National Wildlife Federation:--------- Habitat Certification Application

PAIGE MULHOLLAN WATERFOWL BLIND

This is the current state of the blind, as of May 2016. Pretty much completed, but with significant work still to be done.

A proposal to construct a bird blind on the southern shoreline of Lake Fayetteville was approved by the Parks and Recreation board on July 7, 2014.The blind will allow members of the public to closely observe the wildfowl that regularly visit this park. In recent years, watching birds has become one of the most popular hobbies in the USA and in our region Lake Fayetteville is one of the most frequently visited places for this purpose. The blind will be named in honor of Paige and Mary-Bess Mulhollan. Paige was at one time Director of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (BGO) and an avid birder who with his family participated in many activities of the North West Arkansas Audubon Society (NWAAS). Included in these activities have been regular field trips by the Society to Lake Fayetteville during which many unusual observations and rare bird sightings have been made. Since 1953 when Professor Douglas James made his first trip to Lake Fayetteville, many others have visited the lake and this has resulted in records of 279 species, testimony to the importance of Lake Fayetteville for birdlife in northwest Arkansas.  For the last forty years the lake has been an important location for recording waterfowl on the Fayetteville annual Christmas Bird Count, records of which contribute to the nationwide understanding of changes in winter bird distribution. An artistic rendering of the blind is shown below.

Lake Fayetteville Park is the most popular recreational area in the Fayetteville/Springdale conurbation attracting many hundreds of people daily who participate in a great range of outdoor activities. It is also an important educational area involving both Fayetteville and Springdale school district through the activities of the Lake Fayetteville Environmental Center. The BGO plans to provide additional educational outreach in the future. We believe that provision of a blind for public use will complement this mission.  Lacking in the northwest Arkansas region is a facility that allows the general public to closely observe birdlife. Construction of a blind on the shoreline of Lake Fayetteville will fulfill this need and be an asset to our Parks system. It should be noted that in 1979, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission classified Lake Fayetteville as a large recreational complex comprising a large area of open space and a natural environment that “provides citizens contact with nature”. Completion of construction of the Paige and Mary-Bess Mulhollan Bird Blind will contribute to this vision.

Location
Observations of water birds are best made from the south, especially in the winter months, because then the sun is behind the observer. At present there are no locations on the south side of Lake Fayetteville where close observation of birds is possible. The importance of a well constructed and well located bird blind is that the observer is screened from the lake, thus minimizing disturbance to any birds that may be present.  During spring and fall, and also in mid-winter, large flocks of waterfowl regularly occur on open water at Lake Fayetteville and during severe winter conditions they often congregate in the southern cove (opposite the BGO). A preferred site for the blind was selected on a headland that takes advantage of both the open water of the lake and the southern cove. 

This site is close to an existing track which, prior to construction of the new hard top trail by the city, was the only connection between Veterans Park and the BGO. Access to the blind would be by a short spur leading from this existing track. The blind is far enough away from the hard top trail to make noise and disturbance unlikely, a prerequisite for watching birds. In the location chosen it will be possible to construct the blind with minimal damage to nearby vegetation. Some shrubs, mostly invasive aliens, such as multiflora rose, privet, and Amur honeysuckle will be removed from the surrounding area during construction but otherwise disturbance to lakeside vegetation will be kept to a minimum. Our intention would be to plant native shrubs to protect this riparian area. The blind will be screened from the lake by woven panels made of cane. The chosen location is such that if improved access is required then this could readily be accomplished. A photograph of the southern cove looking westward from the shoreline by the botanical garden is shown above the map.  The blind would be at the tip of the headland on the right of the photo.

Structure
 The blind is of wood plank and treated timber construction with a wooden floor and mounted on a raised platform. The interior of the blind contains a wooden partition screening the entrance from the viewing areas. This will be used as an information board.  There is bench seating which has horizontal ports through which one can view birds (see below). The ports can be closed with hinged flaps. Bench seating and ports are constructed at different levels to cater for adults and young children.
 
Progress in construction as of March 2016 is shown in the photograph below.

Funding
Approximately $11,000 has been raised from private donations but further funding to complete the project is required. Any donations will be gratefully received and should be sent to Bill Beall, Treasurer of the North West Arkansas Audubon Society, 2204 Hendricks Blvd, Fort Smith,AR, 72903-3422.

Paige Mulhollan in 2006 at Nichol Preserve

WHY THE BLIND? As a result of rapid population growth in Fayetteville-Springdale, recreational use at Lake Fayetteville has soared, straining natural elements we have long taken for granted. We decided an attractive but highly-functional viewing blind would be a productive outreach and educational tool, with least impact on waterfowl and other wildlife. Location of the blind on the lake’s southeastern shore will make it highly function during peak waterfowl use times (late fall-winter-early spring) and easy to access from the area adjacent Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.

WHAT WILL MULHOLLAN BLIND BE LIKE? We consulted with two birders who have visited many blinds, Dr David Chapman and Dr Douglas James. Kelly Mulhollan brought on an architect, Michael Cockram of Bowerbird Designs, who conducted additional research on blinds. Cockram’s design combines aesthetic beauty and highly durable materials. We have all necessary permits from Fayetteville Parks and Recreation. The blind will blend into the shoreline. Much of the lake’s highly productive back areas will be visible without disturbing the birds and other wildlife.

Dr PAIGE MULHOLLAN: Paige Mulhollan, a Fort Smith native and former professor at UA-Fayetteville, was an early Director of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (BGO) and an avid birder. Upon retirement, he and wife Mary Bess became active in Audubon at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, then in Fayetteville with NWAAS. He and Mary Bess also had a strong interest in butterflies. Paige was President of the Carolina Butterfly Society. Mary Bess continues these interests since Paige’s passing in 2013.

WHO WILL USE THE BLIND? The blind will be free and open to the public. We expect Botanical Garden to make regular use of it as part of their education programs. The blind should be a magnet for birders of all ages and skills, photographers, and those who’d like this special view of the lake’s natural elements.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Dr David Chapman has been appointed to head a NWAAS committee to build and manage the blind. He is author of “The Bird Life of Lake Fayetteville.” He has offered to give anyone a copy of his book who can afford to donate $100 or more to the project (see below). But there are other ways to help, too. NWAAS will also set up volunteer work days this fall to help with construction. All skills and abilities will be welcome.

IF YOU CAN DONATE TO HELP WITH THE PROJECT: Make checks to NWAAS with a brief note your check is for the blind. Mail to NWAAS Treasurer Bill Beall: 2204 Hendricks Blvd, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72903-3422. He will maintain a listing of all contributions and send each contributor an acknowledgement. All gifts to NWAAS are charitable for tax purposes. If you need more information about this, contact Bill at billtoka@mynewroads.com. Those who contribute at least $100.00 and want a copy of the Lake Fayetteville bird book need only send David an email with (1) a note about their contribution and (2) a mailing address. Contact David here: dchapman@uark.edu.

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Our July meeting will be on Saturday, July 23 2016 at the Hobbs State Park Visitor Center at 2:00 PM. Jennifer Mortensen will give a presentation on the White-breasted Thrasher.

The White-breasted Thrasher,  described as a “very rare bird” by James
Bond in 1928, continues to  be rare today. She has been studying  White-breasted
Thrasher  demography and cooperative behavior at  the stronghold of its Saint
Lucian distribution, the site of  recent, significant habitat loss. She will talk
about the  species’ natural history,  ongoing research  (they've recently banded
their  473rd bird!), and a recently created  conservation plan (the  first for the
species!).

 
Jennifer Mortensen received a BS from the  University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MS from Villanova University.  After finishing at VU, she was the  project coordinator  for a
University of Pennsylvania  led project investigating the ecological and social
impacts of  climate change in northern Mongolia (NSF  – PIRE). She is currently a
PhD student at Tufts University  outside of Boston, working under the direction of
Dr. Michael  Reed. Her research focus is on understanding how avian  social behavior
affects  population dynamics and extinction risk, with fieldwork  focused on the
cooperatively breeding  White-breasted Thrasher.

2015 Christmas Bird Count Data

2016 FIELD TRIPS & BIRDING CALENDAR

All NWAAS field trips are free and open to the public. We always welcome new members, but membership in NWAAS is not a requirement for participation. We try to make our field trips accessible to everyone, all ages, abilities, interests. Beginning birders are always welcome. We have field trips on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate different schedules. We try to arrange carpools where possible.

For maps and more information about these places, check the “Places to bird in northwest Arkansas”  link in the navigation panel at the top left of this page.

If you are interested in being added to the NWAAS email list for updates on field trips and other society events, please send a message to: joeneal@uark.edu. Some of the information on the trips below can change, so additional details & updates about trips are sent via the email prior to the announced date. Also, check our NWAAS facebook page for all the latest on the local birding scene.

SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS! Our field trips are open to everyone. We try to warn about any special dangers that might be encountered, but neither NWAAS nor individual field trip leaders assume responsibility for personal safety. If you have special needs, or special concerns, please ask the field trip leader before the trip starts. We do not knowingly place anyone in danger on any field trip. We count on those who attend to keep trips safe for everyone.

JANUARY

Saturday January 16, 2016. Rocky Branch Park on Beaver Lake. Meet at 10 AM at the Rocky Branch marina parking area. Species typical of the lake in winter include Pied-billed and Horned Grebes, Bonaparte’s and Ring-billed Gulls, Common Goldeneyes, Bald Eagle, possible Common Loon. We will also look for land birds in cedar glades and upland shortleaf pines (like Pine Warbler). In the past, the Army Corps of Engineers has waived the park day use fee ($4) for this field trip (we will post a note on facebook before the event about this fee). NOTE: Before traveling to Rocky Branch, check the NWAAS facebook page. If the trip is NO GO, a notice will be posted by noon on Friday January 15. You may also call the trip leader (479-521-1858) on Friday evening for an update if you do not have facebook access. This trip will be cancelled ONLY it is too windy for observing birds on the lake, just too bitterly cold, or for obviously unsafe driving conditions. For more information, check out Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area and Rocky Branch Park here: http://www.nwarkaudubon.org/id17.html

FEBRUARY

Saturday February 6, 2016. Join in with members and friends at Eagle Watch Nature Trail on SWEPCO Lake just west of Gentry. Meet in the parking lot at 9 AM. Co-leader is Terry Stanfill, who manages EW. There is a short walk on the trail through open field habitat to a viewing platform with good potential to see Bald Eagles, various species of hawks and sparrows, ducks and other water birds. After this walk, we may travel a short distance to find more wintering eagles wintering on former Round Prairie. SPECIAL! Terry will bring with him free packages of Swamp Milkweed seed for anyone interested in growing this beautiful native plant closely associated with Monarchs and other pollinators. More information about Eagle Watch here.

Saturday February 13, 2016. Join the Great Backyard Bird Count at Devil’s Den State Park. Meet Park Interpreters and Joe Neal in the parking area at the lower Devil's Den Trailhead, southside of Lee Creek bridge at 9 am. This generally lasts a couple of hours. Slow, easy walking with lots of listening. Everyone and all birding skills welcome. This is just the first event in a full day involving and celebrating birds. Check with the park for the full schedule: 479-761-3325. All NWAAS field trips are free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member to participate.

February 27, 2016 (Saturday EVENING) American Woodcocks at Lake Wedington. Meeting time, 5:30 PM (need to be on time). Field trip led by woodcock expert Dr David Krementz UA-Fayetteville who will tell us a lot about woodcocks at the parking site and explain what’s going on for the field trip. If you are curious about woodcocks, this is a great opportunity. Details are below about the meeting place. The 15,000 acre Wedington Unit is designated as an Urban Forest. We combine into carpools in as few cars as possible to a spot approx. 1-mile away to observe woodcocks. DIRECTIONS: We are going to a different spot than in past years, with prime habitat and likely more woodcocks. Dr Krementz and his students may try to net woodcocks for a closer look. From the intersection of I-49 and Highway 16 in Fayetteville, travel WEST approx. 11.5 – 12 miles on HWY 16. This will take you to the parking lot that is on the north side of the highway. This is the 5:30 meeting spot. If you are using GPS, go to 36 05 30.12 N and 94 22 30.07 W. The main entrance to the Wedington Recreation Area is a little further west – if you get there, you went too far. Consider a flashlight, don’t wear bright clothes, walking shoes ok. We will wait for the woodcock displays to begin near and shortly after sunset. Also, lots of other birds are in the area to enjoy during the wait. Overall, this should be a fairly easy trip, including those with walking impairments. The woodcock displays should be viewable/audible near where we park. If you need more information can also call me at home: 479 521 1858.

MARCH

Saturday March 19, 2016. Trip to mature shortleaf pine habitat in the Shores Lake-Fern area of Ozark National Forest, then down into the western Arkansas River valley, including visits to Frog Bayou WMA and Arkansas River. Leader is Bill Beall, veteran birder from Ft Smith. We will be seeking Brown-headed Nuthatches and other birds typical of pine forests and later, birds of ponds, river, and agricultural fields in the valley. Meet at 9 AM at the Shores Lake picnic area entrance on the west side of the lake. You can show up earlier if you wish. It will be easy to tailor this day to your own time schedule. As always, you are welcome to leave or join whatever suits your schedule. https://media.tripod.lycos.com/2020453/1439038.pdf

APRIL

Saturday April 9, 2016. ALL welcome to a unique place, Wattle Hollow Retreat Center in the scenic Boston Mountains near Devil’s Den State Park. Early spring migrants, wildflowers, and a fun, social pot luck on the deck. Bring something to share. Meet up along highway 170, where you turn into Wattle, by 9 AM for the leisurely & birdy stroll on a graded road downhill to the retreat center. More information including directions will be provided prior to this event.

Sunday April 24, 2016. Ninestone Land Trust in Carroll County. Meet at Ninestone by 9 AM. Fun casual hike where we will identify birds and wildflowers, enjoy Piney Creek and soaring birds, picturesque bluffs, visit glade restoration areas, identify rare flowers, and stop for a relaxing potluck at noon overlooking the famous waterfall. This can be a peak time during spring bird migration. More information at https://media.tripod.lycos.com/2020453/1287399.pdf

April 29-May 1, 2016. Arkansas Audubon Society Spring convention will be held April 29-May 1, 2016 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain. There are many field trips associated with this exciting meeting. Check out more details here: http://www.arbirds.org/

MAY

Saturday and Sunday May 14-15, 2016 (probable dates). International Migratory Bird Day in Benton and Washington counties, with additional counts in at least Carroll County. Coordinated by Mike Mlodinow for Washington and Benton counties. For more information or to participate, contact mamlod@hotmail.com.

Saturday May 21, 2016. Siloam Springs City Lake. Meet 9 AM in the parking area off Dawn Hill East Road on the lake’s south side. Nesting Baltimore Orioles, Warbling Vireos, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and other birds. Numerous native flowers. Slow easy walk to explore this approximately 60-acre lake, an impoundment of Flint Creek.

JUNE

Sunday June 5, 2016. Cave Mountain and the upper Buffalo River in Newton County. Get ready for your annual “warbler neck.” The focus is on nesting birds in Ozark forests, including warblers: Cerulean, Hooded, Black-and-white, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Parula, and many others. We will inspect an amazing flora, too, like Pawpaws and Umbrella Magnolias. Meet at the Boxley Bridge at 9 AM. More information at: https://media.tripod.lycos.com/2020453/950078.pdf

JULY

Saturday July 9, 2016. Chesney Prairie Natural Area near Siloam Springs. See the mid to late summer flora of the Tallgrass Prairie, including blazing stars, other flowers, always fascinating pollinating insects that crowd the flowers of Rattlesnake Masters and various milkweeds, plus open country birds like American Kestrels, Dickcissels, and probably Loggerhead Shrikes. Meet at Chesney at 9 AM. Information about Chesney at: https://media.tripod.lycos.com/2020453/957092.pdf

NWAAS membership meeting (to be announced).

AUGUST

Saturday August 27, 2016. Craig State Fish Hatchery at Centerton. Meet in the parking lot at the hatchery at 9 AM. The hatchery has been designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon Arkansas. Numerous shorebird species are headed south at this time of year after nesting in the far north. Many species stop on mudflats provided by drained fish ponds. Most folks will be on foot, but those with mobility impairments are welcome to drive along with the group.

SEPTEMBER

Sunday September 11, 2016. Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. Meet at 9 AM in the parking lot for Sinking Stream Trail and Historic Van Winkle Trail. Both share the parking area on highway 12 east of Rogers. Spotted Jewelweed is dense along the spring runs, especially in Van Winkle. As this is peak for southward migration of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, they are expected to be quite numerous in the flowering jewelweed. Other interesting native flowers here, too, including Great Blue Lobelia. These are both relatively easy and often birdy walks (each about 0.5 miles) with numerous interesting native plants. Historic Van Winkle Trail is accessible for those with mobility impairments.

OCTOBER

Sunday October 9, 2016. Ninestone Land Trust in Carroll County. No finer spot to see fall in the Ozarks plus birds typical of the region. Meet at Ninestone by 9 AM. Easy hike, bluffs, waterfalls, fun social pot lunch at noon in front of waterfalls. Info: http://www.nwarkaudubon.org/id17.html

NOVEMBER

Saturday evening November 5, 2016. Field trip to Ozark Natural Science Center for trapping and banding Northern Saw-whet Owls. We are invited to join Mitchell Pruitt, Kim Smith and others working on this owl project. This may be the migration peak, based upon existing records. Meeting time will be around 7 PM. More details will be provided as we get closer to the date.

Saturday November 12, 2016. Fall waterfowl migration at Lake Fayetteville. Meet at 9 AM in parking lot on the north end of the dam (near ball fields and entrance to the boat dock). More info about the lake at: http://www.nwarkaudubon.org/id17.html. We will also visit the Mulhollan waterfowl blind.

DECEMBER

NWAAS annual membership meeting (date and program to be announced)

Fayetteville Christmas Bird Count (date to be announced)

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Lake Atalanta Info:

Theo Witsell report on Lake Atalanta Botanical Park November 2013.pdf

Theo Witsell plant list for Lake Atalanta November 2013.pdf

 NWAAS field trip to Lake Fayetteville