Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Arkansas
Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | White County, Arkansas, United States |
| Nearest city | Bald Knob, Arkansas |
| Area | 15,022 acres (60.79 km2) |
| Established | 1993 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge |
The Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge is a huge natural area covering about 15,022 acres (which is about 60 square kilometers). It's located in White County, Arkansas, not far from the town of Bald Knob. This special place is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It's a very important spot for many birds, especially migratory waterfowl and bald eagles, who visit during the colder winter months.
The Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1993. The U.S. government bought a big rice farm to turn it into a protected area. The refuge has different types of land. About 4,522 acres are old farmland. There are also 4,201 acres of thick bottomland hardwood forests, which include wet areas called wetland sloughs and curved lakes known as oxbow lakes. A large part, 6,188 acres, is being replanted with trees to bring back the forest. The refuge is next to the Little Red River on its southern side. It's also close to another big wildlife area, the Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake State Wildlife Management Area.
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Discover the Amazing Wildlife at Bald Knob
This refuge is a safe habitat for many different animals. It's especially important for birds that travel long distances, known as migratory waterfowl. It also protects endangered species.
Why is the Refuge Important for Birds?
A big part of the refuge, about 12,900 acres, used to be a rice farm. It still has a large irrigation system. This system is now used to grow plants like rice, soybeans, corn, and millet. These crops are grown specifically to provide food and a home for the migratory waterfowl. The irrigation system also helps create wet areas for wading birds and muddy spots for shorebirds. It can even make it seem like hardwood forests are naturally flooding, which is good for wildlife.
The Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most important places for ducks to spend the winter in North America. It's a key stop for pintail ducks that are migrating. More than 200,000 pintail ducks have been counted here on a single day! Bald Knob has the largest winter population of pintails in all of Arkansas.
What Other Birds and Animals Live Here?
Besides pintails, many other waterfowl spend their winters here. These include mallards, blue-winged teal, wood ducks, Canada geese, and white-fronted and lesser snow geese. The mix of old farmland, river areas, forests, and empty fields creates a perfect home for these wintering birds.
You can also often spot bald eagles here during the winter months. Bird watching is a very popular activity at the refuge.
Can You Hunt or Visit the Refuge?
Yes, hunting for ducks and geese is allowed, but only under strict rules set by the refuge. You can also hunt for White-tailed deer, rabbits, and squirrels in the areas where new trees are being planted. Most of the refuge can be reached by special trails for all-terrain vehicles or by walking.
Other mammals that call this refuge home include raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, river otters, and beavers.
The refuge welcomes about 40,000 visitors each year. You can only visit during the day. Some parts of the refuge are closed to visitors to help protect the wildlife and their homes.
