American Bittern,Botaurus lentiginosus.
March 20 to May 8+ and three fall records: October 25, 1925 (specimen), October 9, 1983 at
Centerton and December 1 (Baerg 1951). Somewhat rare transient most often seen in spring
usually about one record each year. Baerg (1951) published a record from naturalist Dean
Crooks of Rogers, who found this species nesting in lenton County. When the bird is found,
he habitat is usually open, marshy ditcnes or the edges of impoundments. One was at Centerton
May 25, 1987.
Least Bittern,Ixobrychus exills.
Rare transient reported about six times: Dean Crooks saw one in Benton County May 25, 1938
(Baerg 1951); Callahan (1953) reported it at Lake Wedington, but no dates were given; one
was at Lake Fayetteville May 22, 1954; single birds were at the state fish hatchery in
Benton County on october 9, 1983, August 1 and 4, 1985, and May 25, 1987.