Birding in Tennessee

Explore 89 birding hotspots across forest, mountain, wetland, urban park, river/riparian, coastal, lake, grassland habitats in Tennessee.

89

Locations

93+

Notable Species

8

Habitat Types

4

Peak Seasons

Complete Tennessee Birding Guide

Top locations, species, seasonal tips, and more

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Birding Locations in Tennessee

Misty mountain ridges in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee

Moderate

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Elevation-diverse Appalachian park with northern breeding species and rich warbler variety.

ForestMountainSpringSummer
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Amnicola Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 203 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Barkley Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 205 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Bells Bend Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 228 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Big Sandy River - Big Sandy Flats

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 201 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Black Bayou Refuge - Main Unit

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 255 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Black Bayou Refuge - Phillipy Unit

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 225 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Brainerd Levee

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 230 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Camden Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 213 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Cane Creek Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 223 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Chester Frost Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 242 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Chickamauga Dam

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 206 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 214 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge - Impoundments

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 226 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Cove Lake State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 234 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Crooked Branch Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 202 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 254 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery (stay on gravel)

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 220 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Eagle Lake Refuge

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 244 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Edgar Evins State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 202 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Ensley Bottoms - Maxson Wastewater Lagoons/Earth Complex (The Pits)

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 316 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Fowler Road Irrigation Pond

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 257 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Gibson County Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 250 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Great River Road - TN-103/Hurd Loop Road to Big Levee Road

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 206 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Challenging

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Cades Cove

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 209 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Hardin Bottom

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 210 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 235 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Herb Parsons Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 208 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 225 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

J. Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area - Field Trial Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 235 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Johnsonville State Historic Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 201 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Jolly Landing

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 202 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 202 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Kentucky Lake - Tie Landing

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 256 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Kyker Bottoms Refuge

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 226 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 201 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Lake Tansi

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 210 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Lakeshore Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 229 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Martin Luther King, Jr. Riverside Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 253 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Challenging

Melton Lake Islands - TVA Parcel 98 (Stay on TVA land)

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 206 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Memorial Park (Hendersonville)

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 201 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Mississippi River - Fritz Landing Boat Launch

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 208 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Challenging

Mississippi River - Island 13

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 228 recorded species.

CoastalRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Mississippi River - Mud Island - Greenbelt Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 228 recorded species.

CoastalRiver/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Mississippi River - Tiptonville Bar/Tiptonville Landing/Marijac River Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 229 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Challenging

Moss Island Wildlife Management Area

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 206 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park - Eva Beach Recreation Area

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 213 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Nickajack Dam - North Side

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 211 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Old Hickory Lake - Snow Bunting Peninsula (Old Hickory Pointe)

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 246 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Overton Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 201 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Paris Landing State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 234 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Phillipy Pits (roadside viewing)

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 205 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Pickwick Dam

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 224 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Pickwick Lake - Bruton Branch Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 219 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Pickwick Landing State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 207 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Challenging

President's Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 236 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
green trees beside body of water during daytime

Tennessee

Easy

Radnor Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 238 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Rankin Bottoms

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 250 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Reelfoot Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 219 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Reelfoot Lake State Park - Airpark Area, Campground, Trails & Lagoon

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 208 recorded species.

WetlandLakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Reelfoot Lake State Park - Ellington Visitor Center & Boardwalk

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 209 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 211 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Tennessee

Challenging

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge - Grassy Island Unit - Walnut Log Rd

Coastal birding hotspot in Tennessee with 214 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Savannah Bottoms

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 212 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Seven Islands State Birding Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 224 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 207 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Shelby Farms Park - Conservancy/Penal Farm

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 270 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Shelby Farms Park - Gardner Road Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 253 recorded species.

WetlandUrban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Shelby Park and Bottoms

Urban Park birding hotspot in Tennessee with 233 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Shelton Ferry Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 206 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Standifer Gap Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 231 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

Steele Creek Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 207 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Easy

T.O. Fuller State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 216 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 212 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennemo Levee

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 217 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Big Sandy Unit

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 259 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Big Sandy Unit - Pace Point

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 262 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Britton Ford

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 258 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Busseltown Unit

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 222 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Duck River Unit

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 307 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Duck River Unit - Pool 5

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 210 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Duck River Unit - Pump Station Road (North)

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 245 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Tigrett Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 205 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

TN-79W - levee road to Mississippi River

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 229 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Toms Creek Mudflats

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Tennessee with 203 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Volkswagen Wetland

Wetland birding hotspot in Tennessee with 204 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

White Lake Refuge

Lake birding hotspot in Tennessee with 228 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Tennessee

Moderate

Woods Reservoir

Forest birding hotspot in Tennessee with 203 recorded species.

ForestLakeSpringFall

Notable Species

Key species found across birding locations in Tennessee:

Cerulean WarblerBlack-capped ChickadeeRed CrossbillWinter WrenNorthern Saw-whet OwlSong SparrowNorthern CardinalCarolina WrenCooper's HawkTufted TitmouseCanada GooseMallardRing-necked DuckNorthern FlickerAmerican CrowGreat Blue HeronRed-winged BlackbirdGreen HeronVirginia RailTurkey Vulture

Habitats & Best Seasons

Habitat Types:

ForestMountainWetlandUrban ParkRiver/RiparianCoastalLakeGrassland

Best Seasons:

SpringSummerFallWinter

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots in Tennessee?
The top birding locations in Tennessee include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Amnicola Marsh, Barkley Wildlife Management Area, Bells Bend Park, Big Sandy River - Big Sandy Flats, Black Bayou Refuge - Main Unit, Black Bayou Refuge - Phillipy Unit, Brainerd Levee, Camden Wildlife Management Area, Cane Creek Park, Chester Frost Park, Chickamauga Dam, Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge - Impoundments, Cove Lake State Park, Crooked Branch Park, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery (stay on gravel), Eagle Lake Refuge, Edgar Evins State Park, Ensley Bottoms - Maxson Wastewater Lagoons/Earth Complex (The Pits), Fowler Road Irrigation Pond, Gibson County Lake, Great River Road - TN-103/Hurd Loop Road to Big Levee Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Cades Cove, Hardin Bottom, Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, Herb Parsons Lake, Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, J. Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area - Field Trial Area, Johnsonville State Historic Park, Jolly Landing, Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek, Kentucky Lake - Tie Landing, Kyker Bottoms Refuge, Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Tansi, Lakeshore Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. Riverside Park, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Melton Lake Islands - TVA Parcel 98 (Stay on TVA land), Memorial Park (Hendersonville), Mississippi River - Fritz Landing Boat Launch, Mississippi River - Island 13, Mississippi River - Mud Island - Greenbelt Park, Mississippi River - Tiptonville Bar/Tiptonville Landing/Marijac River Park, Moss Island Wildlife Management Area, Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park - Eva Beach Recreation Area, Nickajack Dam - North Side, Old Hickory Lake - Snow Bunting Peninsula (Old Hickory Pointe), Overton Park, Paris Landing State Park, Phillipy Pits (roadside viewing), Pickwick Dam, Pickwick Lake - Bruton Branch Recreation Area, Pickwick Landing State Park, President's Island, Radnor Lake State Park, Rankin Bottoms, Reelfoot Lake State Park, Reelfoot Lake State Park - Airpark Area, Campground, Trails & Lagoon, Reelfoot Lake State Park - Ellington Visitor Center & Boardwalk, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge - Grassy Island Unit - Walnut Log Rd, Savannah Bottoms, Seven Islands State Birding Park, Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, Shelby Farms Park - Conservancy/Penal Farm, Shelby Farms Park - Gardner Road Marsh, Shelby Park and Bottoms, Shelton Ferry Wildlife Management Area, Standifer Gap Marsh, Steele Creek Park, T.O. Fuller State Park, Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit, Tennemo Levee, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Big Sandy Unit, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Big Sandy Unit - Pace Point, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Britton Ford, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Busseltown Unit, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Duck River Unit, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Duck River Unit - Pool 5, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - Duck River Unit - Pump Station Road (North), Tigrett Wildlife Management Area, TN-79W - levee road to Mississippi River, Toms Creek Mudflats, Volkswagen Wetland, White Lake Refuge, Woods Reservoir. Each offers unique habitats and species.
When is the best time to go birding in Tennessee?
The best seasons for birding in Tennessee are Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area. Winter offers opportunities for cold-weather specialties and waterfowl.
What birds can I see in Tennessee?
Notable species in Tennessee include Cerulean Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee, Red Crossbill, Winter Wren, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Wren, and more. The state supports forest, mountain, wetland, urban park, river/riparian, coastal, lake, grassland habitats.

Plan Your Birding Trip

Get the most out of your birding adventure in Tennessee with our expert guides.