Saturday, June 6 was this month's field trip sponsored by the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA). The group gathered at the Willow Beach recreation area and campground near Scott. It has a good mix of habitats with marshy areas, grassy open fields, a small lake, a wooded area, and borders the Arkansas River. In spite of predicted rain and possible storms, ten people showed up. The marshy area netted us Wood Ducks, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, a Prothonotary Warbler, a Pileated Woodpecker, other woodpeckers, plus two Yellow-billed Cuckoos. The Prothonotary Warbler is always a big hit with birders. Keeping an eye on the radar for the approaching storm, we moved through the park to the river and the open grassy areas. A group of ten Pelicans huddled in a group in a shallow area across the river along with one lone Great Egret. The grassy area had Cliff and Barn Swallows, also Purple Martins working the area along with an Indigo Bunting. A couple of Baltimore Orioles were singing close by. We were going to make a quick try for the resident Painted Bunting. But, with the storm on top of us, the rain and lightning getting bad, I called a halt to the trip and everyone immediately agreed and headed home. It was a dedicated group of birders to brave the weather. It included Dawn Stirrup, her husband, and their two tiny budding birders. Birding is never dull, with all kinds of challenges, adventures, weather, and sharing with good birding friends. Our birders today were definitely troopers for this stormy, wet field trip. Karen Holliday ASCA field trip coordinator
