HOBBS STATE PARK — CONSERVATION CENTER EVENTS
Beaver Lake eagle watch cruises
Hobbs State Park has offered eagle watch tours on Beaver Lake for nine years. Every cruise is different. According to Chelsea Porter, park interpreter, “We have always been lucky seeing eagles on our tours; some mature, some immature, and we always see other beautiful wildlife as well. It could be migrating osprey, great blue herons, kingfishers, deer or red-tailed hawks. No one will ever be disappointed on our eagle tours.” Porter added, “We only take 18 guests at a time, so it’s important that folks call the park in a timely manner to ensure that their names get on the boarding lists.”
Eagle cruise dates are: Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25; Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adults are $10 plus tax; children 6-12 are $5 plus tax. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3 p.m. on each of the given dates. For more information and to make reservations, call the park at 479-789-5000.
Three loon migration cruises
Hobbs State Park has teamed up with the Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society to offer memorable loon migration cruises on Beaver Lake. Each cruise will be led by guides well experienced with waterfowl migration.
The waterfowl migration will be in full swing during these cruises. There will be many bird species to see and identify on these cruises. Besides common loons, those participating could see red-throated loons, Pied-billed and horned grebes and, possibly, western and eared grebes. These trips fall right in the middle of waterfowl migration and the possibility of seeing 10 or more species of ducks, one to three gull species, and even bald eagles. The cruises will explore a loop that starts at Rocky Branch, goes down the lake towards Twin Cove, crosses to Lost BridgeGlade and a little further west, then returns to Rocky Branch.
The two cruises will leave Rocky Branch Marina at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 11. These are adult only cruises with a cost of $10 plus tax per adult (13 years and older). Reservations are necessary. For more information and to make reservations, contact the park at 479-789-5000.
Wilderness first aid course
This two-day course immerses participants in basic wilderness medicine procedures, preparing individuals to take immediate action when an outdoor activity doesn’t go as planned and 911 responders are hours away. Time is split between interactive classroom sessions and hands-on field scenarios to prepare participants and help them quickly develop basic backcountry medical care skills.
The course focus is on patient assessment, stabilization and emergency treatment of issues such as hypothermia and snakebites, as well as an understanding of when and how to attempt evacuation. Participants will emerge capable of calmly responding to a wide variety of emergency situations after this course.
The instructor is Tom Burroughs, NREMT/EMT-W, with team leader Washington County AR Search and Rescue Team. The certifying body is ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute), and the course is accepted by the Boy Scouts of America.
This two-day course will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Saturday, Nov. 24, and Sunday, Nov. 25, at the Hobbs State Park visitor center. The cost is $135 per person. Preregistration is required. For registration and any additional information, call 479-595-1655 or email SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com.
Park Visitor Center
The Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center is located on Arkansas 12. To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to www.friendsofhobbs.com.