If you enjoy bird watching, visit Crowley’s Ridge Parkway in Arkansas, a veritable birding paradise. Passing through a national forest and four marshy wildlife refuges, this byway teems with wildlife and bubbles over with chances to see migratory waterfowl and rare birds like the American Bald Eagle and Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
Visit the Big Lake Wildlife Refuge, and be sure to bring along a pair of binoculars and rubber boots. Once part of the Mississippi River, the refuge has been transformed by earthquakes into a marsh, ideal for nesting birds like ducks, geese, and osprey. Traverse the seemingly limitless man-made canals, and get up close to your favorite birds. Stop in from February to April to see Bald Eagles hatching their young.
For a paddleboat tour of the famous southern bottom woodland forests, make a stopover at the Cache River Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy the natural beauty of a refuge internationally recognized for its conservation efforts and find an amazing array of birds like Wild Turkeys, egrets, Mourning Doves, and sandpipers. With a great deal of luck, catch a glimpse of the elusive endangered Ivory-billed Woodpecker, which was feared to be extinct in 2004.
Located along the Mississippi River, the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge is an important stop for birds traveling the Mississippi Flyway. Thousands of migratory songbirds pass through it on their way to and from South America. Follow the winding, solitary driving trail in your search for Blue Heron and Canada Geese. If you don’t like pounding the beaten path, navigate the refuge in a sturdy fishing boat or canoe.
With over 300 lakes and ponds, White River National Wildlife Refuge houses two-thirds of the birds common to Arkansas. Come in the early morning or after a storm and see Bald Eagles, Blue Jays, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Camping is allowed at this refuge year-round, so pitch a tent and get the full wildlife experience. Don’t forget to pack a lunch, insect repellent, and a camera because you will want to spend the whole day exploring.
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway promises you plenty of winged eye candy. From majestic birds of prey like Bald Eagles and osprey, to graceful long-necked Canadian Geese, to the mysterious Ivory-billed Woodpecker, this byway offers a feast for the eyes as well as the imagination.
