Lake birding habitat

Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek

Tennessee · Southeast

Habitat
LakeRiver/Riparian
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek is a productive birding destination in Tennessee, with 202 species recorded on eBird. This lake and river/riparian habitat attracts Ring-billed Gull, Downy Woodpecker, and Pileated Woodpecker among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

4/12/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

4/12/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

4/12/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

4/12/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

4/12/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

4/12/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

4/12/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

4/11/2026Tennessee NWR--Duck River Unit1 observed

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

4/11/2026Tennessee NWR--Duck River Unit5 observed

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

4/11/2026Tennessee NWR--Duck River Unit1 observed

Wood Thrush

Hylocichla mustelina

4/10/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

4/10/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

4/4/2026Tennessee NWR--Duck River Unit--Pool 111 observed

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

4/4/2026Tennessee NWR--Duck River Unit--Pool 114 observed

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

4/1/2026Kentucky Lake--Beaver Dam Creek1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

54/12/2026

Mourning Dove

34/12/2026

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

14/12/2026

Killdeer

24/12/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

14/12/2026

Great Blue Heron

14/12/2026

Black Vulture

14/12/2026

Turkey Vulture

54/12/2026

Osprey

14/12/2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

14/12/2026

Belted Kingfisher

14/12/2026

Red-headed Woodpecker

14/12/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

14/12/2026

Downy Woodpecker

24/12/2026

Pileated Woodpecker

14/12/2026

Northern Flicker

14/12/2026

American Kestrel

14/12/2026

Eastern Kingbird

24/12/2026

White-eyed Vireo

14/12/2026

Yellow-throated Vireo

14/12/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek for birding?
The best months to visit Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek?
Notable species at Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek include Ring-billed Gull, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe. The area supports lake, river/riparian habitats.
How difficult is birding at Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek?
Birding at Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek?
Kentucky Lake - Beaver Dam Creek offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.