Located on the edge of the transitional
zone where Eastern and
Western bird species merge, Millwood
Lake State Park is an ideal birding
locale. Though the park is only 835 acres,
the surrounding vicinity encompasses
more than 33,600 acres of diverse habitat,
where more than 325 species of birds have
been observed.
Millwood Lake has a diversity of
habitats, such as cypress swamp, freshwater
marsh, lowland bottoms, upland
hardwood, conifer, mixed forest, and
interspersed meadows. Two trails wind
through these habitats, giving visitors
ample opportunity to see and photograph
birds, such as the beautiful Painted Bunting,
above.
Waterfowl Way is a mile-and-a-half-long
hiking trail traversing the water’s
edge and lowland hardwood habitats, offering
sightings of Bald Eagles, Ospreys,
herons, egrets, and nesting Pied-billed
Grebes. Large numbers of Horned and
Eared grebes, Mallards, Canvasbacks,
Ring-necked Ducks, and other waterfowl
arrive in the fall and spend winter there.
Wildlife Lane is a four-mile walk
through mixed forest, lowland hardwoods,
and lakeside ecosystems. There you’ll
find various songbirds, both residents and
migrants, such as Carolina and Marsh
wrens, Lincoln’s Sparrows, Painted
Buntings, Blackpoll Warblers, and more.
Meadows and other open spaces are great
places to look for Dickcissels, Bobolinks,
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, and Greater
Roadrunners.
Two of the most popular birding
spots are the campground and the lake’s
spillway. The campground is ideal habitat
for Eastern Bluebirds, Blue Grosbeaks,
Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Brown-headed
Nuthatches. The spillway is usually
teeming with Great Blue, Little Blue,
and Green herons. Great and Snowy
egrets, Wood Storks, Double-crested
Cormorants, and White Pelicans can also
be found there.
Millwood Lake is also known for
rarities. Eighteen of Arkansas’s rare bird
sightings were first documented there.
The state rarities include Glossy Ibis,
American Black Duck, Purple Gallinule,
and Vermilion Flycatcher.
If you visit Millwood Lake State Park,
don’t forget your camera. The birds in
the park are accustomed to being around
people and are easy to approach. Only
two hours from Little Rock (an hour
and a half from Shreveport, Louisiana,
or 45 minutes from Texarkana, Texas),
Millwood Lake is one of the best birding
escapes in Arkansas.