Date: 12/15/25 6:41 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Memo from OOB (Maysville)
MEMO: FROM OFFICIAL OFFICE OF BIRDING (OOB)
FROM: J NEAL, BIRDER-IN-CHARGE
Ebird submission: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288780045 This day begins at Grumpy’s Coffee in Gravette.
Gravette, Arkansas, is for me “Gateway to the Former Beatie Prairie.”
Leaving Grumpy’s, I turn right onto Arkansas 59, then left onto the viaduct crossing the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks. Then onto Highway 72.
72 runs straight down through the old Beatie prairie and all the way to Maysville and beyond, into Oklahoma. Most of the old Tallgrass Prairie is gone. But there is still Big Bluestem grass in the highway rights of way. And patches of Little Bluestem, now gone to seed -- covered with white feather-like wings shining brightly in winter sun.
Sipping fresh hot coffee. Looking up into the morning sky. Blue with scattered thin white clouds including artistic swirls and uplifts like those in my once youthful curly hair.
Savannah Sparrows come out of the grassy ditch and perch briefly on the barbed wire fence. Good sign for an interesting morning ahead.
I’m thinking as I’m digging out my bins for a closer look at the sparrows. Talking to myself, in private, about this moment. How birding is good for brain health because it forces me to make constant, repeated, and occasionally creative choices about identity of the bird – and myself --
Yes – Savannah. No - not a Song Sparrow.
Working this out is a lot like push-ups and running laps when I was a kid and bird watching was far, far in the future. On the other hand, I’m thinking too little birding leads to brain loss, much like belly fat.
On down Highway 72 now. Headed towards Beatie Road. Then on to Leonard Ranch. Looking at expansive hayfields with scattered prairie mounds. A Northern Harrier dipping close to the grass.
I’m watching husks of last summer’s Tallgrass Prairie sunflowers in unmowed rights of way. Thank you. Thank you for whoever didn’t mow.
I’m keeping an eye on the sky for hawks.
I’m listening for meadowlarks over a north breeze.
It’s evolution in review.
So many inscrutable and fascinating details and outcomes.
I stop for all sparrows. I’m trying to sort out a very black hawk.
