Date: 10/12/25 7:55 pm From: Taylor Long <00001397303cad80-dmarc-request...> Subject: Brown-headed Nuthatch in Madison County
Greetings Birders,
On Saturday afternoon, I happened upon Madison County's first documented
record of Brown-headed Nuthatch at McIlroy Madison County WMA. See my
checklist for photos and audio recording:
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S278680415>
This species is common throughout much of southern Arkansas, but there
are only a small handful of records this far north. Over here on the
western side of the state, the farthest north we reliably find them is
at Shores Lake in Franklin County (thanks to discovery and ongoing
monitoring by Bill Beall). McIlroy WMA, where I observed this
individual, is over 50 miles north of Shores Lake: not so far as the
migrant flies, but a significant jump for a species that rarely leaves
its home territory. It's not the first record in NWA (there are two
others in the last decade or so in Benton Co.) but still notable.
The area I observed the bird looks like perfect habitat for Brown-headed
Nuthatch. It's an open area, burned regularly by AGFC, presumably
because it's perfectly surrounded by road, making for convenient fire
breaks. It's open, scrubby habitat with sparse shortleaf pine. I always
see lots of Red-headed Woodpeckers. In the spring, it's not uncommon to
hear both Prairie Warbler and Blue-winged Warbler singing. The exact
location of my observation was 36°13'28.0"N 93°41'07.6"W
<https://maps.google.com/?<q...>,-93.68545207558563>.
It's entirely possible this is a single bird, displaced sudden
environmental change, or simply filled with the spirit of adventure. But
given the habitat, it's probably worth some additional checks in this
area, especially in March when this species becomes especially vocal. I
know I'll be checking again later this year. I hope others who live
nearby will do the same.
