Date: 5/18/26 4:11 pm From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...> Subject: ASCA Field Trips for June, July and August 2026
Everyone is invited to join the upcoming field trips for the Audubon
Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA). There will be two trips offered each
month. All trips are open to the public. Birders of all experience levels
are welcome. You do not have to be an ASCA member to attend. People may
leave a trip at any time.
For more information, contact ASCA Field Trip Coordinator Sarah Morris at
<saraha.morris1...> or (870) 926-7127.
2026 ASCA FIELD TRIPS
*June 6: Beginner Bird Walk *
*Meet: 9 a.m. at Two Rivers Park Bridge in Little Rock*
Are you curious about birds or looking for opportunities to practice your
bird watching skills? Join us for an outing designed for beginner birders
and folks who want to learn the basics. The group will walk a ~1.5-mile
loop through Two Rivers Park. A paved trail will take us over the Little
Maumelle River, through vibrant pine-dominated woods, and alongside lush
wetland habitat. As we go, two group leaders will cover skills such as
using binoculars, using field marks to identify birds, and using habitat
clues to find birds. This is one of the best birding spots in central
Arkansas, which is known for swallows, herons, orioles, woodpeckers, and
forest songbirds. Birders and nature enthusiasts of all experience levels
are encouraged to participate!
*What to bring:*
Comfortable walking shoes
Water
Binoculars (we will have a few pairs available to borrow)
*Meeting location:*
We’ll gather at the base of the bridge near the roundabout. Look for the
group by the interpretive sign about the Arkansas River Trail.
4468 River Mountain Rd, Little Rock, AR 72212
GPS: 34.797585, -92.382828
Note: If using a maps app to navigate (which is encouraged), be sure to set
the address as *Two Rivers Park Bridge*, NOT Two Rivers Park (which will
take you to a different entrance).
The bridge entrance to the park is accessible from the interchange between
I-430 and Cantrell Road (Hwy 10) in Little Rock. If arriving via I-430
(from either direction), take Exit 9 to Cantrell Rd and follow signs to
River Mountain Road. If traveling west on Cantrell, take the I-430 S ramp
to River Mountain Road. If traveling east on Cantrell, exit right before
you go over the bridge (in front of the Tide Cleaner building) and take a
left under the bridge toward River Mountain Road. After making the hairpin
turn onto River Mountain Road, follow the road past the houses and all the
way down the hill till you see the river. You can park at the boat launch
or in the lot at the base of the bridge.
*Access notes:*
The parking lot has a few ADA-compliant parking spaces.
There are restrooms and a water fountain in the parking lot.
The paved trail over the bridge and through the park is wheelchair
accessible.
The trail does not have evenly spaced benches, but picnic tables and
seating will be available at our halfway point.
*June 20: Bell Slough Wildlife Management (WMA)*
*Meet: 7 a.m. at Bell South (Boardwalk) entrance*
The group will walk the Kenny Vernon Nature Trail, a 2.25-mile loop that is
mostly level walking on dirt/gravel. The trail has interpretive signs, a
photo blind, and an observation area overlooking marshy, moist soil units
that can host herons, night-herons, egrets, bitterns, and shorebirds in
season. Breeding birds include numerous warbler species, vireos, tanagers,
orioles, chats, cuckoos, and eagles. Blooming wildflowers can be seen along
the trail, attracting butterflies.
*What to bring:*
Comfortable walking shoes
Water
Binocular or scope (if available)
*Meeting location:*
Bell South Parking Lot of Bell Slough WMA
Take Exit 135 off 1-40 at Mayflower. At the commuter lot, turn onto
Interstate Drive, which parallels I-40, down to Grassy Lake Road. Cross
Palarm Creek bridge and turn left into the WMA parking lot.
GPS: 34.938599, -92.418301
*July 11: Dr. Lester Sitzes III, Bois D’Arc WMA*
*Meet: 7 a.m. at the I-630/I-430 commuter parking lot on Shackleford Road
in Little Rock.*
Our target birds will be Purple and Common Gallinules and their chicks,
Least Bitterns, Anhingas, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, herons, egrets,
and possibly alligators.
Very little walking is involved.
*What to bring:*
Comfortable walking shoes
Water
Lunch (there are restaurants in Hope if you prefer)
Binocular or scope (if available)
*Meeting location:*
South end of the I-630/I-430 Commuter Lot on Shackleford Road
For people who want to meet in Hope:
Around 8:45 a.m., we’ll stop at the McDonald’s in Hope, where we’ll look
for Great-tailed Grackles
Exit 30 off I-30
We should arrive at the Bois D’Arc WMA at 9:15 a.m. Bois D’Arc WMA is
located 10 miles south of Hope. Take Exit 30 off I-30 and go east past
McDonald’s, then under the railroad overpass. At the light at the big
intersection, turn right onto Hwy. 67 and go one-third of a mile. At the
brown sign, turn left onto Hwy. 174. Take Hwy. 174 south 6 miles to the
3-way stop sign at Spring Hill. Turn right onto Hwy. 355. Go west for 4
miles. Turn right at the white wooden WMA sign just before the highway
ends at the lake. Follow the paved road, then turn left onto the first
gravel road and go down to the lake.
GPS: 33.558062, -93.694239
*July 25: Beginner Bird Walk *
*Meet: 9 a.m. at Two Rivers Park Bridge in Little Rock*
Are you curious about birds or looking for opportunities to practice your
bird watching skills? Join us for an outing designed for beginner birders
and folks who want to learn the basics. The group will walk a ~1.5-mile
loop through Two Rivers Park. A paved trail will take us over the Little
Maumelle River, through vibrant pine-dominated woods, and alongside lush
wetland habitat. As we go, two group leaders will cover skills such as
using binoculars, using field marks to identify birds, and using habitat
clues to find birds. This is one of the best birding spots in central
Arkansas, which is known for swallows, herons, orioles, woodpeckers, and
forest songbirds. Birders and nature enthusiasts of all experience levels
are encouraged to participate!
*What to bring:*
Comfortable walking shoes
Water
Binoculars (we will have a few pairs available to borrow)
*Meeting location:*
We’ll gather at the base of the bridge near the roundabout. Look for the
group by the interpretive sign about the Arkansas River Trail.
4468 River Mountain Rd, Little Rock, AR 72212
GPS: 34.797585, -92.382828
Note: If using a maps app to navigate (which is encouraged), be sure to set
the address as *Two Rivers Park Bridge*, NOT Two Rivers Park (which will
take you to a different entrance).
The bridge entrance to the park is accessible from the interchange between
I-430 and Cantrell Road (Hwy 10) in Little Rock. If arriving via I-430
(from either direction), take Exit 9 to Cantrell Rd and follow signs to
River Mountain Road. If traveling west on Cantrell, take the I-430 S ramp
to River Mountain Road. If traveling east on Cantrell, exit right before
you go over the bridge (in front of the Tide Cleaner building) and take a
left under the bridge toward River Mountain Road. After making the hairpin
turn onto River Mountain Road, follow the road past the houses and all the
way down the hill till you see the river. You can park at the boat launch
or in the lot at the base of the bridge.
*Access notes:*
The parking lot has a few ADA-compliant parking spaces.
There are restrooms and a water fountain in the parking lot.
The paved trail over the bridge and through the park is wheelchair
accessible.
The trail does not have evenly spaced benches, but picnic tables and
seating will be available at our halfway point.
*August 8: Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge*
*Meet: 7 a.m. at the Other Center parking lot between McDonald’s and Target
on McCain Blvd. across from McMain Mall.*
This federal refuge is also a National Audubon Important Bird Area. Expect
to see shorebirds, herons, night-herons, egrets, and possibly Wood Storks
and Roseate Spoonbills.
*What to bring:*
Sunscreen and Hat
Water
Binocular or scope (if available)
*Meeting location:*
The Other Center parking lot is between McDonald’s and Target on McCain
Blvd., across from McCain Mall. Take Exit 1 West of US 67/167.
For people who want to meet in Bald Knob:
We should arrive at Bald Knob NWR around 8:30 a.m. and will stop at
McDonald’s. We will then meet in the refuge’s visitor center parking lot.
The visitor center will not be open, so there will not be a bathroom
on-site.
GPS: 35.260233, -91.571903
*August 22: Beginner Bird Walk *
*Meet: 9 a.m. at Two Rivers Park Bridge in Little Rock*
Are you curious about birds or looking for opportunities to practice your
bird watching skills? Join us for an outing designed for beginner birders
and folks who want to learn the basics. The group will walk a ~1.5-mile
loop through Two Rivers Park. A paved trail will take us over the Little
Maumelle River, through vibrant pine-dominated woods, and alongside lush
wetland habitat. As we go, two group leaders will cover skills such as
using binoculars, using field marks to identify birds, and using habitat
clues to find birds. This is one of the best birding spots in central
Arkansas, which is known for swallows, herons, orioles, woodpeckers, and
forest songbirds. Birders and nature enthusiasts of all experience levels
are encouraged to participate!
*What to bring:*
Comfortable walking shoes
Water
Binoculars (we will have a few pairs available to borrow)
*Meeting location:*
We’ll gather at the base of the bridge near the roundabout. Look for the
group by the interpretive sign about the Arkansas River Trail.
4468 River Mountain Rd, Little Rock, AR 72212
GPS: 34.797585, -92.382828
Note: If using a maps app to navigate (which is encouraged), be sure to set
the address as *Two Rivers Park Bridge*, NOT Two Rivers Park (which will
take you to a different entrance).
The bridge entrance to the park is accessible from the interchange between
I-430 and Cantrell Road (Hwy 10) in Little Rock. If arriving via I-430
(from either direction), take Exit 9 to Cantrell Rd and follow signs to
River Mountain Road. If traveling west on Cantrell, take the I-430 S ramp
to River Mountain Road. If traveling east on Cantrell, exit right before
you go over the bridge (in front of the Tide Cleaner building) and take a
left under the bridge toward River Mountain Road. After making the hairpin
turn onto River Mountain Road, follow the road past the houses and all the
way down the hill till you see the river. You can park at the boat launch
or in the lot at the base of the bridge.
*Access notes:*
The parking lot has a few ADA-compliant parking spaces.
There are restrooms and a water fountain in the parking lot.
The paved trail over the bridge and through the park is wheelchair
accessible.
The trail does not have evenly spaced benches, but picnic tables and
seating will be available at our halfway point.
