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THE SNIPEThe Newsletter of theAudubon Society of Central ArkansasCharles MillsVolume 56 Issue 1www.ascabird.orgDecember 2021 – February 2022Arkansas Saw-whet Owl Project Reaches MilestoneMitchell PruittThe Arkansas Saw-whet Owl Project is in the midst ofits best migration banding season since 2017 and hasrecently passed a milestone: 100th owl since 2014! Sofar this fall, 22 Northern Saw-whet Owls have beencaptured, including 20 new individuals banded and 2local recaptures—birds that came back for a visit in theweeks after initial banding. One of these localrecaptures occurred on November 12th and was an owloriginally banded on Halloween! It has remained in thearea for at least two weeks. Interestingly, only two 2021captures have been hatch year owls. Typically in yearswith more individuals migrating, we expect a higherproportion of hatch years in the population.It’s been an exciting year for the project in otherways, as well. This October (10/28/21), an owl that Ibanded November 15, 2020, was recaptured migratingthrough Lackawanna County, in eastern Pennsylvania!This is only the second time that any of our 100 birdsbanded in Arkansas have been re-encountered elsewhere. And this little owl took quite a detour to the eastat some point in the last year!Also, I’ve just finished up preliminary analysis ofacoustic data collected across the Ozarks during winter2020-2021. With over 50 different sites in pine forest,saw-whet owls were recorded from nearly half of them!This winter, acoustic monitoring will continue in pineMitchell Pruitt with the 100th Northern Saw-whet Owlcaptured since the program began in 2014. Photo: Mitchell Pruittforest outside the Ozark Highlands.Little Rock and Lonoke Christmas Bird CountsDan ScheimanASCA Christmas Bird Count ComplierNow in its 122nd year, the Audubon Christmas BirdCount (CBC) is a community science program and thenation’s longest running bird survey. Have no doubtsthat your participation is meaningful – thousands ofscientific studies have used CBC data, including NationalAudubon’s climate change report Survival by Degrees.I organize two counts: Little Rock is Saturday,December 18, and Lonoke is Sunday, December 19.Contact me at birddan@comcast.net or 501-366-0840,and specify the count. Due to COVID-19 concerns, thenumber of participants in the field will be limited. If youlive inside the count circle I encourage you to contributeby being a feederwatcher instead; I can also assign youto roam your neighborhood, as residential areas aretypically not well covered by parties in the field. Pleasecontact me for arrangements. I will check that you liveinside the circle and provide instructions and aspreadsheet.There are many other counts across the state. ContactState Compiler Leif Anderson for more information.Participation is free. Make your birding count for thebirds!
ASCA OfficersPresident’s ColumnPresidentCindy Franklinmeshoppen@hotmail.comVice-presidentDan Scheiman501-280-9024birddan@comcast.netRecording SecretaryBarry Haas501-821-4097bhaas@sbcglobal.netTreasurerJim Dixon501-258-1914jamesdixonlr@att.netNewsletter EditorDottie Boylesctboyles@aristotle.netBoard MembersJoan Ellisonjoan.ellison7@gmail.comJane Gulley501-225-2072janegulley@comcast.netD. DeLynn Hearn501-472-8769warblingvireo@yahoo.comLance Runionlancerad2000@yahoo.comBill Shepherd501-375-3918stoneax63@hotmail.comJohn Webb501-707-7742emmgee@att.netChristmas Bird CountCompilerConservationBarry Haas501-821-4097bhaas@sbcglobal.netField Trip CoordinatorKaren aren Hollidayladyhawke1@att.netWebmasterJim Dixonjamesdixonlr@att.netCindy Franklin, ASCA PresidentI hope everyone got out to see theuncommonly colorful leaves over the pastfew weeks. I expected one of our morebrownish autumns due to the abnormallydry conditions that took hold in centralArkansas in early July. All the trees, eventhe great oaks, made a bold statement thisyear as if to say “this is what you couldhave had if you tried harder when you hadthe chance.” It is not too late to see the justpast peak color in the wooded areasaround town. What a show it’s been.The White-throated Sparrows returnedto my backyard in mid-October. Birds thatlikely have been here before kept a warydistance while I was putting out black oilsunflower seeds. I would like to think thebirds that fled to nearby heavy vegetationto wait out my appearance were new to theyard. As winter progresses many of thesongbirds will take position low in the hollybush next door or line up on the back fenceto wait for their breakfast and afternoonseeds. Sometimes I talk to them but neverget an answer. I check their water sourceunder the honeysuckle bush last, cleaningand refilling as necessary and making surethe heating element is in place.A week ago, a tiny, bedraggled kittensomehow found its way under mydaughter’s privacy fence and took refugeunder her woodpile. When we arrived ather house last Sunday morning, we heard ityelling, and after a bit of waiting, capturedit under her fig tree. Both of its eyes werematted shut and it was clear it hadn’t eatenfor a while. We got some kitten milk, got itfed, and dabbed its gunky eyelids withmoist cotton balls. It has to stay at thedaughter’s house because my cats carry acat corona virus that is lethal to kittens.A week has passed since we found thekitten. He is now a spunky, round belliedlittle soul who drinks and eats out of bowls.He runs around, plays with toys, uses thelitter box, and stays in my daughter’sbathroom when we are not there. Woodywill be an indoor cat all of his days.Today we planted an Oklahoma Redbudtree (Cercis canadensis, var. texensis) at thedaughter’s house. It joins an AmericanSmoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus) planted lastyear and a variety of woody andherbaceous native plants now growing inher sunny yard. Many pollinators foundtheir way to her yard this year, and she islooking forward to seeing what newpollinators show up.Be safe out there while winter birding.The COVID Delta variant is on the moveagain.ASCA Membership RenewalJust a reminder, ASCA membershiprenewals are due January 1, 2022, and canbe paid on-line via PayPal through themembership page at www.ascabird.org.Checks can be made out to ASCA andmailed to Jim Dixon, Treasurer, 11805Birchwood Drive, Little Rock, AR 72211.Membership LevelRegular Membership – 15.00Students/Seniors – 10.00Family – 25.00Supporting – 35.00Patron – 50.002Dan Scheiman501-280-9024birddan@comcast.netA Potpourri of ThoughtsWelcomeThe Audubon Society of CentralArkansas would like to welcome thefollowing new members:Richard ApfelRichard GrayMadge HelmScott Trotter
Upcoming ProgramsNOTE – All upcoming meetings will be online via Zoom. Visitar.audubon.org/events to find and register for each meeting.Registration takes the place of a sign-in sheet. After registering, you willreceive a confirmation email containing information about joining themeeting.December 9, 2021 – Audubon Society of Central ArkansasVirtual Holiday GatheringThis is ASCA's annual holiday gathering, albeit virtual. We won't be able toshare a meal, but we can share stories or recent birding adventures and futureplans. In addition to the fun, we'll conduct one important point of business –election of Board members for the upcoming year.Register in advance for this meeting: https://audubon.zoom.us/./tJcvc.After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing informationabout joining the meeting.January 13, 2022 – Annual Business MeetingASCA can exist only with active participation by its members. Our annualbusiness meeting is your opportunity to provide input into activities for 2022and help start the New Year off right for our organization! All members areencouraged to attend via Zoom.Due to the number of topics covered, there will be no program or guestspeaker for this meeting.February 10, 2022 – What the Breeding Bird Survey tells usabout Birds and Fracking in AppalachiaSadie Walker & Ben Blankenship, Hendrix CollegeThe oil and gas fracking boom of the last two decades has alteredlandscapes in the U.S. through habitat conversion and fragmentation. Sadieand Ben's study uses data from the Breeding Bird Survey to examine how birdpopulations are responding to these habitat changes. They will share theirfindings and consider the future of bird communities near oil and gasdevelopment.Ben Blankenship is a senior double major in Biology and French at HendrixCollege. His primary interests are conservation science, ecology, and the studyof evolutionary processes. Following graduation, Ben plans to attend graduateschool and work towards a better understanding of human impacts onecosystems.Sadie Walker is a senior Health Science major at Hendrix College. Herprimary areas of study are biology and chemistry, but she is also drawn toecology. After graduating from Hendrix, she plans to attend graduate school tostudy genetics and forensic science.In addition to this research, both Ben and Sadie spent the summer of 2021studying the impact of deer decomposition on prairie plant and insectcommunities, as well as banding birds for the Monitoring Avian Productivityand Survivorship Program under the guidance of Dr. Maureen McClung,Associate Professor of Biology at Hendrix.Register in advance for this JUodeyurzovE9230ldWjX0Jg1XYWPw.3Election of Board MembersThe election of ASCA Board membersfor the upcoming year, will take placeThursday, December 9th via Zoom.ASCA Officers serve for two years,Board members for one-year. All Boardmembers volunteered to serve anotherterm. During the November 11, 2021,business meeting ASCA President CindyFranklin presented the slate of nomineesfor 2022 as follows:Joan EllisonJane GulleyDeLynn HearnLance RunionBill ShepherdJohn WebbASCA members are welcome to makenominations before the election is held.Great Backyard Bird CountMark your calendars for the 2022Great Backyard Bird Count, Friday,February 18, through Monday, February21.For more information on participatingin this fun event visit: gbbc.birdcount.org.Yellow-bellied SapsuckerPhoto: Michael Linz
Lake Maumelle Birding ImprovementsEd LasterIf you've been waiting for the ducks and loons toreturn, they're here. at least at Lake Maumelle in LittleRock.In 2018, Central Arkansas Water (CAW) opened upthe view at Vista Park allowing birders to see the lakebetter. This year they agreed to freshen it up again andhave cleared and burned the brush on the pointallowing for very good views.CAW accommodated my request for an improvedview of the bay area on the west side of Hwy. 10, acrossfrom Vista Park, by clearing two small areas near athree-trunked pine tree and another large pine. If youwalk along the west side of Hwy. 10 going north, it'snear the 20th and 30th support post for the guard rail.The location is called Lake Maumelle—West BayView, and Dan Scheiman has created an eBird Hot Spot.Please use it in your reports to eBird so we candocument its use.scope platform, then south toward Hwy. 10, then backto the parking lot.American Coot Photo: Michael LinzIf you see any of the CAW personnel while you arearound the lake, be sure to thank them for helpingbirders have better views of the lake.Lake Maumelle-West Bay View Photo: Dottie BoylesI visited there on November 22nd, and a number ofducks had recently arrived in the bay. Mallard,Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, and of course American Coot.At Vista Park I found American Coot (300 ), Mallard,American Wigeon, Canvasback, Bufflehead, and Piedbilled and Horned Grebes.The coots have been there in large numbers forseveral weeks and I have watched Bald Eagles (matureand juvenile) harassing them almost every time I'vebeen there.So now we can look east and west of Hwy. 10 at thewest end of the lake. Just be aware of the sun, time ofday, and cloudiness as this will affect your view.Another area of improvement is the Bufflehead BayTrail. CAW has made it into a loop. It starts at theparking lot, goes north to the lake, then west to theLake Maumelle from Vista Park. Photo: Dottie BoylesEditor's note: My brother and I visited Vista Park andthe West Bay View area on November 26th and foundseveral large rafts of American Coots. As we weregetting ready to leave, an adult Bald Eagle made a passover the raft and managed to grab a coot. It sat in thewater for a few seconds as a nearby Common Loonlooked on. As the eagle rose out of the water, a juvenileBald Eagle flew in and managed to knock the coot out ofthe adults grasp. The adult went back and picked up thecoot only to lose it a second time. It must have sunk atthat point because both eagles flew away emptyhanded. It was interesting watching the drama unfold.4
Saving Arkansas's WildlifeRodney PaulRaptor Rehab of Central ArkansasRaptor Rehab of Central Arkansas (RRCA) wasestablished and permitted in January of 2002, after fourmonths of construction.Although we specialize in raptors, we have taken inother wildlife. In those situations, our goal is to turnthose animals over to a properly permitted rehabber.Well-intentioned people often pick up "orphaned"animals not realizing its parents are nearby. Once home,they very often feed the animal an incorrect diet such ashot dogs, hamburger meat, or even Cheetos. A younganimal's proper diet is extremely critical for theirdevelopment, whether it's a raptor or a mammal. RRCAhas taken in several young raptors that were too fargone to salvage because the finder fed it incorrectly.In another USFWS case, RRCA housed a red rattlesnake thought to have been imported illegally fromMexico. After researching it, it is legal to own one inArkansas, if you are permitted. The snake was turnedover to a permitted snake educator in Fort Smith.In a case for the Arkansas Game and FishCommission, we held a Red-tailed Hawk as evidence fora state case for the individual that illegally possessed it.After the case was closed, the hawk was released intothe wild.Five Barred Owlets waiting for their day to be released backinto the wild. Photo: courtesy of RRCAWithout a doubt the most unusual rehab intake we'vehad was a Crested Caracara in 2015. It wasmalnourished because its eyes were closed due to aninfection. After a few months at our facility, it wasoutfitted with leg bands, a radio transmitter, andtransported back to Oil Trough where it was originallycaptured, to return to the wild. The caracara wastracked for about five months before it wasunfortunately found dead south of Dallas, Texas.Raptor rehabilitation is very rewarding when we areable to return a raptor back into the wild. Every deathwe experience, however, is very heartbreaking.Over the last 19 years, RRCA has released more than2,000 birds of prey back into the wild, including 61 BaldEagles. RRCA is one of three facilities in Arkansas thatcan legally rehabilitate Golden and Bald Eagles.The rehabilitation process can be short-term or longterm. It costs about 6,000 a year just for food. RRCA isfunded solely on donations and at our personalexpense. There is no state or federal funding availablefor this type of work.If interested in helping, donations can be mailed toRaptor Rehab of Central Arkansas, 1556 Ridge Road, ElPaso, AR 72045, or through the PayPal button at theirwebsite: rrca-raptors.org.The Bald Eagle above, with substantial tissue damage to its rightwing, has a long recovery period ahead. Photo: courtesy of RRCARRCA has also held animals as evidence in both stateand federal court cases.We housed crawdads for over a week that wereconfiscated by the U.S. Mail service in Little Rock thathad been imported from Asia, packaged and labeled asdish and bath towels. The crawdads were destroyed asthey are not native to the United States and could havebeen an invasive species. We also held 13 Java Sparrowsfor the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that hadbeen illegally imported from Indonesia to be sold in thepet trade by an unscrupulous pet dealer in Louisiana,who then flew them to Little Rock to an undercoverFederal agent. After that case was closed, we were givenpermission by the USFWS to donate the birds to theMemphis Zoo for public display. Java Sparrows aredevastating to rice crops, which is why they are illegalto possess.5
Swans Return to Heber SpringsTo the RescuePhoto: courtesy of Raptor Rehab of Central ArkansasPhoto: Kenny NationsRodney Paul, of Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas(RRCA), struggles to capture one of three nonreleasable Bald Eagles housed at the Governor MikeHuckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center (DNRC) in PineBluff, after flood waters from the Arkansas Riverreached the Center in June of 2019. The road to theDNRC was under water and the Center could only bereached by boat. The birds were loaded into crates andmotored out to higher ground.A total of nine educational raptors were removed andrelocated to RRCA until the facility, which sustained alot of damage, could be rebuilt. The eagles werereturned after nine months, the other six birds, whichincluded a Barred Owl, were returned in July 2020,thirteen months later.Kenny Nations reported, that as of 7:45 a.m. onNovember 22nd, nine Trumpeter Swans had arrived atone of the ponds on Hiram Road, near Heber Springs. Hedid not find any at Magness Lake. However, more swansshould be arriving in the coming the weeks.Stray Limpkins find theirway to ArkansasA second state record Limpkin, a snail eating tropicalwetland bird whose range reaches into Florida, wasdiscovered November 5, 2021, by a home owner onLake Norrell, in Saline County. Photos were posted tothe Arkansas Birders Facebook group.This marks the second Limpkin spotted in Arkansasthis year. The first was photographed on May 5th byGene Sparling, in Hot Springs.The Return of Sparrows SignalsCooler TempsField Trips on HoldKaren HollidayASCA Field Trip CoordinatorWith continuing COVID-19 and variant concerns, plusour priority to keep members of our birding communityhealthy and safe, the Officers and Board members ofASCA have decided to suspend monthly field trips untilfurther notice.The Officers and Board continue to reevaluate thisdecision. We will keep you posted.ASCA has a list of recommended places to bird inCentral Arkansas posted on their tspots/.White-crowned Sparrow Photo: Michael LinzThe return of sparrows, juncos, and waterfowl in theFall, means cooler temperatures are on the way andwinter is not far behind.6
122nd Christmas Bird CountLeif Anderson, State Christmas Bird Count ComplierIt's getting close to the coolest birding of the year,figuratively and literally.The Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) are held around theAmericas from December 14 through January 5. Countshave been conducted for 122 years - the oldest citizenscience bird database in the hemisphere.Each 15-mile diameter count circle has a compiler.The circle is broken into sections with a group ofvolunteers for each. Each group then tries to find all thebirds in their area, within a calendar day. You count thebirds you actually see and hear, not the birds thatshould be there.All counts could use more volunteers. Please considerparticipating in more than one count, especially thosethat may involve a drive or have less than 10volunteers.Birders of all skill levels are welcome. The amount oftime you spend is flexible. Some watch bird feeders foran hour, while others go for 15 hours in the field.To participate or for general information contact, LeifAnderson at 479-284-3150 ext. 3151 or emailleif.anderson@usda.gov; or a CBC compiler listed below.Several counts have yet to be set. Contact Leif fordetails or subscribe to ARBIRD-L for regular updates.Dec. 14 – TuesdayHOT SPRINGS VILLAGE – Chris Cash, c52cash@sbcglobal.netDec. 16 – ThursdayJONESBORO – Virginie Rolland, vrolland@astate.eduSYLAMORE RANGER DISTRICT (near Mountain View) – Idun Guenther, idun.guenther@usda.govDec. 17 – FridayMISSISSIPPI RIVER STATE PARK (near Marianna) – Cara Curtis, cara.curtis@arkansas.govMOUNTAIN HOME – Karen Ramsey, amiaredneck@gmail.com or Tom Krohn, dreamer@yellville.netDec. 18 – SaturdayARKADELPHIA – Evelyn & Glenn Good, theoldcrow@sbcglobal.netBELLA VISTA/BENTONVILLE/CENTERTON – Butch Tetzlaff, butchchq8@gmail.comCROOKED CREEK – Alan Gregory, quattro@windstream.netFORT SMITH – Bill Beall, billtoka@mynewroads.com (Bill has been compiling for 71 years!)LITTLE ROCK – Dan Scheiman, birddan@comcast.netMAGNOLIA/LAKE COLUMBIA – Devin Moon, moondevg@gmail.comVILLAGE CREEK STATE PARK – Catherine Combs, catherine.combs@arkansas.govDec. 19 – SundayCONWAY – Maureen McClung, mcclung@hendrix.edu or Cody Massery, codythebirder@outlook.comFAYETTEVILLE – Joe Neal, joeneal@uark.eduHOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK – Nathan Charlton, nathan charlton@nps.govLONOKE – Dan Scheiman, birddan@comcast.netDec. 26 – SundayWAPANOCCA NWR – Dick Preston, dickpreston48@gmail.comDec. 27 – MondayLAKE GEORGIA PACIFIC/FELSENTHAL NWR – Leif Anderson, leif.anderson@usda.govDec. 28 – TuesdayPINE BLUFF – Devin Moon, moondevg@gmail.comDec. 30 – ThursdayMOUNT MAGAZINE – Don Simons, don.simons@arkansas.govDec. 31 – FridayPOND CREEK NWR – Devin Moon, moondevg@gmail.com and Matt Gideon, paulmatthewgideon@gmail.comJan. 1, 2022 – SaturdayLAKE DARDANELLE – Kenny Nichols, kingbird@ymail.comJan. 3 – MondayHOLLA BEND NWR – Leif Anderson, leif.anderson@usda.govJan. 4 – TuesdayWHITE RIVER NWR (near St, Charles) – Than Boves, tboves@astate.eduJan. 5 – WednesdayBIG LAKE NWR – Leif Anderson, leif.anderson@usda.gov7
Audubon Society of Central ArkansasP. O. Box 6213Sherwood, AR 72124Forwarding and return postage guaranteed.Return service requested.Pied-billed Grebe Photo: Michael LinzChapter Only Membership ApplicationNameAddressCity State ZipE-mail addressASCA Dues Proration for New MembersMembership n-Mar100% 10 15 25 35 50Apr-Jun75% 7.50 11.25 18.75Jul-Sep Oct-Dec*50%100% 5.00 10 7.50 15 12.50 25*New Memberships paid in the last quarter (Oct-Dec), will include full membershipfor the following calendar year.All Membership renewals are due January 1 of each calendar year and can be paidonline via credit card at www.ascabird.org or mail a check to the address below.Make check payable to ASCA and mail to: Jim Dixon, Treasurer, 11805Birchwood Drive, Little Rock, AR 72211. Please note that “Chapter OnlyMembers” will not receive Audubon magazine. To receive Audubon magazine,you will need to join the National Audubon Society (NAS).Address changes should be sent to the following: If Chapter OnlyMember, notify both Leon Brockinton, c/o Brockinton Company, LLC at P.O.Box 6213, Sherwood, AR 72124, and Jim Dixon, Treasurer, 11805 BirchwoodDr., Little Rock, AR 72211. If NAS member, notify both Brockinton Companyand NAS at P.O. Box 51001, Boulder, CO 80322-1001.Audubon Society of Central ArkansasTHE SNIPE is published quarterly by theAudubon Society of Central Arkansas. Ourmission is to encourage programs andactivities supporting all things natural, wild,and free, especially birds, bird habitatstability and improvement, as well as topromote fellowship among members,educate and inspire the public, andchampion the highest standards of ethicaloutdoor conduct.Reporting a Banded BirdTo report a bird with a Federal Band orColor Marker you can visit the U.S.Geological Survey website:www.reportband.gov/.Find an Injured Bird?For a listing of an Arkansas Game and FishCommission authorized Migratory Bird Rehabilitator in your area, visit their atorybird rehablist.pdf.
December 9, 2021 – Audubon Society of Central Arkansas Virtual Holiday Gathering This is ASCA's annual holiday gathering, albeit virtual. We won't be able to share a meal, but we can share stories or recent birding adventures and future plans. In addition to
