Birding in Kentucky

The top birding locations in Kentucky include Land Between the Lakes, Ballard Wildlife Management Area, Barren River Lake SRP, Crappie Hollow (Blood River), Fishing Creek Rec. Area, Freeman Lake, Garvin Brown Nature Preserve, Jacobson Park, Jonathan Creek Embayment, KY Dam, Lake Barkley - Dam, Land Between the Lakes, Land Between the Lakes, Land Between the Lakes - Honker Lake & Bay, Land Between the Lakes - Long Creek Wildlife Refuge, McElroy Lake (transient, park ONLY along gravel field entrance at south end of lake. Do not go around owners buildings or equipment or walk through crops. Do not walk onto the property west of Highway 884), Minor E Clark Fish Hatchery (Closed to visitors on weekends in January), Owsley Fork Reservoir, Peabody Wildlife Management Area, Sinclair Unit, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Long Point Unit, Sloughs Wildlife Management Area, Sauerheber Unit. Each offers unique habitats and species.

The best seasons for birding in Kentucky are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area. Winter offers opportunities for cold-weather specialties and waterfowl.

Notable species in Kentucky include Bald Eagle, Wild Turkey, Red-headed Woodpecker, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Canada Goose, Belted Kingfisher, American Crow, and more. The state supports forest, wetland, grassland, lake, river/riparian, urban park, coastal habitats.