I got a late start this morning, I was up late due to a public star party, but got to Treadway’s by 8:30. I confirmed that if you can spot the Crossroads “exit” on Arkansas 13 you can trim about 3 miles off the trip as compared to going all the way to the water tower and then turning right. Anyway, there were a fair number of species including some exciting changes of pace like Ruddy Duck (15), Black Tern (2), Forster’s Tern (5), Spotted Tern (1), Semi-palmated Sandpiper (2), and Least Sandpiper (35). I found most of their ponds to be full but found one to be in the process of being drained so it may be worth keeping an eye on in coming weeks. This pond is where most of the good action was to be found.
Here is that pond on map:
34.94952
91.70250
On the way back, I stopped at Joe Hogan Fish Hatchery in Lonoke and found that the observation tower is gone. It’s a shame but it was probably an insurance liability. I found three freshly drained ponds on the eastern side on the hatchery and all three had shorebirds. Not great numbers but worth keeping an eye on until they dry up. There I saw Sanderling (1), Northern Shoveler (1 female), Greater and lesser Yellowlegs, Semi-palmated Sandpiper (3), Pectoral Sandpiper (20) and Least Sandpiper (45).
Species seen or heard at Treadway’s:
- Ruddy Duck
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Little Blue Heron
- Turkey Vulture
- Killdeer
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Least Sandpiper
- Black Tern
- Forster’s Tern
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
- Blue Jay
- American Crow
- Fish Crow
- Purple Martin
- Tree Swallow
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Bank Swallow
- Cliff Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Eastern Bluebird
- Northern Cardinal
- Indigo Bunting
- Dickcissel
- Eastern Meadowlark
- House Sparrow
Species seen or heard at Joe Hogan:
- Northern Shoveler
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Green Heron
- Killdeer
- Greater Yellowlegs
- Lesser Yellowlegs
- Sanderling
- Least Sandpiper
- Pectoral Sandpiper
- Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Mourning Dove
- Belted Kingfisher
- Purple Martin
- Barn Swallow
- American Robin
- Field Sparrow
- Common Grackle
