I picked up Arkansas' first Neotropic Cormorant in St. Francis Co, while on my way to Mexico, one December morning. I had this bird fly across the expressway in the company of some Double-crested Cormorants. I whipped off the expressway and after an hours search found and photographed this lone bird. Shortly thereafter Kenny and LaDonna Nichols found others in central Ark, and these birds were later discovered nesting in the southwest part of that state.

Another first for Arkansas was a Brant I found at Wapanocca NWR in January 1990. I called Max and Helen Parker and sat on the bird until Charles Mills, Max and Helen drove over. Charles Mills has a photo of that bird. I don't think there has been another record since.