Oxley Nature Center - Tulsa, OK (April 30, 2009)

April 30th Outing

It rained during the early morning of April 30th but by the time I decided to leave the house (7:15 am) it had stopped. I arrived at Oxley Nature Center around 7:30 am.

As I parked my car in the NE part of Mohawk Park I noticed a group of 30 European Starlings searching for food among the mowed grass. Rarely do I ever see many starlings in ONC proper. As I unloaded my equipment I heard the familiar squawk of a Red-bellied Woodpecker emanating from a tree 20 yards south of my car. I peered through my scope and confirmed the RBWP, yet I couldn't determine its gender because the head was obscured.

As I entered ONC I could see several male Northern Cardinals singing boldly from exposed perches above Coal Creek. I first heard then spotted a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers aggressively bounding through grouping of leaves in hopes of scaring up some hidden insects. From the bridge over Coal Creek (not Warren Bridge) I could see a Great Egret posted along the creek 30 yards upstream. I entertained the idea of stalking the bird in hopes of snapping a photo, but it must have seen me on the bridge and flew off to the north.

I walked along the trail to the embankment along the south side of Blackbird Marsh. I spotted 2 male Red-winged Blackbirds in the marsh, each perched upon a tall stalk of grass emitting their usual rattle. Later I would see another male RWBB, however I would not see any female RWBBs during this particular outing. I spent some time photographing the marsh then decided to walk over to the boardwalk.

I walked along the boardwalk in search of a subject to photograph. While I was taking photos of some cattails using my tripod I could hear a strange whinny coming from a dense cluster of grass several feet from the boardwalk. I was unable to gain a advantageous view of the suspect, so I walked on not knowing the source of the whinny. As I neared the corner of the boardwalk a small bird fluttered (a labored flight) up from the marsh, landed on the railing, then frantically flew to the cover provided by a group of cattails 10 yards from the boardwalk. I quickly flipped through my guide, searched for Rails, and confirmed the fleeing bird as a Sora. I am sure that the strange whinny I heard earlier had been a concealed Sora.

I walked to the edge of Lake Sherry, careful not to spook the pair of Blue-winged Teal foraging along the banks. The pair flew off and I continued on the path to the observation deck, my attention diverted by the loud honks of the Canada Geese in Lake Sherry. I mounted my camera on the tripod in hopes of catching some decent photos of the Blue-winged Teal that ventured close to the shores. As I waited quietly a small shorebird landed on a small log ten yards from the observation deck, well within range of the 135mm lens. I snapped several photos of the shorebird which I used later to identify him as a Spotted Sandpiper.

A group of 12 Northern Shovelers could be observed foraging along the banks of Lake Sherry, never venturing very close to my position. I counted 4 other Blue-winged Teal in Lake Sherry, bringing the total of BWT seen to 6. I counted 7 Canada Geese on Lake Sherry as well as 33 Gadwall, most of which were congregated on the east side of the lake.

I scanned the surrounding trees for birds, my eye attracted to a small passerine relocating to a new perch overhead. I trained my binoculars on the bird, obviously a warbler, his head and breast a bright yellow. I noticed the light streaking on the breast and quickly remembered seeing such a pattern of the breast of a Yellow Warbler. I confirmed my suspicion by consulting my Sibley guide; the warbler being a new addition to my Lifelist.

I walked to Warren Bridge with the intention to take the Heron Loop of the trail before heading back to my car. As I was crossing the bridge I saw a small dark shape dart across the creek and land on a perch. I quickly identified the shape as a Eastern Phoebe, the constant tail-dipping a clear identifier.

Overhead the clouds rumbled and a flash of lightning lit the sky to the west, throwing my plans to take the Heron Loop into question. I opted to head back to my car, a good idea since it began to pour when I was within 10 yards of my car.

Location: Mohawk Park--Oxley Nature Center

Observation date: 4/30/09 Number of species: 22

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 7

Gadwall - Anas strepera 33

Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors 7

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata 12

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1

Great Egret - Ardea alba 1

Sora - Porzana carolina 1

Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularius 2

Wilson's Snipe - Gallinago delicata 12

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 1

Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 1

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 1

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 3

Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 1

Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 2

Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis 2

European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 30

Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 1

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 9

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 3

New Additions to SPQ's Lifelist:

158) Sora (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sora/id)

159) Yellow Warbler (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/yellow_warbler/id)

Photos (Numbered from top to bottom)

1) A lilypad in Blackbird Marsh.

2) Cattails growing along the boardwalk in Blackbird Marsh.

3) A group of Northern Shovelers forage along the banks of Lake Sherry.

4) A Spotted Sandpiper hunts bugs along the water's surface in Lake Sherry.

5) Another photo of the Spotted Sandpiper.

6) An overcast day at Lake Sherry.

7) Some wildflowers growing along Coal Creek.

-SPQ 4/30/2009

Heyburn WMA - "Park 02" - Kellyville, OK (April 26, 2009)

April 26th Excursion

I arrived at Heyburn WMA at around 8:30 am, hoping to get some quick birding in before the fore casted storm rolled in. It was overcast and incredibly windy during my outing, but their were dozens of bird vocalizations echoing about the area. I spent the entire time around the perimeter of a large field, occasionally dipping into the forested section to try and pinpoint a specific vocalization.

As I strolled into the field I could immediately recognize the calls of a Northern Cardinal and a pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds. Along the forested section I could hear two Blue Jays calling back and forth, each using multiple vocalizations(my favorite is the Red-shouldered Hawk mimicry) , an admirable ability among birds. I could hear the frantic calls of two Red-shouldered Hawks coming from some distance, most likely closer to the lake.

I reached the edge of the field and paused to deploy my tripod. I heard a loud series of varied calls, almost reminiscent of a Mockingbird or Brown Thrasher. I struggled to find the source but eventually noticed a large yellow object among some green leaves. I trained my scope on the yellow and watched an excited Yellow-breasted Chat belting out his eclectic vocalization. Even though I was only able to stay an hour and a half, I was thrilled to be able to add a new species to my Lifelist.

Location: Heyburn WMA (Park 02) - Kellyville, OK

Observation date: 4/26/09 Number of species: 10

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 2

Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus 2

Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 2

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 2

Yellow-breasted Chat - Icteria virens 1

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 1

Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater 6

New Addition to SPQ's Lifelist:

157) Yellow-breasted Chat (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-breasted_Chat/id)

Photo:

The field that I observed during my visit to Heyburn WMA.

-SPQ 4/27/2009

Copan WMA - Bois d'Ark - Copan, OK (April 23,2009)

April 23rd Excursion:

I drove a mile north on road N3950 from the Tallgrass section of the Copan WMA to a section labeled "Bois d'Ark" (translated: "Wooden Ark", though I am guessing the name stems from the Osage Orange tree, Maclura pomifera, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osage_orange, which is often referred to as a Bois d'Ark tree). The access road to the area was closed to vehicles, so I parked along the county road and gathered my gear. As I was assembling my tripod I noticed the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on a telephone wire overhead.

The access road snaked between maintained agricultural fields for about for a mile or so, ultimately leading to a WDU. The trail then crossed an embankment (most likely a levy/dike), which was flanked on both sides by a pond. As I crossed the dike I alerted a dozen Blue-winged Teal to my presence, resulting in their departures east to another section of the WDU. As I stood on the dike's east bank I could hear a chorus of Red-winged Blackbirds coming from the more forested sections of the WDU. A Great Blue Heron, 1 Great Egret, and a lone American Bittern all burst into flight as I trod close to the stream where they were fishing.

The trail progressed east to an a large field where it split to form a circle around the perimeter on the WDU, a large planted field remaining in the center. I crept through a forested strip to get a better look at a group of ducks. While creeping through the forest I spotted a small brown bird energetically bounding along the undergrowth. I was able to inspect him via my binoculars, then consulted my guide, happily adding a House Wren to my list (and Lifelist!). Large puddles had formed around between the field and the road, on which I could see a large grouping (55~) of Blue-winged Teal with three Northern Shovelers among them.

After identifying the group of ducks in the field, I turned back and began to follow the trail back to my car. As I walked past the dike I noticed a single Brown Thrasher singing emphatically from the top of a tree along the access road. When I passed he flew on, but picked up his song as soon as he landed. To the south I could see a female Northern Harrier gliding above the agricultural fields, all the while effortlessly maneuvering in the heavy winds.

While walking along the access road I spotted a small bird flitting about among the branches of a small tree. When I first focused my binoculars on the suspect I noticed red markings along his head, very similar to several species of sparrows, so I guessed it might be a Chipping or Song Sparrow. However, as I watched, the suspect flipped around and revealed a solid yellow rump, a puzzling new piece of information. The closest match I could find at the time was an Olive Sparrow, but their range is restricted to far south Texas and Mexico. The Green-tailed Towhee seemed plausible, but the yellow rump is not quite the same as what I saw. I would like to believe it was some type of Warbler, but the markings on the head strongly reminded me of a sparrow. With no picture to reference I can't pursue the issue much further, but it is certainly intriguing.

All in all, I really enjoyed birding at the Copan WMA. I saw some interesting groupings of large birds (herons/pelicans) at the Tallgrass section and the discovery of a WDU at Bois d'Ark (not to mention the House Wren there in) was a pleasant addition to a nice day. Copan WMA and Lake Copan may be a fun place to look for migratory birds this winter.

Bird Count:

Location: Copan WMA - Tallgrass Section - Copan, OK

Observation date: 4/23/09 Number of species: 20
Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors 67

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata 3

American Bittern - Botaurus lentiginosus 1

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1

Great Egret - Ardea alba 1

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 2

Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus 1

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus 1

Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 2

Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Tyrannus forficatus 2

Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 3

House Wren - Troglodytes aedon 1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 1

Brown Thrasher - Toxostoma rufum 1

Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla 2

Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 4

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 1

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 9

Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna 1

New Addition to SPQ's Lifelist:

156) House Wren (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/house_wren/id)

Photos: (Numbered from top to bottom)

1) A shallow slough found in the Bois d'Ark WDU.

2) A photo of the stream running through the dike I walked across.

3) One of the maintained agricultural fields found on the south side of the WDU.

4) A ladybug scrambles for cover as I take photos of her.

-SPQ 4/28/2009

Copan WMA - Tallgrass Section - Copan, OK (April 23, 2009)

About Copan WMA:

http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/copan2.htm

http://southern.ducks.org/CopanWMA.php

(From ODW's Website):

Copan WMA is a mixture of cross-timbers, tall grass prairie and river bottom habitat. Bottomland habitats occur along Little Caney River and Cotton Creek drainages. Upland sites are a mixture of tall grass prairie, crop land and post oak/blackjack oak ridges. The average annual precipitation for the area is about 40 inches.

(From Ducks Unlimited Website):

Purpose: To enhance 441 acres of moist-soil habitat on Copan WMA through the construction of levees and the installation of a permanent pump station. In addition to the 3.5 miles of levee restoration, 10 stop-log water control structures were installed on 5 units.

The first dikes were constructed on the Copan WMA in the mid 1980's. Frequent over-bank flooding of the Copan Reservoir made moist-soil management regimes difficult. The installation of the permanent pump and water control structures provided the capability to flood and drain units independently. This work was necessary to improve moist-soil management capabilities and create more desirable water depths for feeding waterfowl. Copan WMA is a mixture of cross-timbers, tall grass prairie and river bottom habitat. Bottomland habitats occur along Little Caney River and Cotton Creek drainages. Upland sites are a mixture of tall grass prairie, crop land and post oak/blackjack oak ridges. The average annual precipitation for the area is about 40 inches.

April 23rd Trek:

While driving north on HWY-10 to the Copan WMA I noticed a large number of people fishing along the streams that flow into the lake, as well as Lake Copan proper. Many of the locales these people picked to fish had 4-5 people in a 5 acre vicinity, which seems like a crowded fishing hole to me. I considered stopping to ask why so many people were fishing, but I decided against it.

I arrived at the parking area for the Tallgrass Section of the Copan WMA at close to 7:40 am, slightly later than I had planned (arriving by 7 am would allow for some photos of the sunrise). As I exited my car I could hear a lot of bird activity within the area; several Northern Cardinals could be heard, several Brown-headed Cowbirds could be seen and heard, and I spied several individual Eastern Meadowlarks singing from conspicious perches above the tallgrass.

I first made my way east, so as to walk a path along the north section of the lake (actually it would be better described as the tranisiton areaq between the Caney River and Lake Copan. I could see a small group of Blue-winged Teal among the shallow waters, as well as a group of a dozen or so Ring-necked Ducks dabbling among some reeds. As I panned to the south, a huge group of American White Pelicans gathered along a riverbank caught my eye. I focused on the group, who were busy preening themselves in the early morning sun, and counted 71 individual pelicans, a decent-sized group for such a small body of water (I would expect to see them closer to Lake Copan proper).

I walked closer to the river's edge to get a better look at the birds along the water's edge, being careful to avoid spooking anything. After redeploying my tripod, I noticed a large group (250+!) of Double-Crested Cormorants swimming in a large congregation near the pelicans. Throughout the day I would count several other small groups of DCCs, most flying overhead, bringing the grand total for DCCs for the day to 275.

Along an embankment forming the lake's north boundary, I counted 8~ Great Blue Herons and 15~ Great Egrets packed along the river's edge, waiting for passing fish. The concentration of wading birds in the area seemed excessive to me, possible indicating a large amount of fish in the area. I walked to the southwest, so as to avoid spooking the wading birds, as well as to explore the small tributaries feeding Lake Copan. Throughout the marshy regions, one could hear the familiar call of Red-winged Blackbirds, many perched on tall stalks of grass above the water.

Among the riparian trees found along a small stream, I observed 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, a male and female, foraging for insects among the branches. I spent several minutes observing a small section of scrubby brush near the stream, when I noticed a White-tailed doe inching toward my position. I pulled my camera from it's bag and waited for her to get closer, but the wind shifted and I could see the doe catch my scent and run.

As I neared the edge of the lake I could hear something stirring in or near the water. I trudged into the shallow water and scanned the area for the stirring noise. I noticed dozens of fish writhing about in the shallow water, many so close to the surface one could surely pluck them from the river by hand. I deducted that this mass of fish must be what is attracting both birds and fisherman alike. I asked a friend and he said he would guess that the fish were spawning, hence their presence in shallow water.

The farther south I pressed, the marshier the soil became, ultimately forcing me to head back to the car.

Location: Copan WMA - Tallgrass Section - Copan, OK

Observation date: 4/23/09 Number of species: 25

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 2

Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors 5

Ring-necked Duck - Aythya collaris 11

American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos 71

Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus 275

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 8

Great Egret - Ardea alba 15

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 5

American Coot - Fulica americana 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 2

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 4

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 2

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 3

Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis 1

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 1

Brown Thrasher - Toxostoma rufum 4

Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla 12

Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 4

White-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia leucophrys 2

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 12

Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna 4

Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater 5

American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis 2

Photos (Numbered from top to bottom):

1) A marshy area north of Lake Copan near the Caney River.

2) A field found to the west of the Caney River.

3) A photo taken at the north edge of Lake Copan.

4) A photo of a congregation of American White Pelicans on an embankment. Notice the group of DC Cormorants swimming past.

5) A photo of the riparian trees along the Caney River. Notice the Great Egrets in flight.

6) A section of a dead tree in a field near Lake Copan

7-8) 2 different fields found near the Caney River / Lake Copan confluence.

-SPQ 4/28/2009

Chandler Park - Tulsa, OK (April 21, 2009)

Guide to Boulders / Rock Formations in Chandler Park:

http://fusionfortyseven.com/ChandlerPark.htm

Chandler Park is located on the west side of the Arkansas River. Chandler has a lot of neat rock formations and areas to rock climb or hike, however it also has a decent amount of ne'er-do-wells, as the increased police presence attests to.

April 21st Excursion:

I arrived at Chandler Park around 1:15 pm and parked in the lower level section. As I exited my vehicle I could hear several Northern Cardinals nearby singing, as well as the harsh call of a Brown-headed Cowbird. I hiked along the road toward the entrance to the rock climbing section, my scope and camera in tote. At the crest of the last hill before the rock-climbing area, I spotted several Carolina Chickadees flitting about among the branches of some nearby trees.

As I entered the rock-climbing area I spotted a small bird hiding under the branches of a tree. I peered at the bird through my binoculars and noted the genereal characteristics of the bird. Immediately, I could tell that the suspect was from the Thrush family, however it lacked the distinctive reddish tail of a Hermit Thrush. After consulting my Sibley guide I idenitified the thrush as a Swainson's Thrush, a relatively uncommon sight for this locale this time of year.

As I hiked on I could hear several different Carolina Wrens about, their songs echoing through the formation found along the south part of Chandler Park. A single Blue-gray Gnatchatcher was observed franircally searching the branches and leaves of a nearby tree for a meal, his spew! call catching my attention. I sat at the base of a large boulder for some time, hoping to see some birds, but I was pursueded to move on when a group with 2 small yapper-type dogs headed my direction.

I hiked up a steep trail that led to the upper level's parking area (near the playground and swimming pool). I walked to the west, spotting some familiar park citizens, a single Kildeer, a lone American Robin, and a pair of American Goldfinches. I reached the farthest rock climbing area, and spent the next 20 minutes waiting quietly for some birds to come by, however none appeared.

Being close to 3:15 pm, I decided to head back to my car, this time via a route along the road running through the upper section. As I neared my car I spotted a pair of House Finches in a tree above my car, one singing from an exposed perch.

Location: Chandler Park - Tulsa, OK

Observation date: 4/21/09 Number of species: 15

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis 1

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus 1

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 1

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 3

Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 3

Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus 1

American Robin - Turdus migratorius 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler - Dendroica coronata 6

Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina 13

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 5

Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater 3

House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus 2

American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis 3

New Additions to SPQ's Lifelist:

155) Swainson's Thrush (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swainsons_Thrush/id)

Photos:

Top: A view of the Arkansas River and Sand Springs from the lower parking area at Chandler Park. Notice the fire visible along the horizon.

Bottom: One of the many boulders found along the southern section of Chandler Park.

-SPQ 4/28/2009

Mount Magazine State Park - Bear Hollow Trail / Will Apple Trail - Paris, AR (April 19, 2009)

April 19th Excursion

I woke around 7:00 am and packed up my camping implements, the tarp and sleeping bag damp from the storms of the previous night. The clouds had blown off the mountain, so I would be able to see more birds than the day before. I loaded my car, changed clothes, and drove to the lodge.

The Mount Magazine Lodge is a huge structure, flanked on each side by cabins for rent as well as a large building that acts as a hotel. The view of the area south of Mount Magazine is stunning from the lodge and the walkways around it. Since the weather had cleared since the previous day, one could see for a great distance into the valley below (including Blue Mountain Lake). I took a number of photos of the magnificent view and then consulted my trail map to plan the day's hike.

I decided to park at the south picnic area, Benefield Picnic Area, follow the Bear Hollow Trail north, then take the Will Apple Trail west, and then take the Greenfield to Mossback Ridge to complete the loop. I met a pair of hikers from Little Rock who commented on the pleasant nature of a hike through the clouds. I walked along some of the bluffs of the West Benefield Loop before following the Bear Hollow Trail north. Along the bluffs I spotted several Black-and-White Warblers frolicking among the vegetation, some coming close enough to be photographed, though I was not fast enough to capture them.

Much of the southern section of the Bear Hollow Trail was strangley devoid of birds (except the incessant Ovenbird calls), but I began to encounter more on the northern leg. I spotted an olive-brown bird gleaning insects in a nearby tree and consulted my guide, determining the suspect to be a Red-eyed Vireo. I heard a familiar squeaking and scanned the nearby trees, homing in on the source: an active White-breasted Nuthatch bounding along the trunk of a snag. In the same area I was able to observe a pair of Downy Woodpeckers as they scaled the branches of a tree in search of food.

I saw a flash of red and followed the source visually, quite sure I would be recording another male Northern Cardinal. However, when I could focus on the suspect I was delighted to identify him as a male Scarlet Tanager, a new addition to my lifelist. Less than 100 yards further down the trail I would spot a female Scarlet Tanager as well, her distinctive yellow an excellent identifier. At certain times I could hear the familiar call of a Carolina Wren ringing through the canyon. The nsasal spew! of a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and ubiquitous cheer! song of numerous male Northern Cardinals could be heard near the north end of the Bear Hollow Trail.

I reached the end of the Bear Hollow Trail and walked to the Horse Camp where I could pick-up the Will Apple Trail. While observing a group (9-12) of Chipping Sparrows, I was approached by two rangers who were looking for bear tracks. They explained that a woman had claimed to have seen a bear in the vicinity, so they had to search for bear tracks to verify the report. One of the rangers spoke about the different warblers he could hear in the area, as well as how common Ovenbirds and Black-and-White Warblers are on Mt. Magazine.

I followed Will Apple Trail to the visitor's center, noticing how much more dense the clouds were since I began my hike at around 8:00 am. I found the Greenfield trail and followed it to the intersection of the Mossback Ridge Trail where I proceeded east toward the Benefield Picnic Area. I arrived back at my car around 12:30 pm where I changed clothes, packed away the birding equipment, and plotted a route back to Tulsa. (Mt. Magazine -> Ozark, AR -> Mulberry, AR -> Ft. Smith, AR -> Tulsa, OK)

On the way out of the park I stopped several times at scenic overlooks to take photos of the countryside. The clouds began to blow away and the sun came out, promising a pleasant drive back to Oklahoma.

Location: Mount Magazine SP - Bear Hollow/Will Apple Trails - Corley, ARObservation date: 4/19/09Number of species: 16

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 1

Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 3

Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1

Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 1

Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 1

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 3

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 5

Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 1

White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 1

Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 2

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 1

Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 10

Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 10

Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea 2

Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina 9

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2

New Addition to SPQ's Lifelist

154) Scarlet Tanager

Photos: (Numbered from top to bottom)

1-4) Various photos taken at the Cameron Bluff Overlook.

5-8) Several photos of the Mt. Magazine Lodge and the view nearby.

9) An example of the rugged landscape found along the West Benefield Loop.

10) A view from one of the bluffs found along the West Benefield Loop.

11) Early morning dew on the leaf of a plant found along the Bear Hollow Trail.

12) A rugged stone staircase forming part of the Bear Hollow Trail.

13) A small stream found on the Will Apple Trail.

14) An unidentified Red flower.

15-19) Several photos of the Petit Jean Overlook, found on HWY-309 north of Havanna, AR.

-SPQ 4/24/2009

Mount Magazine State Park - Cameron Bluff / Signal Hill Trail - Paris, AR (April 18, 2009)

About Mount Magazine State Park:

http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/

(From Mount Magazine's Website):

At 2,753-feet, Mount Magazine is Arkansas's highest mountain, rising dramatically above the broad valleys of the Petit Jean River to the south and the Arkansas River to its north. Graced with timeless natural beauty, this plateau-a remnant of an ancient sea floor-runs east-west stretching six miles long and up to a mile across. Rugged, isolated, and rich in natural resources including rare and endangered species, Mount Magazine has long lured explorers, adventurers, scientists, and naturalists.

Settlers came to the mountain in the 1800s and farmed here. Later cabins and lodges were built atop Mount Magazine to attract and accommodate the travelers who journeyed to the mountain for recreation, relaxation, and the escape from the heat in the lowlands below that the summit's cooler temperatures afforded.

Arkansas State Parks has developed Mount Magazine State Park in the Magazine District of the Ozark National Forest on 2,234 acres of national forest lands atop the mountain through a special use permit from the USDA Forest Service. Mount Magazine is one of Arkansas's 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Here at Mount Magazine, the combined resources of the Forest Service and Arkansas State Parks ensure the protection of the mountain's natural resources while providing outstanding recreational offerings and lodging facilities for visitors. Mount Magazine State Park is a microcosm of why Arkansas-The Natural State is such a special experience for those who seek quality outdoor experiences.

Brochure and Map:

http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/images/pdfs/MTMAGAZN-06.pdf

April 18th Excursion:

I left the Cossatot River State at 10:20 am and drove south to HWY-278. I headed east towards Wickes, my plan to visit Queen Wilhelmina State Park and Holla Bend NWR, and stopped at the Cossatot River State Park Visitor's Center to check the weather and ask for advice.

I was the only person (other than the rangers) at the visitor's center. I checked some of the bulletin boards outside the building and found an informative brochure about areas to bird in Arkansas., as well as a small pamphlet about It was raining steadily, so I decided to head inside and see if I could get a weather update.

The visitor's center featured a small touch-screen computer to be used to navigate the fantastic Arkansas State Parks website. I was able to look at directions, facilities, and weather for any of the State Parks or Recreation Areas in Arkansas. I spoke with the ranger, who suggested I visit Mt. Magazine State Park if I was interested in birds, and decided to head toward Mt. Magazine.

The total drive took around 2.5 hours, mainly due to the rain and lower speeds allowed on the winding roads. As I neared the mountain (between Blue Mountain and Waveland) I noticed a sloping landscape that led into the clouds. I eventually realized that the peak of Mount Magazine was in the lower-lying clouds, making for a picturesque drive.

Once I reached the town of Havanna I took HWY-309 north to head up the mountain. HWY-309 is designated a Arkansas Scenic Byway (as are most of the roads I drove on this trip), so the road that lead into the mountain was flanked by mammoth pines and numerous scenic overlooks. I arrived at the Visitor's Center around 2:30 pm, paid for my campsite, picked up some pamphlets, and planned a hike for the evening.

The campsite I was assigned was a picnic area in which one could camp if the RV sites were full (which they were). Only one other group of campers were present in the picnic area, so I was able to find a campsite near the treeline quite easily. Once I had hung the tarp over my intended campsite I gathered my birding equipment and consulted the hiking brochure about trails in the area. I decided to head over to Cameron Bluff to take some pictures and then follow the Signal Hill Trail to the summit of Mt. Magazine. As I left the campground I could hear the metallic cry of a Blue Jay coming from the dense forest.

I spent 15 minutes taking photos of the surrounding landscape from Cameron Bluff, though the clouds quickly returned, ending my photographic opportunity. I walked south from Cameron Bluff to the Signal Hill Trailhead, close to the RV Campground. By this time the clouds had grown much thicker and it was difficult for one to see further than 20 yards in any direction. This made bird-watching somewhat frustrating since many different sounds and calls could be heard, but few could be observed or confirmed. The ascending calls Black-and-White Warbler and Ovenbird could be heard echoing across the landscape, thought they rarely showed themselves. However, the clouds flowing through the forest made for some great photos, many calling to mind the oft-used special effects for horror movies.

The Signal Hill Trail was an easy hike, the grade was slight and the path well marked, and I arrived at Arkansas' highest point well before 6 pm. At the summit several benches, a placard, a USGS seal, and a small box containing a clipboard and pen. The clipboard was for guests to write their name, address, and a brief message so as to record their visit to the summit. Most of the guests were from Arkansas and the surrounding states, though several parties hailed from New England. Realizing I had more time to hike than expected, I consulted my map and decided to head south to the Mossback Trailhead and make a large loop around to the visitor's center.

While strolling along a dip in the Mossback Ridge Trail I noticed a rather interesting rock and paused to take a picture of it. As I stepped closer to the rock a Wild Turkey male burst from his hiding spot and flew swiftly down into a nearby hollow, away from my position. I admit that the encounter surprised me and I was unable to take a photo of the turkey because I was too engrossed with watching such a heavy-looking bird fly so swiftly.

At an intersection of trails, I opted to take the Greenfield Trail which connects the Mossback Ridge trail to the visitor's center. I reached the visitor's center and spoke with a local ranger for some time about Mt. Magazine, bears, and the erratic driving of some visitors. He informed me that the lodge found south of my campground offered numerous services, such as bike rentals, a restaurant, and Internet access for visitors.

I returned to my campsite via the North Rim Trail at around 8:30 pm, slightly later than I had anticipated. I prepared dinner, setup my groundcloth and sleeping bag, and settled in for the evening.

Location: Mount Magazine SP - Cameron Bluff/Signal Hill Trail - Corley,AR

Observation date: 4/18/09 Number of species: 9

Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo 1

Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 2

Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 2

Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 12

Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 2

Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis 1

Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1

Photos (Numbered from top to bottom):

1) A view of the Scenic Byway (HWY-309) leading up Mount Magazine.

2) The cloud cover over the highway as I ascended.

3) The campground I was assigned to.

4-6) Various photos of the overlook at Cameron Bluff.

7-10) Some photos illustrating the eerie hike along the Signal Hill Trail as well as a photo showing the summit.

11) Another photo illustrating how dense the clouds were over Mt. Magazine State Park.

12-15) Various photos taken along the North Rim Trail.