Lake birding habitat

Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit

Tennessee · Southeast

Habitat
LakeWetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit is a productive birding destination in Tennessee, with 212 species recorded on eBird. This lake and wetland habitat attracts Bufflehead, Horned Grebe, and Common Loon 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

American Black Duck

Anas rubripes

5/31/2026Alcoa Duck Pond1 observed

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

5/29/2026Great Smoky Mountains NP--Cades Cove1 observed

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

5/29/2026Harris-Rutherford yard1 observed

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

5/25/2026Tellico Lake WMA--Chota Unit1 observed

Common Raven

Corvus corax

5/23/2026US-321 Lenoir City US-TN1 observed

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

5/22/2026Wellsville2 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

5/18/2026158 Chahyga Way, Loudon, Tennessee, US (35.701, -84.265)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

15/26/2026

Killdeer

15/26/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

25/26/2026

Great Blue Heron

35/26/2026

Black Vulture

75/26/2026

Turkey Vulture

15/26/2026

Osprey

15/26/2026

Bald Eagle

15/26/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

25/26/2026

Downy Woodpecker

15/26/2026

Eastern Wood-Pewee

15/26/2026

Great Crested Flycatcher

15/26/2026

Eastern Kingbird

35/26/2026

White-eyed Vireo

15/26/2026

Red-eyed Vireo

25/26/2026

American Crow

25/26/2026

Tufted Titmouse

35/26/2026

Tree Swallow

25/26/2026

Purple Martin

65/26/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

35/26/2026

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 Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit for birding?
The best months to visit Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit?
Notable species at Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit include Bufflehead, Horned Grebe, Common Loon, Canada Goose, Wood Duck. The area supports lake, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit?
Birding at Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit?
Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area - Chota Unit offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.