Birding Hot Spots in the Tennessee River Valley for Birding Enthusiasts

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Tennessee River Valley is a four season destination with something new to see and experience with each changing season. While the months of January and February are not typically considered the time to head outdoors, the beginning of the year is an ideal time to go bird watching in the Tennessee River Valley.

Bird watching has become one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America. More than 45 million people watch birds around their homes and away from home, according to findings in the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation produced by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, joining other wildlife watchers in contributing a total of nearly $80 billion to the U.S. economy.

"The popularity is growing in part to its simplicity. All that is needed is a decent pair of binoculars and an app or field guide to help identify the birds," said Julie Graham, spokesperson for the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council. "From mountainous areas and rolling hills to marshes and wetlands, the Tennessee River Valley is a geologically diverse valley, boasting plenty of hot spots for experienced birders and for beginners taking the plunge into bird watching."

For those in search of places to observe and photograph wild birds, the Tennessee River Valley has compiled a list of popular areas and special events and the types of birds birding enthusiasts can expect to see.

Wings of Winter Birding Festival, Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake

Set for Jan. 18-20, 2019, Wings of Winter Birding Festival offers three days of birding on lakes, tributaries and river bottoms in the northwestern portion of the Tennessee and the southwestern portion of Kentucky. During the festival, attendees are treated to guided field trips to sites that are ordinarily closed to the public, highly regarded featured speakers, plenty of ornithological camaraderie and more. Seating is limited and preregistration is required to attend. Admission to festival is $25 per person with additional activities individually priced.

Eagle Awareness at Lake Guntersville State Park, Ala.

Every year in January and February, eagles take center stage in North Alabama when Lake Guntersville State Park hosts Eagle Awareness weekends giving birding enthusiasts a chance to learn more about the magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Set for Jan. 25-27, Feb. 1-3, Feb. 8-10, and Feb. 15-17, the weekend events feature live bird demonstrations, interactive programs provided by notable speakers from across the country, guided field trips for viewing eagles in their natural habitat, and activities for children. The Eagle Awareness events are free to the public. Registration is not required to attend the programs or field trips. Sessions can fill up quickly so participants are encouraged to arrive early. For a complete list of scheduled events and lodging packages, click here.

Rankin Wildlife Management Area, Tenn.

Covering 1,255 acres in eastern Tennessee, Rankin Wildlife Management Area is composed of islands and floodplains that are submerged during the warm season impoundment of Douglas Reservoir. The majority of Tennessee's ducks and geese have been found here in winter, along with Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swan and a variety of sparrows. Gulls and terns can be also numerous on upper Douglas Lake. In all, there have been a total of 89 waterbird species documented. Rankin Bottoms holds and attracts full complements of species dependent on mudflats and forested wetlands. There are at least three active Osprey nests within the wildlife management area and several additional ones nearby. Bald Eagles appear regularly, as many as three in one day have been reported.

Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area, Sharps Chapel, Tenn.

The Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area consists of 24,000 acres of forest bounded on three sides by Norris Lake and by the historic Sharps Chapel community. Throughout the scenic peninsula, woodland birds can be spotted year round. Along the banks of Norris Lake, birding enthusiasts can expect to see blue heron, geese and other water fowl. Bald eagles are common in the high trees along the water and often can be spotted while feeding. In winter months, look for red-breasted nuthatches and other winter birds. Along with birds, wild turkey and white-tailed deer are common across the site.

Song Bird Trail, Andersonville, Tenn.

Norris Songbird Trail State Wildlife Observation Area is located below Norris Dam on the Clinch River and provides a variety of habitats (including riverine, old fields, bottomland hardwoods and grassy areas) for many songbirds and other wildlife. A 2.3-mile loop trail provides visitors several opportunities to view a variety of birds.

A special feature is the high concentration of eastern bluebirds breeding in the area. Osprey and bald eagles can occasionally be seen along the river. During the winter months, the trail is also a good place to observe yellow-bellied sapsuckers, winter wrens, hermit thrushes, kinglets, yellowrumped warblers, and white-throated sparrows. Woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, cedar waxwings, northern cardinals and song sparrows are present year-round. Eastern screech-owls, barred owls and great horned owls are also permanent residents in this area.

Hiwassee Refuge on Chickamauga Lake

The Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge is 6,000 acres (2,500 acres of land and 3,500 acres of water) located on Chickamauga Lake at the confluence of the Hiwassee River and Tennessee River. This site has the largest winter flock of Sandhill Cranes in the southeastern United States outside of Florida. Up to 75% of the entire eastern population of Sandhill Cranes winter or spend time at Hiwassee. A wildlife observation platform is open year-round to visitors.

From the platform, visitors can view Sandhill Cranes and an occasional endangered Whooping Crane during the winter months with peak numbers of cranes occurring in January. Waterfowl are commonly seen in winter months, including Mallard, American Black Duck and Northern Shoveler. Bonaparte's Gull and Ring-billed Gull are common in winter. Great Blue Heron numbers are substantial in the winter time. Bald Eagle numbers in winter rank among the top five in the state with many often seen from the observation area. Golden Eagles are irregular winter visitors that are occasionally seen by lucky visitors.

For more information on hot birding spots in the Tennessee River Valley, visit http://www.exploreTRV.com.

About the Tennessee River Valley
Beginning in the southwest corner of Virginia, the Tennessee River Valley region cuts through the mountainous areas of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Northern Georgia, into the rolling hills and bottomlands of northern Alabama and Mississippi and then north through the marshes and wetlands of middle-west Tennessee and ending in western Kentucky. The Tennessee River Valley offers a compelling story, captivating visitors with its little unknown facts, pristine, untouched areas and rich, authentic experiences. Save trip ideas and plan a trip easily with the Tennessee River Valley Geotourism MapGuide, an online guide of authentic places and adventures that have been recommended by locals.

SOURCE Tennessee River Valley Mapguide Council