Date: 5/10/26 6:16 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: NINESTONE ON WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY May 9 2026
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS are having a big spring in Northwest Arkansas City. I get up in the morning and look out into the yard at my feeder – two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks beat me to first sunlight. I can see another in the redbud.
So it wasn’t such a big surprise to arrive at Ninestone Land Trust in Carroll County yesterday (Saturday, May 9) for an official “World Migratory Bird Day” event where 8? 10? or more? grosbeaks were crowded around generously, well-stocked feeders. And 15? 18? or so birders enjoying them, with binoculars and cameras. And this was just the start.
An extraordinary day. Here’s the official eBird submission: https://ebird.org/checklist/S336209907. Many, many thanks to Judith Griffith and Don Matt for hosting this event.
We were so bedazzled by the flock of grosbeaks -- probably equal number of Baltimore Orioles – plus immaculate Indigo Buntings – and down toward Piney Creek singing Kentucky Warblers – and then the cascade of waterfalls – it was tough to turn away from feeders and get on with official business -- finding and counting birds –
I call this “The Ninestone Effect.” Constant background noise of College Avenue in Fayetteville replaced by the cascade chorus of Ozark waters down a series of sandstone pools. Singing of Louisiana Waterthrushes in place of roaring motors. Elevation of spirit. Invitation to explore. No native fauna and flora bulldozed in favor of parking lots.
I was glad, accidental co-leader of this walk. Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society VP Taylor Long was off on another big bird day pursuit. Glad too, when we got up the sandstone glade, with its ripple-marked slabs of 300 million years old sandstone colonized by Fame Flowers and the singing of Blue-winged Warblers.
As the day heated, and as my old man energy waned, I was glad to finish off in broad shade of Ninestone’s front porch. I found a rocking chair. Nearby, Ninestone’s senior dog Barli found a similarly comfortable spot to stretch out on a rug with floral pattern.
In distance, singing of a Pine Warbler. A comfortable place in the valley of Piney Creek.
