Cossatot River State Park, Natural Area - Cossatot Falls - Wickes, AR (April 18, 2009)

April 18th Excursion

I awoke around 7:30 am and packed my camping gear, made some coffee, and gathered my scope and other birding equipment. I could hear the song of a Common Yellowthroat coming from along the river's edge as I packed. Several of the other groups that camped near the falls were packing their canoes and kayaks to float the river. Since the rain had abated from the previous day I decided to try and get some better pictures of the falls and areas nearby. I followed the same trail as the day before, bearing south along the Cossatot River.

Several familiar species could be heard among the pines, such as a pair of Carolina Chickadees, a scolding trio of Tufted Titmice, and the metallic cry of a Blue Jay. The trail split after crossing the second bridge offering one the choice of walking along the banks of the river or hiking into the surrounding hills. I chose to head into the hills after photographing the river banks.

Among the pines of the hills over looking the Cossatot River I could hear the song of the Prothonotary Warbler echoing through the hollows below. I spied a hyperactive Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher searching frantically among the pine branches for spiders or insect larvae. The darkening clouds overhead rumbled and I made the decision to head back to camp and prepare for the final leg of my trip. Where that would take me was still to be decided.

Location: Cossatot River SP, Natural Area - Cossatot Falls - Wickes,AR

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

Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus 1

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis 3

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 2

Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 3

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 1

Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea 1

Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas 1

Photos: (Numbered from top to bottom)

1) A view of the Cossatot River with the early morning mist hanging over the canyon.

2-5) Various pictures of the rock outcroppings found in and along the river.

6) A particularly large outcropping on the east side of the river.

7) Another rock outcropping. Imagine maneuvering a kayak over that when the river is high!

8) A serene pool found on the east bank of the river.

9) A view of the rushing water passing over a stage in the falls.

10) More rock outcroppings.

11) Another macro photo of rain droplets on a plant.

-SPQ 4/22/2009