© Wayne Patterson | Click image to enlarge
Bewick's Wren

Who can participate?
Anyone of any age and experience level with an interest in conservation and the means to conduct the survey.


How much time will it take?
Expect at least 8 hours in the field over two seasons, plus several hours to find study sites, obtain maps, and enter data. Your small expenditure of time can make a big difference for the conservation of the Bewick’s Wren!


Will I really make a difference?
YES! The information you help us collect is really needed if we are to conserve Bewick’s Wren in the state. There are many examples of citizen science survey programs at both state and continental levels where volunteers make important contributions to the state of our knowledge of the distribution and abundance of wildlife, and where that information has direct conservation applications. See for example Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, Cornell’s Birds In Forested Landscapes, Audubon and Cornell’s Great Backyard Bird Count, and Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission’s Box Turtle Survey.


How can I attract Bewick’s Wrens to my backyard?
To learn more about ways you can help the Bewick’s Wren in your own yard check out this fact sheet courtesy of Audubon At Home. Audubon At Home contains many tips for attracting birds and other wildlife to your yard.

If I know where a Bewick’s Wren currently lives can I survey that spot?
Yes. However, be sure to survey other sites with suitable Bewick’s Wren habitat as well. Be sure you know the difference between Bewick’s Wren and the similar looking but much more common Carolina Wren.

What will Audubon Arkansas and Arkansas State University do with the results?
We will estimate the current distribution and abundance of Bewick’s Wren in the state, and determine how habitat and competition affect the population. This knowledge will guide recovery actions for this high-priority, rapidly declining species. Our findings will be communicated to conservation agencies and the public across the state and nation, but as a survey participant, you’ll be the first to know.


Where can I learn more about birds and birdwatching in Arkansas?
Many resources can be found in bookstores and online. See our Wren Resources page for a list.