Date: 4/17/26 10:36 am From: Taylor Long <00001397303cad80-dmarc-request...> Subject: NWAAS May Field Trips: Devil's Den, Coler, Ninestone
Greetings Birders,
In addition to our new Spring Migration Bird Walk Series at Lake
Fayetteville (Apr 29 – May 17) <https://nwaas.notion.site/Spring- Migration-Bird-Walk-Series-at-Lake-Fayetteville-
32b11f0e048b80138376f21434fc2fed?source=copy_link>, the Northwest
Arkansas Audubon Society will also be offering MORE May field trips, led
my an increasing number of local birders stepping up to lead outings. We
have TWO different offerings on May 2nd to catch the PEAK of Spring
migration; so whether you live closer to Bentonville or Fayetteville,
you'll have a nearby birding outing to join. Then, on May 9th, you can
celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and Global Big Day at the
incomparably beautiful Ninestone Land Trust.
Remember to RSVP to any trip you plan to attend. Email to
<trips...> <mailto:<trips...> so we know how
many to expect. In your email, please include your name and the total
number in your party.
Birders Weekend at Devil's Den - Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society and Devil's Den State Park will
host a field trip on Saturday, May 2, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM. This
walk is part of Devil’s Den’s Annual Birder Weekend that takes place May
1-3, and will be led by NWA birder Robert Peck. This is peak migration,
so we’ll be on the lookout for all the dazzling warblers, tanagers,
vireos, and other migrant birds that can be seen at this time of year.
Expect to walk ~1 mile on paved surfaces. Meet in the parking area at
the lower Devil's Den Trailhead on the south side of Lee Creek bridge on
Saturday morning at 8:00 AM (GPS: 35.781349, -94.249876
<https://goo.gl/maps/LMGFGz9pfbvTvRNc6>). The walk generally lasts a
couple of hours.
Early-bird option at Mayfield Area (6:30 AM): For early-birds looking to
take full advantage of the dawn chorus, meet at 6:30 AM in the Mayfield
Area on the South side of Devil’s Den just before the bridge over Ellis
Creek. We’ll explore this open scrubby meadow for local specialties like
Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Prairie Warbler. Expect a short
hour-long stroll over uneven terrain and wet grass (hiking books /
insect repellant recommended). Meet at 6:30 AM in the parking lot for
Devil’s Racetrack Campground (GPS: 35.77050, -94.26804
<https://maps.app.goo.gl/KwwVLzefbeTP8fTM9>). We’ll wrap up by 7:30 AM
and head over to the Lee Creek bridge to start the main portion of the
bird outing at 8:00 AM.
More details... <https://nwaas.notion.site/Birders-Weekend-at-Devil-s- Den-32b11f0e048b80b7998de4bd7faa6897>
Spring Migration at Coler Preserve - Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
Coler Mountain Biking Preserve is a major mountain biking destination in
Bentonville, but it’s also a great place to bird, with pleasant walking
trails through great bird habitat and even a coffee shop inside. Join
Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society on the morning of May 2, 2026 at 8:00
AM for a birding outing at Coler, led my Bentonville local birder Adam
Schaffer. This is peak migration, so we’ll be on the lookout for all the
dazzling warblers, tanagers, vireos, and other migrant birds that can be
seen at this time of year. Meet at the Coler Grove Parking lot on the
South side of the preserve (GPS: 36.37681, -94.23983
<https://maps.app.goo.gl/5voQVGXmh2CsRoym8?g_st=im>). Expect to walk 2
miles over 2-3 hours on paved trails shared by pedestrians and bikers.
The first section is steep getting down to the main trail, then
relatively flat for the remainder of the walk. We’ll head North until we
reach Airship Coffee where we’ll pause for an optional refreshment and
restroom before turning back.
More details... <https://nwaas.notion.site/Spring-Migration-at-Coler- Preserve-32b11f0e048b805da39fd0e148b550b6>
Spring at Ninestone Land Trust - Saturday, May 9th, 2026
Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a spring migration hike
around Ninestone Land Trust in Carroll County (GPS: 36.227713, -
93.547752 <https://goo.gl/maps/A7a3uL13nuBXR85e7>) on Saturday, May 9th,
at 9:00 AM. An affiliate of the Ozark Land Trust, Ninestone protects 412
acres of unique and valuable habitats: a waterfall that cascades over
sandstone kettles into Piney Creek, classical Ozark upland fields,
sandstone glades, soaring bluff lines, stands of mixed hardwoods and
native shortleaf pines. Ninestone founder and steward Judy Griffith will
lead participants on a hike to identify and enjoy migrating birds and
other native flora and insects, enjoy Piney Creek and picturesque
bluffs, and visit glade restoration areas. Expect the hike to cover ~1.5
miles across a mix of formal and informal soft-surface trails. Some
walking near high cliff areas and moderate scrambling over boulders is
involved in completing the hike loop, but participants are welcome to
turn back at any point and enjoy the waterfall from the comfort of the
porch. After the hike, we’ll have lunch overlooking the waterfall, so
bring food for yourself and/or something to share with others.
More details... <https://nwaas.notion.site/Spring-at-Ninestone-Land- Trust-32611f0e048b80ed9f56d8b5a3f3efc1>
Happy Spring Migration!
-Taylor Long
NWAAS Field Trip Coordinator
<taylor.long...>
