Pinnacle Mountain State Park Area:

Take highway 10 from it's intersection with I-430 and go six and a half miles west. Turn right on highway 300 and go two miles to the West Summit picnic area on the right. A level, paved, half mile walking trail ( Kingfisher Trail) has it's entrance and exit across the parking lot.

The Kingfisher trail is bottomland hardwood forest habitat, with some huge 500 year old Bald Cypress trees along the banks of the Little Maumelle River. The area is subject to flooding during the heavy spring rains. Birds commonly seen here include Barred Owls; Belted Kingfisher; Wood Duck ( the large nest boxes are provided by the park for these cavity nesting ducks ); Eastern Phoebe; Green-backed Heron; Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Red-bellied Woodpecker; Downy Woodpecker; Pileated Woodpecker; Acadian and Great Crested Flycatchers; Carolina Wren; White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos; Fish Crow; and Northern Parula. Several species of warbler nest here too, Yellow-throated, Prothonotary, and Kentucky. If you explore the Mountain itself look out for the Rufous-crowned Sparrow (uncommon) at the very eastern edge of it's range.

For lake side habitat on leaving the parking lot turn right on 300 and go 0.7 miles and turn left into the Little Rock Water Works / Maumelle Dam area. This is the best winter birding location here locally. Examine the cove just after making the turn in. Expect Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, all year, and in winter Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye. Continue straight ahead to the Maumelle Dam parking lot. From here look out over the lake in winter for Bald Eagle, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Ruddy Duck, and rarities include Olsquaw and Black Scoter.

A spotting Scope is highly recommended. Bring warm clothing in the winter.