Date: 1/17/26 7:39 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: DRAMATIC EAGLE RESCUE (SPOTTING SCOPE ONLY GETS YOU SO FAR)
eBird submission: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294670906 In Northwest Arkansas City, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area borders Beaver Lake. Up to a couple of years ago, Hobbs had a pontoon boat at Rocky Branch Marina that, for a modest fee, took visitors to see -- and often photograph -- Bald Eagles. For a few years Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society partnered with Hobbs to offer a more general loon-waterfowl tour.
Unfortunately for us boatless landlubbers, this all came to an end.
Now here we are in middle of winter, with all kinds of interesting northern water birds –Bonaparte’s Gulls, Common Goldeneye ducks, Bald Eagles, Horned Grebes -- that have fled Far North’s ice and snow. A spotting scope on shoreline is handy, but only gets you so far.
Fortunately for me and a few others, there are other boats whose owners share our interests.
One is Flip Putthoff, angler and Editor of Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette Outdoors page (Tuesday paper). Another: Alan Bland, now retired Ranger, Army Corps of Engineers.
Alan is from same Blands whose family farmed what is now Beaver. He spent his COE Ranger career protecting Beaver, our region’s water supply. He was among first officers when NWAAS was organized in late 1970s.
In retirement, Ranger Bland has acquired a comfortable pontoon boat. The seating in the boat has made me think I need a new couch in my house!
Anyway, January 16 weather didn’t look too bad for mid-winter – 40s, modest north wind, some sun. We were invited for a birding trip in vicinity of Rocky Branch Park, up long Van Winkle Hollow, and across the lake to Slate Gap. All aboard Good Ship Bland!
First birds were a few Buffleheads, then Canada Geese, then Common Loons. What a great start.
We drove past famous Red Bluff, where Cliff Swallows build their jug nests in summer. I have always thought cedars above Red Bluff included Ashe Juniper. Samantha Heller, active in Arkansas Native Plant Society, took a look and said, “Eastern Red Cedars.”
A long run up Van Winkle Hollow included Bald Eagles soaring over head. Alan remembered a time years ago when he and Mark Clippinger (Hobbs Park Superintendent) assisted in an eagle release.
Lynn Sciumbato of Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation Center had cared for a young eagle that appeared ready for release. The eagle flew a short distance, then dropped down into the water. Alan and Mark quickly removed enough uniform for swimming, jumped in, brought the bird back.
Lynn gave it a little more rehab time. Released again, this time without drama.
Beaver and Northwest Arkansas City are better for such. Eagle world, too. Maybe it’s one overhead in Van Winkle Hollow today.
