My Favorite Park in Arkansas Is a Little-Known Paradise for Birding

Do you love birds? Do you enjoy getting out into nature and bird watching? If so, then we have a park for you. Lake Chicot State Park in southeastern Arkansas is a birder's paradise, and the birds are there right now — waiting for you!

You may be thinking, "Hey, wait a minute—Lake Chicot is not a little-known Arkansas state park! It has over 100,000 visitors per year!" And yes, that's true. People come from all over the state to camp, hike, boat, and swim around Arkansas' largest natural lake, the largest oxbow lake in the United States.

However, you may not know that this lake is perfect for bird watching. If you are a bird watcher from Arkansas, the surrounding states, or beyond, this may be a spot for birding that is little known to you and one that you've previously overlooked! And if so, you must go.

Lake Chicot is beautiful. At one time, this lake was heavily polluted, but thanks to the hard work of conservationists, it has been returned to its original beauty. It was formerly the main channel of the Mississippi River, but over time, an oxbow lake formed here, and a park was created on the shores of that lake in 1957. Today, people come from all over to camp, boat, and fish at this spectacular lake.

This lake offers unique opportunities to boat and camp among cypress trees and also offers a striking bayou environment that is a joy to both wildlife and visitors alike. It's along a major migratory flyway, which means birds spot it from above while passing through and see that it's just what they seek; as a result, many stop over here for hours or days, and many others settle at Lake Chicot for even longer periods. It's not only a paradise for birders, but it's a paradise for the birds, too!

Get out your binoculars and head to the park. Over 206 different species have been spotted there. You're sure to see a wide variety of different birds during even a short visit, and if you settle in for a few days, your Birding Life List will grow by leaps and bounds.

On the water, you're likely to see a vast number of different types of waterfowl and wading birds, including geese, herons, egrets, ducks, cormorants, and many more. Even if you just stay on the edges of the lake, you'll likely see many shorebirds and wading birds wandering and looking for food.

Furthermore, there are lots of songbirds in this park as well. This prothonotary warbler is just one of many species you might see at Lake Chicot State Park, along with doves, vireos, finches, orioles, tanagers, bluebirds, and many others.

If raptors are what get you really fired up, then you'll be happy there, too. This park is full of hawks, kites, and even bald eagles!

Lake Chicot State Park is known for many things, but now you know that it's known for birdwatching, too. Next time you visit it for camping, boating, or hiking, take some time to take note of the birds you see. You will surely be amazed at the variety of birds in this park. Have a great trip!