Date: 1/4/26 6:44 pm From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...> Subject: ASCA Field Trips Jan. & Feb.
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.
