I started a cold Sunday morning by birding what I call the Maumelle Valley Estates Wetlands in Maumelle. It is an area of rumored to be federally protected wetlands in a new housing development in Maumelle. I didn’t see anything extraordinary there but as I was finishing I got an email on my phone. It was an AR-Bird post from Kenny Nichols who had a Barrow’s Goldeneye at his house on Lake Dardanelle. I called Sam to let her know and then notified Karen Holliday because I suspected she wouldn’t get the email until much too late. I went home for Sam and then met up with Karen and off we went as she also contacted other birders. In case you are not aware, a Barrow’s Goldeneye is an accidental species in Arkansas. It was last reported in 2003 and that individual stayed one day.
We got to Kenny & LaDonna’s house at about 11 PM and within 5 minutes had all seen the Barrow’s Goldeneye, confirming the field marks so we were sure. It was a life bird for all three of us. The Braddy’s were there as well and soon the Boyles’, Scheiman’s, and Terry Butler also arrived.
In all it was very fine if unexpected outing. Thanks to Kenny & LaDonna for finding the bird and inviting people to their house to see it.
