Date: 2/28/26 7:10 am From: Anita Schnee <000003224553d416-dmarc-request...> Subject: Left Holding the Bag
Josh Brown and I resumed our seats last evening for the Woodcock Ballet at Shorebird Stopover, East Fayetteville.
Again no dice.
So that left Josh and me plenty of time to discuss woodcocks and snipes and the like, of which the latter Josh saw 10 yesterday. Somebody Josh met the other day still thought snipes don't exist as a thing.
That made me wonder whether the expression "left holding the bag" might have originated with snipes. Google U confirms, citing Safire's Political Dictionary: "a snipe hunt is an elaborate practical joke in which the victim is left in a lonely field at night holding a sack and a tennis racket, one origin of the phrase 'left holding the bag.'" Google U also cited other non-birdy origins, in which the least-bright member of a criminal gang was left holding the swag while the smarter ones decamped -- but of course we in our circle will elect the bird version.
Rain is coming, fingers crossed. We intend to try again after. It's been suggested that with the earth so dry, woodcocks can't drill down to the worms. I wondered, though: if snipes and woodcocks are so similar, wouldn't we might see woodcocks in what seems to be an otherwise-ideal setting? If the snipes are happy to feed on the nearby mud flats?
Best I could come up with is -- birds will be birds. Mud flats are not moist forest floors, and so, woodcocks, you just do you. Mud between the toes? Euuw.
Other humans more expert and with time on their hands, please clarify.
In the meantime, let's see if the rain theory will moisten up the field for the worms, and Woodcock Ballet retake the empty stage. Baryshnikov Bird, I, your fan-girl, await in the wings. Your tights are laundered and ready.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
Date: 2/27/26 10:56 am From: Jerry Davis <jwdavis...> Subject: Re: Great Crested Flycatcher
You are right, Robert, thanks for catching my error. I was taking data
from my nest box spreadsheet for 31 species and made a mental mistake.
It should be a box height of 8 to 12 inches tall.
Thank you
Jerry
On 2026-02-27 10:47 am, Robert Day wrote:
> Jerry, I assume that you meant to say that the box height is 8-12
> inches, not 8-12 feet. But thanks for the great information.
>
> Bob Day
> SW Bentonville
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Feb 26, 2026, at 11:35 AM, <jwdavis...> wrote:
>
>>
>> The Great Crested Flycatcher will arrive the second week in April.
>> They are a cavity nester and will nest in a nest box if natural
>> cavities are not available. We often see this bird in Costa Rica
>> before it migrates to North America. If you have an opportunity to
>> host this bird in your yard, build this bird a nest box if you do
>> not have adequate holes in snags. Remember to save and make
>> available snake skins that this bird likes to put in its nest. The
>> Nest Box Dimensions are Floor 6X6. Box Height 8 - 12 inches, Hole
>> Height above floor 6 to 10 inches, Hole Diameter 1 ¾ inches, Box
>> Height above the Ground 5 to 15 feet and placed in Open Woods or
>> Orchard conditions. If you are fortunate to get this cavity nester,
>> you will hear the excitement of the pair chattering as they find
>> your nest box and start the nest building process and hear their
>> calls all summer.
>> Remember that there are 85 species of cavity nesting birds in North
>> America, and they need all the help they can get. There is a housing
>> shortage with too few snags and hollow trees.
>> Jerry Wayne Davis
>> Hot Springs, AR
>>
>> -------------------------
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
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>
>
> Links:
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Date: 2/27/26 8:47 am From: Robert Day <rhday52...> Subject: Re: Great Crested Flycatcher
Jerry, I assume that you meant to say that the box height is 8-12 inches, not 8-12 feet. But thanks for the great information.
Bob Day
SW Bentonville
Sent from my iPad
> On Feb 26, 2026, at 11:35 AM, <jwdavis...> wrote:
>
>
> The Great Crested Flycatcher will arrive the second week in April. They are a cavity nester and will nest in a nest box if natural cavities are not available. We often see this bird in Costa Rica before it migrates to North America. If you have an opportunity to host this bird in your yard, build this bird a nest box if you do not have adequate holes in snags. Remember to save and make available snake skins that this bird likes to put in its nest. The Nest Box Dimensions are Floor 6X6. Box Height 8 - 12 feet, Hole Height above floor 6 to 10 inches, Hole Diameter 1 ¾ inches, Box Height above the Ground 5 to 15 feet and placed in Open Woods or Orchard conditions. If you are fortunate to get this cavity nester, you will hear the excitement of the pair chattering as they find your nest box and start the nest building process and hear their calls all summer.
> Remember that there are 85 species of cavity nesting birds in North America, and they need all the help they can get. There is a housing shortage with too few snags and hollow trees.
> Jerry Wayne Davis
> Hot Springs, AR
>
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1
It was mostly overcast and mild with a light wind on the survey yesterday. 50 species were found. Best highlight was a flock of 78 Sandhill Cranes on the ground in unit 44 right next to the middle parking lot. We rarely see these at Red Slough, especially on the ground. FOS Purple Martin was nice also. Lots of hardwood trees (elms, maples, plums, etc.) blooming now and willows are putting out leaves. Frogs singing everywhere. Spring is here! Here is my list for yesterday:
Date: 2/26/26 9:35 am From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Great Crested Flycatcher
The Great Crested Flycatcher will arrive the second week in April. They are a cavity nester and will nest in a nest box if natural cavities are not available. We often see this bird in Costa Rica before it migrates to North America. If you have an opportunity to host this bird in your yard, build this bird a nest box if you do not have adequate holes in snags. Remember to save and make available snake skins that this bird likes to put in its nest. The Nest Box Dimensions are Floor 6X6. Box Height 8 - 12 feet, Hole Height above floor 6 to 10 inches, Hole Diameter 1 inches, Box Height above the Ground 5 to 15 feet and placed in Open Woods or Orchard conditions. If you are fortunate to get this cavity nester, you will hear the excitement of the pair chattering as they find your nest box and start the nest building process and hear their calls all summer.
Remember that there are 85 species of cavity nesting birds in North America, and they need all the help they can get. There is a housing shortage with too few snags and hollow trees.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
Date: 2/26/26 8:28 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Apparent migration underway at Beaver Lake
Modest south wind, sunshine, and being middle-of-week (so few boats on lake) made yesterday a good day to visit several places on the south shoreline of Beaver Lake, east of Rogers. Big news from the day was for Beaver Lake high numbers of both gull species typically present in winter and way more than usual number of Double-crested Cormorants.
Pine Warblers were singing in several of the stands of native Shortleaf Pines. This is another good sign of spring in Northwest Arkansas City.
HIGHWAY 12 BOAT LAUNCH AND REDNECK RIVERIA:
Ring-billed Gull (52), Bonapartes Gull (15), Double-crested Cormorant (1)
COPPERMINE:
Common Goldeneye (15), Ring-billed Gull (54), Bonapartes Gull (104), Bufflehead (8), Double-crested Cormorant (34)
LARUE COVE AND ROCKY BRANCH PARK:
Common Goldeneye (2), Ring-billed Gull (10), Bonapartes Gull (40)
AND:
The water was flat enough that with my spotting scope I could see all the way across Beaver to Lost Bridge. I should have been able to see Horned Grebes, but didnt. However, I saw 38 below Lost Bridge during a trip February 20. Ill bet they are still there. This illustrates a Beaver truism: birds have plenty of places to hide because the shoreline twists back and forth like some old dragon snake (descriptive phrase from Still on the Hills Once a river CD).
I also stopped at TWIN COVES. Nothing special to report. Always a wonderful spot to enjoy Buttonbushes.
Date: 2/26/26 7:13 am From: Anita Schnee <000003224553d416-dmarc-request...> Subject: Wood ducks, ring-necks, snipe, and no-show woodcocks
Great excitement in East Fayetteville on the Brown Farm this morning. Josh Brown spotted two wood ducks. He's only seen them on the property once before in his long life (which he has lived mostly here). He dragged me away from morning chores, and was most patient with me until I finally saw them too. A pair, crouched under some branches in the shade. It took some diligence and patience to see the male turn his head ever so slightly to flash his colors at us. Meanwhile, two ring-neck pairs proceeded along with their own morning chores. This past Tuesday at the Shorebird Stopover property, I counted 20 snipe. And educated myself about their amazing beaks, configured so they could leave them buried in the mud and still use their hinged upper beak to nibble at this and that down under there without having to extract the whole shebang ("rhynchokinesis," who knew?). And a group of us then awaited the Woodcock Ballet -- which was evidently postponed. Surely they weren't off watching the SOTU address? We may try again tomorrow. --Anita Schnee, happy to be alive
Date: 2/25/26 5:48 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Beaverfork Lake
At least one of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls is continuing this morning at Beaverfork Lake, visible from the parking area near the Purple Martin gourds. Patty McLean
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/24/26 7:02 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Beaverfork Lake After picking up groceries this afternoon, we made what was supposed to be a quick stop at Beaverfork Lake on our way home. As we sat in our cozy, warm car doing a quick binocular scan, we saw two large, darker mantled gulls on the lake. Darn. This meant we had to get out in the chilly wind, setting up our scopes in hopes of confirming their identity. One of the gulls was pretty straightforward: larger than a Ring-billed, dark wings, pale eye and a yellow bill with a large red dot. The second one was a bit more complicated. We could tell it was an immature gull (which is always fun to attempt to identify). It appeared slightly smaller, darkish wings, and a dark bill with a yellow tip. The eye is what was confusing. Through our scopes, due to distance and choppy water, the eye appeared dark...but Michael's photos clearly show a pale eye surrounded by a dark smudge. These features support the ID of an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. So, TWO of them. I can't help but wonder if the cold weather further north brought them here, but we shall likely never know.Last seen flying to the back of the lake. We hope to relocate them tomorrow morning.Here's our checklist with photos. https://ebird.org/checklist/S303605823Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/24/26 5:02 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Beaverfork Lake
After picking up groceries this afternoon, we made what was supposed to be a quick stop at Beaverfork Lake on our way home. As we sat in our cozy, warm car doing a quick binocular scan, we saw two large, darker mantled gulls on the lake. Darn. This meant we had to get out in the chilly wind, setting up our scopes in hopes of confirming their identity. One of the gulls was pretty straightforward: larger than a Ring-billed, dark wings, pale eye and a yellow bill with a large red dot. The second one was a bit more complicated. We could tell it was an immature gull (which is always fun to attempt to identify). It appeared slightly smaller, darkish wings, and a dark bill with a yellow tip. The eye is what was confusing. Through our scopes, due to distance and choppy water, the eye appeared dark...but Michael's photos clearly show a pale eye surrounded by a dark smudge. These features support the ID of an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. So, TWO of them. I can't help but wonder if the cold weather further north brought them here, but we shall likely never know.Last seen flying to the back of the lake. We hope to relocate them tomorrow morning.Here's our checklist with photos. https://ebird.org/checklist/S303605823Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/24/26 1:10 pm From: Carol Joan Patterson <0000003a0ccbe138-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Birding may protect against age-related cognitive decline
Perfect!
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 02:26:56 PM CST, betty_evans <betty_evans...> wrote:
And the guy who did the study was named Wing...
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 12:21:42 PM CST, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
Date: 2/24/26 12:26 pm From: betty_evans <betty_evans...> Subject: Re: Birding may protect against age-related cognitive decline
And the guy who did the study was named Wing...
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 12:21:42 PM CST, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
From Loon Point today -- a single RED-NECKED GREBEFrom Bufflehead Bay -- two RED-THROATED LOONS and a single PACIFIC LOON.All were seen at a distance, across the lake, requiring a scope.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Several of us gathered at Bell Slough-- South this morning, dressed to brave the cold, windy weather. The outing was partly done to welcome Cody Massery back into the fold (he's a new papa) and to explore the recently reopened Moist Soil Units for waterfowl and sparrows. There was not a single duck present, and the sparrows wisely kept a low profile. But we did see two Wilson's Snipe and a FOTY male Common Yellowthroat. Afterwards we went to the big parking area on Lake Conway, just past the Highway 89 bridge, to look for some recently found Trumpeter Swans (3 juveniles) and a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT. The swans were easier to spot but the Cormorant took a while and it eventually showed up in flight, apparently being pursued by a Double-crested Cormorant, giving us a grand size ad shape comparison. Unfortunately it landed in an area behind the levee/dam so the only shots we got were in flight but everyone got good looks.Michael and I made a stop at Beaverfork Lake on our way home to see if anything new was floating around. We found a single American Herring Gull and the continuing female Red-breasted Merganser but no Red-necked Grebe. However, the lake was very choppy, so no telling what we might have missed. The Purple Martins have begun showing up in small numbers but were smartly keeping a low profile today. Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/22/26 6:31 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: RED-NECKED GREBE and a Likely NEOTROPIC CORMORANT in Faulkner County
The Neotropic Cormorant continues this morning on Lake Conway, potentially viewable from the Hwy 89 parking lot. Patty
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/21/26 3:46 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: RED-NECKED GREBE and a Likely NEOTROPIC CORMORANT in Faulkner County Red-necked Grebe on Lake Conway. Likely NEOTROPIC CORMORANT on Lake Conway in area on south side of Hwy 89 Bridge. We need to confirm this one via our photos. Light and distance were problematic. Scoping is best.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/21/26 1:46 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: RED-NECKED GREBE and a Likely NEOTROPIC CORMORANT in Faulkner County
Red-necked Grebe on Lake Conway. Likely NEOTROPIC CORMORANT on Lake Conway in area on south side of Hwy 89 Bridge. We need to confirm this one via our photos. Light and distance were problematic. Scoping is best.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
The survey today started off overcast, cool, calm, and foggy, turning partly cloudy, mild, and windy by the afternoon. 51 species were found. "Goose" Pearson (OK) joined me for the afternoon portion of the survey. Best highlight today was the return of several Tree Swallows. Several species of Passerines were singing their Spring songs and trees were starting to bloom. Here is my list for today:
Date: 2/16/26 7:43 am From: Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...> Subject: Re: Hawk ID help
I'm no expert, but I'd call that an adult calurus Ted-tailed Hawk. We had
one 3-4 years ago in the Maysville. They're stunningly gorgeous.
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 12:57 PM Brian Carlson <brianrcarlson...>
wrote:
> Hello all, I could use some help in identifying this hawk. I think it is a
> Red-tailed. Is that correct? If so, what subspecies? Is it mature? Thanks,
> Brian
>
> ------------------------------
>
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Date: 2/16/26 6:00 am From: Dawna Stirrup <drdenman...> Subject: CORRECTED: ASCA Fieldtrip Stuttgart Airport
February 14, 2026
CORRECTED: The original had broken links and a Northern Shrike.
While most of the world was celebrating Valentine's day and the global
birding community was celebrating The Great Backyard Bird Count, 20 birders
decided to brave the impending rain and take a field trip to Stuttgart. We
were well rewarded for our efforts with good birds and good company.
Although a decent wind was blowing, conditions remained quite dry and not
too cold. Some of the best weather many of us had ever experienced at
Stuttgart.
To start our trip, we met at the Stuttgart Municipal Airport terminal where
Patty M. delivered an educational talk about our target species and the
best way to identify them on the field. We reviewed special airport safety
procedures and then we headed out on the tarmac.
Walking the long strips of grass alongside the runways, we saw a good
number of Savannah Sparrows, Killdeer, and Meadowlarks. A couple Northern
Harriers caught our eye, but we were struggling to find any Smith Longspurs
where they are typically found. Moving North, we could hear Longspurs, but
they were across the runway from us and we couldn’t see them. Eventually we
spotted a couple, but decided to switch our attention to an area known for
LeConte’s Sparrow.
We succeeded at finding a single LeConte’s Sparrow, but it was
uncooperative and moved away from us quickly.
Suddenly, a couple birders found a puddle with a collection of sparrows and
a pair of Wilson’s Snipe. This seemed to reenergize the trip and our luck
started to turn around. Walking the next track of grass, we managed to get
a good look at 8 Smith Longspurs, including one that was just 15-20 feet in
front of us (pointed out to us by Steve W. and Clay H.) Four took off all
at once and flew over our heads, treating us to a delightful show. Walking
back, Jerry B. found us another LeConte’s Sparrow. Just as we were thinking
we had done pretty well for the morning, two Short-eared Owls popped out of
the grass in front of us; another lifer for many in our group. We found a
couple more LeConte’s Sparrows before heading back to the Terminal.
From the Terminal, our group split into two parts. The first group, led by
Sarah, took a big driving loop around the East Side of the airport. This
group was rewarded for their efforts with a Red-tailed Hawk, a Loggerheaded
Shrike, and a few other species not yet seen that day.
The second group, led by Dawn S, decided we were starving for lunch and
made a group reservation at a nearby restaurant. We took a short driving
tour around the East side of the Airport where we saw a Loggerheaded
Shrike, some Northern Harriers, and then the road to lunch. On the way,
several birders stopped to inspect some hawks that turned out to be
Red-tailed Hawks. Over lunch we shared stories of some of our favorite
birding experiences.
Date: 2/16/26 5:47 am From: Dawna Stirrup <drdenman...> Subject: ASCA Field Trip Report - Stuttgart Airport
14 February 2026 - Stuttgart Municipal Airport
EBird Trip Report
While most of the world was celebrating Valentine's day and the global
birding community was celebrating The Great Backyard Bird Count, 20 birders
decided to brave the impending rain and take a field trip to Stuttgart. We
were well rewarded for our efforts with good birds and good company.
Although a decent wind was blowing, conditions remained quite dry and not
too cold. Some of the best weather many of us had ever experienced at
Stuttgart.
To start our trip, we met at the Stuttgart Municipal Airport terminal where
Patty M. delivered an educational talk about our target species and the
best way to identify them on the field. We reviewed special airport safety
procedures and then we headed out on the tarmac.
Walking the long strips of grass alongside the runways, we saw a good
number of Savannah Sparrows, Killdeer, and Meadowlarks. A couple Northern
Harriers caught our eye, but we were struggling to find any Smith Longspurs
where they are typically found. Moving North, we could hear Longspurs, but
they were across the runway from us and we couldn’t see them. Eventually we
spotted a couple, but decided to switch our attention to an area known for
LeConte’s Sparrow.
We succeeded at finding a single LeConte’s Sparrow, but it was
uncooperative and moved away from us quickly.
Suddenly, a couple birders found a puddle with a collection of sparrows and
a pair of Wilson’s Snipe. This seemed to reenergize the trip and our luck
started to turn around. Walking the next track of grass, we managed to get
a good look at 8 Smith Longspurs, including one that was just 15-20 feet in
front of us (pointed out to us by Steve W. and Clay H.) Four took off all
at once and flew over our heads, treating us to a delightful show. Walking
back, Jerry B. found us another LeConte’s Sparrow. Just as we were thinking
we had done pretty well for the morning, two Short-eared Owls popped out of
the grass in front of us; another lifer for many in our group. We found a
couple more LeConte’s Sparrows before heading back to the Terminal. See our
Checklist HERE.
From the Terminal, our group split into two parts. The first group, led by
Sarah, took a big driving loop around the East Side of the airport. This
group was rewarded for their efforts with a Red-tailed Hawk, a Northern
Shrike, and a few other species not yet seen that day. See their report
HERE.
The second group, led by Dawn S, decided we were starving for lunch and
made a group reservation at a nearby restaurant. We took a short driving
tour around the East side of the Airport where we saw a Logger-headed
Shrike, some Northern Harriers, and then the road to lunch. On the way,
several birders stopped to inspect some hawks that turned out to be
Red-tailed Hawks. Over lunch we shared stories of some of our favorite
birding experiences. Our Checklist is HERE.
Date: 2/15/26 3:25 pm From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...> Subject: ASCA Field Trips: March, April, and May 2026
Everyone is invited to join the upcoming field trips for the Audubon
Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA). 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 questions, contact the ASCA Field Trip Coordinators, Sarah Morris and
Dawna Stirrup, off-list.
*2026 ASCA FIELD TRIPS*
*March 21: **Lake Maumelle - West Little Rock*
*Meet: *7:30 a.m. at WestRock Landing
The group will search for loons, mergansers, ducks, and grebes. Stops will
include Bufflehead Bay, Loon Point, and Vista Park to scan open water. The
wooded trails will also be explored for winter forest birds.
There will be light walking on level trails in the Moist Soil Units. The
trip should finish by noon.
*What to bring:*
· Warm jacket and gloves (wind off the lake can be cold)
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Water
· Binocular or scope (if available)
*Meeting location:*
WestRock Landing (formerly Jolly Rogers Marina)
11800 Maumelle Harbour Road, Roland
GPS: 34.8648042, -92.5660394
Located 10 miles west of Little Rock on Hwy. 10
*April 18: Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area*
*Meet:* 6:30 a.m. at the Mayflower commuter lot (Exit 135 off I-40 West).
Frog Bayou is a restored wetland. Migratory waterfowl are common here. The
group will look for marsh birds such as Sora, Virginia Rail, and Least
Bittern. Wading birds may also be seen.
Walking will be on level dirt paths. If time allows, the group may also
visit nearby birding spots. Return to Little Rock is expected by late
afternoon.
*What to bring:*
· Binocular or scope (if available)
· Water, snacks, and lunch
*Meeting location:*
For central Arkansas participants:
Mayflower commuter lot at Exit 135 off I-40 West
GPS: 34.970470483700275, -92.41647271395294
For western Arkansas participants:
Meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Phillips 66 Truck Stop at Dyer Exit 20 (southside
of I-40).
GPS: 35.51288282023821, -94.11406603724042
Breakfast and lunch items are available at the truck stop.
*May 2: Banding Demo at Gillam Park*
*Meet: *7 a.m. at Gillam Park (far parking lot)
Spring migration will be underway, offering a chance to see many species,
including warblers.
Kevin Krajcir, conservation biologist with the Arkansas Natural Heritage
Commission, will also demonstrate bird banding. He will explain how banding
works and why it is important. Bird banding will be weather-dependent.
There will be moderate walking on mostly level trails, which may be muddy.
After Gillam Park, the group will visit the Little Rock Audubon Center,
Industrial Harbor Road, and Terry Lock and Dam. The trip may last into
early afternoon.
*What to bring:*
· Water and snacks
· Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots
· Binocular
*Meeting location:*
Gillam Park
5300 Gillam Park Road, Little Rock
GPS: 34.700823, -92.258148
Directions: Take I-30 West heading south from Little Rock. Exit onto I-440
going towards the airport. Take Exit 1-Springer Road. At the bottom of the
exit ramp, turn left onto Springer Road. Go one mile to just past the
Little Rock Audubon Center and turn right onto Gillam Park Road. Follow it
into the park to the last parking lot.
Date: 2/13/26 6:55 am From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...> Subject: REMINDER: ASCA Field Trip is Tomorrow
Hi everyone,
This is a reminder that tomorrow is the ASCA field trip to the Stuttgart
Municipal Airport. Please see the details below. Current forecasts show
rain most likely after noon, and we expect to be finished by then.
*February 14 – Stuttgart Airport *
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Prothro Junction commuter lot located on the
southeast side of I-40 East at Exit 157. Turn right at the intersection,
then immediately turn left into the commuter lot.
We should arrive at the airport around 8:30 a.m. for anyone who prefers to
meet us there. Target birds include Lapland and Smith’s Longspurs,
Short-eared Owls, American Pipits, and sparrows.
Dress in layers and bring gloves. Be prepared for wind and cold
temperatures. Knee-high boots are essential for walking through spiny
grass. On the drive back to Little Rock, we will scan open fields for
flocks of geese and ducks.
*Reminder:* Today through Monday is the Great Backyard Bird Count. You can
participate as a citizen scientist by joining the field trip or by counting
birds anywhere you find them. Please submit your sightings to eBird so they
can be included.
See you in the morning!
Sarah Morris
---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Sarah Morris <saraha.morris1...>
> Date: Sun, Jan 4, 2026 at 8:43 PM
> Subject: ASCA Field Trips Jan. & Feb.
> To: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...>
> Cc: Dawna Stirrup <drdenman...>
>
>
> Below are the upcoming Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA) field
> trips for January and February. Our trips are open to everyone, regardless
> of your level of birding experience. You don't have to be an ASCA member
> to participate. You can leave a trip at any time. Please feel free to
> contact me or Dawna Stirrup off-list if you have any questions.
>
> Come join us!
>
>
> *2026 ASCA FIELD TRIPS*
>
> *January 17, 2026*
>
> *Lake Dardanelle-Delaware Park and Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
> (NWR)*
>
> Meet at 7 a.m. at the Mayflower commuter lot off I-40 West at Exit 135.
> We’ll carpool to Delaware Park, located on the southwest side of Lake
> Dardanelle. We should arrive at the Delaware Park boat ramp around 8:15
> a.m. for anyone who wants to meet us there. We’ll scan the lake for gulls,
> pelicans, loons, mergansers, ducks, grebes, and eagles. A rare gull or
> duck is a possibility. The lake can be very cold and windy. Dress in
> layers, including gloves and hats, to stay warm.
>
> Next, we’ll caravan to the Holla Bend NWR headquarters’ parking lot.
> There is a $4 entrance fee per vehicle. A duck stamp or a National Parks
> pass will get a vehicle in for free. Our target birds will include
> raptors, such as nesting Bald Eagles and owls, as well as swans, ducks,
> geese, and sparrows. At Holla Bend, expect to walk through tall grass, so
> wearing boots is recommended. Bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water.
> We’ll return to Little Rock in the late afternoon.
>
> Directions from the town of Dardanelle to Delaware Park: At the junction
> at Hwy. 7 and Hwy. 22, go west on Hwy 22 for approximately 10 miles. Turn
> right onto Hwy. 393, which is the first road on your right after you cross
> the long causeway at the west end of the lake. Hwy. 393 dead ends at
> Delaware Park. GPS coordinates: 35.295749, -93.271458. For more
> information about the Holla Bend NWR, go to *http://www.fws.gov/hollabend/ > <http://www.fws.gov/hollabend/>*. The headquarters is located at *10448
> Holla Bend Road, Dardanelle, AR 72834*. GPS coordinates: 35.163222,
> -93.093477.
>
>
> *February 14, 2026*
>
> *Stuttgart Airport, Stuttgart*
>
> Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Prothro Junction commuter lot located on the
> southeast side of I-40 East at Exit 157. Turn right at the intersection,
> then immediately turn left into the commuter lot. We should arrive at the
> airport around 8:30 a.m. for anyone who would like to meet us there.
> Lapland and Smith’s Longspurs, Short-eared Owls, Pipits, and sparrows will
> be our target birds. Dress in layers; bring gloves, as you will be
> prepared for wind and cold temperatures. Knee-high boots are essential for
> walking through the Aristida grass. On the drive back to Little Rock,
> we’ll scan the open fields for flocks of geese and ducks.
>
> *Reminder: * February 13-16 is the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count
> (GBBC). Participate as a citizen scientist by joining the field trip, or
> counting anywhere you find birds. Submit your sightings to eBird.org.
>
Date: 2/12/26 4:43 pm From: Leif Anderson <leifforesteranderson...> Subject: Re: Western Meadowlark probable migration
I agree, the first couple weeks of March are the best time to hear
Westerns. Even river levees and small airports throughout the western AR
river valley can be good. The numbers go down as you head east, but can
hear a few in the MS river delta.
One of the signs of spring that I enjoy… sitting and being enveloped by
Meadowlark song. Thanks Joe, Leif at Hector.
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 5:07 PM Joseph Neal <
<0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Big fields grassy pastures associated with former Lindsley Prairie are on
> both sides of the drive down Railway Alley to Chesney Prairie Natural Area.
> It is often good for meadowlarks. This morning was no exception. First
> singing I heard was by an Eastern Meadowlark, then followed by several
> Western Meadowlarks.
> The first Western vocalizations were “chert” calls. Then I heard a good
> Western song. Another Eastern later, more Westerns. Just before reaching
> the chicken houses I was totally surrounded by Westerns in what I would
> call a chorus of songs and calls. They were in the field and in a tree
> right in front of me. Maybe altogether 20 birds. All of the calls and songs
> I heard were Westerns.
> This is not the first time I’ve encountered a flock of Westerns around
> this time. My thought is these are birds that are part of a flock that is
> migrating or about to migrate.
> I checked some my past records of encounters like this:
> --50 to possibly as many as 100 meadowlarks with Westerns songs and calls
> in Kibler bottoms March 1, 2018.
> --at University Experiment Farm in Fayetteville there were calls and songs
> from 5+ Westerns.
> --There were at least 74 Westerns in a tight flock at Maysville March 1,
> 2013. I couldn’t find any of them two days later.
> Overall, I have found only a few Western Meadowlarks in northwest Arkansas
> after mid-March.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 2/12/26 3:07 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Western Meadowlark probable migration
Big fields grassy pastures associated with former Lindsley Prairie are on both sides of the drive down Railway Alley to Chesney Prairie Natural Area. It is often good for meadowlarks. This morning was no exception. First singing I heard was by an Eastern Meadowlark, then followed by several Western Meadowlarks.
The first Western vocalizations were chert calls. Then I heard a good Western song. Another Eastern later, more Westerns. Just before reaching the chicken houses I was totally surrounded by Westerns in what I would call a chorus of songs and calls. They were in the field and in a tree right in front of me. Maybe altogether 20 birds. All of the calls and songs I heard were Westerns.
This is not the first time Ive encountered a flock of Westerns around this time. My thought is these are birds that are part of a flock that is migrating or about to migrate.
I checked some my past records of encounters like this:
--50 to possibly as many as 100 meadowlarks with Westerns songs and calls in Kibler bottoms March 1, 2018.
--at University Experiment Farm in Fayetteville there were calls and songs from 5+ Westerns.
--There were at least 74 Westerns in a tight flock at Maysville March 1, 2013. I couldnt find any of them two days later.
Overall, I have found only a few Western Meadowlarks in northwest Arkansas after mid-March.
Date: 2/12/26 10:57 am From: Brian Carlson <brianrcarlson...> Subject: Hawk ID help
Hello all, I could use some help in identifying this hawk. I think it is a Red-tailed. Is that correct? If so, what subspecies? Is it mature? Thanks, Brian
Date: 2/12/26 9:38 am From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Red Slough Bird Survey - Feb. 11
Mike, thank you for your note to David. You are telling him what I have told him off site many times. When the Ouachita National Forest acquired Red Slough, they obtained David's expertise 30 years ago to monitor the birds for Red Slough. David's surveys, data collection, observations, and pictures document the birds and other wildlife changes over these decades. Some may not be aware that David's work has found dragonflies and other species extending their range into Oklahoma; or that Red Slough is an eBird Hot Spot and Species Leader for the State of Oklahoma. Birders from every state and some foreign countries have found birds at Red Slough for their life lists. Many Oklahoma birders do not recognize the valuable birds and birding experiences that exist within the State. His list is also shared on the ARBird Listserve.
All should appreciate the weekly dedication that David has contributed to the scientific data collected and insight he provided for birders and others that appreciate the Wildlife Diversity of Red Slough.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
________________________________
From: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Mike Ludewig <fishinorbirding...>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2026 9:11 AM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Red Slough Bird Survey - Feb. 11
David, Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your weekly posts on the Red Slough birds and other "creatures". It's always fun to see your list! Mike Ludewig Claremore, OK On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 7: 10 PM arbour@ windstream. net
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External Email
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David,
Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your weekly posts on the Red Slough birds and other "creatures". It's always fun to see your list!
Mike Ludewig
Claremore, OK
On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 7:10 PM <arbour...><mailto:<arbour...> <arbour...><mailto:<arbour...>> wrote:
It was mostly overcast, mild (60's), and a bit windy on the survey today. 51 species were found. Neotropic Cormorants have returned and will start nesting in early March. Spring is almost here! Frogs are singing; butterflies are out, and plum
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It was mostly overcast, mild (60's), and a bit windy on the survey today. 51 species were found. Neotropic Cormorants have returned and will start nesting in early March. Spring is almost here! Frogs are singing; butterflies are out, and plum and pear trees are starting to bloom. Here is my list for today:
It was mostly overcast, mild (60's), and a bit windy on the survey today. 51 species were found. Neotropic Cormorants have returned and will start nesting in early March. Spring is almost here! Frogs are singing; butterflies are out, and plum and pear trees are starting to bloom. Here is my list for today:
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I have one follow up question just so I am clear on a point (not being scientific in my knowledge). As noted, I have already pulled the Nectar Defender off the shelves and literally thrown it away, so I am asking not to defend keeping it but simply so I understand (I am a "why" guy and it drives people nuts! LOL). I am also doing this 'publically so others may benefit from the exchange. Here's my question:
You mentioned "If a bird drank only ND, it would consume 50 ug copper/day...." Nectar Defender is used as an additive to nectar (they also make a premixed nectar that has ND in it, but I am assuming we are talking about the additive), so a hummer would never 'drink only ND.' When you said that, did you mean drink the additive 'straight out of the bottle,' or did you mean after being mixed with nectar according to label instructions? That would make a significant (but maybe not significant enough) difference in what they consumed.
Thanks for the clarification (and the compliments). 🙂
John Sommer
General Manager
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
Thanks so much for caring so deeply about birds' welfare that you're willing to sacrifice profits in service of their health and your integrity. You're a rara avis. :)
Nectar Defender contains copper sulfate. Years ago I was asked to help create exactly such a product, and I refused. Despite what the internet and the manufacturer (Sapphire Labs) may say, copper absolutely can accumulate to toxic levels in birds.
To my knowledge, no peer reviewed tests have been conducted on the safety of various amounts of copper sulfate for hummingbirds. Interestingly, the manufacturer doesn't disclose the amount they use. They do, however, have a very long recitation of numbers on their website that I find exceedingly confusing and misleading.
So I did some math for them. In nature, hummers likely consume about 2 ug (micrograms) of copper per day, given the copper content of fruit flies. From the Sapphire Labs website, a reasonable guess would be that Nectar Defender contains 5 ppm copper. If a bird drank only ND, it would consume 50 ug copper/day, or about 25x the amount it would get in the diet it evolved to eat, tolerate, and thrive on.
So using the precautionary principle, it's exceedingly unwise to offer them anything but sucrose in water. Your commercial mixes that only contain sugar and water (assuming in the appropriate proportions), should be entirely safe, and I heartily endorse them. :)
Sincere thanks again for your integrity. I sure wish every manufacturer and purveyor displayed your ethics.
Best,
Janine
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 01:28:08 PM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Janine -
I certainly bow to your knowledge in this area. So I just want to touch on a couple points for clarification:
1.
The "commercial mixes" we sell are just sucrose - no additives (see #2, below) or colors, and this is intentional as I agree with you 100% about using just sucrose. Now, while it may seem pointless to sell sugar in small packs, you might be surprised to learn that a significant number of people do not use sugar in their homes OR simply prefer the convenience of the small, pre-measured packs of "Nectar Mix" we sell, even when we tell them it is just plain, white sugar. So, I believe it is fair to suggest that people check the ingredients on commercial nectars to be sure they do not contain additives, colors or anything but sucrose, but to say 'no commercial nectars' is denying the realities of consumer preferences. We also sell premade nectar that is just a 1:4 sucrose to water ratio as well and we sell a lot of it simply due to convenience even though nectar is so easy to make.
2.
That being said, we DID bring in a commercially available nectar mix with added minerals this past Fall for use during the Winter, but your comments have convinced me to pull the remaining packets off the shelf. Thank you for the education in this area!
3.
Along with that, I reluctantly carry a product called Nectar Defender that is essentially a formula of food grade colloidal silver or copper (I don't recall which) in distilled water as an additive that helps prevent bacterial growth and therefore allows nectar to last 2-3 times longer in the feeder. I do not like it because I feel it simply encourages people not to clean their feeders as often as they should (1-3 days based on outside temps) which an alarming number of people do already, some going weeks or even months between cleanings. I had multiple conversations with the developer of the Nectar Defender product regarding my concerns before I finally went ahead and put it out last Summer. Do you have any data that would support not using this product other than a general 'no additives' rule that I can use to educate other store owners? I have gone ahead and (gladly) pulled it from the shelves as well. Again, thank you for this information.
Thank you again for your expertise. As I mentioned to someone earlier, although I have been doing this for 21 years, I have a thimble full of knowledge in an ocean full of facts, so I still have much to learn! I appreciate your educational information!
John Sommer
General Manager
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00 PM
To: <arbird-l...> <arbird-l...>; Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,
Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.
Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Hi John,
Thanks so much for caring so deeply about birds' welfare that you're willing to sacrifice profits in service of their health and your integrity. You're a rara avis. :)
Nectar Defender contains copper sulfate. Years ago I was asked to help create exactly such a product, and I refused. Despite what the internet and the manufacturer (Sapphire Labs) may say, copper absolutely can accumulate to toxic levels in birds.
To my knowledge, no peer reviewed tests have been conducted on the safety of various amounts of copper sulfate for hummingbirds. Interestingly, the manufacturer doesn't disclose the amount they use. They do, however, have a very long recitation of numbers on their website that I find exceedingly confusing and misleading.
So I did some math for them. In nature, hummers likely consume about 2 ug (micrograms) of copper per day, given the copper content of fruit flies. From the Sapphire Labs website, a reasonable guess would be that Nectar Defender contains 5 ppm copper. If a bird drank only ND, it would consume 50 ug copper/day, or about 25x the amount it would get in the diet it evolved to eat, tolerate, and thrive on.
So using the precautionary principle, it's exceedingly unwise to offer them anything but sucrose in water. Your commercial mixes that only contain sugar and water (assuming in the appropriate proportions), should be entirely safe, and I heartily endorse them. :)
Sincere thanks again for your integrity. I sure wish every manufacturer and purveyor displayed your ethics.
Best,Janine
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 01:28:08 PM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Janine -
I certainly bow to your knowledge in this area. So I just want to touch on a couple points for clarification:
- The "commercial mixes" we sell are just sucrose - no additives (see #2, below) or colors, and this is intentional as I agree with you 100% about using just sucrose. Now, while it may seem pointless to sell sugar in small packs, you might be surprised to learn that a significant number of people do not use sugar in their homes OR simply prefer the convenience of the small, pre-measured packs of "Nectar Mix" we sell, even when we tell them it is just plain, white sugar. So, I believe it is fair to suggest that people check the ingredients on commercial nectars to be sure they do not contain additives, colors or anything but sucrose, but to say 'no commercial nectars' is denying the realities of consumer preferences. We also sell premade nectar that is just a 1:4 sucrose to water ratio as well and we sell a lot of it simply due to convenience even though nectar is so easy to make.
- That being said, we DID bring in a commercially available nectar mix with added minerals this past Fall for use during the Winter, but your comments have convinced me to pull the remaining packets off the shelf. Thank you for the education in this area!
- Along with that, I reluctantly carry a product called Nectar Defender that is essentially a formula of food grade colloidal silver or copper (I don't recall which) in distilled water as an additive that helps prevent bacterial growth and therefore allows nectar to last 2-3 times longer in the feeder. I do not like it because I feel it simply encourages people not to clean their feeders as often as they should (1-3 days based on outside temps) which an alarming number of people do already, some going weeks or even months between cleanings. I had multiple conversations with the developer of the Nectar Defender product regarding my concerns before I finally went ahead and put it out last Summer. Do you have any data that would support not using this product other than a general 'no additives' rule that I can use to educate other store owners? I have gone ahead and (gladly) pulled it from the shelves as well. Again, thank you for this information.
Thank you again for your expertise. As I mentioned to someone earlier, although I have been doing this for 21 years, I have a thimble full of knowledge in an ocean full of facts, so I still have much to learn! I appreciate your educational information!
John SommerGeneral ManagerWild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock1818 N Taylor StreetLittle Rock, AR 82207501.666.4210From: JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00 PM
To: <arbird-l...> <arbird-l...>; Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it.Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand thatthe best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
- Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
- Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
- Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
- Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John SommerWild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock1818 N Taylor StreetLittle Rock, AR 82207501.666.4210
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:44 PM Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> wrote:
From National Audubon magazine, https://www.audubon.org/magazine/hummingbird-feeding-faqs Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
All —
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/11/26 11:53 am From: Ian MacGregor <00000489141846bd-dmarc-request...> Subject: Say's Phoebe at Cjesney Prairie
I found, or perhaps refound, a Say's Phoebe at Chesney Prairie today. I am wondering if it is the same bird Robert Langston saw late last year. I got some horrendous, but still diagnostic photos. They can be seen on the Ebird checklist
I certainly bow to your knowledge in this area. So I just want to touch on a couple points for clarification:
1.
The "commercial mixes" we sell are just sucrose - no additives (see #2, below) or colors, and this is intentional as I agree with you 100% about using just sucrose. Now, while it may seem pointless to sell sugar in small packs, you might be surprised to learn that a significant number of people do not use sugar in their homes OR simply prefer the convenience of the small, pre-measured packs of "Nectar Mix" we sell, even when we tell them it is just plain, white sugar. So, I believe it is fair to suggest that people check the ingredients on commercial nectars to be sure they do not contain additives, colors or anything but sucrose, but to say 'no commercial nectars' is denying the realities of consumer preferences. We also sell premade nectar that is just a 1:4 sucrose to water ratio as well and we sell a lot of it simply due to convenience even though nectar is so easy to make.
2.
That being said, we DID bring in a commercially available nectar mix with added minerals this past Fall for use during the Winter, but your comments have convinced me to pull the remaining packets off the shelf. Thank you for the education in this area!
3.
Along with that, I reluctantly carry a product called Nectar Defender that is essentially a formula of food grade colloidal silver or copper (I don't recall which) in distilled water as an additive that helps prevent bacterial growth and therefore allows nectar to last 2-3 times longer in the feeder. I do not like it because I feel it simply encourages people not to clean their feeders as often as they should (1-3 days based on outside temps) which an alarming number of people do already, some going weeks or even months between cleanings. I had multiple conversations with the developer of the Nectar Defender product regarding my concerns before I finally went ahead and put it out last Summer. Do you have any data that would support not using this product other than a general 'no additives' rule that I can use to educate other store owners? I have gone ahead and (gladly) pulled it from the shelves as well. Again, thank you for this information.
Thank you again for your expertise. As I mentioned to someone earlier, although I have been doing this for 21 years, I have a thimble full of knowledge in an ocean full of facts, so I still have much to learn! I appreciate your educational information!
John Sommer
General Manager
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00 PM
To: <arbird-l...> <arbird-l...>; Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,
Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.
Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/11/26 10:58 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Black Scoter at Lake Dardanelle
Several days ago, Kenny Nichols found an immature BLACK SCOTER off their private property on the lake. Michael and I decided to go look for it this morning. So, after joining a fun outing with Maureen McClung's Field Ornithology students at Beaverfork Lake in Conway, we drove to the Stinnett Creek hotspot where there's a somewhat open view of this section of Lake Dardanelle. It took a while as most of everything other than a few thousand Ruddy Ducks was further out. But there, mixed in a raft of scaup, we found him, sleeping with his head tucked but his pale cheek and small pointy tail visible. Needing certainty, we tracked him until he raised his head and we could see the features of this immature scoter. Then back to sleep he went and we headed out. Checklist attached showing the location. https://ebird.org/checklist/S299582276Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/11/26 10:09 am From: DUNN, JANE <DUNNJ...> Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
Thank you for such a complete analysis of what our hummers need. Jane Dunn
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of JANINE PERLMAN <jpandjf...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 12:00:45 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,
Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.
Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
I'm a comparative nutritional biochemist specializing in native N. American birds, and a federally permitted wild bird rehabilitator. One of my specialties is hummingbirds. I co-created (what appear to be the only) reliable, complete, balanced diets for captive orphaned, sick and injured hummingbirds currently in use by rehabilitators.
Please do not ever put anything in your feeder other than a 1:4 solution of sugar (table sugar; sucrose):water. No commercial mixes, no dyes, no additives of any kind.
In nature, nectar supplies water, sugar and the calories that sugar supplies. As John says, hummingbirds require nectar in exactly that form. Hummers receive the other nutrients they need from insects, and from a- or post-biotic mineral sources (tiny calciferous grit, ash, etc.). These nutrients include protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in exceedingly exact amounts and proportions.
Hummingbirds have instinctual cravings to find and consume what they need, when they need it. Their needs are very dynamic, with dramatic changes over short periods, and they must choose what they consume, every day.
If we feed them anything other than sugar-water, they are forced to consume nutrients that will throw their diet off balance, resulting in toxicities and/or deficiencies, illness and death. Obviously, anything a breeding female consumes is reflected in the composition of her eggs, and is regurgitated to her very vulnerable nestlings. The outcome is certain to be negative and likely lethal.
Even overwintering outdoor hummingbirds should not be fed a mineral-added nectar, because it will unbalance the insects and other consumables they're finding in nature. If weather conditions are such that a bird will unequivocally be unable to forage insects for over a week -- and this means severe, prolonged winter weather -- a knowledgeable hummingbird rehabilitator (there are probably fewer than half a dozen in the U.S. and Canada) should be contacted for advice.
Best wishes,Janine
Janine Perlman, Ph.D.Alexander, AR
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:43:02 AM CST, Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...> wrote:
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand thatthe best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
- Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
- Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
- Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
- Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John SommerWild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock1818 N Taylor StreetLittle Rock, AR 82207501.666.4210
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:44 PM Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> wrote:
From National Audubon magazine, https://www.audubon.org/magazine/hummingbird-feeding-faqs Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
All —
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Thanks for your response. All can imagine the damage that a nature tour guide is doing in dispersing misinformation about using honey which will impact hummingbirds wherever such bad information is used.
Alyson, you need to give notice to that nature guide to stop spreading such ignorance and stupidity.
Jerry Wayne Davis
Hot Springs, AR
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Wild Birds Unlimited <wbulittlerock...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 7:42 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Honey is NOT a viable option for hummingbirds. I don't understand why it is so danged hard to get people to understand that the best, closest thing to natural flower nectar, is a water and table sugar mixture at a ratio of 4 parts water (1C) to 1 Part WHITE table sugar (1/4C). Do not use ANY other alternative. Demerara sugar and similar (any 'brown' or natural sugar) have too much iron which the hummers cannot process and will eventually be fatal. Sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit (Zero-Calorie Sweeteners) have no calories for the birds to utilize. Agave nectar is too high in fructose which the hummers cannot process. Table sugar is sucrose (whether beet sugar or cane sugar - yes, there are infinitesimal differences in the two as far as impurities, but they are so small as to be negligible), which is what flower nectar is primarily made up of. I shouldn't even need to mention this, but Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are also hard no's!
Natural flower nectars generally run on the range of 3:1 to 5 :1 which is why ornithologists have chosen the middle ground of 4:1. There are a couple hummingbird mixes on the market that have added mineral nutrients in them, but generally, these are unnecessary during months when flowers are in bloom since hummers get the required nutrients from flowers (they are never feeding only at your feeders if there are nectaring flowers around). This is a good point to add in that you should be planting true native flowers in your yards. Cultivars and hybrids often 'give-up' one thing to get another, such as giving up nectar production get a certain color, so they are never the best option. This trade-off is why flowers from florists often have no scent these day...it is lost in the hybridization process to attain bigger or more colorful blooms.
During winter months, if you have an over-wintering hummingbird, I WOULD highly recommend using nectar mixes that have minerals in them (please don't try to make your own...hummers are very small, and small errors in mixtures could prove fatal) to help get the hummers the nutrients they may not otherwise be getting during that time of year. I know people think they are 'doing what's best' by using natural sweeteners but they are literally killing hummingbirds by using them. Shame, shame, shame on this so-called "nature tour guide" for suggesting this. This particular issue is so simple and so basic that it would cause me to call into questions any other "facts" they told you on your hike.
What follows is the Google AI overview which is correct in general. 100+ websites will reiterate this information in part or in whole.
Honey should never be used to feed hummingbirds because it causes rapid, fatal fungal infections on their tongues and in their mouths. When diluted with water, honey fosters dangerous mold and bacteria growth. It also has a different sugar composition than natural nectar, which is hard for them to digest. Here is why honey is dangerous:
* Fatal Fungus: Honey, especially when diluted in a feeder, promotes the growth of fungi (like Aspergillus) that can cause severe, fatal infections in a hummingbird's tongue.
* Physical Harm: Because honey is sticky, it can clog feeding ports and coat the bird’s beak and feathers.
* Digestive Issues: The complex sugars in honey are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
* Bacteria Growth: Honey can contain botulism spores, which can be dangerous or fatal to hummingbirds.
John Sommer
Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock
1818 N Taylor Street
Little Rock, AR 82207
501.666.4210
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Karen Garrett <kjgarrett84...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:50 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Hummingbird food debate
I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?
A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/11/26 5:34 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Western Tanager Continues at Hot Springs Village
Michael and I went back yesterday, hoping for photos but we suspect the bird has moved on. Patty McLean
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/8/26 5:19 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Western Tanager Continues at Hot Springs Village A group of intrepid birding friends decided to try for the Western Tanager today, now that the snow had finally cleared off the hilltop where the bird has been seen. Apparently it's been visiting a few different feeders in this private neighborhood for well over a month!As soon as we got out of the car, we could hear it calling. A quick look for some -- and it was gone. No pictures, so we stayed around for a longer time than we initially planned for but finally gave up and headed home. Not the most satisfying way to get a lifer or state bird but still countable. I created a stakeout Hotspot from the Scenic Overlook and Trail, which is public access and fairly close to where the bird has been seen. However you need a gate pass to enter the Village.Here's our checklist.https://ebird.org/checklist/S299021238Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners -------- Original message --------From: Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation <hello...> Date: 2/8/26 2:11 PM (GMT-06:00) To: Michael Linz <plm108...> Subject: Information about your pre-order
You might be curious about what to expect before your plants are en route.
Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.
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Your order contains a plant species that has been marked "pre-order." We are currently accepting pre-orders for Spring 2026 delivery. Shipping will resume on a rolling basis after the last frost date in your region passes. The oldest pre-orders ship first. You can learn more about our shipping timeframes here.
For more information, visit our Help Center.
Why can’t you ship my order right away?
For most of the country, it's too cold to plant! Our growers are in the greenhouse preparing for the Spring 2026 shipping season. Each plant species is in a different stage of growth and will make its way to you when it's safe to plant and ready to thrive in your garden.
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I feel sure that I've read warnings about some kind of fungus in honey.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:44 PM Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> wrote:
> From National Audubon magazine,
> https://www.audubon.org/magazine/hummingbird-feeding-faqs >
> *Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?*
>
> *A:* No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have
> additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the
> hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <
> <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> All —
>>
>> Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has
>> there been any scientific research into it?
>>
>> This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar
>> mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in
>> sugar syrup.
>>
>> But do hummers access honey in the wild?
>>
>> What I’ve always heard is:
>>
>> — One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers
>> drink.
>>
>> — This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
>>
>> — Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar
>> or maybe fructose.
>>
>> I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
>>
>> The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
>>
>> Alyson Hoge
>> ############################
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list:
>> write to: mailto:<ARBIRD-L-SIGNOFF-REQUEST...> >> or click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
*Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?*
*A:* No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have
additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the
hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <
<000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> All —
>
> Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has
> there been any scientific research into it?
>
> This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar
> mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in
> sugar syrup.
>
> But do hummers access honey in the wild?
>
> What I’ve always heard is:
>
> — One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers
> drink.
>
> — This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
>
> — Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar
> or maybe fructose.
>
> I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
>
> The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
>
> Alyson Hoge
> ############################
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list:
> write to: mailto:<ARBIRD-L-SIGNOFF-REQUEST...> > or click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Absolutely not. The point of using nectar is to mimic what’s in nature. That means water and plain sugar and nothing else. The three points you made are all correct. The ratio can be changed to increase or decrease sugar; after all, many top hummer plants like Cuphea and others may have sugar percentages of 27 to 31% instead of 20% like a 4:1 recipe. But definitely no honey or anything other than plain sugar.
John Dillon
Athens, LA
> On Feb 10, 2026, at 8:13 PM, Alyson Hoge <000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> All —
>
> Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
>
> This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
>
> But do hummers access honey in the wild?
>
> What I’ve always heard is:
>
> — One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
>
> — This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
>
> — Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
>
> I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
>
> The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
>
> Alyson Hoge
> ############################
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list:
> write to: mailto:<ARBIRD-L-SIGNOFF-REQUEST...> > or click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1
Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has there been any scientific research into it?
This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in sugar syrup.
But do hummers access honey in the wild?
What I’ve always heard is:
— One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers drink.
— This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
— Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar or maybe fructose.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
Date: 2/8/26 3:19 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Western Tanager Continues at Hot Springs Village
A group of intrepid birding friends decided to try for the Western Tanager today, now that the snow had finally cleared off the hilltop where the bird has been seen. Apparently it's been visiting a few different feeders in this private neighborhood for well over a month!As soon as we got out of the car, we could hear it calling. A quick look for some -- and it was gone. No pictures, so we stayed around for a longer time than we initially planned for but finally gave up and headed home. Not the most satisfying way to get a lifer or state bird but still countable. I created a stakeout Hotspot from the Scenic Overlook and Trail, which is public access and fairly close to where the bird has been seen. However you need a gate pass to enter the Village.Here's our checklist.https://ebird.org/checklist/S299021238Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
-------- Original message --------From: Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation <hello...> Date: 2/8/26 2:11 PM (GMT-06:00) To: Michael Linz <plm108...> Subject: Information about your pre-order
You might be curious about what to expect before your plants are en route.
Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.
When will my plants ship?
Your order contains a plant species that has been marked "pre-order." We are currently accepting pre-orders for Spring 2026 delivery. Shipping will resume on a rolling basis after the last frost date in your region passes. The oldest pre-orders ship first. You can learn more about our shipping timeframes here.
For more information, visit our Help Center.
Why can’t you ship my order right away?
For most of the country, it's too cold to plant! Our growers are in the greenhouse preparing for the Spring 2026 shipping season. Each plant species is in a different stage of growth and will make its way to you when it's safe to plant and ready to thrive in your garden.
How will I know when my plants ship?
We’ll send you a confirmation email as soon as your order is on its way! We will send shipping updates as we resume live shipping in different regions. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on your area’s current estimated shipping timeframe here.
Read More FAQs
211 Wendover Rd., Baltimore, MD, 21218
You are receiving this email because you subscribed at gardenforwildlife.com or nwf.org.
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Date: 2/8/26 11:22 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Tridens strictus
Tallgrass Prairies in southwestern Missouri lie adjacent to Northwest Arkansas City near Joplin, Missouri, an easy drive north on I-49. Our trip Saturday February included several tracts of Tallgrass Prairie owned and protected by Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Prairie Foundation.
Both open to the public. We also stopped in at George Washington Carver National Monument. A sign on the visitor center door includes a warning for those with peanut allegories. Took me a minute to catch up on that one. If you are still wondering, check out Carvers history, so well told in that space.
At Diamond Grove Prairie and Carver Prairie: Northern Harrier working grasslands. A shrike had impaled a huge black beetle and a small snake along the fence. Down the road, a flock of at least 25 White-crowned Sparrows.
Perched unfortunately too far away or close study: a reddish-tinged Red-tailed Hawk. I have no good idea about proper subspecies ID.
Then it was off to Joplins Wildcat Park, including Shoal Creek Glade (Conservation Education Center), walking trails, and adjoining Wildcat Village, a hands-on natural history demo and playground aimed at the young and families.
Formal education center was closed for the day, but not education itself, as things worked out. Feeders had lots of visitors: House Finches, Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-winged Blackbirds, +++. The Centers picture windows are covered with a dot pattern. This warns flying birds, helping reduce impact deaths, a key cause of bird mortality.
A flock of Eastern Bluebirds were performing a vigorous interaction in a wonderful old Post Oak. The ground under it is covered with native curly Poverty Grass. Vernal-Witch Hazel was in full bloom.
A perfectly installed bench allowed comfortable views of Education Center bird feeders. Then with just a little turning, a landscape view of Silver Creek flowing into Shoal Creek. A Red-shouldered Hawk was keeping watch, too. The bench is out on the glade where, in summer, it should be possible to see Eastern Collared Lizards.
On the short walk to Wildcat Village we noticed a native grass much favored by birds for bunches of small seeds: Tridens strictus. This is the season of visible seeds. Got me thinking about everywhere the seeds of tomorrow and tomorrow and ...
I enjoyed recently installed artwork including a butterfly chair. From there I had great views of a couple of White-throated Sparrows in dense vegetation. A Downy Woodpecker perched on the dense stalks of last seasons sunflowers.
At my age it seems worthwhile to just watch children playing. Reminds me, and probably you too, the future of all these seeds is in their hands.
On the way out we stopped to enjoy a Chimney Swift tower. My friend and in my view the father of Arkansas birding Doug James, always had in mind building something like that in Fayetteville. We dont have it done, yet. But here at Shoal Creek we see at least one more nudge, a seed in the right direction.
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Sent: Friday, February 6, 2026 9:14 PM To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Mr Maurice Loux and astonishing eagles Today was eagle day for us. Lots to see in western Benton County, plus adjacent eastern Oklahoma and SW Missouri. This whole area is the former Beatie Prairie. Still open country for the most part. Lots of huge chicken barns and pastures with cattle. We lucked out. Our eagle watching was comfortable under a big blue sky with temps in the upper 60s. After a couple of hours we counted at least 59 Bald Eagles – 29 adults, 30 subadults. We saw them everywhere we went. The Big Finale involved a concentration of mainly subadults south of Maysville. We saw them on the ground and then watched as they formed kettles. Watching a kettle like this contributes to an eagle version of “warbler neck.” I was reminded of January 1986 when Maurice Loux, a lifelong Maysville resident, invited our fledgling Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society to come out to see eagles on his farm. He promised a really big show. One family member was in the chicken business. For two weeks before our trip they saved dead chickens collected from the barns. On the day of our visit, Mr Loux loaded up the chickens and dumped them in a field where it would be easy to observe from his front yard along the county road. The eagle total came to an astounding 115! That was a typical cold January day. Thankfully, Mr Loux had invited the local 4 H club to set up a table with hot chocolate for sale.
Date: 2/7/26 8:45 am From: <cpatton412...> <00000151b1cba27b-dmarc-request...> Subject: Red shafted flicker...??
This bird has been coming intermittently to our suet feeder. Very clear looks at red mustache, red underwings in flight and white rump patch in flight. I know this would be rare and bird looks brownish rather than gray. These pics aren't great ( had to take from inside through window), but any thoughts on it being a hybrid? Thanks in advance.Cindy Patton
Date: 2/6/26 7:14 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Mr Maurice Loux and astonishing eagles
Today was eagle day for us. Lots to see in western Benton County, plus adjacent eastern Oklahoma and SW Missouri. This whole area is the former Beatie Prairie. Still open country for the most part. Lots of huge chicken barns and pastures with cattle.
We lucked out. Our eagle watching was comfortable under a big blue sky with temps in the upper 60s.
After a couple of hours we counted at least 59 Bald Eagles 29 adults, 30 subadults. We saw them everywhere we went.
The Big Finale involved a concentration of mainly subadults south of Maysville. We saw them on the ground and then watched as they formed kettles. Watching a kettle like this contributes to an eagle version of warbler neck.
I was reminded of January 1986 when Maurice Loux, a lifelong Maysville resident, invited our fledgling Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society to come out to see eagles on his farm. He promised a really big show.
One family member was in the chicken business. For two weeks before our trip they saved dead chickens collected from the barns. On the day of our visit, Mr Loux loaded up the chickens and dumped them in a field where it would be easy to observe from his front yard along the county road.
The eagle total came to an astounding 115! That was a typical cold January day. Thankfully, Mr Loux had invited the local 4 H club to set up a table with hot chocolate for sale.
Date: 2/6/26 9:11 am From: Jerry Butler <jerrysharon.butler...> Subject: Re: Lake Dardanelle CBC 2025/26
Wow! Good job.
On Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 10:05 PM Kenny Nichols <kingbird101...> wrote:
> On January 1, 2026, eleven birders collectively tallied 27,822 birds of
> 115 different species over 44.62 party hours and 192.26 miles.
>
> New species for the count were American Bittern and Gray Catbird. Notable
> High Counts were: Northern Bobwhite (5), Bald Eagle (17), Northern Flicker
> (71), Eastern Phoebe (27), and Carolina Chickadee (151).
>
> Observers this year were: Leif Anderson, Megan Foll, Michael Linz, Patty
> McLean, Matt Matlock, Sarah Morris, Dawna Stirrup, Clay Hooten, Steve
> Warmack, LaDonna and Kenny Nichols.
>
> Many thanks to all helping this count so successful.
>
> Kenny Nichols
> Lake Dardanelle CBC coordinator
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
On January 1, 2026, eleven birders collectively tallied 27,822 birds of 115 different species over 44.62 party hours and 192.26 miles. New species for the count were American Bittern and Gray Catbird. Notable High Counts were: Northern Bobwhite (5), Bald Eagle (17), Northern Flicker (71), Eastern Phoebe (27), and Carolina Chickadee (151). Observers this year were: Leif Anderson, Megan Foll, Michael Linz, Patty McLean, Matt Matlock, Sarah Morris, Dawna Stirrup, Clay Hooten, Steve Warmack, LaDonna and Kenny Nichols. Many thanks to all helping this count so successful. Kenny NicholsLake Dardanelle CBC coordinator
Date: 2/5/26 9:37 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
Sorry, all. It was the American Tree Sparrow (not swallow) that continues today at Cadron Bottoms. I threw some food out for him and his buddies. 🤣🤣🤣Patty
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/5/26 9:56 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: RE: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow The Amer6 Tree Swallow at Cadron Bottoms continues today. The one reported at Lollie Bottoms has not been seen for several days. Patty and Michael -------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/4/26 11:23 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch. Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.Patty McLean
Date: 2/5/26 8:15 am From: DUNN, JANE <DUNNJ...> Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
I saw a bird flying near Sams on Bowman yesterday that had definite swallow wings, but given the traffic, I could not tell more.
Jane Dunn
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2026 9:56:05 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
The Amer6 Tree Swallow at Cadron Bottoms continues today.
The one reported at Lollie Bottoms has not been seen for several days.
Patty and Michael
-------- Original message --------
From: Patty McLean <plm108...>
Date: 2/4/26 11:23 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6
If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch.
Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.
Date: 2/5/26 7:56 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
The Amer6 Tree Swallow at Cadron Bottoms continues today. The one reported at Lollie Bottoms has not been seen for several days. Patty and Michael
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/4/26 11:23 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch. Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.Patty McLean
Date: 2/5/26 6:44 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Common Merganser at Beaverfork Lake
We heard from Roger Massey that the Common Merganser continues this morning on Beaverfork Lake.Patty McLean
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 2/4/26 8:55 AM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Common Merganser at Beaverfork Lake There's a handsome looking male COMMON MERGANSER at Beaverfork Lake this morning. It's actively feeding where the gulls are, along with a female Red-breasted Merganser and several Common Goldeneye. Info on the site: https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L365158Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 2/4/26 9:23 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Another Faulkner County American Tree Sparrow
Gee-whiz! Michael and I just spotted yet another Tree Sparrow along Cadron Bottoms, just south of the Cadron Creek Bridge. Here https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RoVnyyuXwYv7Xua6If you plan to look for it, try bringing/casting small bird seed just past and to the right of the gravel and sit in your car to watch. Also be careful of traffic. There are some crazy drivers along busy Hwy. 25. Rush hour is not a good option.Patty McLean
Date: 2/4/26 7:03 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Common Merganser at Beaverfork Lake
There's a handsome looking male COMMON MERGANSER at Beaverfork Lake this morning. It's actively feeding where the gulls are, along with a female Red-breasted Merganser and several Common Goldeneye. Info on the site: https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L365158Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Than Boves <0000066ff0d310d7-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 1:07 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Swainson's Warbler migration
Hi all - A few years ago, we collaborated on a project to better understand the migration of Swainson's Warblers. The AAST funded part of this research and it has just recently been accepted for publication! More broadly, this work also was the first to use a new method to track small birds using a barometer to measure pressure changes in the atmosphere. As a result, we now can track small birds with extraordinary detail, not just on the ground, but in flight as well!
Here is a visualization of one of our birds that we caught (and recaught) in the Mark Twain National Forest, just across the border in SE Missouri. Be sure to click on Bird's-eye View too!
Date: 2/3/26 1:07 pm From: Than Boves <0000066ff0d310d7-dmarc-request...> Subject: Swainson's Warbler migration
Hi all - A few years ago, we collaborated on a project to better understand the migration of Swainson's Warblers. The AAST funded part of this research and it has just recently been accepted for publication! More broadly, this work also was the first to use a new method to track small birds using a barometer to measure pressure changes in the atmosphere. As a result, we now can track small birds with extraordinary detail, not just on the ground, but in flight as well!
Here is a visualization of one of our birds that we caught (and recaught) in the Mark Twain National Forest, just across the border in SE Missouri. Be sure to click on Bird's-eye View too!
It was mostly clear, mild, and a bit windy on the bird survey today. 48 species were found. A lot of our smaller Passerines (wrens, warblers, sparrows, etc.) have apparently been pushed further south by the recent Arctic blast as they were in short supply today. With duck hunting season over now, the ducks have apparently dispersed throughout the nearby wetlands from the refuge area leaving few left on the large reservoirs. The levees were too wet to drive so I had to stay on gravel. Here is my list for today:
Date: 2/2/26 8:03 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Sequoyah NWR
An afternoon full of geese (4 species) and many duck species, plus other birds along Wildlife Drive at Sequoyah NWR on Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma. All about what Aldo Leopold called "goose music." In fine tune yesterday. We saw several active Bald Eagles nests. Here's the checklist submitted to eBird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297707667
I received the following email from National Audubon Society about the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 13-16. If you haven't participated in the past I encourage you to do so. Birds can be counted, not only in your backyard, but wherever you may be.
For the 2025 results, Arkansas ranked #32 out of 51 regions (50 states, plus Washington DC) with 134 species. There were 1,148 checklists submitted over the 4-day period. Out of AR 75 counties, 65 reported at least one species.
Hopefully, the link below will work if you're interested in registering for the webinar. If not you can also find the link at https://www.birdcount.org
Webinar: How to Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count
You're invited to a lively, beginner-friendly webinar to discover tips, tricks, and ideas on how you can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) on Thursday, February 5 at 3 p.m. ET or Wednesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. ET. Please join us and spread the word about this webinar and the GBBC! Register for the webinar here [1].
Taking place February 13-16, the GBBC is an inter-organizational effort between Audubon, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds Canada. This fun and impactful global community science event engages bird watchers of all ages and skill levels in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations.
Just back from witnessing the release of a young barred owl rescue at Ozark Natural Science Center at Lake Fayetteville. What a labor of love. See the article link below. And maybe 100 people there to watch. It was hard not to fall down in the snow in amazement when this magnificent bird took wing. A little tentative at first, a brief flop-down into some brush, but the rally at the end into the trees by the lake looked like it'll all be OK in the end. Best news ever. https://www.nwahomepage.com/northwest-arkansas-news/northsong-wild-bird-rehabilitation-rescues-barred-owl-from-lake-fayetteville/
Date: 2/1/26 11:48 am From: Kevin Krajcir <kjkrajcir...> Subject: February 2026 ASCA Meeting - Henslow's Sparrow Winter Ecology
Good afternoon!
Join the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA) on Thursday February
12th at 7 PM to hear from me (Kevin Krajcir) speak about habitat
associations and responses to prescribed fire of Henslow’s Sparrows in
southern Arkansas.
During the past few winters, Kevin has conducted surveys and studies of
Henslow’s Sparrows (*Centronyx henslowii*) that overwinter in rare saline
soil barren habitats of South Arkansas. Kevin will present some findings
from a habitat association study conducted at four natural areas during the
winter of 2023-2024. These results were also compared to a similar study
conducted almost 20 years prior to reveal how habitat preferences of this
declining grassland sparrow might be changing.
Kevin Krajcir completed his undergraduate degree from Hendrix College in
2017 and a master’s in biology at Arkansas State University in 2022. Kevin
currently works for the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission as a
Conservation Biologist and the agency’s Grants Coordinator. He also serves
as the Vice President and CBC Compiler for ASCA and the Conservation Chair
for the Arkansas Audubon Society.
Date: 2/1/26 11:04 am From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County)
The American Tree Sparrow continues at Lollie Bottoms in Faulkner County at this approx location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3ntVJfqYmjHU1toA6Several folks joined us this morning to see it, a lifer for some.Patty McLean and Michael Linz
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 1/30/26 5:33 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County) After joining a few jubilant birders at Lollie this afternoon to see all the LAPLAND LONGSPURS found earlier by Roger Massey (which was a life bird for Cody Massery and Jason Martin), Michael and I drove along Donnell Ridge Road and stopped to look at some sparrows, hoping to see a Lincoln's. But instead we were treated with a single AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, sitting in a small tree along the roadside. EBird list here with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297081667When/if accepted, this will be the 5td Faulkner County record, with the most recent sighting reported in 2000. We're pumped. It's a county bird for both of us, so you know we're excited. Stay warm this weekend. I hear it's gonna be cold and windy.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 1/30/26 4:09 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County)
My bad. I didn't check the Arkansas Bird Records for Faulkner County. There are FOUR previous records with the most recent being 2000, which would make this #5. First reported in 1973 by Bill Shepherd. Still pumped and hope others will have the chance to see this lovely little sparrow.Patty
-------- Original message --------From: Patty McLean <plm108...> Date: 1/30/26 5:33 PM (GMT-06:00) To: <ARBIRD-L...> Subject: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County) After joining a few jubilant birders at Lollie this afternoon to see all the LAPLAND LONGSPURS found earlier by Roger Massey (which was a life bird for Cody Massery and Jason Martin), Michael and I drove along Donnell Ridge Road and stopped to look at some sparrows, hoping to see a Lincoln's. But instead we were treated with a single AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, sitting in a small tree along the roadside. EBird list here with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297081667When/if accepted, this will be the 3rd Faulkner County record, with the most recent sighting reported in 1983. Basically 43 years ago. We're pumped. It's a county bird for both of us, so you know we're excited. Stay warm this weekend. I hear it's gonna be cold and windy.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Date: 1/30/26 3:33 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: American Tree Sparrow at Lollie Bottoms (Faulkner County)
After joining a few jubilant birders at Lollie this afternoon to see all the LAPLAND LONGSPURS found earlier by Roger Massey (which was a life bird for Cody Massery and Jason Martin), Michael and I drove along Donnell Ridge Road and stopped to look at some sparrows, hoping to see a Lincoln's. But instead we were treated with a single AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, sitting in a small tree along the roadside. EBird list here with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297081667When/if accepted, this will be the 3rd Faulkner County record, with the most recent sighting reported in 1983. Basically 43 years ago. We're pumped. It's a county bird for both of us, so you know we're excited. Stay warm this weekend. I hear it's gonna be cold and windy.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
Recently published research finds that Marsh Wrens with western songs and eastern songs can nest in the same marsh and still maintain their genetic "purity". Western singers and eastern singers nesting in the same marsh do not interbreed. It seems likely that a split will be coming.
Do you have these two future species "in the bank"?
-- Allan Mueller (It) 20 Moseley Lane, Conway, AR Home of the Arkansas State Champion Winged Elm 501-339-8071 Pura Vida
Date: 1/29/26 3:10 pm From: Francie Bolter <franciebolter...> Subject: Re: Name Change
The “how will people find us?” is an understandable concern. Fortunately, digital redirects and transition messaging both can be used to assist an organization with renaming itself.
If we do change the name, I’m curious about what people would miss about the old name?
Francie Ferguson Bolter
Near Palarm Station on the Arkansas River
> On Jan 29, 2026, at 4:28 PM, Robin Buff <robinbuff...> wrote:
>
> The Audubon Camp has been called the Halberg Ecology Camp for many moons. I always refer to it as the Ecology Camp as do others in my family. If I search for "Ecology Camp Arkansas" I get the same results if I search for "Audubon Camp Arkansas". Try it.
>
> Robin Buff
> Director, Halberg Ecology Camp
>
> On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:13 PM Adam Schaffer <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> <mailto:<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
>> The society at large may not realize that the shorthand most kids, parents, and staff usually use to refer to the AAS camp is not ecology camp, but instead Audubon Camp.
>>
>> Adam Schaffer
>>
>>> On Jan 29, 2026, at 12:52 PM, Renn Tumlison <tumlison...> <mailto:<tumlison...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Something I haven't read from the responses about name changes, but I think should be part of the thought process, is how far we go with a name change. Like Adam, I have taught at the Arkansas Audubon Society summer ecology camp for many years. Parents of some recent campers told me they had a great experience at camp when they were young and wanted their kids to have the same experience, so they googled to see if the "Audubon Camp" was still active, and found it online. Without that name, they may or may not have found the camp. Many recent campers are descendants of former campers. We need to imagine what happens to camp without the Audubon name. Also, there is some discussion about the move of several groups (including nationally) to drop honorary names. If we dropped the Audubon name on that basis, should we also drop the "Edith and Henry Halberg Arkansas Audubon Society Summer Ecology Camp" name, as that full name includes two honorary names?
>>>
>>> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>>> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> >>> From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> <mailto:<ARBIRD-L...>> on behalf of Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> <mailto:<sndbrgr...>> >>> Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:29:04 PM
>>> To: <ARBIRD-L...> <mailto:<ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...> <mailto:<ARBIRD-L...>> >>> Subject: Re: Name Change
>>>
>>> Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it disrespectful to them to be doing this?
>>>
>>> Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
>>>
>>> Sandy B
>>> Past President
>>> Arkansas Audubon Society
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> <mailto:<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
>>> I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
>>> More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al. It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
>>>
>>> Adam Schaffer
>>> Bentonville
>>>
>>>> On Jan 28, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Mitchell Pruitt <mitchellpruitt24...> <mailto:<mitchellpruitt24...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>> Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name. Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given their work in avian conservation across the globe.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>> Mitchell Pruitt
>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> <mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m very disappointed.
>>>>> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you,
>>>>> Sandy Berger
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> <mailto:<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
>>>>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> <mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>>>>
>>>>> Sandy Berger
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>>
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>>
>>
>> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
>> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >>
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/29/26 2:28 pm From: Robin Buff <robinbuff...> Subject: Re: Name Change
The Audubon Camp has been called the Halberg Ecology Camp for many moons. I
always refer to it as the Ecology Camp as do others in my family. If I
search for "Ecology Camp Arkansas" I get the same results if I search for
"Audubon Camp Arkansas". Try it.
Robin Buff
Director, Halberg Ecology Camp
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:13 PM Adam Schaffer <
<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> The society at large may not realize that the shorthand most kids,
> parents, and staff usually use to refer to the AAS camp is not ecology
> camp, but instead Audubon Camp.
>
> Adam Schaffer
>
> On Jan 29, 2026, at 12:52 PM, Renn Tumlison <tumlison...> wrote:
>
>
> Something I haven't read from the responses about name changes, but I
> think should be part of the thought process, is how far we go with a name
> change. Like Adam, I have taught at the Arkansas Audubon Society summer
> ecology camp for many years. Parents of some recent campers told me they
> had a great experience at camp when they were young and wanted their kids
> to have the same experience, so they googled to see if the "Audubon Camp"
> was still active, and found it online. Without that name, they may or may
> not have found the camp. Many recent campers are descendants of former
> campers. We need to imagine what happens to camp without the Audubon name.
> Also, there is some discussion about the move of several groups (including
> nationally) to drop honorary names. If we dropped the Audubon name on that
> basis, should we also drop the "Edith and Henry Halberg Arkansas Audubon
> Society Summer Ecology Camp" name, as that full name includes two honorary
> names?
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> > ------------------------------
> *From:* The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...>
> on behalf of Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...>
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:29:04 PM
> *To:* <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
> *Subject:* Re: Name Change
>
> Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of
> renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m
> proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think
> of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it
> disrespectful to them to be doing this?
>
> Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
>
> Sandy B
> Past President
> Arkansas Audubon Society
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <
> <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as
> being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good
> thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
> More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some
> well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al.
> It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas
> Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same
> organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid
> to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp
> in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
>
> Adam Schaffer
> Bentonville
>
> On Jan 28, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Mitchell Pruitt <mitchellpruitt24...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce
> confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal
> AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name.
> Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity
> of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and
> research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually
> predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given
> their work in avian conservation across the globe.
>
> Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside
> Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
>
> Best,
> Mitchell Pruitt
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
> very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
> do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>
> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
>
> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>
> Sandy Berger
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from the ARBIRD-L list, click the following link:
> http://listserv.uark.edu/scripts/wa-UARKEDU.exe?SUBED1=ARBIRD-L&A=1 >
Date: 1/29/26 10:52 am From: Renn Tumlison <TUMLISON...> Subject: Re: Name Change
Something I haven't read from the responses about name changes, but I think should be part of the thought process, is how far we go with a name change. Like Adam, I have taught at the Arkansas Audubon Society summer ecology camp for many years. Parents of some recent campers told me they had a great experience at camp when they were young and wanted their kids to have the same experience, so they googled to see if the "Audubon Camp" was still active, and found it online. Without that name, they may or may not have found the camp. Many recent campers are descendants of former campers. We need to imagine what happens to camp without the Audubon name. Also, there is some discussion about the move of several groups (including nationally) to drop honorary names. If we dropped the Audubon name on that basis, should we also drop the "Edith and Henry Halberg Arkansas Audubon Society Summer Ecology Camp" name, as that full name includes two honorary names?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> on behalf of Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:29:04 PM
To: <ARBIRD-L...> <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Name Change
Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it disrespectful to them to be doing this?
Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
Sandy B
Past President
Arkansas Audubon Society
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...><mailto:<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al. It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name. Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given their work in avian conservation across the globe.
Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
Best,
Mitchell Pruitt
On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...><mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m very disappointed.
Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
Thank you,
Sandy Berger
On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...><mailto:<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...><mailto:<sndbrgr...>> wrote:
So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
Date: 1/29/26 10:29 am From: Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> Subject: Re: Name Change
Thank you Adam. I totally agree. Why all the trouble, all the cost of
renaming. We have a good name. There is absolutely no need to change. I’m
proud of our history. Thankful I’ve know the founding members of AAS. Think
of Doug James, Bill Shepherd, Bill Beall, and others. Isn’t it
disrespectful to them to be doing this?
Plus I just got my AAS life membership pin. 🙂
Sandy B
Past President
Arkansas Audubon Society
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM Adam Schaffer <
<000000135bd342dd-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I’m going to throw a counterpoint into the ring here. To be confused as
> being part of or associated with the National Audubon Society is a good
> thing. There is a lot of positive name recognition associated with that.
> More importantly I think the Arkansas Audubon Society has gained some
> well earned name recognition through its camps, trust, conferences, et. al.
> It’ll be more work and more confusing to say that yes our new Arkansas
> Ornithological Society or whatever we go with is actually the same
> organization you’ve known and loved. I can share that a friend sent her kid
> to camp last year because she had a positive experience at an Audubon camp
> in Connecticut as a kid. Let’s keep the name.
>
> Adam Schaffer
> Bentonville
>
> On Jan 28, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Mitchell Pruitt <mitchellpruitt24...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Regardless of whether the reason is to discontinue honorific names, reduce
> confusion among organizations, or both doesn’t really matter. The proposal
> AAS has put forth is not to change the organization itself, just the name.
> Same people, same organization, same values, different name. The identity
> of AAS is attached to the people within it and the community of birders and
> research the organization supports. To add, National Audubon actually
> predates AAS by at least 50 years and is certainly no enemy here, given
> their work in avian conservation across the globe.
>
> Thank you to Dan Oko for sharing your relevant experience from outside
> Arkansas. This is similar to what has been the experience here.
>
> Best,
> Mitchell Pruitt
>
> On Jan 27, 2026, at 6:11 PM, Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>
> Historically of all these groups using the Audubon name, which entity was
> first to use it in Arkansas? This “confusion” really began when Audubon
> Arkansas came to town, if I recall correctly. I joined the Arkansas Audubon
> Society back in the 90’s. Became a life member of the Arkansas Audubon
> Society a couple of years ago. I’ve been proud to be a member of the
> Arkansas Audubon Society. And now, because of this “confusion”, all of a
> sudden it is felt that a change in name needs to be made. Honestly, I’m
> very disappointed.
> Are we really changing the name because of “confusion”, or does it have to
> do with the controversy surrounding Mr. Audubon?
>
> Thank you,
> Sandy Berger
>
> On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Not really, Sandy. It is to avoid the eternal confusion between National
>> Audubon Society, Arkansas Audubon Society, Audubon Arkansas, Audubon
>> Delta, Central Arkansas Audubon Society, Northwest Arkansas Audubon
>> Society, etc etc., and everything in between!
>>
>> On Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12:43:21 pm GMT-6, Sandy Berger <
>> <sndbrgr...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> So basically the officers think that the Arkansas Audubon Society needs a
>> name change to get rid of the word Audubon. Is that correct?
>>
>> Sandy Berger
>>
>>
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Date: 1/29/26 7:32 am From: Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> Subject: Re: Interesting snow day on former Beatie Prairie in western Benton County
I too had Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks this past week in a local
park. Someone had done wheelies in a snow-covered field exposing grass and
mud. They were joined in the ruts by meadowlarks and Savannah Sparrows.
Sandy B
Fort Smith
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:59 AM Joseph Neal <
<0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> An interesting day of birding with all fields and most roads snow-covered
> in western Benton County. Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs showed up. *https://ebird.org/checklist/S296858683 > <https://ebird.org/checklist/S296858683>* With Kelly Mulhollan. Bald
> Eagles everywhere. Sparrows of several open country species finding every
> little patch of grass and in one spot, Song Sparrows standing on the snow,
> plucking seeds off exposed weeds.
>
>
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Date: 1/29/26 6:59 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Interesting snow day on former Beatie Prairie in western Benton County
An interesting day of birding with all fields and most roads snow-covered in western Benton County. Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs showed up. https://ebird.org/checklist/S296858683 With Kelly Mulhollan. Bald Eagles everywhere. Sparrows of several open country species finding every little patch of grass and in one spot, Song Sparrows standing on the snow, plucking seeds off exposed weeds.
