Date: 4/9/26 1:45 pm From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Re: Birding Festival of the South
You are right, those that know anything about birds know that this is the worst time to have a birding festival. The summer migrants are gone, and winter migrants have not arrived and pretty well what is left is the resident birds. Even key birds like the Red-cockaded woodpecker that many would like to see are not nesting and could only be intercepted when leaving the roost in the early AM or returning in the late PM. In my opinion, this was conceived by those knowing nothing about birds and birding festivals and they asked birders after the fact and with no intentions to change the dates. There are some dedicated Garland County Audubon members trying to work with the City of Hot Springs to do what they can even as you say this one may have already failed. Those working more closely with the City may be able to explain why they are going ahead and having it anyway.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
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From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Donna Haynes <00000003bd9d64d2-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2026 1:07 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Birding Festival of the South
So I see that Hot Springs is still having their 1st birding Festival the first weekend of October. I've long wished Arkansas would have a birding Festival, but I feel this one has already failed. October is one of the slowest birding months of the year. I know a lot of folks expressed their concerns about these dates. Does anyone have any idea why they would still hold it that weekend even after hearing from the birding community?
Donna Haynes
West Pulaski Co.
