannah Sparrows.
Sandy B
Fort Smith
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:59 AM Joseph Neal <
<0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> An interesting day of birding with all fields and most roads snow-covered
> in western Benton County. Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs showed up. *https://ebird.org/checklist/S296858683 > <https://ebird.org/checklist/S296858683>* With Kelly Mulhollan. Bald
> Eagles everywhere. Sparrows of several open country species finding every
> little patch of grass and in one spot, Song Sparrows standing on the snow,
> plucking seeds off exposed weeds.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/29/26 6:59 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Interesting snow day on former Beatie Prairie in western Benton County
An interesting day of birding with all fields and most roads snow-covered in western Benton County. Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs showed up. https://ebird.org/checklist/S296858683 With Kelly Mulhollan. Bald Eagles everywhere. Sparrows of several open country species finding every little patch of grass and in one spot, Song Sparrows standing on the snow, plucking seeds off exposed weeds.
Date: 1/28/26 3:23 pm From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Fw: SOLILOQUY FOR CHICKEN HOUSE PRAIRIES January 28 2026
Thank you for sharing this information about Arkansas Reads Leopold weekend, March 7 and 8. I am a fan of Aldo Leopold and some of his writings were kept in front of my desk during my four decades working as a Forest Wildlife Biologist. When I was the Forest Wildlife Biologist for the Tonto National Forest, many of Aldo's research and writing papers were in the Forest Files when he worked for the Forest Service in Arizona and New Mexico. I provided copies of this information to Curt Meine for his book Aldo Leopold, and he gave me credits in the acknowledgements. I have also visited the Leopold cabin and the Foundation Office and Museum in Wisconsin.
We need a rebirth and understanding of what Aldo Leopold had to say and those that have not read A Sand County Almanac, Round River, Game Management, Aldo Leopold, Aldo Leopold's Southwest and the Essential Aldo Leopold among others have missed out on excellent writings on conservation.
Thank you
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 12:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: SOLILOQUY FOR CHICKEN HOUSE PRAIRIES January 28 2026
Jerry,
Thanks for your post and the shout-out to Aldo Leopold. For those interested in finding out more about Aldo Leopold or revisiting him, let me mention Arkansas Reads Leopold weekend, March 7 and 8. There will be seven community reading events on that weekend, and their focus is reading excerpts from A Sand County Almanac. More information on specific events can be found here: https://arbirds.org/AASPage.aspx?pg=16. A "prequel" will be held the evening of March 3 at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock, where the Central Arkansas Library System will show the documentary about Leopold and his life and work, Green Fire.
AAS is the chief sponsor of these events, having obtained a grant from the Aldo Leopold Foundation<https://www.aldoleopold.org/>. We'll be distributing free copies of A Sand County Almanac, if you don't have one. If you do, bring it and read along! Statewide cosponsors include the Arkansas Master Naturalists Audubon Delta, Wild Birds Unlimited, Ozark Society, and Sierra Club. NWAAS and ASCA, along with many others, are cosponsoring local events. AAS members are some of our readers!
I've attached an event flyer. Contact me off-list if you have questions.
Lynn Foster
President, Arkansas Audubon Society
On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:03 AM <jwdavis...><mailto:<jwdavis...> <jwdavis...><mailto:<jwdavis...>> wrote:
Thank you, Joe, it is more difficult for some of us to come to peace with what is happening to our world. There are 2,800 Billionaires in the US and 22,000,000 Millionaires in the US, and it would be great if they would use some of their fortunes for the good of society and natural resources rather than its desire. Musk and Benzo want a trillion people on earth so they can make more profits, and they will never understand the good they could do with a different mindset.
For Aldo Leopold, the most precious lesson one could learn (at any age) was not found in a schoolhouse, but rather in the land around it. Understanding the value of the natural world required introspection and observation skills, both of which could be found in the wilderness.
"Man, always kills the thing he loves, and so we the pioneers have killed our wilderness. Some say we had to. Be that as it may, I am glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?"
“One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a community that believes itself well and does not want to be told otherwise.” ― Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/321811>
“A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke [of the axe] he is writing his signature on the face of the land.” ― Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/321811>
The outstanding scientific discovery of the twentieth century is not television, or radio, but rather the complexity of the land organism. Only those who know the most about it can appreciation how little we know about it. The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant, "What good is it?" If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. Aldo Leopold<https://libquotes.com/aldo-leopold>
For those that care about conservation and our natural resources it would be good for the soul to reread A Sand County Almanac.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S296690493 https://ebird.org/checklist/S296688638 Seems like only yesterday I had a full crop of dark hair and walked through endless prairie fields with binoculars around my neck and a Bushnell spotting scope on a rifle sling strapped on my back. Ready for LeConte’s Sparrow to flush and fly low to perch in broomsedge bluestem.
Yes … thoughts on a gray morning ... Then there’s an old friend, sun, popping through, all radiance and promise. It won’t bring back my hair. Does elevate the spirit. All of nature appreciates the moment, including this bird watcher.
I hope none of you who read these thoughts will feel despair about this. I sure don’t mean it that way. Just the facts, Mam … in a country where close to 50 years of winters have been full of harriers and I assume at night, Short-eared Owls. Where in a time now long gone before living people prairie-chickens called home.
Now different kinds of chickens reign supreme. The white kind, by tens of millions, in long silver barns. Our chicken house prairies.
According to signs posted along the road, what was long before me Tallgrass Prairie will be 129 new homes. And the new home owners will without doubt think about future shade and plant trees where not that long ago grew Big Bluestem and Indian Grass.
If I was Alice Walton I would have bought all of this when it went up for a sale last year. 200+ acres. Would have made a decent preserve. But I’m not Alice. When it came to making the big money, I made other choices. It will be 129 new homes.
I’m making my peace with it. The place where I live in Fayetteville used to be something else, too. I came to live in what was once a Tallgrass Prairie oak barren. Like how 129 new homes will be coming to Tallgrass Prairie.
This is a soliloquy for back country where for ages Northern Harriers reigned supreme. Where if I look hard enough on a June day Grasshopper Sparrows still sing. Probably, also soliloquy for the guy who used to have thick dark hair who is today, as they say, “on the sunny side of 80” and seeing how so many things pass away.
As a birder, I know other spots where I can turn sideways on an unpaved but graded country road for a better look at White-crowned Sparrows -- without the new comers who don’t know me calling deputies to report a outbreak terrorist.
The good stuff for birding opportunity is not all going to disappear because of 129 new homes, but I can see the storm coming. The sky is getting all purple and dimpled. I’m enjoying other chicken house prairies.
Date: 1/28/26 12:50 pm From: Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> Subject: Re: SOLILOQUY FOR CHICKEN HOUSE PRAIRIES January 28 2026
Jerry,
Thanks for your post and the shout-out to Aldo Leopold. For those
interested in finding out more about Aldo Leopold or revisiting him, let me
mention *Arkansas Reads Leopold weekend, March 7 and 8*. There will be
seven community reading events on that weekend, and their focus is reading
excerpts from A Sand County Almanac. More information on specific events
can be found here: https://arbirds.org/AASPage.aspx?pg=16. A "prequel" will
be held the evening of March 3 at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock,
where the Central Arkansas Library System will show the documentary about
Leopold and his life and work, Green Fire.
AAS is the chief sponsor of these events, having obtained a grant from the Aldo
Leopold Foundation <https://www.aldoleopold.org/>. We'll be distributing
free copies of A Sand County Almanac, if you don't have one. If you do,
bring it and read along! Statewide cosponsors include the Arkansas Master
Naturalists Audubon Delta, Wild Birds Unlimited, Ozark Society, and Sierra
Club. NWAAS and ASCA, along with many others, are cosponsoring local
events. AAS members are some of our readers!
I've attached an event flyer. Contact me off-list if you have questions.
Lynn Foster
President, Arkansas Audubon Society
On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:03 AM <jwdavis...> <
<jwdavis...> wrote:
> Thank you, Joe, it is more difficult for some of us to come to peace with
> what is happening to our world. There are 2,800 Billionaires in the US and
> 22,000,000 Millionaires in the US, and it would be great if they would use
> some of their fortunes for the good of society and natural resources rather
> than its desire. Musk and Benzo want a trillion people on earth so they can
> make more profits, and they will never understand the good they could do
> with a different mindset.
>
> For Aldo Leopold, the most precious lesson one could learn (at any age) was not found in a schoolhouse, but rather in the land around it. Understanding the value of the natural world required introspection and observation skills, both of which could be found in the
> wilderness.
>
> "Man, always kills the thing he loves, and so we the pioneers have killed
> our wilderness. Some say we had to. Be that as it may, I am glad I shall
> never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty
> freedoms without a blank spot on the map?"
>
> “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone
> in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite
> invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either harden his shell and make
> believe that the consequences of science are none of his business, or he
> must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a community that believes
> itself well and does not want to be told otherwise.” ― *Aldo Leopold, **A
> Sand County Almanac <https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/321811>* >
> “A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke [of
> the axe] he is writing his signature on the face of the land.” ― *Aldo
> Leopold, **A Sand County Almanac
> <https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/321811>* >
> The outstanding scientific discovery of the twentieth century is not
> television, or radio, but rather the complexity of the land organism. Only
> those who know the most about it can appreciation how little we know about
> it. The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant,
> "What good is it?" If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every
> part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course
> of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a
> fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is
> the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. Aldo Leopold
> <https://libquotes.com/aldo-leopold> >
> For those that care about conservation and our natural resources it would
> be good for the soul to reread A Sand County Almanac.
>
>
> Jerry Wayne Davis
> Hot Springs, AR
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...>
> on behalf of Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...>
> >
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 28, 2026 7:00 AM
> *To:* <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
> *Subject:* SOLILOQUY FOR CHICKEN HOUSE PRAIRIES January 28 2026
>
> *https://ebird.org/checklist/S296690493 > <https://ebird.org/checklist/S296690493>* > *https://ebird.org/checklist/S296688638 > <https://ebird.org/checklist/S296688638>* > Seems like only yesterday I had a full crop of dark hair and walked
> through endless prairie fields with binoculars around my neck and a
> Bushnell spotting scope on a rifle sling strapped on my back. Ready for
> LeConte’s Sparrow to flush and fly low to perch in broomsedge bluestem.
> Yes … thoughts on a gray morning ... Then there’s an old friend, sun,
> popping through, all radiance and promise. It won’t bring back my hair.
> Does elevate the spirit. All of nature appreciates the moment, including
> this bird watcher.
> I hope none of you who read these thoughts will feel despair about this. I
> sure don’t mean it that way. Just the facts, Mam … in a country where close
> to 50 years of winters have been full of harriers and I assume at night,
> Short-eared Owls. Where in a time now long gone before living people
> prairie-chickens called home.
> Now different kinds of chickens reign supreme. The white kind, by tens of
> millions, in long silver barns. Our chicken house prairies.
> According to signs posted along the road, what was long before me
> Tallgrass Prairie will be 129 new homes. And the new home owners will
> without doubt think about future shade and plant trees where not that long
> ago grew Big Bluestem and Indian Grass.
> If I was Alice Walton I would have bought all of this when it went up for
> a sale last year. 200+ acres. Would have made a decent preserve. But I’m
> not Alice. When it came to making the big money, I made other choices. It
> will be 129 new homes.
> I’m making my peace with it. The place where I live in Fayetteville used
> to be something else, too. I came to live in what was once a Tallgrass
> Prairie oak barren. Like how 129 new homes will be coming to Tallgrass
> Prairie.
> This is a soliloquy for back country where for ages Northern Harriers
> reigned supreme. Where if I look hard enough on a June day Grasshopper
> Sparrows still sing. Probably, also soliloquy for the guy who used to have
> thick dark hair who is today, as they say, “on the sunny side of 80” and
> seeing how so many things pass away.
> As a birder, I know other spots where I can turn sideways on an unpaved
> but graded country road for a better look at White-crowned Sparrows --
> without the new comers who don’t know me calling deputies to report a
> outbreak terrorist.
> The good stuff for birding opportunity is not all going to disappear
> because of 129 new homes, but I can see the storm coming. The sky is
> getting all purple and dimpled. I’m enjoying other chicken house prairies.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
> ------------------------------
>
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Date: 1/28/26 8:43 am From: Chris Kellner <ckellner...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I agree with Charles that our name should encompass the role of our group in supporting research and conservation, so I would prefer society over club.
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Charles H Mills <00000218c727d931-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:35 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
⛔ WARNING: This email is from outside of ATU. Be cautious of phishing and verify the sender's address. DO NOT share your username, password, Duo code, or any other personal information. ⛔
Assuming that a name change is inevitable, it appears that we’re moving towards a consensus of not using personal names. I can agree with that. That being said, the AAS has a long-standing tradition of solid contributions towards bird study/research, conservation awareness, and educational outreach. I think that, whatever name is chosen, it should emerge from and respect those contributions and not sound like a social media group.
Charles Mills
Texarkana TX
On Jan 28, 2026, at 10:13 AM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
I also agree with not using a person’s name. Better do a thorough background check if you do.
Sandy
On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:08 AM Allan Mueller <akcmueller...><mailto:<akcmueller...>> wrote:
I agree with Kenny and Francie about not using any person's name.
Allan Mueller
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:08 PM Robert Day <rhday52...><mailto:<rhday52...>> wrote:
Or, to avoid confusion with ABA (American Birding Association), maybe the Arkansas Birding Alliance could be shortened to ArBA?
I’m for moving away from naming our group after a person.
I like the notion of being in an alliance with birds, the word having evolved to mean a person or group coming together for mutual support. While it’s an old word, I think it’s particularly appropriate for birding in the 21st Century.
We know how being outside can support human’s mental health, and birding invites us not only to be out in nature but also to engage with it. This focus sets to firing so much wonderful—and wonderfully various—brain activity. Birds get something out of it too. Birding can’t help but make us think about where the birds we’re seeing live and what they eat and how humans are affecting these things. Birding helps elevate our consciousness for supporting environmental choices that help birds thrive.
Birding isn’t something we do to birds, it’s something we do with birds and, I’d like to think, for our mutual benefit. I lean towards Arkansas Birding Alliance.
Maybe we could go with ARBA?
Francie Bolter
Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the same acronym as the American Birding Association?
Good birding,
Jacob Wessels
Starkville, MS
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...><mailto:<robinbuff...>> wrote:
I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society, although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term Ornithology.
Robin Buff
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...><mailto:<elaster523...>> wrote:
I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named after anyone.
I think Dr. Day's 'Arkansas Bird Club' is a good suggestion. Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
My two cents.
Kenny Nichols
Dardanelle, AR
On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <rhday52...><mailto:<rhday52...>> wrote:
I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that "Club" may not be a good moniker.
Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
Bob
Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
SW Bentonville
cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...><mailto:<rhday52...>
On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...><mailto:<bhaas...>> wrote:
Dear ARBIRDers,
Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws, same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have overlooked:
"The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State and a form for the IRS [emphasis added].”
Date: 1/28/26 8:39 am From: Debra Grim <dsgrim02...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
How about Arkansas Avian Society?
On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:35 AM Charles H Mills <
<00000218c727d931-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Assuming that a name change is inevitable, it appears that we’re moving
> towards a consensus of not using personal names. I can agree with that.
> That being said, the AAS has a long-standing tradition of solid
> contributions towards bird study/research, conservation awareness, and
> educational outreach. I think that, whatever name is chosen, it should
> emerge from and respect those contributions and not sound like a social
> media group.
>
> Charles Mills
> Texarkana TX
>
> On Jan 28, 2026, at 10:13 AM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
> I also agree with not using a person’s name. Better do a thorough
> background check if you do.
>
> Sandy
>
> On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:08 AM Allan Mueller <akcmueller...>
> wrote:
>
>> I agree with Kenny and Francie about not using any person's name.
>>
>>
>> Allan Mueller
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:08 PM Robert Day <rhday52...> wrote:
>>
>>> Or, to avoid confusion with ABA (American Birding Association), maybe
>>> the Arkansas Birding Alliance could be shortened to ArBA?
>>>
>>> RHD
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 12:17 PM, Francie Bolter <franciebolter...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I’m for moving away from naming our group after a person.
>>>
>>> I like the notion of being in an *alliance* with birds, the word having
>>> evolved to mean a person or group coming together for mutual support. While
>>> it’s an old word, I think it’s particularly appropriate for birding in the
>>> 21st Century.
>>>
>>> We know how being outside can support human’s mental health, and birding
>>> invites us not only to be out in nature but also to engage with it. This
>>> focus sets to firing so much wonderful—and wonderfully various—brain
>>> activity. Birds get something out of it too. Birding can’t help but make us
>>> think about where the birds we’re seeing live and what they eat and how
>>> humans are affecting these things. Birding helps elevate our consciousness
>>> for supporting environmental choices that help birds thrive.
>>>
>>> Birding isn’t something we do to birds, it’s something we do with birds
>>> and, I’d like to think, for our mutual benefit. I lean towards Arkansas
>>> Birding Alliance.
>>>
>>> Maybe we could go with ARBA?
>>>
>>> Francie Bolter
>>> Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
>>>
>>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 10:59 AM, Jacob Wessels <jacoblwessels...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the
>>> same acronym as the American Birding Association?
>>>
>>> Good birding,
>>>
>>>
>>> Jacob Wessels
>>>
>>> Starkville, MS
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on
>>>> research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission
>>>> Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society,
>>>> although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term
>>>> Ornithology.
>>>>
>>>> Robin Buff
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ed Laster
>>>>> Little Rock
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched
>>>>> contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization
>>>>> should be named after *anyone.*
>>>>>
>>>>> I think Dr. Day's '*Arkansas Bird Club*' is a good suggestion.
>>>>> Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and
>>>>> non-birders.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My two cents.
>>>>>
>>>>> Kenny Nichols
>>>>> Dardanelle, AR
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <
>>>>> <rhday52...> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>>>>>
>>>>> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas
>>>>> but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name
>>>>> somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird
>>>>> Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more
>>>>> appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because
>>>>> of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having
>>>>> the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced
>>>>> to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
>>>>>
>>>>> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated
>>>>> with the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing
>>>>> that focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an
>>>>> area they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more
>>>>> information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that
>>>>> "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>>>>>
>>>>> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and
>>>>> redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in
>>>>> the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob
>>>>>
>>>>> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
>>>>> SW Bentonville
>>>>> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear ARBIRDers,
>>>>>
>>>>> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an
>>>>> e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail
>>>>> why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing
>>>>> name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a
>>>>> legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws,
>>>>> same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and
>>>>> Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>>>>>
>>>>> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have
>>>>> overlooked:
>>>>>
>>>>> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal
>>>>> name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding
>>>>> purposes. *This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas
>>>>> Secretary of State and a form for the IRS *[emphasis added].”
>>>>>
>>>>> Barry Haas
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Allan Mueller (It)
>> 20 Moseley Lane, Conway, AR
>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/20+Moseley+Lane,+Conway,+AR?entry=gmail&source=g> >> Home of the Arkansas State Champion Winged Elm
>> 501-339-8071
>> Pura Vida
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/28/26 8:36 am From: Charles H Mills <00000218c727d931-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
Assuming that a name change is inevitable, it appears that we’re moving towards a consensus of not using personal names. I can agree with that. That being said, the AAS has a long-standing tradition of solid contributions towards bird study/research, conservation awareness, and educational outreach. I think that, whatever name is chosen, it should emerge from and respect those contributions and not sound like a social media group.
Charles Mills
Texarkana TX
> On Jan 28, 2026, at 10:13 AM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
> I also agree with not using a person’s name. Better do a thorough background check if you do.
>
> Sandy
>
> On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:08 AM Allan Mueller <akcmueller...> <mailto:<akcmueller...>> wrote:
>> I agree with Kenny and Francie about not using any person's name.
>>
>>
>> Allan Mueller
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:08 PM Robert Day <rhday52...> <mailto:<rhday52...>> wrote:
>>> Or, to avoid confusion with ABA (American Birding Association), maybe the Arkansas Birding Alliance could be shortened to ArBA?
>>>
>>> RHD
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 12:17 PM, Francie Bolter <franciebolter...> <mailto:<franciebolter...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I’m for moving away from naming our group after a person.
>>>>
>>>> I like the notion of being in an alliance with birds, the word having evolved to mean a person or group coming together for mutual support. While it’s an old word, I think it’s particularly appropriate for birding in the 21st Century.
>>>>
>>>> We know how being outside can support human’s mental health, and birding invites us not only to be out in nature but also to engage with it. This focus sets to firing so much wonderful—and wonderfully various—brain activity. Birds get something out of it too. Birding can’t help but make us think about where the birds we’re seeing live and what they eat and how humans are affecting these things. Birding helps elevate our consciousness for supporting environmental choices that help birds thrive.
>>>>
>>>> Birding isn’t something we do to birds, it’s something we do with birds and, I’d like to think, for our mutual benefit. I lean towards Arkansas Birding Alliance.
>>>>
>>>> Maybe we could go with ARBA?
>>>>
>>>> Francie Bolter
>>>> Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 10:59 AM, Jacob Wessels <jacoblwessels...> <mailto:<jacoblwessels...>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the same acronym as the American Birding Association?
>>>>>
>>>>> Good birding,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Jacob Wessels
>>>>>
>>>>> Starkville, MS
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...> <mailto:<robinbuff...>> wrote:
>>>>>> I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society, although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term Ornithology.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Robin Buff
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...> <mailto:<elaster523...>> wrote:
>>>>>>> I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ed Laster
>>>>>>> Little Rock
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...> <mailto:<kingbird101...>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named after anyone.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I think Dr. Day's 'Arkansas Bird Club' is a good suggestion. Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My two cents.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Kenny Nichols
>>>>>>>> Dardanelle, AR
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <rhday52...> <mailto:<rhday52...>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Bob
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
>>>>>>>> SW Bentonville
>>>>>>>> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...> <mailto:<rhday52...> >>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> <mailto:<bhaas...>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Dear ARBIRDers,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws, same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have overlooked:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State and a form for the IRS [emphasis added].”
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Barry Haas
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Allan Mueller (It)
>> 20 Moseley Lane, Conway, AR <https://www.google.com/maps/search/20+Moseley+Lane,+Conway,+AR?entry=gmail&source=g> >> Home of the Arkansas State Champion Winged Elm
>> 501-339-8071
>> Pura Vida
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/28/26 8:14 am From: Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I also agree with not using a person’s name. Better do a thorough
background check if you do.
Sandy
On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 10:08 AM Allan Mueller <akcmueller...> wrote:
> I agree with Kenny and Francie about not using any person's name.
>
>
> Allan Mueller
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:08 PM Robert Day <rhday52...> wrote:
>
>> Or, to avoid confusion with ABA (American Birding Association), maybe the
>> Arkansas Birding Alliance could be shortened to ArBA?
>>
>> RHD
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 12:17 PM, Francie Bolter <franciebolter...>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I’m for moving away from naming our group after a person.
>>
>> I like the notion of being in an *alliance* with birds, the word having
>> evolved to mean a person or group coming together for mutual support. While
>> it’s an old word, I think it’s particularly appropriate for birding in the
>> 21st Century.
>>
>>
>> We know how being outside can support human’s mental health, and birding
>> invites us not only to be out in nature but also to engage with it. This
>> focus sets to firing so much wonderful—and wonderfully various—brain
>> activity. Birds get something out of it too. Birding can’t help but make us
>> think about where the birds we’re seeing live and what they eat and how
>> humans are affecting these things. Birding helps elevate our consciousness
>> for supporting environmental choices that help birds thrive.
>>
>>
>> Birding isn’t something we do to birds, it’s something we do with birds
>> and, I’d like to think, for our mutual benefit. I lean towards Arkansas
>> Birding Alliance.
>>
>>
>> Maybe we could go with ARBA?
>>
>>
>> Francie Bolter
>>
>> Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
>>
>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 10:59 AM, Jacob Wessels <jacoblwessels...>
>> wrote:
>>
>> With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the
>> same acronym as the American Birding Association?
>>
>> Good birding,
>>
>>
>> Jacob Wessels
>>
>> Starkville, MS
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...> wrote:
>>
>>> I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on
>>> research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission
>>> Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society,
>>> although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term
>>> Ornithology.
>>>
>>> Robin Buff
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
>>>>
>>>> Ed Laster
>>>> Little Rock
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched
>>>> contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization
>>>> should be named after *anyone.*
>>>>
>>>> I think Dr. Day's '*Arkansas Bird Club*' is a good suggestion.
>>>> Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and
>>>> non-birders.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My two cents.
>>>>
>>>> Kenny Nichols
>>>> Dardanelle, AR
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <
>>>> <rhday52...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>>>>
>>>> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas
>>>> but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name
>>>> somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird
>>>> Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more
>>>> appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because
>>>> of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having
>>>> the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced
>>>> to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
>>>>
>>>> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with
>>>> the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that
>>>> focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area
>>>> they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more
>>>> information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that
>>>> "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>>>>
>>>> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and
>>>> redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in
>>>> the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>>>>
>>>> Bob
>>>>
>>>> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
>>>> SW Bentonville
>>>> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Dear ARBIRDers,
>>>>
>>>> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an
>>>> e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail
>>>> why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing
>>>> name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a
>>>> legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws,
>>>> same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and
>>>> Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>>>>
>>>> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have
>>>> overlooked:
>>>>
>>>> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal
>>>> name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding
>>>> purposes. *This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas
>>>> Secretary of State and a form for the IRS *[emphasis added].”
>>>>
>>>> Barry Haas
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
>
> --
> Allan Mueller (It)
> 20 Moseley Lane, Conway, AR
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/20+Moseley+Lane,+Conway,+AR?entry=gmail&source=g> > Home of the Arkansas State Champion Winged Elm
> 501-339-8071
> Pura Vida
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/28/26 8:08 am From: Allan Mueller <akcmueller...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I agree with Kenny and Francie about not using any person's name.
Allan Mueller
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:08 PM Robert Day <rhday52...> wrote:
> Or, to avoid confusion with ABA (American Birding Association), maybe the
> Arkansas Birding Alliance could be shortened to ArBA?
>
> RHD
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 12:17 PM, Francie Bolter <franciebolter...>
> wrote:
>
> I’m for moving away from naming our group after a person.
>
> I like the notion of being in an *alliance* with birds, the word having
> evolved to mean a person or group coming together for mutual support. While
> it’s an old word, I think it’s particularly appropriate for birding in the
> 21st Century.
>
>
> We know how being outside can support human’s mental health, and birding
> invites us not only to be out in nature but also to engage with it. This
> focus sets to firing so much wonderful—and wonderfully various—brain
> activity. Birds get something out of it too. Birding can’t help but make us
> think about where the birds we’re seeing live and what they eat and how
> humans are affecting these things. Birding helps elevate our consciousness
> for supporting environmental choices that help birds thrive.
>
>
> Birding isn’t something we do to birds, it’s something we do with birds
> and, I’d like to think, for our mutual benefit. I lean towards Arkansas
> Birding Alliance.
>
>
> Maybe we could go with ARBA?
>
>
> Francie Bolter
>
> Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 10:59 AM, Jacob Wessels <jacoblwessels...>
> wrote:
>
> With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the
> same acronym as the American Birding Association?
>
> Good birding,
>
>
> Jacob Wessels
>
> Starkville, MS
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...> wrote:
>
>> I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on
>> research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission
>> Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society,
>> although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term
>> Ornithology.
>>
>> Robin Buff
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
>>>
>>> Ed Laster
>>> Little Rock
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions
>>> to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named
>>> after *anyone.*
>>>
>>> I think Dr. Day's '*Arkansas Bird Club*' is a good suggestion.
>>> Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and
>>> non-birders.
>>>
>>>
>>> My two cents.
>>>
>>> Kenny Nichols
>>> Dardanelle, AR
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <
>>> <rhday52...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>>>
>>> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas
>>> but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name
>>> somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird
>>> Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more
>>> appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because
>>> of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having
>>> the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced
>>> to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
>>>
>>> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with
>>> the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that
>>> focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area
>>> they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more
>>> information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that
>>> "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>>>
>>> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and
>>> redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in
>>> the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>>>
>>> Bob
>>>
>>> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
>>> SW Bentonville
>>> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear ARBIRDers,
>>>
>>> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an
>>> e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail
>>> why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing
>>> name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a
>>> legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws,
>>> same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and
>>> Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>>>
>>> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have
>>> overlooked:
>>>
>>> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name
>>> but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. *This
>>> is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State
>>> and a form for the IRS *[emphasis added].”
>>>
>>> Barry Haas
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
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> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
--
Allan Mueller (It)
20 Moseley Lane, Conway, AR
Home of the Arkansas State Champion Winged Elm
501-339-8071
Pura Vida
Date: 1/28/26 8:03 am From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Re: SOLILOQUY FOR CHICKEN HOUSE PRAIRIES January 28 2026
Thank you, Joe, it is more difficult for some of us to come to peace with what is happening to our world. There are 2,800 Billionaires in the US and 22,000,000 Millionaires in the US, and it would be great if they would use some of their fortunes for the good of society and natural resources rather than its desire. Musk and Benzo want a trillion people on earth so they can make more profits, and they will never understand the good they could do with a different mindset.
For Aldo Leopold, the most precious lesson one could learn (at any age) was not found in a schoolhouse, but rather in the land around it. Understanding the value of the natural world required introspection and observation skills, both of which could be found in the wilderness.
"Man, always kills the thing he loves, and so we the pioneers have killed our wilderness. Some say we had to. Be that as it may, I am glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?"
One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a community that believes itself well and does not want to be told otherwise. Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/321811>
A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke [of the axe] he is writing his signature on the face of the land. Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/321811>
The outstanding scientific discovery of the twentieth century is not television, or radio, but rather the complexity of the land organism. Only those who know the most about it can appreciation how little we know about it. The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant, "What good is it?" If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. Aldo Leopold<https://libquotes.com/aldo-leopold>
For those that care about conservation and our natural resources it would be good for the soul to reread A Sand County Almanac.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 7:00 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: SOLILOQUY FOR CHICKEN HOUSE PRAIRIES January 28 2026
https://ebird.org/checklist/S296690493 https://ebird.org/checklist/S296688638 Seems like only yesterday I had a full crop of dark hair and walked through endless prairie fields with binoculars around my neck and a Bushnell spotting scope on a rifle sling strapped on my back. Ready for LeContes Sparrow to flush and fly low to perch in broomsedge bluestem.
Yes thoughts on a gray morning ... Then theres an old friend, sun, popping through, all radiance and promise. It wont bring back my hair. Does elevate the spirit. All of nature appreciates the moment, including this bird watcher.
I hope none of you who read these thoughts will feel despair about this. I sure dont mean it that way. Just the facts, Mam in a country where close to 50 years of winters have been full of harriers and I assume at night, Short-eared Owls. Where in a time now long gone before living people prairie-chickens called home.
Now different kinds of chickens reign supreme. The white kind, by tens of millions, in long silver barns. Our chicken house prairies.
According to signs posted along the road, what was long before me Tallgrass Prairie will be 129 new homes. And the new home owners will without doubt think about future shade and plant trees where not that long ago grew Big Bluestem and Indian Grass.
If I was Alice Walton I would have bought all of this when it went up for a sale last year. 200+ acres. Would have made a decent preserve. But Im not Alice. When it came to making the big money, I made other choices. It will be 129 new homes.
Im making my peace with it. The place where I live in Fayetteville used to be something else, too. I came to live in what was once a Tallgrass Prairie oak barren. Like how 129 new homes will be coming to Tallgrass Prairie.
This is a soliloquy for back country where for ages Northern Harriers reigned supreme. Where if I look hard enough on a June day Grasshopper Sparrows still sing. Probably, also soliloquy for the guy who used to have thick dark hair who is today, as they say, on the sunny side of 80 and seeing how so many things pass away.
As a birder, I know other spots where I can turn sideways on an unpaved but graded country road for a better look at White-crowned Sparrows -- without the new comers who dont know me calling deputies to report a outbreak terrorist.
The good stuff for birding opportunity is not all going to disappear because of 129 new homes, but I can see the storm coming. The sky is getting all purple and dimpled. Im enjoying other chicken house prairies.
Date: 1/28/26 7:00 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: SOLILOQUY FOR CHICKEN HOUSE PRAIRIES January 28 2026
https://ebird.org/checklist/S296690493 https://ebird.org/checklist/S296688638 Seems like only yesterday I had a full crop of dark hair and walked through endless prairie fields with binoculars around my neck and a Bushnell spotting scope on a rifle sling strapped on my back. Ready for LeContes Sparrow to flush and fly low to perch in broomsedge bluestem.
Yes thoughts on a gray morning ... Then theres an old friend, sun, popping through, all radiance and promise. It wont bring back my hair. Does elevate the spirit. All of nature appreciates the moment, including this bird watcher.
I hope none of you who read these thoughts will feel despair about this. I sure dont mean it that way. Just the facts, Mam in a country where close to 50 years of winters have been full of harriers and I assume at night, Short-eared Owls. Where in a time now long gone before living people prairie-chickens called home.
Now different kinds of chickens reign supreme. The white kind, by tens of millions, in long silver barns. Our chicken house prairies.
According to signs posted along the road, what was long before me Tallgrass Prairie will be 129 new homes. And the new home owners will without doubt think about future shade and plant trees where not that long ago grew Big Bluestem and Indian Grass.
If I was Alice Walton I would have bought all of this when it went up for a sale last year. 200+ acres. Would have made a decent preserve. But Im not Alice. When it came to making the big money, I made other choices. It will be 129 new homes.
Im making my peace with it. The place where I live in Fayetteville used to be something else, too. I came to live in what was once a Tallgrass Prairie oak barren. Like how 129 new homes will be coming to Tallgrass Prairie.
This is a soliloquy for back country where for ages Northern Harriers reigned supreme. Where if I look hard enough on a June day Grasshopper Sparrows still sing. Probably, also soliloquy for the guy who used to have thick dark hair who is today, as they say, on the sunny side of 80 and seeing how so many things pass away.
As a birder, I know other spots where I can turn sideways on an unpaved but graded country road for a better look at White-crowned Sparrows -- without the new comers who dont know me calling deputies to report a outbreak terrorist.
The good stuff for birding opportunity is not all going to disappear because of 129 new homes, but I can see the storm coming. The sky is getting all purple and dimpled. Im enjoying other chicken house prairies.
Date: 1/28/26 6:30 am From: Mitchell Pruitt <mitchellpruitt24...> Subject: Re: Name Change
Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name. Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given their work in avian conservation across the globe.
Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
Best,
Mitchell Pruitt
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> <mailto:<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>
>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> <mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>
>> Sandy Berger
>>
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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Date: 1/27/26 9:20 pm From: Bruce Tedford <tedfordkidd...> Subject: Re: Name Change
We could keep Ark. Audubon, and have the "regional" societies as "Chapters"
of the AAS
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 22:19 Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...> wrote:
> Well, I'm going to weigh in on this for the first time. I am not a member
> of any bird society anymore, not because of any philosophical reasons, but
> because I can't afford it. What I do have is an opinion, maybe even more
> than one. The whole naming thing is somewhat confusing. I didn't realize
> that Arkansas Audubon and Audubon Arkansas were 2 different entities until
> a couple years ago. Still, I knew that no matter what name either group
> uses, they are both on the side of birds, birders, and bird conservation.
> (Please excuse my Oxford comma. I'm old, after all.) I think it would be
> beneficial to do away with the confusion. I'm not even sure why there are
> two separate groups. Seems like we're all in it together, but that's just
> me.
>
> Now to the stickier question; should we distance ourselves from the name
> "Audubon"? Obviously, Mr Audubon was an imperfect man, as are we all, but
> I don't think that, in and of itself, is reason to change. BUT, if using
> the name Audubon causes pain to others, or causes people to question what
> we stand for, that IS a good enough reason to change the name, in my
> opinion. Instead of thinking of what we want, individually, I think we all
> need to think about the end goal. We need to get more people to appreciate
> birds and to care about what happens to them. The more people that care,
> the more pressure we can exert on our public officials to protect critical
> habitat. If a name change furthers that cause, then do it yesterday. That
> is my 5 cents or no cents (sense???) worth, since those are now our choices.
>
> Karen Garrett
> Rogers
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM Robert Day <rhday52...> wrote:
>
>> All:
>>
>> I originally waded into these waters because the original email about
>> this issue indicated that the name caused confusion because of all of the
>> other Audubon-named organizations. Hence, I took the leap and suggested
>> that here might be suitable alternative names. This still is my
>> understanding.
>>
>> There may be some folks who want to disassociate from the name Audubon,
>> but that issue has not been indicated as of importance here.
>>
>> Audubon was a reprehensible human being in many ways, not just because of
>> slavery but because he stole a lot of information and specimens from a
>> young man named Townsend, who was studying birds in Washington and Oregon.
>> Townsend died in poverty as a result and was never given his due as a fine
>> ornithologist. Given these issues, it is up to each individual to decide
>> their own thoughts on Audubon.
>>
>> But, again, I have seen no reference in any of this correspondence to an
>> association with Audubon’s name being the issue we all are wrangling about.
>>
>> My two cents (which apparently don’t exist anymore).
>>
>> Bob Day
>> SW Bentonville
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone email thingie; please excuse the brevity.
>>
>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
>> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
>> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
>> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
>> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
>> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
>> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
>> very disappointed.
>> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have
>> to do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>>
>> Thank you,
>> Sandy Berger
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
>> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>
>>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
>>> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
>>> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
>>> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
>>> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs
>>> a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>>
>>> Sandy Berger
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
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>>
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>>
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Well, I'm going to weigh in on this for the first time. I am not a member
of any bird society anymore, not because of any philosophical reasons, but
because I can't afford it. What I do have is an opinion, maybe even more
than one. The whole naming thing is somewhat confusing. I didn't realize
that Arkansas Audubon and Audubon Arkansas were 2 different entities until
a couple years ago. Still, I knew that no matter what name either group
uses, they are both on the side of birds, birders, and bird conservation.
(Please excuse my Oxford comma. I'm old, after all.) I think it would be
beneficial to do away with the confusion. I'm not even sure why there are
two separate groups. Seems like we're all in it together, but that's just
me.
Now to the stickier question; should we distance ourselves from the name
"Audubon"? Obviously, Mr Audubon was an imperfect man, as are we all, but
I don't think that, in and of itself, is reason to change. BUT, if using
the name Audubon causes pain to others, or causes people to question what
we stand for, that IS a good enough reason to change the name, in my
opinion. Instead of thinking of what we want, individually, I think we all
need to think about the end goal. We need to get more people to appreciate
birds and to care about what happens to them. The more people that care,
the more pressure we can exert on our public officials to protect critical
habitat. If a name change furthers that cause, then do it yesterday. That
is my 5 cents or no cents (sense???) worth, since those are now our choices.
Karen Garrett
Rogers
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM Robert Day <rhday52...> wrote:
> All:
>
> I originally waded into these waters because the original email about this
> issue indicated that the name caused confusion because of all of the other
> Audubon-named organizations. Hence, I took the leap and suggested that here
> might be suitable alternative names. This still is my understanding.
>
> There may be some folks who want to disassociate from the name Audubon,
> but that issue has not been indicated as of importance here.
>
> Audubon was a reprehensible human being in many ways, not just because of
> slavery but because he stole a lot of information and specimens from a
> young man named Townsend, who was studying birds in Washington and Oregon.
> Townsend died in poverty as a result and was never given his due as a fine
> ornithologist. Given these issues, it is up to each individual to decide
> their own thoughts on Audubon.
>
> But, again, I have seen no reference in any of this correspondence to an
> association with Audubon’s name being the issue we all are wrangling about.
>
> My two cents (which apparently don’t exist anymore).
>
> Bob Day
> SW Bentonville
>
> Sent from my iPhone email thingie; please excuse the brevity.
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
>
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
> very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
> do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
>> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
>> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
>> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>
>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
>> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
>> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>
>> Sandy Berger
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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>
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For those of you who are commenting with your ideas about the renaming of
the Arkansas Audubon Society, and are not members, I invite you to join.
You would be most welcome.
Being that Arbird listserve is a site dedicated to the discussion of birds
I would add a bird sighting. My husband and I got out for a bit this
afternoon. We’ve been snowed in here in Fort Smith. As he was doing his
droning I went for a walk. Someone had driven their four wheeler through a
field near the road I was walking on. In the ruts were a dozen Lapland
Longspurs and a few Horned Larks. They flew, twittering as they went, and
landed back in the same ruts. As much as I hated seeing the land and snow
torn up I wouldn’t have seen the birds if it hadn’t been. Best looks of
Longspurs I’ve had in a long time.
Date: 1/27/26 5:03 pm From: Dan Oko <danoko40...> Subject: Re: Name Change
I don't live in Arkansas and don't know the history very well, but here in
Houston we have a Houston Audubon which is not affiliated with the National
Audubon Society, and it's very confusing. There is also a Texas chapter of
National Audubon, and in the East where my father lives and works, they had
both a Connecticut Audubon and Audubon Connecticut. One was like our
Houston Audubon, entirely independent of the national group,, and the other
was eventually folded into the Tri-State Audubon Chapter. There is also
Audubon International which remains distinct from NAS. Meanwhile, after
some discussion about changing the name to make it more inclusive, since JJ
Audubon himself had some problematic views, National Audubon has kept the
name, But ultimately I think you all can see how confusing this has gotten.
Figuring out how to name independent groups and distinguish them from
national chapters I think is worthy for those working in the field, who
want to be properly credited and raise funds without all the baggage and
confusion that comes from being associated with national and regional
groups -- some of whom play well together, and some of whom are rivals when
it comes to fundraising and regional priorities.
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 6:11 PM Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
> very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
> do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
>> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
>> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
>> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>
>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
>> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
>> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>
>> Sandy Berger
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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Date: 1/27/26 4:55 pm From: Dawna Stirrup <drdenman...> Subject: Re: Name Change
I think the reason varies between people. For some people it is because of
the association with James Audubon. For others, it genuinely is because of
how confusing all the simiarly named groups are. That's the big reason for
me. A secondary reason for me is I don't think it's worth making people
feel uncomfortable over a name; and if members of our organization are
uncomforable and would consider leaving then I would rather keep the people
over the name of a man I don't know.
Everybody has different reasons for feeling the way they do about the name.
Each of those reasons is valid and should be heard and considered in turn.
But I think National Audubon was around before AAS, and AAS decided to use
the name despite not wanting to be part of National Audubon.
-Dawn
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026, 18:11 Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
> very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
> do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
>> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
>> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
>> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>
>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
>> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
>> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>
>> Sandy Berger
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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Date: 1/27/26 4:53 pm From: Brian Carlson <brianrcarlson...> Subject: Re: Name Change
Sandy, I too wonder the same thing.
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...>
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 6:11:11 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Name Change
Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m very disappointed.
Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
Thank you,
Sandy Berger
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...><mailto:<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...><mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
very disappointed.
Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
Thank you,
Sandy Berger
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>
> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
>
> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>
> Sandy Berger
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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Date: 1/27/26 11:54 am From: Jerry Butler <jerrysharon.butler...> Subject: Scotts Oriole in Garland County
I just returned from the residence where the Scott's Oriole has been seen for three consecutive days. Their roads are very icy and I had to park the car and walk the last two hundred yards. They have not seen the bird yet today, but as I was walking back out of their neighborhood I saw it duck into a thick patch of privet and was unable to get pics.
Yesterday it showed up at their feeder five times, each time taking a bit of suet before flying away. On one of those occasions they got the better pics which I am attaching
I now understand that this bird is a Garland County and a January record. It has been documented in Arkansas only nine times, three times in Saline County.
When weather moderates (so I don't freeze my Butler off) I will revisit their home and that privet patch to see if I can relocate it and perhaps post details so others can too. I will assist the family to document its appearance for the bird records group.
Date: 1/27/26 11:17 am From: Renn Tumlison <TUMLISON...> Subject: Re: Early Spring plumage change in an American Goldfinch flock
I see the same mix in Arkadelphia.
Renn Tumlison
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Butch Tetzlaff <butchchq8...>
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 12:53:13 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Early Spring plumage change in an American Goldfinch flock
I banded a bunch of goldfinches in Bella Vista feeders last winter and noticed that many were already molting into flecks of summer plumage at this time of year. I would assume it is because molt is energetically expensive, so the longer one can spread it out, the more one can produce high quality feathers.
Butch
Bella Vista
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 12:21 PM Ashlyn Ohm <4ever4hiskingdom...><mailto:<4ever4hiskingdom...>> wrote:
I have noticed this in Garland County. A couple of my AMGO are already changing plumage! I too was shocked by the earliness of the change.
For several weeks now, my sunflower kernel feeder has been mobbed by a flock of 20+ AMGO. in the last few days I have noticed many individuals showing a faint summer golden hue with a few showing splashes of vivid gold in various spots.
Isn't this change a bit early? Have other feeder watchers in NWA seen plumage changes in their AMGO clients?
I wonder if the highly nutritious menu at my place is playing a part?
Date: 1/27/26 11:02 am From: Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Name Change
Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
Sandy Berger
Date: 1/27/26 10:53 am From: Butch Tetzlaff <butchchq8...> Subject: Re: Early Spring plumage change in an American Goldfinch flock
I banded a bunch of goldfinches in Bella Vista feeders last winter and
noticed that many were already molting into flecks of summer plumage at
this time of year. I would assume it is because molt is energetically
expensive, so the longer one can spread it out, the more one can produce
high quality feathers.
Butch
Bella Vista
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 12:21 PM Ashlyn Ohm <4ever4hiskingdom...>
wrote:
> I have noticed this in Garland County. A couple of my AMGO are already
> changing plumage! I too was shocked by the earliness of the change.
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 12:19 PM, Jay Jones <jonesjay62...> wrote:
>
> For several weeks now, my sunflower kernel feeder has been mobbed by a
> flock of 20+ AMGO. in the last few days I have noticed many individuals
> showing a faint summer golden hue with a few showing splashes of vivid gold
> in various spots.
>
> Isn't this change a bit early? Have other feeder watchers in NWA seen
> plumage changes in their AMGO clients?
>
> I wonder if the highly nutritious menu at my place is playing a part?
>
> Rick Jones
> Siloam Springs, AR
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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>
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Date: 1/27/26 10:51 am From: Jerry Davis <jwdavis...> Subject: Re: Early Spring plumage change in an American Goldfinch flock
Consistent in Garland County and change is similar to past years. I had some changing plumage on American Goldfinches in December.
Jerry Wayne Davis Hot Springs, AR
On 2026-01-27 12:19 pm, Jay Jones wrote: > For several weeks now, my sunflower kernel feeder has been mobbed by a > flock of 20+ AMGO. in the last few days I have noticed many > individuals showing a faint summer golden hue with a few showing > splashes of vivid gold in various spots. > > Isn't this change a bit early? Have other feeder watchers in NWA seen > plumage changes in their AMGO clients? > > I wonder if the highly nutritious menu at my place is playing a part? > > Rick Jones > Siloam Springs, AR > > ------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link: > http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1
Date: 1/27/26 10:21 am From: Ashlyn Ohm <4ever4hiskingdom...> Subject: Re: Early Spring plumage change in an American Goldfinch flock
I have noticed this in Garland County. A couple of my AMGO are already changing plumage! I too was shocked by the earliness of the change.
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 12:19 PM, Jay Jones <jonesjay62...> wrote:
>
> For several weeks now, my sunflower kernel feeder has been mobbed by a flock of 20+ AMGO. in the last few days I have noticed many individuals showing a faint summer golden hue with a few showing splashes of vivid gold in various spots.
>
> Isn't this change a bit early? Have other feeder watchers in NWA seen plumage changes in their AMGO clients?
>
> I wonder if the highly nutritious menu at my place is playing a part?
>
> Rick Jones
> Siloam Springs, AR
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/27/26 10:20 am From: Jay Jones <jonesjay62...> Subject: Early Spring plumage change in an American Goldfinch flock
For several weeks now, my sunflower kernel feeder has been mobbed by a flock of 20+ AMGO. in the last few days I have noticed many individuals showing a faint summer golden hue with a few showing splashes of vivid gold in various spots.
Isn't this change a bit early? Have other feeder watchers in NWA seen plumage changes in their AMGO clients?
I wonder if the highly nutritious menu at my place is playing a part?
Date: 1/27/26 10:17 am From: Francie Bolter <franciebolter...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I’m for moving away from naming our group after a person.
I like the notion of being in an alliance with birds, the word having evolved to mean a person or group coming together for mutual support. While it’s an old word, I think it’s particularly appropriate for birding in the 21st Century.
We know how being outside can support human’s mental health, and birding invites us not only to be out in nature but also to engage with it. This focus sets to firing so much wonderful—and wonderfully various—brain activity. Birds get something out of it too. Birding can’t help but make us think about where the birds we’re seeing live and what they eat and how humans are affecting these things. Birding helps elevate our consciousness for supporting environmental choices that help birds thrive.
Birding isn’t something we do to birds, it’s something we do with birds and, I’d like to think, for our mutual benefit. I lean towards Arkansas Birding Alliance.
Maybe we could go with ARBA?
Francie Bolter
Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 10:59 AM, Jacob Wessels <jacoblwessels...> wrote:
>
> With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the same acronym as the American Birding Association?
>
> Good birding,
>
>
> Jacob Wessels
>
> Starkville, MS
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...> <mailto:<robinbuff...>> wrote:
>> I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society, although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term Ornithology.
>>
>> Robin Buff
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...> <mailto:<elaster523...>> wrote:
>>> I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
>>>
>>> Ed Laster
>>> Little Rock
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...> <mailto:<kingbird101...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named after anyone.
>>>>
>>>> I think Dr. Day's 'Arkansas Bird Club' is a good suggestion. Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My two cents.
>>>>
>>>> Kenny Nichols
>>>> Dardanelle, AR
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <rhday52...> <mailto:<rhday52...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>>>>
>>>> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
>>>>
>>>> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>>>>
>>>> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>>>>
>>>> Bob
>>>>
>>>> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
>>>> SW Bentonville
>>>> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...> <mailto:<rhday52...> >>>>
>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> <mailto:<bhaas...>> wrote:
>>>> Dear ARBIRDers,
>>>>
>>>> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws, same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>>>>
>>>> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have overlooked:
>>>>
>>>> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State and a form for the IRS [emphasis added].”
>>>>
>>>> Barry Haas
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/27/26 8:59 am From: Jacob Wessels <jacoblwessels...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
With regard to Arkansas Bird Alliance, would it be a problem to have the
same acronym as the American Birding Association?
Good birding,
Jacob Wessels
Starkville, MS
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 10:55 AM Robin Buff <robinbuff...> wrote:
> I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on
> research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission
> Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society,
> although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term
> Ornithology.
>
> Robin Buff
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...>
> wrote:
>
>> I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
>>
>> Ed Laster
>> Little Rock
>>
>>
>> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions
>> to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named
>> after *anyone.*
>>
>> I think Dr. Day's '*Arkansas Bird Club*' is a good suggestion. Something
>> with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
>>
>>
>> My two cents.
>>
>> Kenny Nichols
>> Dardanelle, AR
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <
>> <rhday52...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>>
>> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but
>> not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere
>> along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both
>> abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me.
>> It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of
>> Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name
>> staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would
>> simply beg for more confusion.
>>
>> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with
>> the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that
>> focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area
>> they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more
>> information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that
>> "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>>
>> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and
>> redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in
>> the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
>> SW Bentonville
>> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> wrote:
>>
>> Dear ARBIRDers,
>>
>> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an
>> e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail
>> why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing
>> name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a
>> legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws,
>> same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and
>> Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>>
>> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have
>> overlooked:
>>
>> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name
>> but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. *This
>> is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State
>> and a form for the IRS *[emphasis added].”
>>
>> Barry Haas
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/27/26 8:55 am From: Robin Buff <robinbuff...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I prefer Arkansas Bird Alliance over Arkansas Bird Club. AAS focuses on
research, education, conservation, and fellowship, per our Mission
Statement. I wouldn't object to the Arkansas Ornithological Society,
although I am concerned that some individuals would be confused by the term
Ornithology.
Robin Buff
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM Ed Laster <elaster523...> wrote:
> I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
>
> Ed Laster
> Little Rock
>
>
> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...> wrote:
>
> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions
> to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named
> after *anyone.*
>
> I think Dr. Day's '*Arkansas Bird Club*' is a good suggestion. Something
> with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
>
>
> My two cents.
>
> Kenny Nichols
> Dardanelle, AR
>
>
>
>
> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <
> <rhday52...> wrote:
>
>
> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>
> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but
> not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere
> along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both
> abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me.
> It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of
> Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name
> staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would
> simply beg for more confusion.
>
> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with
> the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that
> focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area
> they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more
> information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that
> "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>
> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo
> all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the
> butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>
> Bob
>
> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
> SW Bentonville
> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...>
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> wrote:
>
> Dear ARBIRDers,
>
> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an
> e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail
> why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing
> name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a
> legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws,
> same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and
> Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>
> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have
> overlooked:
>
> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name
> but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. *This
> is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State
> and a form for the IRS *[emphasis added].”
>
> Barry Haas
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/27/26 7:58 am From: Ed Laster <elaster523...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I agree. That conveys what we are and do.
Ed Laster
Little Rock
> On Jan 26, 2026, at 10:56 AM, Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...> wrote:
>
> Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named after anyone.
>
> I think Dr. Day's 'Arkansas Bird Club' is a good suggestion. Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
>
>
> My two cents.
>
> Kenny Nichols
> Dardanelle, AR
>
>
>
>
> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <rhday52...> wrote:
>
>
> I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
>
> If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
>
> In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that "Club" may not be a good moniker.
>
> Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
>
> Bob
>
> Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
> SW Bentonville
> cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...> <mailto:<rhday52...> >
> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> <mailto:<bhaas...>> wrote:
> Dear ARBIRDers,
>
> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws, same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>
> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have overlooked:
>
> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State and a form for the IRS [emphasis added].”
>
> Barry Haas
>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/26/26 11:20 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Scotts Oriole AND Western Tanager (Garland County)
In addition to the Scott's Oriole posted by Jerry Butler below, there is a continuing male (and possibly a female) WESTERN TANAGER at a residence inside Hot Springs Village. Sarah Morris and I are working with the property owner on access once the snow/ice is clear enough for travel. The Village is gated and requires a pass to enter. For those hoping to see the Tanager, please stay tuned. We'll post the protocols here as soon as the details are worked out.Stay warm and safe,Patty McLean and Sarah MorrisSnow-trapped birders in Conway and Little Rock
-------- Original message --------From: Jerry Butler <jerrysharon.butler...> Date: 1/26/26 11:51 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Scotts Oriole A resident of Hot Springs has recently posted a convincing photo of a Scott's Oriole near Oaklawn Park. It was photographed several times yesterday. More information about the sighting later. Peace and Birds Jerry Butler
Date: 1/26/26 9:39 am From: Jerry Butler <jerrysharon.butler...> Subject: Photo of Scotts Oriole Photographed in Garland County
MG's pic is the best of several images of the bird from yesterday (January 25) If the cold night hasn't scared it away she will call me if it reappears. Jerry Butler
Date: 1/26/26 9:13 am From: Jerry Butler <jerrysharon.butler...> Subject: Scotts Oriole
A resident of Hot Springs has recently posted a convincing photo of a Scott's Oriole near Oaklawn Park. It was photographed several times yesterday. More information about the sighting later. Peace and Birds Jerry Butler
Date: 1/26/26 8:56 am From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
Nothing against Dr. James and his well-known and unmatched contributions to Arkansas ornithology, but I don't think our organization should be named after anyone.
I think Dr. Day's 'Arkansas Bird Club' is a good suggestion. Something with "bird" in the name would give meaning to both birders and non-birders.
My two cents.
Kenny NicholsDardanelle, AR
On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 03:05:52 PM CST, Robert Day <rhday52...> wrote:
I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me. It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would simply beg for more confusion.
In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with the University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that "Club" may not be a good moniker.
Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
Bob
Robert H. Day, Ph.D.SW Bentonvillecell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...>
On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> wrote:
Dear ARBIRDers,
Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws, same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have overlooked:
"The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State and a form for the IRS [emphasis added].”
Barry Haas
Date: 1/25/26 1:05 pm From: Robert Day <rhday52...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I'm not sure my comments will help, but here goes:
If the issue is one of being focused on bird conservation in Arkansas but
not the Audubon Society itself, the name should change. A name somewhere
along the lines of 'Arkansas Bird Conservation", "Arkansas Bird Club" (both
abbreviated as ABC), or some similar name would be more appropriate to me.
It sounds as though there is a lot of confusion because of the inclusion of
Audubon in the name. I do worry, however, that having the official name
staying put but changing the way it would be referenced to the public would
simply beg for more confusion.
In Fairbanks, we had the Fairbanks Bird Club, which was associated with the
University and held meetings once a month. It was a loose thing that
focused on birds, so the monthly meetings had talks on birds in an area
they visited or studied. However, it was a low-key thing that was more
information-oriented than conservation-oriented. So, it seems to me that
"Club" may not be a good moniker.
Whatever name is selected, I think that we should bite the bullet and redo
all of the paperwork to match the official name. It will be a pain in the
butt in the short term but will be better in the long run, methinks.
Bob
Robert H. Day, Ph.D.
SW Bentonville
cell: 907-460-7061; <rhday52...>
On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM Barry Haas <bhaas...> wrote:
> Dear ARBIRDers,
>
> Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an
> e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail
> why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing
> name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a
> legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws,
> same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and
> Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
>
> Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have
> overlooked:
>
> "The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name
> but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. *This
> is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State
> and a form for the IRS *[emphasis added].”
>
> Barry Haas
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/25/26 11:49 am From: Allan Mueller <akcmueller...> Subject: Snow Bird Report
Yesterday (Jan 24) was the first "ground fully covered with snow day" for this winter storm. Our yard list was not much different from a no-snow-day. The Eastern Bluebirds continued to be the species most interested in water. I don't know what the bluebirds do to need so much water, but they cover the bird bath with their thirsty bodies. Also we had Common Grackles on the feeders - maybe not what you want but an unusual feeder bird for us. Other regular species included Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Purple Finch, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Purple Finch. and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Today (Jan 25) has a more interesting collection of feeder birds. The Fox Sparrows showed up. We do not have Fox Sparrows in the yard except when everything is covered with snow. Where are they hiding when there is no snow? How do they know where the feeders are when we don't see them in the yard? It's like they gather feeder location information but refuse our provided food unless snow causes hard times!
Also today we also recorded Chipping Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and singing Purple Finches. Red-breasted Nuthatch is a regular species that has been missing both days.
Be Well,
-- Allan Mueller (It) 20 Moseley Lane, Conway, AR Home of the Arkansas State Champion Winged Elm 501-339-8071 Pura Vida
Date: 1/24/26 8:40 pm From: Barry Haas <bhaas...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
Dear ARBIRDers,
Every member of the Arkansas Audubon Society should have received an e-mail from AAS President Lynn Foster on January 15. It explains in detail why an ad hoc Insight Committee recommended AAS change its publicly facing name, the name AAS would be generally known by to the general public. In a legal sense AAS would still be the same- same IRS tax number, same Bylaws, same “Arkansas Birds” newsletter, Halberg Ecology Camp, Iola Rea Fund and Ruth Thomas Scholarship Fund. No change to any of that.
Lynn’s e-mail includes the following snip which some seem to have overlooked:
"The Insight Committee seemed to suggest that AAS retain its legal name but adopt a fictitious or "doing business as" name for branding purposes. This is easily done by filling out a form for the Arkansas Secretary of State and a form for the IRS [emphasis added].”
Date: 1/24/26 7:30 pm From: Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
If too much work is reason not to make an important change, the AAS Trust would never have regained its tax exempt status.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, 6:09 PM, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
#yiv7117065764 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}That's an impressive number of reasons to stick with AAS!
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Gmail <butchchq8...>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2026 3:43 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds Personally, I like the idea conceptually. However, it's one thing to come up with a new name, but it's something else to make it happen.
Off the top of my head, I assume the name change would have to be filed with:- the state (tax id among other reasons)- the fed (tax id)- all banks- credit card companies- changed on any endowment and investment funds- Dept of Workforce Services - any insurance policy(s)- utility companies- all website functionality- accounting services- Post Office- leases- titles on owned property (both real and personal)- filed with all vendors- change letterhead and other print media- logo design change- letters sent to all donors to have them change any forthcoming bequests
I'm sure I've left a few out...
Butch TetzlaffBella Vista
On Jan 24, 2026, at 14:41, Elizabeth Shores <efshores...> wrote:
I like this idea.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 24, 2026, at 2:12 PM, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
I think this is a great idea worthy of consideration. We can be JSAB.
On Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 01:26:00 pm GMT-6, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
A snowy, bitterly cold day in Northwest Arkansas City has given me some time to think about the proposal to rebrand ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY (AAS).I think it’s OK to fix the confusion in over-use of the name Audubon. It’s probably long past time we recognize that our great artist was also a slave holder, who bought and sold enslaved people.But how do we do make name changes and “keep the faith” with our history and membership?The key figure in AAS from beginning was Dr Douglas A. James. He was a founder. He was the one whose love and scientific interest in birds steered the society for his entire professional life.I know he would never agree to this while he was still among us. But maybe the time has come. Why not honor him?We could become Douglas Arthur James Society for Arkansas Birds. Doug’s name is not all over the place, so that change would end confusion. He was an ornithologist with a distinguished professional career. Leader in every important conservation effort in Arkansas that benefitted birds.James Society for short.
Date: 1/24/26 4:09 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
That's an impressive number of reasons to stick with AAS!
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Gmail <butchchq8...>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2026 3:43 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
Personally, I like the idea conceptually. However, it's one thing to come up with a new name, but it's something else to make it happen.
Off the top of my head, I assume the name change would have to be filed with:
- the state (tax id among other reasons)
- the fed (tax id)
- all banks
- credit card companies
- changed on any endowment and investment funds
- Dept of Workforce Services
- any insurance policy(s)
- utility companies
- all website functionality
- accounting services
- Post Office
- leases
- titles on owned property (both real and personal)
- filed with all vendors
- change letterhead and other print media
- logo design change
- letters sent to all donors to have them change any forthcoming bequests
I'm sure I've left a few out...
Butch Tetzlaff
Bella Vista
On Jan 24, 2026, at 14:41, Elizabeth Shores <efshores...> wrote:
I like this idea.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 24, 2026, at 2:12 PM, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
I think this is a great idea worthy of consideration. We can be JSAB.
On Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 01:26:00 pm GMT-6, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
A snowy, bitterly cold day in Northwest Arkansas City has given me some time to think about the proposal to rebrand ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY (AAS).
I think it’s OK to fix the confusion in over-use of the name Audubon. It’s probably long past time we recognize that our great artist was also a slave holder, who bought and sold enslaved people.
But how do we do make name changes and “keep the faith” with our history and membership?
The key figure in AAS from beginning was Dr Douglas A. James. He was a founder. He was the one whose love and scientific interest in birds steered the society for his entire professional life.
I know he would never agree to this while he was still among us. But maybe the time has come. Why not honor him?
We could become Douglas Arthur James Society for Arkansas Birds. Doug’s name is not all over the place, so that change would end confusion. He was an ornithologist with a distinguished professional career. Leader in every important conservation effort in Arkansas that benefitted birds.
James Society for short.
Date: 1/24/26 2:26 pm From: Warbling Vireo <0000001d24760ffa-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I was glad when I saw the committee’s report that they recommended that the legal name remain Arkansas Audubon Society. I have ingrained personal reasons for that, having to do with a long memory and probably carrying a vestige of a resentment regarding an organization we are not affiliated with threatening to take that name from us.
I think it would be wonderful to honor Doug James. However, if the goal in using a different name is to make it easier for the public to quickly recognize our vision and purpose, I’m not sure using any person’s name is the way to do that.
DeLynn Hearn
317 West K Ave.
N. Little Rock, AR 72116
(501)472-8769
> On Jan 24, 2026, at 3:43 PM, Gmail <butchchq8...> wrote:
>
>
> Personally, I like the idea conceptually. However, it's one thing to come up with a new name, but it's something else to make it happen.
>
> Off the top of my head, I assume the name change would have to be filed with:
> - the state (tax id among other reasons)
> - the fed (tax id)
> - all banks
> - credit card companies
> - changed on any endowment and investment funds
> - Dept of Workforce Services
> - any insurance policy(s)
> - utility companies
> - all website functionality
> - accounting services
> - Post Office
> - leases
> - titles on owned property (both real and personal)
> - filed with all vendors
> - change letterhead and other print media
> - logo design change
> - letters sent to all donors to have them change any forthcoming bequests
>
> I'm sure I've left a few out...
>
> Butch Tetzlaff
> Bella Vista
>
>>> On Jan 24, 2026, at 14:41, Elizabeth Shores <efshores...> wrote:
>>>
>> I like this idea.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>>> On Jan 24, 2026, at 2:12 PM, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>
>>> I think this is a great idea worthy of consideration. We can be JSAB.
>>>
>>> On Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 01:26:00 pm GMT-6, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> A snowy, bitterly cold day in Northwest Arkansas City has given me some time to think about the proposal to rebrand ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY (AAS).
>>> I think it’s OK to fix the confusion in over-use of the name Audubon. It’s probably long past time we recognize that our great artist was also a slave holder, who bought and sold enslaved people.
>>> But how do we do make name changes and “keep the faith” with our history and membership?
>>> The key figure in AAS from beginning was Dr Douglas A. James. He was a founder. He was the one whose love and scientific interest in birds steered the society for his entire professional life.
>>> I know he would never agree to this while he was still among us. But maybe the time has come. Why not honor him?
>>> We could become Douglas Arthur James Society for Arkansas Birds. Doug’s name is not all over the place, so that change would end confusion. He was an ornithologist with a distinguished professional career. Leader in every important conservation effort in Arkansas that benefitted birds.
>>> James Society for short.
>>>
>>>
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>>
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>
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Date: 1/24/26 1:43 pm From: Gmail <butchchq8...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
Personally, I like the idea conceptually. However, it's one thing to come up with a new name, but it's something else to make it happen.
Off the top of my head, I assume the name change would have to be filed with:
- the state (tax id among other reasons)
- the fed (tax id)
- all banks
- credit card companies
- changed on any endowment and investment funds
- Dept of Workforce Services
- any insurance policy(s)
- utility companies
- all website functionality
- accounting services
- Post Office
- leases
- titles on owned property (both real and personal)
- filed with all vendors
- change letterhead and other print media
- logo design change
- letters sent to all donors to have them change any forthcoming bequests
I'm sure I've left a few out...
Butch Tetzlaff
Bella Vista
> On Jan 24, 2026, at 14:41, Elizabeth Shores <efshores...> wrote:
>
> I like this idea.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>>> On Jan 24, 2026, at 2:12 PM, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>>
>>
>> I think this is a great idea worthy of consideration. We can be JSAB.
>>
>> On Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 01:26:00 pm GMT-6, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> A snowy, bitterly cold day in Northwest Arkansas City has given me some time to think about the proposal to rebrand ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY (AAS).
>> I think it’s OK to fix the confusion in over-use of the name Audubon. It’s probably long past time we recognize that our great artist was also a slave holder, who bought and sold enslaved people.
>> But how do we do make name changes and “keep the faith” with our history and membership?
>> The key figure in AAS from beginning was Dr Douglas A. James. He was a founder. He was the one whose love and scientific interest in birds steered the society for his entire professional life.
>> I know he would never agree to this while he was still among us. But maybe the time has come. Why not honor him?
>> We could become Douglas Arthur James Society for Arkansas Birds. Doug’s name is not all over the place, so that change would end confusion. He was an ornithologist with a distinguished professional career. Leader in every important conservation effort in Arkansas that benefitted birds.
>> James Society for short.
>>
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1
Date: 1/24/26 12:41 pm From: Elizabeth Shores <efshores...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I like this idea.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 24, 2026, at 2:12 PM, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>
> I think this is a great idea worthy of consideration. We can be JSAB.
>
> On Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 01:26:00 pm GMT-6, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>
> A snowy, bitterly cold day in Northwest Arkansas City has given me some time to think about the proposal to rebrand ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY (AAS).
> I think it’s OK to fix the confusion in over-use of the name Audubon. It’s probably long past time we recognize that our great artist was also a slave holder, who bought and sold enslaved people.
> But how do we do make name changes and “keep the faith” with our history and membership?
> The key figure in AAS from beginning was Dr Douglas A. James. He was a founder. He was the one whose love and scientific interest in birds steered the society for his entire professional life.
> I know he would never agree to this while he was still among us. But maybe the time has come. Why not honor him?
> We could become Douglas Arthur James Society for Arkansas Birds. Doug’s name is not all over the place, so that change would end confusion. He was an ornithologist with a distinguished professional career. Leader in every important conservation effort in Arkansas that benefitted birds.
> James Society for short.
>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1
Date: 1/24/26 12:12 pm From: Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: James Society for Arkansas Birds
I think this is a great idea worthy of consideration. We can be JSAB.
On Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 01:26:00 pm GMT-6, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
#yiv1786482145 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}A snowy, bitterly cold day in Northwest Arkansas City has given me some time to think about the proposal to rebrand ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY (AAS).I think it’s OK to fix the confusion in over-use of the name Audubon. It’s probably long past time we recognize that our great artist was also a slave holder, who bought and sold enslaved people.But how do we do make name changes and “keep the faith” with our history and membership?The key figure in AAS from beginning was Dr Douglas A. James. He was a founder. He was the one whose love and scientific interest in birds steered the society for his entire professional life.I know he would never agree to this while he was still among us. But maybe the time has come. Why not honor him?We could become Douglas Arthur James Society for Arkansas Birds. Doug’s name is not all over the place, so that change would end confusion. He was an ornithologist with a distinguished professional career. Leader in every important conservation effort in Arkansas that benefitted birds.James Society for short.
Date: 1/24/26 11:26 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: James Society for Arkansas Birds
A snowy, bitterly cold day in Northwest Arkansas City has given me some time to think about the proposal to rebrand ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY (AAS).
I think its OK to fix the confusion in over-use of the name Audubon. Its probably long past time we recognize that our great artist was also a slave holder, who bought and sold enslaved people.
But how do we do make name changes and keep the faith with our history and membership?
The key figure in AAS from beginning was Dr Douglas A. James. He was a founder. He was the one whose love and scientific interest in birds steered the society for his entire professional life.
I know he would never agree to this while he was still among us. But maybe the time has come. Why not honor him?
We could become Douglas Arthur James Society for Arkansas Birds. Dougs name is not all over the place, so that change would end confusion. He was an ornithologist with a distinguished professional career. Leader in every important conservation effort in Arkansas that benefitted birds.
James Society for short.
Date: 1/24/26 6:22 am From: Adam Schaffer <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Birding under the influence
I second that. Excellent read.
Adam Schaffer
> On Jan 22, 2026, at 7:21 PM, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>
> Enjoying reading a truly remarkable book:
>
> <Biding under the influence.jpg>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1
Date: 1/23/26 4:31 am From: Roselie Overby <0000005a14a66d60-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: ARBIRD-L Digest - 22 Jan 2026 (#2026-22)
I’m unable to open Joe’s link. Could you give the name of the book? Or is it Birding under the influence?
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 22, 2026, at 11:00 PM, ARBIRD-L automatic digest system <LISTSERV...> wrote:
>
> There is 1 message totaling 701 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. Birding under the influence
>
> ############################
>
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:15:17 +0000
> From: Joseph Neal <joeneal...>
> Subject: Birding under the influence
>
> Enjoying reading a truly remarkable book:
>
> [cid:170fa12a-0896-4c9e-9549-fb0fd4a77694]
>
> ############################
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list:
> write to: mailto:<ARBIRD-L-SIGNOFF-REQUEST...> > or click the following link:
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> ------------------------------
>
> End of ARBIRD-L Digest - 22 Jan 2026 (#2026-22)
> ***********************************************
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Delos McCauley <mccauleydelos...>
Date: Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Subject: Tuesday Morning Bird Outing (01/20/2026)
To:
Birders
Attached is a listing of bird species we identified this outing, in both
*word* and *pdf* formats. There were 8 birders and we identified 52
species. Another cold outing, but not too cold for the birds or the
birders. I was blessed with the lonely Canada Goose standing for my photo
at sunset at the Saracen Casino pond on the 10th. I liked the setting.
Come and join us. Walkie-talkies are available to communicate between
cars.
Meeting Place: Lake Saracen's parking lot near the start of the walking
trail.
Date: Each Tuesday Morning
Time: 9:00 AM
