Date: 3/11/25 8:01 am From: Karen Holliday <ladyhawke1...> Subject: Upcoming ASCA Field Trips
ASCA Field Trips March, April, May 2025March 15Delta Rivers Nature Center, Boyd Point Wastewater Facility, Lake Saracen, Wilbur West RoadPine Bluff, Jefferson Co. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Dixon Rd. commuter lot, Exit 3 off I-530 South. We’ll arrive at the Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff around 8:00 a.m. We’ll bird the parking lot until the Center opens at 8:30 a.m. The area has diverse habitats such as cypress and tupelo swamps, open water, and wetlands. Lingering sparrows, winter finches, wrens, egrets, and herons will be our main targets. Walking is on paved trails and boardwalks. Next stop is the Boyd Point Wastewater Facility to look for ducks and gulls. If time permits, we’ll also check Lake Saracen and Wilber West Road. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. The trip can last into the afternoon. Participants are welcome to leave at any time.From the Dixon Rd. commuter lot, take I-530 south to Pine Bluff for 35 miles until I-530 becomes Hwy. 65B (Exit 35). Go 6 miles, continuing past Lake Saracen (Lake Pine Bluff). Turn left onto Regional Park Drive. (Convention Center Dr.). Continue on Regional Park Drive approximately 1.2 miles. Turn right onto 1400 Black Dog Road. Follow signs to the Nature Center. GPS: 34.239187, -91.990982. Website is www.deltarivers.comApril 19Bell Slough South AGFC Wildlife Management AreaMayflower, Faulkner Co. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the main entrance to the Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area (WMA) off Hwy. 365. Our target birds will be spring migrants. Bell Slough is a mix of ecosystems consisting of 2,040 acres of woodlands and wetlands situated between Little Rock and the Mayflower/Conway region. There are 117 species of birds documented for the area, including the adjacent waterfowl resting habitat. The Bell Slough Kenny Vernon Nature Trail consists of three connecting trails, each ranging in length from about a half-mile to 2 1/4 miles. The WMA has a nice mix of wildflowers that attract numerous butterflies. Wear study walking shoes. This will be a morning trip. From Little Rock, go west on I-40. Exit I-40 at Mayflower (Exit 135) and turn east (right) at the light onto Hwy. 89. Then turn south (right) just past the commuter parking lot onto the service road. Follow the service road paralleling I-40, then veer right at the fork. Follow this road until you cross the Palarm Creek bridge. Turn left into the WMA parking lot. GPS: 34.946164, -92.407896May 10Gillam Park, Little Rock Audubon Center (LRAC) and David D. Terry Lock and DamLittle Rock, Pulaski Co. Join our field trip to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and experience the excitement of spring migration. At least four thousand different species of birds are moving from their wintering grounds to their summer nesting sites. It will be a great day to be outside enjoying nature. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Gillam Park in the far parking lot. Gillam has excellent habitat for spring warblers. There will be moderate walking on fairly level, but possibly muddy trails. Once finished at Gillam, we’ll drive to the LRAC and walk the wildlife observation trail. Last, we’ll head to Industrial Harbor Road and David D. Terry Lock & Dam to look for Western Kingbirds, Great-tailed Grackles, Bobolinks, and Painted Buntings. Bring water and snacks, the trip can last into early afternoon. Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots.Directions—Gillam Park is in southeast Little Rock near the airport. Address is 5300 Gillam Park Road, Little Rock. Take I-30 West heading south from Little Rock. Then 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 approximately 1 mile to just past the LRAC. Turn right onto Gillam Park Road. Follow it into the park to the last parking lot. GPS: 34.698684, -92.264514Karen Holliday ASCA field trip coordinator
