Date: 6/20/26 6:22 pm From: Sarah Morris <sarahmorris.ark...> Subject: Re: Tomorrow: ASCA Field Trip to Bell Slough WMA
It was an active morning in the south entrance parking lot of Bell Slough
Wildlife Management Area. Before the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas
field trip even began, several species were already making their presence
known, including Painted Buntings singing while Osprey, Cliff Swallows,
Barn Swallows, and Prothonotary Warblers flew overhead.
Once we started walking the Kenny Vernon Nature Trail, we discovered a
Yellow-crowned Night Heron perched near the trail. It provided excellent
views before flying off. Thirty-six species were observed during the
outing, including a curious Kentucky Warbler, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird
sitting on her nest, and a group of eight Little Blue Herons that flew
overhead. Prothonotary Warblers were a consistent presence throughout the
walk and seemed especially active.
The 1.72-mile walk also featured plenty of interesting plants, flowers, and
mushrooms, along with several caterpillars, butterflies, and an Eastern
Musk Turtle. If you haven't visited the trail recently, it is well worth a
stop.
On Fri, Jun 19, 2026 at 4:26 PM Sarah Morris <sarahmorris.ark...>
wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> This is a reminder that Saturday is the Audubon Society of Central
> Arkansas's (ASCA) Field Trip to Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area in
> Mayflower. Please see below for more details on this walk and other
> upcoming field trips.
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Sarah Morris
> Date: Mon, May 18, 2026 at 6:10 PM
> Subject: ASCA Field Trips for June, July and August 2026
> To: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...>
>
>
> 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
> <sarahmorris.ark...> or (870) 926-7127.
>
>
>
> 2026 ASCA FIELD TRIPS
>
>
>
> *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.
>
>
