Distribution and Abundance of Arkansas Birds

The Summer Season 1 June – 31 July 2014

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a rare and local breeder. Therefore, broods of 15 and 7 with attending adults at the Alma sewer ponds, Crawford 10 July (Joe Neal, NWAAS) and a pair with 7 young, 19 June, just west of the same location (Sandy Berger, Jean McConnell), were considered noteworthy.

Two Egyptian Geese were observed on Lake Atalanta, Benton 22 June (Michael Linz, David Oakley, Kyle Hess). This species was recently added to the American Birding Association checklist due to the Florida population meeting the criteria as an established exotic. Though not accepted by the American Ornithological Union or the Arkansas Bird Records Committee, the expanding population in the state (most notably Washington and Benton counties) makes this species a good candidate for future acceptance.

A lone Wood Stork spotted along the Red River near Garland, Lafayette 22 June (Ryan Risher) was slightly early for this uncommon summer/fall visitor.

Rare, but annual at this location since 2011, a single Neotropic Cormorant was observed at SWEPCO Lake, Benton 21 July (Joe Neal, Terry Stanfill).

From an area not often reported, 20 immature White Ibis were counted near Arkadelphia, Clark 18 June (Pat Downey).

Very rare in summer, an adult White-faced Ibis was recorded at the south end of Grand Lake, Chicot 19 July (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols).

Osprey is a rare and local breeder. Nesting was confirmed with 2 adults and one young on Lake Dardanelle, Yell 28 June (K&LN), while breeding was suspected of birds observed at Harris Brake, Perry 15 June and near Horse Head Lake Use Area on the Arkansas River, Johnson 4 July (both Ed Laster).

Very rare in summer away from the White River NWR, a Swallow-tailed Kite was a nice find near Sulphur Springs WMA, Miller 7 July (Clint Harris).

Though common in much of the state, Mississippi Kite is uncommon to rare in the extreme northwest counties. Singles were noted in Mountain Home, Baxter 9 July (Becky Steele) and Fayetteville, Washington 4 July (Mike & Christy Slay) while 3 adults and a “well grown” chick were seen at a nest site in Fayetteville, Washington 31 July (JN, Mike Mlodinow).

Rare and extremely local during the breeding season, a pair of Swainson’s Hawks near Gentry, Benton 23 July (JN) were most likely nesting nearby.

Rare anytime, an immature Laughing Gull was a nice find at Treadway’s Minnow Farms, Prairie 19 July (Terry Butler).

A very early Ring-billed Gull was seen on Lake Dardanelle, Yell 23 July (K&LN).

About the ninth state record and truly remarkable find, was a juvenile plumaged Sooty Tern, photographed near Mulberry, Crawford 17 June (Rick Carson). Most interesting about this occurrence is that it was not associated with a tropical storm as with all previous sightings.

Three Caspian Terns at Bois D’ Arc Lake, Hempstead 5 July (ML, Danny & Rhonda Townsend) were most likely very early fall migrants.

Two Black Terns on Lake Dardanelle, Yell 20 June (K&LN) were either very late spring or very early fall migrants.

Quite rare in summer, a Black-billed Cuckoo at Hector, Pope 12 July (Leif Anderson) was thought by the observer to most likely be a very early fall migrant.

A calling Willow Flycatcher at Hector, Pope 5 July (LA) was also thought to be an early fall migrant because it was in habitat unsuitable for nesting by this species.

Western Kingbird is a rare and local breeder. Two adults were found on a nest at Newark, Jackson while later the same day, another pair were found at nest near Russell, White 15 June (K&LN).

Ten Loggerhead Shrikes, including both adults and juveniles, were counted near Maysville, Benton 14 June (JN). This is a good count for this part of the state.

Considered a rare summer resident, three Cedar Waxwings were spotted at the Central Arkansas Water Grass Farm, Pulaski 17 June (Dan Scheiman, Donna Haynes, Robert Herron).

A Nashville Warbler was identified near Dardanelle, Yell on the very late date of 22 June (K&LN).

Local and very uncommon, two Cerulean Warblers were found on the St. Francis National Forest, Lee 25 June (Mitchell Pruitt).

A good count of ten Lark Sparrows was made near Maysville, Benton 6 July (JN).

  ––Kenny Nichols