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ARBIRD-L for Tuesday, April 15, 2008
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Subject: Site Link and Press Kit for International Migratory Bird Day
From: Jerry W Davis <jwdavis(AT)FS.FED.US>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 8:44am
The IMBD page has a press kit, and activities in English and Spanish.
This will provide information for planning IMBD programs or teaching
sessions. The IMBD is the second Saturday in May.
http://www.birdday.org/atheme2008.php
Jerry W. Davis
Forest Wildlife Program Manager
Ouachita National Forest
PO Box 1270
Hot Springs, AR 71902-1270
501-321-5201 Voice
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: April 2008 - ANHC e-newsletter
From: Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission <michaelw(AT)ARKANSASHERITAGE.ORG>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 9:18am
<html xmlns:st1>
<head>
<title>Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission Enewsletter</title>
</head>
<body>
<p align=3D"center"><font size=3D"1">Having trouble viewing this=
email? <a=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3D1Cm-E3lH~h'>Read it o=
nline</a>.</font></p>
<table cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"598" align=3D=
"center" border=3D"0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt=3D"" src=3D"http://www.naturalheritage.=
org/images/enews/anhc_enews_header.jpg" border=3D"0" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td background=3D"http://www.naturalheritage.org/ima=
ges/enews/anhc_enews_content_tile.gif">
<table cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"=
598" border=3D"0">
<tbody>
<tr valign=3D"top">
<td width=3D"30" rowspan=3D"2"></td>
<td width=3D"400"><!-- MAIN CONTENT --><=
!-- END MAIN CONTENT --></td>
<td align=3D"center" width=3D"85" rowspa=
n=3D"2">
<p align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-si=
ze: 10pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><strong><span style=3D"font-si=
ze: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"=
><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size: 10pt"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span sty=
le=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"fo=
nt-size: 10pt"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verd=
ana">April<br />
</strong><span style=3D"font-family: Ver=
dana"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Ve=
rdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-size: 12p=
t"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 12pt">=
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt">2008</span></strong></span></span></span=
></span></span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></span></span=
></span></span></span></span></strong></span></span><span style=3D"font-=
family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font=
-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-size: 12pt"><span style=3D"font-fam=
ily: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 12pt"><span style=3D"font-size: =
10pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: =
8pt">
<hr color=3D"#000000" size=3D"2" />
<p> </p>
<p></span></strong></span></span></span>=
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>=
</p=
>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align=3D"center">
<div style=3D"font-size: 10pt" align=3D"=
left"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D=
"font-family: Verdana"><strong style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><br />
<br />
ANHC & Little Rock Zoo Partne=
r for E=
arth Day</strong></span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><=
span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 12pt"><span styl=
e=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><img style=3D"borde=
r-left-color: #000000; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-color: #=
000000; border-right-color: #000000" height=3D"252" alt=3D"" hspace=3D"4=
" src=3D"http://mailsage.aristotle.net/images/131/kidszoo.jpg" width=3D"=
180" align=3D"right" vspace=3D"4" border=3D"1" />The Arkansas Natural He=
ritage Commission (ANHC) will participate in the Little Rock Zoo’s=
Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 19th, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p=
.m. ANHC staff will be at the Zoo with educational material=
s and=20=
information about the Arkansas Box Turtle Survey. In addit=
ion to e=
ducational exhibits, the Zoo will also host its 11th Annual Zoo Photo Co=
ntest and the annual Arkansas Chili Appreciation Society International C=
hili Cook-off. Admis=
sion to the Earth Day Celebration events is free with general admission.=
For directions to the zoo and additional information, visi=
t </span=
></span></span></span></span><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span =
style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 12pt"><span style=3D"=
font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><a=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-Hll' target=3D=
"_blank">http://www.littlerockzoo.com/</a></span></span></span></span><;/=
span></span><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span styl=
e=3D"font-size: 12pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"fon=
t-size: 8pt">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
<div align=3D"left"></span></span><span =
style=3D"font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size:=
8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D=
"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"fon=
t-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 12pt"><span style=3D"font-f=
amily: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y: Verdana">Earth Day<span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"> is a name use=
d for two similar observances intended to inspire awareness of and appre=
ciation for the <span style=3D"color: windowtext">Earth</span>'s environ=
ment. The <span style=3D"color: windowtext">United Nations</span> celebr=
ates Earth Day each year on the <span style=3D"color: windowtext">March =
equinox</span>, while a global observance originated by U.S. Senator Gay=
lord Nelson as an environmental teach-in, is celebrated in many countrie=
s each year on <span style=3D"color: windowtext">April 22</span>nd, incl=
uding the U.S.</span><=
/span></span></span><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"> </div>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
</span></span></span></span></span></spa=
n></span></span>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family: Verdana">Following the Earth Day celebration inspir=
ed by Nelson, which demonstrated widespread grassroots support for envir=
onmental legislation, Congress passed many important environmental laws,=
including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, =
as well as laws to protect wilderness areas. The Environme=
ntal Pro=
tection Agency was created within three years after Earth Day 1970.=
By 1990, Earth Day celebrations mobilized=
200 million people in 1=
41 countries and helped pave the way for the 1992 </span></span><span st=
yle=3D"color: windowtext"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"=
font-family: Verdana">United Nations</span></span></span><span style=3D"=
font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"> </span></span><spa=
n style=3D"color: windowtext"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=
=3D"font-family:=
Verdana">Earth Summit</span></span></span><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt=
"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"> in </span></span><span style=3D"=
color: windowtext"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-fa=
mily: Verdana">Rio de Janeiro</span></span></span>.</span><span style=3D=
"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><br />
<br />
<span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span sty=
le=3D"font-family: Verdana">The organizers of the first April 22nd Earth=
Day in 1970 continue work today as the <span style=3D"color: windowtext=
">Earth Day Network</span>, which partners with over 17,000 organization=
s in 174 countries. Earth Day is the only event celebrated=
simulta=
neously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nation=
alities. More than a half billion people participate in Ea=
rth Day=20=
Network campaigns every year. For more information visit t=
he <a st=
yle=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-U3kH~h' target=3D=
"_blank">Earth Day Network</a>.</span>
<div>- <a href=3D"mailto:jane@arkansashe=
ritage.org" target=3D"_blank">Jane Jones-Schulz</a></div>
</span></div>
<div align=3D"left"></span><span style=3D=
"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><=
br />
<hr style=3D"width: 302px; height: 2px" =
color=3D"#000080" size=3D"2" />
<br />
<strong>ANHC Sponsors Awards at the 50th=
Annual Arkansas State Science Fair</strong></span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><br />
<span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><img styl=
e=3D"border-left-color: #000000; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-to=
p-color: #000000; border-right-color: #000000" height=3D"204" alt=3D"" h=
space=3D"4" src=3D"http://mailsage.aristotle.net/images/131/award2.jpg" =
width=3D"180" align=3D"right" vspace=3D"4" border=3D"1" />The ANHC has s=
upported local and regional science fairs for several years, providing s=
taff for judging and mentoring students. This year we expa=
nded our=
support to the state level by sponsoring awards at the state science fa=
ir. The Arkansas State Science Fair is sponsored by the Ar=
kansas S=
cience Fair Association. More than 250 students who alread=
y won fi=
rst, second, or third places at regional fairs in Arkadelphia, Batesvill=
e, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Hot Springs, and Monticello exh=
ibited their projects for judging April 2-3, 2008 at the Un=
iversity=
of Central Arkansas in Conway. </span>
<div> </div>
</span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span s=
tyle=3D"font-size: 8pt">The ANHC presented four awards for those project=
s that best reflect</span> the investigation of elements of ArkansasR=
17;s natural heritage. Two of the projects spanned multiple=
years o=
f work and related directly to rare habitats protected by the ANHC.=
The 2008 Arkansas Natural Heritage winners, their schools,=
and their pr=
ojects are:</span></div>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
<div align=3D"left"></span><span style=3D=
"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">=
=
Drew Emerson, LISA Academy, Little Ro=
ck – for his project investigating <br />
=
the =
impacts of red-imported fire ants (<em>Solenopsis invicta</em>) on soils=
of <br />
=
Warren=
Prairie Natural Area, with special attenti=
on to the impact on th=
e <br />
=
federally=
threatened plant, <em>Geocarpon minimum.</em></span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">=
=
=
<br />
=
Kate=
lyn Good – Alpena High School, Alpena - for her project completing=
four <br />
=
year=
s of study of the impacts of surrounding land-use activity on Baker=
<br />
=
Prai=
rie Natural Area and specifically the rare plant,royal catc=
hfly (<e=
m>Silene <br />
=
regi=
a</em>).</span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><br />
=
Kend=
ra Hendrix, Central High School, Little Rock – for her project exa=
mining<br />
=
the=20=
growth patterns of lichens on trees</span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><br />
=
Ashl=
ey Hickman, Lakeside Junior High School, Hot Springs – for her pro=
ject <br />
=
inve=
stigating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (<em>Archilochus colubris)</em> and=
color <br />
=
choi=
ces related to food preferences.</span></span></div>
<span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-fam=
ily: Verdana">
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 8pt">- <a href=3D"mailto:jane(AT)arkansasheritage.org" target=3D"_bla=
nk">Jane Jones-Schulz</a><br />
</span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><br />
<span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span sty=
le=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><strong>
<hr style=3D"width: 302px; height: 2px" =
color=3D"#000080" size=3D"2" />
<br />
Arkansas</strong></span></span></span></=
span><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D=
"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"fon=
t-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><strong>’s Last Prairi=
e Stronghold</strong></span></span> </div>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
<div align=3D"left"></span></span></span=
><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><sp=
an style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D=
"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt">=
<span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt; font=
-family: Verdana">Earlier this year, the ANHC received a grant to conduc=
t research on tallgrass prairie remnants of the Arkansas Valley.=
T=
he grant was awarded through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’=
;s (AGFC) <a style=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-H-h' target=3D=
"_blank">State Wildlife Grant Program</a>. This program, a=
dministe=
red by the AGFC, is federally funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife =
Service<span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">. The objectiv=
e of the=
grant program is to fund actions at the state-level that contribute to =
the conservation of rare non-game species and their associated habitats.=
</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style=3D"font-size: 8pt" align=3D"l=
eft">
<div> </div>
</span></span></span><span style=3D"font=
-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span =
style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><img style=3D"border-left-color: #000000; borde=
r-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-color: =
#000000" height=3D"291" alt=3D"" hspace=3D"4" src=3D"http://mailsage.ari=
stotle.net/images/131/TallgrassPrairie.jpg" width=3D"200" align=3D"right=
" vspace=3D"4" border=3D"1" />The ANHC’s grant, entitled “Su=
rveys for grassland birds, ornate box turtles, arogos skippers, and prai=
rie remnant habitat in the Arkansas Valley," is a multi-faceted research=
</span> effort that will examine populations of certain grassland-depend=
ent species as well as assess the current status of tallgrass prairie re=
mnants in the region. Tallgrass prairie is one of Arkansas=
’s=
rarest habitat types. Over 95% of the tallgrass prairie t=
hat once=
occurred in Arkansas has been lost to agricultural conversion or urban =
development.=
This massive loss of habitat has lead to significant decl=
ines in gras=
sland bird populations, some to the point of extirpation. <=
/span></=
span></div>
<p align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-si=
ze: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">The impre=
ssive <a style=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-H-l' target=3D=
"_blank">greater prairie-chicken</a> (<em>Tympanuchus cupido</em>) was o=
nce found, and regularly hunted, in the tallgrass prairies of Arkansas.=
Populations of greater prairie-chickens in Arkansas disap=
peared as=
the state’s native grasslands were plowed under or converted to n=
on-native pasture grasses. Conservation of grassland-depen=
dent spe=
cies that still occur in Arkansas will require the restoration of large =
blocks of tallgrass prairie back to Arkansas’s landscape.</span></=
span></p>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">The las=
t real stronghold for tallgrass prairie in our state is the Arkansas Val=
ley. <br />
The largest tracts of unplowed prairie l=
eft in Arkansas occur here. The ANHC owns sizeable remnant=
s in the=
form of <a style=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-H~h' target=3D=
"_blank">Cherokee</a> (pictured above) and <a style=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-H~l' target=3D=
"_blank">H.E. Flanagan Prairie Natural Areas</a>. The Natu=
re Conse=
rvancy protects another large remnant at its <a style=3D"color: #0000ff"=
=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-Lkh' target=3D=
"_blank">Presson-Ogelsby Preserve</a>. All three areas are=
situate=
d in Franklin County, just north of Charleston, and can be visited by th=
e public. The largest contiguous tract of tallgrass prairi=
e in the=
Arkansas Valley is within the confines of Fort Chaffee. H=
owever,=20=
these prairies are not accessible to the general public due to ongoing m=
ilitary training activities. A patchwork of privately-owne=
d tallgr=
ass prairie remnants occurs around these publicly-held sites.=
Oppo=
rtunities for prairie<br />
conservation are great here given that m=
uch of the surrounding landscape is<br />
managed for cattle-grazing and hay produ=
ction.</span></div>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
</span>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><img st=
yle=3D"border-left-color: #000000; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-=
top-color: #000000; border-right-color: #000000" height=3D"202" alt=3D""=
hspace=3D"4" src=3D"http://mailsage.aristotle.net/images/131/akin.jpg" =
width=3D"220" align=3D"right" vspace=3D"4" border=3D"1" />One phase of t=
he ANHC’s Arkansas Valley research will be examining the status of=
known prairie remnants in the region. <a href=3D"mailto:j=
ennifera=
@arkansasheritage.org" target=3D"_blank">Jennifer Akin</a> =
(picture=
d at right), the ANHC’s conservation biologist, is coordinating a =
two-year effort to ground-truth sites that were previously mapped by the=
ANHC and TNC as tallgrass prairie remnants or potential remnants.=
=
Sites were mapped as remnants through use of aerial photography, soil m=
aps, and previous field surveys. Since data from past fiel=
d survey=
s is now two to thre=
e decades old, new surveys need to be conducted to inspect the size and =
status of the prairie remnants. Akins’s field survey=
s, which=
began just this month, will firmly establish the size and condition of =
remnants in the Arkansas Valley. This data, previously una=
vailable=
, will be critical to future efforts to protect and, ultimately restore,=
large blocks of tallgrass prairie back to the Arkansas Valley.<br />
- <a href=3D"mailto:michaelw@arkansasher=
itage.org" target=3D"_blank">Michael D. Warriner</a><br />
</div>
</span>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
<div align=3D"left">
<hr style=3D"width: 302px; height: 2px" =
color=3D"#000080" size=3D"2" />
</div>
<div align=3D"left"></span><span style=3D=
"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><=
span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span=
style=3D"font-size: 10pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span st=
yle=3D"font-family: Verdana"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><spa=
n style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">=
<strong><br />
Glade Minds Think Alike</strong></div>
<div align=3D"left"> </div>
<div align=3D"left"></span></span></span=
></span></span></strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></span=
><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><sp=
an style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D=
"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt">=
<span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt; font=
-family: Verdana"><a=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-Lkl' target=3D=
"_blank"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verd=
ana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span=
style=3D"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-siz=
e: 14pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: =
8pt; font-family: Verdana"><img style=3D"border-left-color: #000000; bor=
der-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-color=
: #000000" height=3D"206" alt=3D"" hspace=3D"4" src=3D"http://mailsage.a=
ristotle.net/images/131/MiddleFork.jpg" width=3D"275" align=3D"right" vs=
pace=3D"4" border=3D"1" />Theo Witsell</span></span></span></span></span=
></span></span></span></a><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">, ANHC=
217;s botanist <br />
and Arkansas’s resident expert <br=
/>
on glades, hosted one of North America&#=
8217;s foremost experts on the subject, Dr. Jerry Baskin, on a tour of a=
number of glade sites recently. Baskin helped write <br />
the book on glades in eastern North Amer=
ica, literally – see <em><span style=3D"color: black; font-family:=
Verdana"><a style=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-Llh' target=3D=
"_blank"><em><span style=3D"color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana">Savann=
as, Barrens, and Rock Outcrop Plant Communities of North America</span><=
/em></a></em><span style=3D"color: black; font-family: Verdana">.</span>=
<span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"> Baskin, a long-time =
plant ec=
ologist at the University of Kentucky, has <br />
been researching the plant biodiversity =
of glade and rock outcrop communities for decades. In Arka=
nsas to=20=
deliver </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style=3D"=
font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt"><=
span style=3D"font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana">a lecture at the Uni=
versity of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Baskin was interested in seeing som=
e of Arkansas’s glades. Glades are very unique natura=
l commun=
ities, characterized by thin, rocky soils and open, dry conditions.=
Depending on soil conditions, glades are similar to eithe=
r an open, ro=
cky desert or a dry, rocky prairie. These sites are known =
to host=20=
a number of specialized and rare plant species, some of which are restri=
cted to glade habitats only. Arkansas has a range of glade=
types,=20=
all classified based upon the dominant rock type exposed at the site.=
Shale, novaculite, and sandstone glades occur in the Ouach=
ita Mount=
ains while </span></span><span style=3D"font-size: 14pt"><span style=3D"=
font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdan=
a">sandstone, limestone, and dolomite glades dominate in the Ozarks.=
One of the sites visited was the ANHC’s <a style=3D=
"color: #000=
0ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-Lll' target=3D=
"_blank">Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area </a>(pictured above) in Saline=
County. Middle Fork Barrens contains relatively undisturb=
ed shale=
glades surrounded by mixed pine-hardwood woodlands. Nine p=
lants of=
conservation concern are currently known from the natural area, includi=
ng Pelton’s rose-gentian, a plant species restricted to a handful =
of glades in Saline County.</span></span></span></span></span></span></s=
pan></span><span><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><br />
</div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 8pt">- <a href=3D"mailto:michaelw(AT)arkansasheritage.org" target=3D"=
_blank">Michael D. Warriner</a></span></span><span style=3D"font-size: 8=
pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">=
<br />
</div>
<div align=3D"left"><strong>
<hr style=3D"width: 302px; height: 2px" =
color=3D"#000080" size=3D"2" />
</strong></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><br />
<span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><strong>C=
onservation Partners:<br />
Constructing a Natural State Stream</str=
ong>
<div><a style=3D"color: #0000ff" href=3D=
"mailto:jharrod(AT)tnc.org" target=3D"_blank">Jay Harrod</a>, The Nature Co=
nservancy, Arkansas Field Office</div>
</span></span></div>
<p align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-si=
ze: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><a style=3D=
"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-L-h' target=3D=
"_blank"><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span sty=
le=3D"font-size: 8pt"><img style=3D"border-left-color: #000000; border-b=
ottom-color: #000000; border-top-color: #000000; border-right-color: #00=
0000" height=3D"187" alt=3D"" hspace=3D"4" src=3D"http://mailsage.aristo=
tle.net/images/131/Josh.jpg" width=3D"250" align=3D"right" vspace=3D"4" =
border=3D"1" />The Nature Conservancy</span></span></a> is =
close to=
wrapping up its efforts to turn an agricultural ditch that flows into B=
ayou DeView back into a naturally flowing stream, complete with meanders=
and wetlands. The Conservancy began the restoration proje=
ct at Be=
nson Slash Creek in September 2006 to reduce sedimentation in Bayou DeVi=
ew and to restore habitat for native plants and animals. T=
his spri=
ng, Conservancy staff will plant 20 acres adjacent to the stream with bo=
ttomland hardwood seedlings, and they anticipate that in 2009 an additio=
nal 415 acres of sur=
rounding farmland will be reforested through the USDA’s Wetlands R=
eserve Program (WRP). </span></span></p>
<p align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-si=
ze: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">More than=
30 volunteers recently gathered at the east Arkansas site north of Brin=
kley equipped with rubber mallets they used to drive 3,000 live willow s=
takes into the ground. Once the willows take root, they’ll keep th=
e newly constructed stream banks in place. </span></span></p>
<p align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-si=
ze: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">Thousands=
of miles of eroding ditches occur in the Delta, and the Conservancy and=
its partners are learning valuable lessons from this project and using =
it as a demonstration site that could help guide future stream restorati=
on efforts. </span></span></p>
<p align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-si=
ze: 10pt; font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">Support f=
or the project came from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Priv=
ate Stewardship Grant program and from the Wolf Creek Charitable Foundat=
ion as well as from Conservancy members, whose donations are being used =
to match WRP funding. See the Benson Slash Creek restoration project fro=
m its beginning and view dozens of photographs at the <a style=3D"color:=
#0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-L-l' target=3D=
"_blank">Big Woods Stream Restoration blog</a>.</span></span></p>
<div align=3D"left"><br />
<br />
<strong>Upcoming Events</strong> </span>=
</span></span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Ve=
rdana"> </span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><span style=3D"font-=
size: 8pt"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-fa=
mily: Verdana"><span style=3D"color: #000000"><span style=3D"font-size: =
8pt"><strong>April 13-19. </strong></span></span> <a style=
=3D"color=
: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8W-F7-L~h' target=3D=
"_blank">National Environmental Education Week</a></span></span></strong=
><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><sp=
an style=3D"color: #000000">. <span style=3D"font-size: 10=
pt; font=
-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-fam=
ily: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">National Environmental Educ=
ation Week (EE Week) is the largest organized environmental education ev=
ent in the United States. Made possible by the National Env=
ironment=
al Education Foundation, with financial support from Canon, it increases=
the educational impact of Earth Day by actively engaging students and e=
ducators in a special week of environmental learning before Earth Day.=
The </span></span></span><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><=
span style=
=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt">ANHC is a EE We=
ek partner.</span></span></span></span><br />
</span></span></span><span style=3D"font=
-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><br />
<span style=3D"color: #000000"><strong>M=
ay 14, 2008. <st1:state w:st=3D"on"><st1:p=
lace w:st=3D"on"><s=
pan>Arkansas</span></st1:place></st1:state></strong><span><strong> Natur=
al Heritage Commission Meeting:</strong> The Arkansas Natural Heritage C=
ommission and staff will meet at 11:00 a.m. at the Potlatch Learning Cen=
ter, 810 West Pine Street, Warren, Arkansas.</span></span> =
<br />
</span></span></div>
<div align=3D"left"><strong><br />
<span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span sty=
le=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"color: #000000">October 14-17=
, 2008.</span> </span></span><a style=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3D1Cn-E7lHkh' target=3D=
"_blank"><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verd=
ana">35th Annual Natural Areas Conference</span></span></a><span style=3D=
"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">. </=
span></s=
pan></strong><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: =
Verdana"><span style=3D"color: #000000">Doubletree Hotel, Nashville, Ten=
nessee.</span> </span></span>
<div><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><spa=
n style=3D"font-family: Verdana"> </span></span></div>
<strong><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><=
span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"color: #000000"><stro=
ng>November 17-20, 2008.</strong></span> </span></span></s=
trong><a=
style=3D"color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3D1Cn-E7lHkl' target=3D=
"_blank"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><span style=3D"color: #0=
000ff; font-family: Verdana">15th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Resear=
ch Conference</span></span></strong></a><span style=3D"font-size: 8pt"><=
span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">. <span style=3D"color=
: #00000=
0">Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Arkansas.</span></span></=
span></span></span></div>
<p align=3D"left"><br />
</p>
<p align=3D"center"><font size=3D"1">Thi=
s email was sent to=20
ARBIRD-L(AT)LISTSERV.UARK.EDU from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. If you
are not inte=
rested in this type of information, you may <a=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3D1Cm-E3lLkl'>unsubscri=
be</a>. </font></p>
<div>
<div><img style=3D"width: 101px; height:=
101px" height=3D"101" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://mailsage.aristotle.net/ima=
ges/131/AHNClogo.jpg" width=3D"101" border=3D"0" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"fon=
t-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font=
-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><fo=
nt size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-fa=
mily: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><spa=
n style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><fon=
t size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-fam=
ily: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span st=
yle=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family:=
Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: =
Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahom=
a"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Verda=
na"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Ari=
al"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D=
"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span style=3D"=
font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma=
"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"=
><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"fon=
t-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">=
<span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">=
<font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font=
-family: Arial"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><sp=
an style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><spa=
n style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span sty=
le=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><font size=3D"1"><span style=3D"font-family: T=
ahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family: V=
erdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family:=
Arial"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana">ARKANSAS NATURAL HE=
RITAGE COMMISSION<br />
</span></strong><span style=3D"font-size=
: 8pt"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: =
Arial">An Agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage<br />
1500 Tower Building, 323 Center Street<b=
r />
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201<br />
Phone: (501) 324-9619 / Fax: (501) 324-9=
618 / TDD: (501) 324-9150<br />
</span><span style=3D"font-family: Verda=
na"><font size=3D"1"><a href=3D"mailto:arkansas(AT)naturalheritage.org"><sp=
an style=3D"font-family: Arial"><strong style=3D"font-size: 8pt">arkansa=
s(AT)naturalheritage.org</strong></span></a></font><span style=3D"font-fami=
ly: Arial"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sp=
an></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span=
></span></span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></font><=
/span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></s=
pan></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></spa=
n></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font>=
</span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></=
font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span><span style=3D"fon=
t-family: Tahoma">
<div>
<div><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"=
><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdan=
a"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"> </span></span></sp=
an></spa=
n></div>
</div>
</span></font></div>
<div>
<div><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"=
><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdan=
a"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"> </span></span></sp=
an></spa=
n></div>
<div style=3D"font-size: 8pt; font-famil=
y: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-fami=
ly: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-fa=
mily: Verdana">An agency of the </span></span></span></span><a style=3D"=
color: #0000ff"=20
href=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=3DG8WwF3~H~l' target=3D=
"_blank"><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"><span style=3D"font-family:=
Verdana"><span style=3D"font-family: Verdana"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y: Verdana">Department of Arkansas Heritage</span></span></span></span><=
/a></div>
</div>
<div><span style=3D"font-family: Tahoma"=
> </span></div>
<div><img style=3D"width: 103px; height:=
59px" height=3D"59" alt=3D"" src=3D"http://mailsage.aristotle.net/image=
s/131/DAHlogo.jpg" width=3D"103" border=3D"0" /></div>
<div> </div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt=3D"" src=3D"http://www.naturalheritage.=
org/images/enews/anhc_enews_footer.jpg" border=3D"0" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>
<img src=3D'http://click.aristotle.net/viewlogger.aspx?mid=3D6839=
&uid=3D3882363' width=3D1 height=3D1>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: big bills & a consolation prize
From: Joe Neal <jneal(AT)FS.FED.US>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 9:23am
The Fayetteville area had a HUGE rainstorm on Wednesday night, April 9. I
got errands done ahead of time on the 10th, and headed over to Chesney
Prairie Natural Area around mid-afternoon, back to the flooded former
prairie field just SW of Chesney (recently with big flocks of
golden-plovers). When I drove up at 3 PM, I immediately saw this huge
shorebird with an amazingly large decurved bill, midst a horde of 'legs,
teal, etc. It was like, well 2X or 3X anything else in the field. I've seen
and photographed the Long-billed Curlews that winter in southern
Texas...couldn't be that...or could it?
Looking back on the mid-1980s, writing that species account for Arkansas
Birds, I felt sure I would NEVER see a Long-billed Curlew in Arkansas, and
certainly not in NWA. Yet, there it was, foraging constantly on the endemic
terrestrial crayfish characteristic of the mesic former prairies in NWA
(also some huge worms). That big beak would disappear, then up it would
come with all those legs wiggling on the sides. The heavy spring rains that
made playas of the former prairie fields must have delivered those crawfish
right up to the curlews and everybirdy else there. I suspect what we have
been seeing is an ecological reality stretching far back in time. That's
what makes the scene so fascinating to the ecologist in me: it's more than
just birds; it's a process of which the birds are a part.
When I did get to a phone after 4 PM, Joe Woolbright immediately came out
to study with me. Using his cell, I tried a bunch of calls, did reach Kenny
Nichols, and he posted on ARBIRD. Brandon Schmidt of Fayetteville read
Kenny's post, and got there before dark. His images can be viewed on Dennis
Braddy's site. I collected a bunch of images and some could have been good
ones. However, I failed to notice I had my camera inadvertently set on low
resolution.
Then came Friday, and several folks drove hours and tried for the curlew,
though as far as I know, it was not seen after Thursday. However, Kenny &
Ladonna Nichols & Dick Baxter found 2 Marbled Godwits just south of the
state fish hatchery. I, as well as others, got to see these birds. Thank
you for your efforts on Friday, and for this "consolation" prize, also a
considerable rarity in NWA. The godwits certainly constitute a consolation
prize in the now immortal words of Kenny Nichols upon LaDonna's spotting of
a Prairie Falcon on a day this last winter that did not yield the Northern
Shrike at Maysville. I guess that huge storm brought them in, too.
I have curlew images I'm willing to share, though they will not be entered
in this year's Washington County Fair. There's that big bill, no mistake
about it, but...well... I was one seriously disappointed digiscoper when I
realized my error.
JOSEPH C. NEAL, biologist
Poteau Ranger District, Ouachita NF
P.O. Box 2255 (1541 Highway 248 W)
Waldron, AR 72958
jneal(AT)fs.fed.us 479-637-4174
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: ORIOLES
From: Mary Lancaster <mgaillan(AT)HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 11:33am
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
INDIGO BUNTINGS HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE FEEDER FOR A WEEK . THIS MORNING HA=
D MY FOY ORCHARD ORIOLE, IT WAS ON THE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER.=20
LIFE IS GOOD
MARY
SALINE COUNTY
_________________________________________________________________
Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger.
http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM=
_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_042008=
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: ASCA April Field Trip Report
From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Karen_Holliday?= <karenh(AT)ARKLEG.STATE.AR.US>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 11:38am
Camp Robinson Special Use Area and Woolly Hollow State Park
April 12, 2008
Our April trip was scheduled for Cook’s Lake and the new Visitors Center at
the White River NWR. Due to severe flooding at both sites, plus a
significant inundation of buffalo gnats at Cook’s Lake, we changed our
destination to a bug-free and higher-ground location. Saturday morning,
seventeen birders headed to the Camp Robinson Special Use Area to find
Bachman’s Sparrows. The day was cool and very windy. Arriving at the site,
we heard several sparrows singing over the noise of the wind. We weren’t
able to get the birds to tee up in the wind, except in one instance, giving
part of the group a good but quick look.
The group then drove to Woolly Hollow State Park. Jerry Butler met us there
and reported seeing a Blue-winged Warbler and an osprey while he waited for
us to arrive. Jeff Lawrence, a beginning birder from Greenbrier, was
pleased to join us. We walked the first part of the Huckleberry Trail, from
the trail head to the campground. It was still windy and birds were scarce,
but several critters were out enjoying the sunshine. We spotted skinks,
lizards, two garter snakes, plus a multitude of butterflies and lovely
spring flowers. The dogwoods were numerous and quite showy. After a picnic
lunch, several birders stayed to walk the trail below the dam. We didn’t
relocate Jerry’s Blue-winged Warbler but did find a Northern Parula, a life,
state, and year bird for several.
Some of the group needed a Louisiana Waterthrush, so we headed back to Camp
Robinson to a location where a pair of Waterthrush nest each year. No sign
of the birds. The stream in their little ravine has been quite high for a
while due to all the rain, which might be one reason the birds weren’t
there. We had a total of 34 species for the day.
Karen Holliday
Maumelle, Pulaski Co.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Cliff Swallows
From: Sandy Berger <fsbirdlady(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 1:57pm
Are CLSWs as abundant in the rest of Arkansas as they
are here? A few years ago I had to drive up to what
used to be Lake Shepherd Springs to see a couple of
them. Now they nest on every Arkansas River bridge
here in FS and on other bridges too.
Sandy B.
FS, AR
____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RCW follow-up
From: Judy Blackwell <blackwelltj(AT)SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 2:50pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Thanks to everyone who responded to my plea for information concerning =
the boarding up of red-cockaded woodpecker holes in the Carthage area.
All is well. The timber company that owns the property is ccoperating =
with the forest service in research and in the translocation of the =
birds to an area that is more beneficial to their health and longevity. =
Thanks again,
Judy Blackwell
Benton, AR
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Buffalo Gnats
From: Ed Laster <elaster523(AT)SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 3:06pm
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Since Karen Holliday mentioned Buffalo Gnats, and it has been several years
since we discussed these critters on this list, I offer the following:
Some people seem to be more reactive (and I'm one of them) to the bite than
others and in bad cases the whelps left by the bite are significant. I got most
of my information from postings of people in Texas, some of whom call them
Black-flys, but they don't look like the Canadian ones to me.
Anyway, they are in swarms (like gnats) and will attack quickly. DEET has
little effect for me but thankfully the folks in Texas reported the benefits of
using liquid vanilla. I apply a liberal dab around my ears and jaw, since that's
where they usually bite me, and it works very well.
So, this time of year you may think someone in the group is eating cookies, but
it's just me trying to fool the Buffalo Gnats.
Ed Laster
Little Rock
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Subject: info on Devil's Den field trip during Ark Audubon Society
meeting
From: Joe Neal <jneal(AT)FS.FED.US>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 3:36pm
This is kind of a long posting. I thought it would be helpful to anyone
planning on going to the AAS meeting April 25-27, 2008. This is a field
trip that I'm leading, and this is what I have in mind...subject to what
may interest any who join me (we can make changes):
Field trip to
DEVIL’S DEN STATE PARK (DDSP) & CARTWRIGHT MOUNTAIN (CM)
Arkansas Audubon Society meeting Saturday April 26, 2008
DDSP and CM are in the Boston Mountains section of the Ozark Plateaus,
with elevations ranging generally between 1500 and 2300 feet. Both lie
in the most rugged sections of the Bostons, and hence have been least
impacted by development. The mixed-species predominantly hardwood
forests, sandstone bluffs, deep valleys with boulder-strewn fast-running
streams, and massive, flat-topped mountains (actually, remnants of an
eroded plain), and fine wildflower displays, form an attractive
landscape. Much of this area is in the Ozark National Forest.
Our field trip on Saturday April 26, 2008, during the AAS meeting, will
take in the broad sweep of this landscape, including break-taking views
& close up birding in a variety of habitats. It will be possible for
those with mobility limitations to enjoy the field trips. That is, there
will be some hiking over uneven terrain, but there will also be many
opportunities to bird-from-or-near-the-car, in the same areas. We will
accommodate both types of birding as well as enjoy the flowers that are
abundant at this time of year.
DDSP & CM can be extraordinarily productive during a migration “fall
out,” and are predictably diverse and interesting. You can expect to see
or hear a good sampling of the breeding birds typical of the Boston
Mountains (for example, look at page 37 in Arkansas Birds for the
species of upland forests in NW AR, and page 39 for bottomland forests).
I will meet anyone interested at the office/visitor’s center at DDSP at
8:30 AM on Saturday morning April 26. This relatively “late” start
allows leisurely travel from Fort Smith. I expect to be there at least
an hour earlier myself and you are welcome to come earlier, too. Maybe
we early birds will get the best worms?
At DDSP, between 8:30 and approximately 11:30 AM, we will bird open
field and parkland habitat with riparian forest along Lee Creek and also
check out rocky uplands rising above the creek. There is pavement all
over this area, so those who need to stay close to the car, or are using
wheel chairs, can join in, too.
At approximately 11:30, those who want to continue on to CM travel from
DDSP to Winslow, on AR 74 (approximately 13 miles). (It’s fine if you
want to remain in the park, too.) The drive to Winslow gets us to about
noon, and lunch, and my plans now are to drive to north at the
intersection of 74 and 71, go 0.5 miles to the Finish Line country
station and café in Winslow.
Then, we will take 71 south for about 7.5 miles, to Artist Point and the
Artist Point Gift Shop. I expect to be at Artist Point at 12:30 to meet
anyone who wants to bird CM (that is, you could miss DD and just meet us
at Artist Point). At about 12:30 we’ll go just a short distance south on
71, to the intersection of 71 & Cartwright Mountain Road.
Cartwright Mountain Road is about 3 miles long, and covers various
upland habitats typical of the Boston Mountains. It will be interesting
and birdy. I expect to do sort of a modified breeding bird survey over
the 3 miles – that is, drive & stop, look & listen, then move on. Lots
of scenic views all over this area, and many of the typical birds that
nest here, as well as migrants. I expect to wrap up by around 2:30,
though of course you are welcome to expand your own trip.
CM Road loops back to 71, and it’s an easy drive back to the meeting.
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Subject: Diatomaceous Earth: Now What?
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd(AT)ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 3:40pm
Ok - I have the diatomaceous earth - 50# of it in fact.
Any suggestions on how dense this should be spread, or how far 50 pounds will
go? My main objective is getting these accursed ticks under control without
poisoning everything that moves.
The bag doesn't provide a lot of help in this area.
Thanks!
George
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Subject: Re: Cliff Swallows
From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Ross_Everett?= <reverett(AT)NORTHLITTLEROCK.AR.GOV>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 4:35pm
Sandy I was out on the water at Lake Maumelle on April 4th or 5th I can't
remember which ,and passed under the Hwy 10 bridge upon which were roughly
200 to 300 cliff and barn swallow nests. We had a really amazing view with
the high water putting us only about 10 feet below sitting in the boat. As
you may or may not know Lake Maumelle is only a few miles west of Little
Rock.
Ross Everett
Ward/North Little Rock
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Subject: Landfill expansion
From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Ross_Everett?= <reverett(AT)NORTHLITTLEROCK.AR.GOV>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 5:02pm
Did anyone see the news report that ran on the news last night 4/14/08
about the Two Pines Landfill between Sherwood and Jacksonville along 67/167.
The company that owns/runs the landfill is in the process of trying to get
a permit to expand to the north of I-440 towards Jacksonville.
This concerns me very much as there are several large water impoundments in
the proposed area that are utilised extensively by Shorebirds and Waterfowl
almost year-around. I periodically will travel down I-440 and see a few
hundred birds using the area. It would be a shame to displace them for the
use of a landfill.
I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.
Ross Everett
Ward/North Little Rock
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Subject: Re: Landfill expansion
From: Jeffrey Short <bashman(AT)EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 6:03pm
Were some of those water areas created by the landfill as it "borrowed" dirt
to cover the refuse?
Jeff Short
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Subject: Re: Diatomaceous Earth: Now What?
From: Jeffrey Short <bashman(AT)EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 6:11pm
I have a duster device that I use for my garden. It has a hand crank that
blows a nice mist of DE and you can direct it beneath the leaves as well.
You may be able to get one from Nitron Industries in Johnson City (between
Fayetteville and Springdale). I would think that type of application would
work for your yard since you will be needing to put it on the vegetation
above the ground too. You'll have an arm like Popeye by the time you apply
50 lb.
Be sure to wear a dust mask to keep from inhaling it.
Jeff Short
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Subject: Re: Buffalo Gnats
From: agfckrowe <agfckrowe(AT)FUTURA.NET>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 7:17pm
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When I first moved to the Delta, they caused severe reactions in me, but
now after living here about 20 years, they don't even bite me anymore.
Mosquitoes are the same way. I wonder if its something in the water?
I have noticed mosquitoes attacking Delta non-residents - do they smell
"fresh meat"?
Thanks to the high water, the gnats are terrible and according to my
husband, a 58 year resident of Arkansas County, they are the worst he
can remember.
Karen Rowe
Down in the swamps of Arkansas County
-----Original Message-----
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List
[mailto:ARBIRD-L(AT)LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Ed Laster
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 3:06 PM
To: ARBIRD-L(AT)LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Subject: Buffalo Gnats
Since Karen Holliday mentioned Buffalo Gnats, and it has been several
years since we discussed these critters on this list, I offer the
following:
Some people seem to be more reactive (and I'm one of them) to the bite
than others and in bad cases the whelps left by the bite are
significant. I got most of my information from postings of people in
Texas, some of whom call them Black-flys, but they don't look like the
Canadian ones to me.
Anyway, they are in swarms (like gnats) and will attack quickly. DEET
has little effect for me but thankfully the folks in Texas reported the
benefits of using liquid vanilla. I apply a liberal dab around my ears
and jaw, since that's where they usually bite me, and it works very
well.
So, this time of year you may think someone in the group is eating
cookies, but it's just me trying to fool the Buffalo Gnats.
Ed Laster
Little Rock
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Subject: Red-Headed
From: Robert Weiss <kofkpastor(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 8:48pm
Hello all,
Late this afternoon I spotted a lone Red-Headed
Woodpecker at the boat launch site of Pinnacle Mt.
State Park.
I regularly see them at Maumelle Park (as I did later
when on moved onto that location) but this is the
first at Pinnacle.
Also, thanks to all for a great field trip on Saturday
Rob
West Little Rock
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Subject: Swan report
From: David Luneau <mdluneau(AT)UALR.EDU>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 9:21pm
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A friend reported seeing three swans today on Hurricane Lake in the
Benton/Bryant area. The batteries were dead in his camera, so he didn't get
a picture. Later in the day he saw a single swan, but when he got his camera
(with fresh batteries) and went back outside to hunt it down, it was gone.
He says he will be better prepared tomorrow. He said the swans were all
white and "huge". His guess was that they were trumpeters, but he didn't get
close enough to get any field marks.
This area is what I would call a suburban subdivision that is built around
the lake.
Has anyone heard of any reports of swans in this area?
--
M. David Luneau, Jr., P.E.
Associate Professor of Electronics
Department of Engineering Technology
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 S. University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72204
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Subject: Nocturnal FOY
From: Janine Perlman <jpandjf(AT)SWBELL.NET>
Date: 15 Apr 2008 9:54pm
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Just heard a Chuck-Will's-Widow to the east of our house.
Janine Perlman
Alexander Mt., Saline Co.
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