Tag: Snow Goose

Photos: Atkins Bottoms

March 24, 2023
Western Meadowlark

This winter, I began visiting the Atkins Bottoms area in Pope County. My goal was to find Tundra Swans. While I haven’t found a Tundra, I did come across a Western Meadowlark during a recent trip. I’m more used to the Eastern Meadowlark, which have darker head stripes. It helped that the Western Meadowlarks were very vocal, making identification easier. Recent trips have been filled with birds, including Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs and even a Merlin. I especially excited to see Lapland Longspurs – a first for me.

Fish Crow
American Kestrel
American White Pelican
Gadwall
Horned Lark
Lapland Longspur
Merlin
Northern Pintail
Red-winged Blackbird
Snow Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese
Song Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Lapland Longspur

Photos: Revisiting Old Stomping Grounds

November 30, 2022
Vesper Sparrow

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 Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe

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:

Ross Goose (left) and Snow Goose
Mallards
Eastern Meadowlark
Field Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Ibis
Northern Flickers
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawks
Red-winged Blackbird
Savannah Sparrow
Sedge Wren
Snow Goose
Song Sparrow

Bayou Meto springtime

May 1, 2013

Barn Swallows
Barn Swallows

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).

Barn Swallow2
Barn Swallow

Blue Grosbeak, Female1
female Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak, male
male Blue Grosbeak

Dickcissel, pair
A pair of Dickcissel

flowers1

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

flowers2

Indigo Bunting
Indigo Bunting

RT Hummingbird1
female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

RT Hummingbird2
male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Sandpiper, Spotted1
Spotted Sandpiper

sunset

sunset2

The helmet look.

December 23, 2012

Hooded Merganser

I absolutely love Hooded Mergansers. The ducks appear on my grandparents’ pond about Christmas time each year and I always have to head out to look at them. Here’s some more pictures of them and some other birds I saw around home. 🙂

IMG_3310

IMG_3312

Snow Goose
Snow Goose

Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture