Winter Birding Guide: Explore the Tennessee RiverLine’s Top Birdwatching Destinations
by Jennifer Webster, Programs Manager for the Tennessee RiverLine
The Tennessee RiverLine offers some of the South’s best winter birdwatching opportunities. Thousands of migratory and resident birds can be spotted along the river’s protected shorelines, wildlife refuges, and scenic overlooks.
Winter birding is a perfect way to enjoy the river during the cold water season. The Tennessee River Valley is home to an array of permanent resident and migratory species of birds during the winter along our protected shoreline and open water.
Use the Merlin app (Cornell Ornithology Lab) (android, apple) to identify birds by sight or sound as you enjoy a winter excursion along the Tennessee RiverLine. And don’t forget to share your sightings of Tennessee RiverLine birds in your RiverTown through the iSpy652 project on iNaturalist to contribute to our regional birding data!
If you are unsure where to start or exploring new areas along the riverline, here is a small sampling of the top spots to enjoy birding along the Tennessee River:
Birding Spots in East Tennessee
Ijams Nature Center trails – Knoxville, TN - extensive trail system with forest canopy hosting migratory warblers as well as a large variety of resident songbirds
Seven Islands State Birding Park – Knoxville, TN - along the French Broad River just upstream from the beginning of the Tennessee River
Yuchi Refuge – Spring City, TN – a less traveled Wildlife Management Area with a wide variety of songbirds, raptors, wading birds (winter Sandhill Crane population) and waterfowl. Note that the refuge is open to deer hunting, so wear blaze clothing and understand hunting seasons and heavily hunted areas of the refuge.
Hiawassee National Wildlife Refuge - Meigs County, TN - best known as the gathering area for Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes in East Tennessee. Expect cranes to begin gathering on the refuge in November with the highest concentrations building until January. Other species of waterfowl and raptors can be easily spotted at this location.
Tennessee River Gorge – between Chattanooga, TN and South Pittsburg, TN - This area of the river never disappoints in beauty either through bird watching or simply walking the trails and overlooks. See this article from our partners at Tennessee River Gorge Trust for birding site descriptions and maps.
Bird Watching Destinations in North Alabama
Too many spots to list! All along the Alabama portion of the Tennessee River are birding hotspots identified as locations along the Alabama State Birding Trail. A few of the highlights are:
Stevenson City Park – Jackson County, AL - If you are up for a winter kayak adventure, this beautiful, protected cove is a great spot to see migratory songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Many waterfowl species can also be observed from the shoreline.
Guntersville State Park – Guntersville, AL - For those who remember the early comeback of Bald Eagles to Alabama, Guntersville birding has long been a destination for eagle watching. In addition to the healthy population of Bald Eagles, enjoy an array of waterfowl, wading birds, and songbirds found in the wetlands and woodlands throughout the park.
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge – Decatur, AL - This premiere birding hotspot of the Tennessee River is a “must bird” spot along the river. Check out the USFWS Seasons of Wildlife in Wheeler NWR for a monthly guide to expected species.
Birding Trails and Wildlife Refuges in West Tennessee and Kentucky
Big Sandy Unit of the Tennessee Wildlife Refuge - Benton County, TN
Land Between the Lakes – Calvert City & Calloway County, KY- Whether you are enjoying the TN lower section or the KY upper section, the land between the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers is sought after as a stopover, seasonal, or year-round home to many species of waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. Feeders and curated bird habitat can be easily found at the Woodlands Nature Station, while the open water of Kentucky Lake is a perfect place to spot eagles and a large array of migrating waterfowl.
Wherever you find yourself along the Tennessee RiverLine this winter, take time to get outside and enjoy our bounty of winter birding! Winter birding is one of the most peaceful ways to experience the Tennessee RiverLine. Tag your photos with #TNRiverLine652 or #MyJourneyTo652, and tell us about your favorite winter sightings.