Bayou Meto – Memos for Me

Photos: Revisiting Old Stomping Grounds

November 30, 2022

On Monday, I got up early to visit the Stuttgart Municipal Airport in hopes of seeing Barn Owls. I didn’t spot the Barn Owls by their known roost, but I did find this Vesper Sparrow that was singing from a hiding spot within tall brush. I was searching for a while before I got lucky: the sparrow flew up to a nearby power line where I was able to get a good look at it.

Vesper Sparrows are typically found in Arkansas from late September through mid-May, according to eBird. According to All About Birds, they are often hidden from sight in grasslands and fields. There are two unique features on the streaky brown sparrow: a thin white eyeing and flashes white tail feathers inflight. It also has a small chestnut patch on the shoulder.

I also spotted a Say’s Phoebe, a rare find in Arkansas, although many have been spotted in the state recently. Another birder had spotted this bird at the airport a few days before me so I was curious to see if it was still hanging around. It was.

Say’s Phoebes are typically found more west of Arkansas. They differ from the common Eastern Phoebe in having a cinnamon-colored belly. Both phoebes are brownish gray above, although the Eastern Phoebe has a pale belly.

Besides visiting the airport, I also traveled to the nearby Bayo Meto Wildlife Management Area. Here are a few other birds I saw:

Bayou Meto springtime

May 1, 2013

I typically visit the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area in the fall and winter — never spring and summer. I broke tradition this year by taking a late afternoon drive through the area with Izzie. Boy, was I glad I did. There were Barn Swallows, Dickcissels and Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds at the Halowell Reservoir while Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks lined the roads leading to and from the reservoir. Overall, it was a pretty drive with a gorgeous sunset (see the last pictures).

Blue Grosbeak, Female1 — female Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak, male — male Blue Grosbeak

Goose, Snow and Greater White-fronted — Geese — a snow and a greater white-fronted — that each had a drooping wing.

RT Hummingbird1 — female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

RT Hummingbird2 — male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Overtime = Owl.

March 22, 2013

Overtime. It’s a great word, especially since it allowed me to get out of the office early Thursday afternoon. Izzie and I headed to the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area to see what we could find. We got pretty lucky — the highlight of the trip was a Barred Owl (above). It was my first time to see one and, I must admit, March is turning out to be a great month for spotting owls!

Besides the owl, we also spotted Blue-winged Teal, Double-crested Cormorants, snow geese, sparrows, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinals and plenty of Wood Ducks. Here’s some pictures:

Double-crested Cormorant1 — Double-crested Cormorant

I also saw plenty of nutria. It's definitely mating season for these guys. — I also saw plenty of nutria. It’s definitely mating season for these guys. That’s all I’m going to say.

Short-eared Owls (memosforme.wordpress.com)
Photo essay: Great Horned Owls (memosforme.wordpress.com)

All day birding

March 7, 2013

Lately, my days have been pretty bare of after hours, work-related events. I had to take advantage of my good luck by heading out to bird in Arkansas County and around Little Rock. It paid off — I rediscovered four state birds. The birds were House finches, a Brown-headed Nuthatch, the American Goldfinch, and Green-Winged Teal Ducks. The duck pictures aren’t the best since the ducks were practically on the other side of the lake. But hey, at least you can tell what they are. 🙂

Anyway, here’s my pictures of the birds plus sky pictures that I like:

1-House Finches, Brown-headed Nuthatch — House Finches and a Brown-headed Nuthatch

2-American Goldfinch1 — American Goldfinch

4-Green-Winged Teal Duck1 — Green-Winged Teal Duck

5-Green-winged Teal Duck2 — Another look at the Green-winged Teal Duck

6-Bald Eagle, Juvenile — Juvenile Bald Eagle

7-Setting Sun2 — Heading back into Little Rock

Looking for ducks

March 6, 2013

I’ve finally added two more ducks to my list of photographed birds. I headed to Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area’s Halowell Reservoir earlier this month to see what was there and found both of the above Ruddy and Gadwall ducks. I was also in luck for plenty of other bird sightings as well.

1-Loggerhead Shrike1 — Loggerhead Shrike

4-Eastern Meadowlark — Eastern Meadowlark

Photo essay: A snowy morning

March 2, 2013

It was lightly snowing, but I simply couldn’t resist visiting Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area. I had the trip in mind for several days and, well, I did wake up early to take a drive with Izzie.

I was the only person out, which was fine by me. I saw plenty of birds. Here’s some of what I saw:

Northern Shoveler5 — I’ve seen plenty of Northern Shoveler’s, but the ducks have always been just floating like this.

Northern Shoveler1 — I finally saw the backside of a Northern Shoveler as the duck flew away. Gorgeous coloring!

Ruddy Duck, American Coot — A Ruddy Duck and American Coot

Tree Swallow, first spring1 — Tree Swallow, first spring

Shhh … I’m incognito!

February 23, 2013

Photo essay: Hunting Blue-winged Teal

February 5, 2013

DUCKS1-Blue-winged Teal1 — Male and Female Blue-Winged Teal

My goal this winter was to photograph a Blue-Winged Teal duck. I finally got lucky in this quest during a trip to Bayou Meto’s Halowell Reservoir. I was pretty excited to see the ducks as well as a pair of Gadwells. The trip was bird-filled with a few favorites. Here’s some of what I saw: