Local Audubon Society to host field trip at Eagle Watch

GENTRY — On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip to Eagle Watch Nature Trail on SWEPCO Lake, a mile west of Gentry along Arkansas Highway 12. The group will meet in the parking lot at 9 a.m.

The field trip will be led by Joe Neal, an area bird expert, and Terry Stanfill, a local wildlife photographer and a manager and caretaker at Eagle Watch.

The field trip will include a short 0.2-mile walk on a well-maintained trail to the viewing blinds and edge of the lake. Those with walking impairments will be able to drive in and park at the first blind. There are places to sit or stand, at several heights, and even a picnic table to sit and write field notes, or snack.

The field trip is free and open to the public.

“We expect to see great egrets, plus other herons and egrets,” Neal wrote. “There should be double-crested cormorants. In past years, we have also seen a neotropic cormorant and had a few sightings of juvenile white ibises around this time.”

“The big focus of this field trip is native button-bushes,” Neal said. “These should be in full bloom. Their flowers are very attractive to a variety of native butterflies. These should be easy to see and photograph along the trail.”

He also pointed out that some swamp milkweed will be in bloom. The milkweed is a host plant for monarch butterflies.

“Everyone with an interest in Arkansas’ wildlife heritage is welcome,” Neal said. “You don’t need to be a member to participate. It will be hot for sure, but also probably birdy. If you have a spotting scope, please bring it.”