1. Cardinals Brightening the Bare Branches

Cardinals are winter icons in Northwest Arkansas. Their bright red feathers stand out beautifully against bare trees and muted meadows, making them easier to spot this time of year.

Where to See Them:

• Compton Gardens: Excellent cardinal habitat thanks to dense understory shrubs and winter food sources.

• Osage Park: Look for them in the forested areas of the Beaver Wetland and Urban Watershed.

• Coler: Frequently seen near forest edges, especially around the Homestead.

Tip: Cardinals often perch high to survey their surroundings. Scan treetops or listen for their clear morning call.

2. Wetland Birds That Stay Active All Winter

While much of the landscape settles into dormancy, the Osage Park wetland stays full of life. Winter brings ducks, red-winged blackbirds shifting through cattails, and great blue herons patrolling shallow water. Because wetlands maintain open water and consistent shelter, they become reliable winter habitat for many species.

Where to See Them:

• Osage Park: The floating boardwalks make perfect viewing platforms.

• Look for feeding behavior early in the morning and roosting activity late in the afternoon.

Note: These species are not typically found at Compton Gardens or Coler.

3. Seedheads That Feed Winter Birds

Though the blooms have faded, meadow plants still play a vital role in winter. Their dried seedheads provide nourishment for small birds and add beautiful structure to the landscape. At our community spaces, we intentionally leave seedheads standing through the winter to support wildlife!

What to Notice:
Birds perching on seedheads, feeding on coneflower and aster seeds, or flocking through grasses.

4. Tree Silhouettes Revealing Their Winter Architecture

Winter is the perfect season to appreciate the structure of native trees. Without leaves, you can clearly see branching patterns and shapes that help with tree recognition and deepen your understanding of local ecology.

Where to See Them:

• Compton Gardens: As an urban arboretum, this is one of the best places in Bentonville to study tree architecture up close.

• Coler: The forest canopy offers striking silhouettes of oaks, sycamores, and maples — especially at sunrise or sunset.

• Osage Park: Because the wetland is more open, silhouettes are visible but less prominent.Try observing them in the forested area between the Beaver Wetland and the Urban Watershed.

Try This: Hold your phone at chest height and take a silhouette photo against the sky — you’ll capture the unique character of each tree.

5. Tracks, Clues, and Tiny Winter Mysteries

Winter turns the parks into natural storybooks. Soft mud, frost, and leaf litter reveal signs of animals that often remain unseen.

Where to See Tracks:

• Coler: The best location for wildlife tracks — deer, squirrels, and birds leave patterns along trails and creek edges.

• Compton Gardens: Look for bird prints near puddles or small mammals along woodland borders. We have a resident groundhog, lots of chipmunks, and deer that travel over from Crystal Bridges.

• Osage Park: Tracks are less common but occasionally appear along edges of the wetland or in softer soil near the boardwalk entrances. The image above is of a beaver in the Beaver Wetlands.

What to Look For:
Distinct bird hops, deer hoof prints, squirrel bounding patterns, and the long-toed tracks of wading birds.

Winter Is Made for Quiet Discovery

Across all Peel Compton Foundation properties, winter invites us to slow down and appreciate the textures, sounds, and subtle wildlife movements that define this season. With fewer distractions and a calmer landscape, it becomes easier to connect with nature in meaningful ways.

We hope you enjoy exploring Osage Park, Compton Gardens, and Coler this winter — and discovering the small wonders waiting in the quiet.