The fall migration of many bird species make this a good time of year for bird-watching.
In Arkansas, state officials have a program for "birders" that adds some fun incentives to encourage this pursuit.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has revamped its Wings Over Arkansas program and is trying to bring more birders into the fold. The 20-year-old program rewards birdwatchers for the number of different species they document in their birdwatching adventures with special certificates of recognition and pins they can display as they move up in the ranks.
"There are six levels of advancement to the program," said Kirsten Bartlow, Watchable Wildlife program coordinator for the AGFC. "You start at 25 species with the Carolina chickadee level, and top out at the swallow-tailed kite level when you record 300 separate species sightings."
Bartlow worked with Karen Rowe, the AGFC's non-game migratory bird program coordinator to refine the list for the program and help beginning birders with the species they are most likely to encounter.
Participants in this free program receive an Arkansas Bird checklist as well as a free Arkansas Backyard Birds pocket guide to help them identify common species in Arkansas.
The pocket guide is also filled with new images of the most common bird species found in Arkansas and interesting tidbits about their behavior and habits.
Locally, many birdwatchers have good luck at Smith Park near Doddridge, according to the Miller County Conservation District.
(Visit www.agfc.com/wingsoverar online for more information on the program and downloadable materials, or you may call 501-223-6352 to request free printed guidebooks and brochures to get started.)