Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks is a hidden gem of a region that is part southern and part midwestern. Scenic river valleys, peaceful oak forests, and charming small towns offer the perfect setting for a full weekend of birding and exploring the northwest corner of Arkansas.
This part of Arkansas is a place where the ranges of many truly iconic bird species overlap, and we will prioritize getting good looks at some of the most colorful charismatic birds our country has to offer. In late April the scissor-tailed flycatchers will have just returned, and the males will be performing their famous “sky dances.” Painted buntings dressed in red, blue, and green will be singing from scattered tall trees. The lush creek sides will be pulling in warblers, vireos, grosbeaks, tanagers, cardinals, and cuckoos. Spring birding in the East is magical. We intend to stop and savor every treasure.
In addition to the Ozarks, we’ll explore the Ouachita Mountains to the south, home to the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species endemic to pine forests of the southeastern United States.
This trip is timed to maximize opportunities to showcase why Northwest Arkansas is such a special destination for birders and nature lovers. We have strategically selected areas so that we have the time and space to enjoy spring birding without the crowds. Join Wild Birds Unlimited and Reefs to Rockies for this unforgettable experience in the heart of the Ozarks!
Kyle Carlsen is a lifelong birder and naturalist who grew up in the eastern forests of Ohio and now lives in Denver. He has experience as a field researcher, educator, and writer and has been published in a variety of journals, books, and magazines. You may also know him as the education coordinator for Wild Birds Unlimited of northern Colorado. Kyle has traveled throughout North and South America and the Caribbean in search of wildlife and is a full-time guide and travel planner for Reefs to Rockies. In his free time, he also enjoys cooking, camping, and visiting craft breweries and distilleries.
Add $230* if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.
Morning arrival to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Kyle will meet the group at the airport with our van. We’ll kick things off with a visit to Ivory Bill Brewing Company in Siloam Springs before continuing south to Waldron, making several birding stops along the way. Optional after-dark outing tonight for eastern whip-poor-wills and chuck’s-will’s-widows for those interested.
Accommodations: Southern Nights Motel in Waldron
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time from airport to Siloam Springs: 30-45 minutes; from Siloam Springs to Waldron: 2.5 hours
Trip starts and ends at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).