Arkansas, especially the eastern part of the state, has long been world famous for its winter waterfowl. This is due to the close proximity of the Mississippi Flyway, usually mild winters, and all of the flooded timber and farmland that provides ample habitat. It's hard to grasp the numbers of waterfowl present here in the winter until one sees it for themselves. Snow Geese congregate by the 10,000s and a day out birding fields can easily yield several hundred thousand. The Snow Geese are hardly quiet when they are covering a field, like a thick layer of snow, and when they fly the sound of 100,000 wings and squawking geese is deafening. They are a common sight, but my trillionth Snow Goose will still get me just as excited as my first. There's nothing else quite like it. Greater White-fronted Geese (specklebellies as they're known here) congregate in lesser, but still astounding numbers, along with Mallards, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal. In even smaller numbers, a lucky birder might pick American Wigeon, Am. Black Duck, or something even more rare out of these massive flocks. These are the waterfowl of the flooded fields, and shallower water.
Numbers of these species winter along the Arkansas River where, in surrounding areas, smaller but still impressive numbers can be found through the season. Born and raised smack-dab in the middle of northeast Arkansas delta country I have always been privy to these waterfowl shows. Now smack-dab in the middle of the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, I've had to lower my standards. Impressive flocks of geese can be seen overhead during migration, but none linger through the winter. East in the Delta, I was accustomed to seeing flocks of hundreds of pintail, this striking duck is always a treat. In northwest Arkansas, one Northern Pintail would start a migration of birders across town!
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| Northern Pintail |
Deeper water, like lakes, invites a whole different suite of waterfowl than those found in the flooded fields and timber of the Delta. We're talking the divers that haunt our waters through the winter, especially during hard cold snaps up north that push more birds south and onto Arkansas' waters. Some of these species are stunners, others have less gaudy plumage, but are nonetheless remarkable. Perhaps the most head-turning is the male Bufflehead. Its stark black-and-white plumage is a stand out when scoping a lake, the darker females diving relatively unnoticed with a male around. A birder, or anyone for that matter, hasn't truly lived until they have seen one of these small ducks up close. The iridescence of the head is so striking in the right light that it can render one speechless. It's just one of those natural things that you have to stop and gawk at at least once a year.
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| The perfect view of a male Bufflehead. |
With a similar look to Bufflehead is the Common Goldeneye. This is another handsome duck that is often seen WAY out on a lake. It's a happy day when you're able to view one close. The cold snaps and huge flocks of Common Goldeneye have been known to bring a Barrow's Goldeneye south. This northwestern rarity is greeted by a skeptical whisper in the south. The only one I've ever seen was far out on a lake in the company of obviously different Co. Goldeneyes. It put on a great show for some and remained a mere legend to others...
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| Common Goldeneye in flight. Three adult males and an immature male. |
The Buffleheads and Common Goldeneyes can be found in pretty large numbers along with Ring-necked Ducks. Several years ago I was able to take a ride on a boat through bottomland forest on a Christmas Bird Count; some of the bayous culminated into an open area where around 13,000 Ring-necked Ducks were churning the water and diving for food...nothing short of amazing. This is another species in an endless line of handsome ducks. It has the same general base pattern as both Lesser and Greater Scaup which can sometimes be found in the company of RNDUs. Most looks at a Ring-necked Duck leave an unknowing birder with the question: "Where in the world did this bird get its name?" The namesake maroon ring around the neck is not obvious at all and cannot be seen at a distance. Then what's with the name? It was probably given a name based on a dead specimen where, in hand, the ring would be much more obvious.
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| Where's that pesky ring?!? |
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| There it is! |
Other diving ducks that make a regular appearance during an Arkansas winter include Canvasbacks, Redheads, and Ruddy Ducks. Visitors like Long-tailed Ducks and the three scoters (Surf, White-winged, and Black) are also possibilities during a prime waterfowl movement.
As much as I LOVE ducks, this is as good a time as any to move on. I mentioned Hooded Mergansers previously, but it's the two cousins who associate with lakes and deeper water: Red-breasted Merganser and Common Merganser. Red-breasted Mergansers are an uncommon migrant in the state. Most diligent birders will see some every year, usually in the early spring and late fall. This winter RBMEs stuck around at several locales well into December. Recently, I was able to ride along in a canoe to get up-close and personal with Red-breasted Mergansers...really a cool-looking bird. As for Common Mergansers, well, they aren't so common. This species is a rare winter visitor to Arkansas, usually reported yearly, but in very small numbers. As I write, there are three on a small lake in north-central Arkansas that have been present over a month!
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| Red-breasted Mergansers in Fayetteville, AR....as seen from the cold seat of a canoe. |
Loons draw much interest from the die-hard birder and casual admirer alike and Arkansas has been a stopover to four species over the years, even the slightly mythical Yellow-billed Loon. Common Loon is by far the most common in winter, but none are widespread. On a good day, one might be lucky to find 40 Common Loons, a few Pacific Loons, and with REAL good fortune, a snooty Red-throated Loon. Loons are known for their heavier bone structure, ability to dive deep and far, and tactical maneuvers while fishing below the surface; a family that is nothing short of incredible.
The season in Arkansas hasn't been properly spent until you lay eyes on one of the great beauties of the birds, the Trumpeter Swan, with immaculate wings like that of an angel. Much of Arkansas' wintering swans can be found in one county where they have been migrating to in increasing number for the last two decades. The vast majority are Trumpeters, but an occasional Tundra slips into the mix. They're amazing to watch, interacting with their family groups, fussing and swimming gracefully. Swimming among them are RNDUs, Buffleheads, and this year, three Common Mergansers. When the Trumpeters come out onto land, several Ross' Geese in the group are dwarfed by the giants.
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| Trumpeter Swan |
Arkansas, it's a prime place to be any time of year, but winter is pretty great. As is the case when birding, there's no telling what will show up. Each outing is different. Waterfowl is especially intriguing to many because ducks, geese, swans, you name it, are easy to see and readily available. They're an especially good starter group for a birder if the cold doesn't scare you any. Not to mention waterfowl in all their glory are a great way to get a birder through the winter! Good birding...and stay warm out there!
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| Long-tailed Duck, Beaver Lake, Monte Ne, AR |
For more photos visit: www.pbase.com/mpruitt/recents
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