These two states have been on our bucket list to visit for many years, not just for birding, but because they are among the few we have never been to. Arkansas impressed us with the natural beauty of the landscape. Although we did not spend much time in Oklahoma, the birdwatching there was excellent.
Arkansas – Day 1
Our first destination from the Little Rock airport was Petit Jean State Park. The drive through the park has many places to stop and hike to view the different rock formations and waterfalls. One of the trails we chose was the boardwalk along Cedar Creek. During our hike, we spotted several Summer Tanagers, Carolina Wrens, and three species of woodpeckers. Another excellent trail is Rock House Cave Trail, where you can explore ancient caves. Along this trail, we also observed a Red-eyed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Cliff Swallows, and an Indigo Bunting, among other birds.
On the road to Holla Bend NWR, we passed farm fields where we heard singing Dickcissels singing, and we spotted our first Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher of the year. We arrived at the Holla Bend visitor center to be greeted by three Baltimore Orioles and a Great Crested Flycatcher. It seems that some of the best birding is often in the parking lots of information centers and trailheads. The wildlife drive here winds along the Arkansas River, and the fields were full of Indigo Bunting. Other great birds on the drive were Blue-winged Teal, Blue Grosbeak, and one Swainson’s Thrush. Frog Bayou would be our last birding stop of the day, and we happily had good looks at several Bell’s Vireo and Summer Tanagers. Additionally, we heard a couple of Yellow-breasted Chats, but they remained hidden and didn’t come out into the open.
Fort Smith would be our home base for the next two nights, and we stayed at the Courtyard downtown. There are a variety of restaurants within walking distance, offering menus that range from Tex-Mex to seafood to Western beef burgers. Had a great time walking the downtown area, and it was nice to see and hear the many Chimney Swifts overhead. Lots of history here as Fort Smith was in the mid eighteen hundreds at the edge of the frontier and one of the important gateways to what became the Wild West.
Oklahoma – Day 2
Make sure to visit the Fort Smith Coffee Co. in the Bakery district. This is where we began Day 2, and after enjoying our coffee, it was off to Oklahoma! As soon as we crossed the Arkansas River, we spotted three Western Kingbirds catching bugs from the power lines. Moffett Bottoms is a floodplain primarily used for agriculture, with wheat and corn being the main crops. Of course, birds love this type of habitat, and in the fields, we observed lots of Red-winged Blackbirds, Savannah Sparrows, Dickcissels, and one of our target birds, the Mississippi Kite. We also stopped at a grove of trees where we spotted a small flock of Cedar Waxwings along with a Painted Bunting.
Sequoyah NWR has a magnificent wildlife drive that winds for 10 miles through both woodlands and wetlands. Right at the beginning, we were surprised to find a group of 8 Red-headed Woodpeckers flying from tree to tree. Also seen and heard were Warbling, Yellow-Throated, and Philadelphia Vireo. The wetlands had a variety of birds, including Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper, and one fairly rare Black-necked Stilt.
While traveling north through the Cherokee Nation, we stopped for lunch at the Cherry Tree Store to try the local favorite, the Indian taco. This dish consists of fry bread topped with a mixture of ground beef and beans, finished with cheese and vegetables—truly delicious! Afterward, we visited a nearby birding hotspot called Dahlonegah Lake and Park. On the fence posts and wires, we spotted eight Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. In the surrounding farm fields, we also saw Eastern Meadowlarks, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and a Northern Bobwhite. Overall, it was a fantastic day of birding in a new state, and we recorded a total of 57 life birds in Oklahoma.
Arkansas – Day 3
Day 3 began with a search for migrating shorebirds, specifically the Upland, Pectoral, and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Kibbler Bottoms is known for these birds and more. While cruising slowly along the stubble fields, we spotted one Upland Sandpiper and one White-rumped Sandpiper. Other notable sightings included a Swainson’s Hawk, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Western Cattle Egret, and, of course, numerous Dickcissels. During a quick stop at Cherokee Prairie, we recorded 10 Common Yellowthroats, an Eastern Meadowlark, and an American Kestrel.
Since we arrived in Arkansas, Mount Magazine State Park has been on our radar; it features the highest point in the state at its summit. On the way up, we pulled over and spotted Eastern Wood-Pewees, Tufted Titmice, and a Brown Thrasher. The Lodge at Magazine Mountain has a fantastic buffet-style restaurant with stunning views of the valley below. Since this is a dry county, anyone wishing to order alcohol must sign a form for “club” membership. While we enjoyed our lunch, we spotted many Barn Swallows flying nearby. Additionally, on the drive down, we could hear Ovenbirds everywhere, and we absolutely love their sound.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a one-of-a-kind town that is located entirely within a National Park. It has a rich history, from the healing waters boiling out of the mountainside into the many spas, to the illegal gambling operations run by gangsters during the mid-20th century. We stayed in one of the restored historic hotels, which had a bridge-like walkway at the back that led to West Mountain. The birdwatching on the trails there was excellent; we spotted 28 species, including six different warblers. Some of the highlights were the Black-Throated Green and Chestnut-Sided Warblers, both of which were year birds for us.
We are thrilled to have finally visited these two states and were very impressed with the variety and abundance of birds there.
Trip Birds: 93 Year Birds: 22 Life Birds: 0
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