There are so many brilliant birdwatching locations around Knoxville, TN that provide explorers with many bird species to observe. Alcoa, TN also has some breathtaking scenery that these winged creatures love roaming through. The following is our list of lovely places ideal for birding in these areas.
1. Seven Islands State Birding Park, Knoxville, TN
This park is over 6 miles of meadows, forests, and native bluestem grasses, home to over 209 bird species. As the only birding park in Tennessee, it has natural pathways and an ADA-accessible bridge that allows birdwatchers to reach an island in the middle of its river. Many different species have been sighted here, including indigo bunting, blue grosbeak, yellow-throat, yellow-breasted chat, purple martins, tree swallows, and white quail.
2. Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park
For twitchers that enjoy long walks, we love that this 6-mile park has natural surface paths, which welcome visitors to explore the stunning scenery. This is a particular favorite spot for migratory songbirds because the park has dense woodland that they enjoy resting in. The well-established trees are ideal for more than 157 bird species, including 36 different types of warblers and many joyful songbirds. Migration season is best for spotting these musical creatures.
3. Halls Greenway and Marsh
If you’re looking to observe ducks, we believe this marshland is an ideal place to spot these webbed-footed birds. The 1.3-mile paved trail here hugs the marsh, is alongside beautiful meadows, and runs through woodland. Therefore, we recommend visiting Halls Greenway and Marsh to see diverse bird species that live in different habitat types. You may even spot stunning great blue herons and kingfishers and potentially 138 other species!
4. Norris Dam State Park – Songbird Trail
This is a 2-mile trail that loops next to the Clinch River, next to Knoxville. This songbird trail lives up to its name because there have been 176 bird species documented as living here, which are primarily songbirds. The park has forests, meadows, and marshland, offering visitors the chance to see grebes, kingfishers, herons, and ducks specifically next to the river. We love that this pathway is short enough to take children so that everyone can enjoy the birds!
5. Concord Park
Around Fort Lordon lake, this little space is filled with a staggering 162 species! We advise going in migration season during spring and fall to see songbirds and other resting migratory wildlife. If you’ve fallen in love with this park’s natural beauty, we love that you can hike on larger sections to see pelicans, seagulls, waterfowl, and terns. For photographers, we believe this is a fabulous place to bring your binoculars and snap detailed photos!
6. Alcoa Duck Pond
This beloved pond sitting between two schools in Alcoa is a beautiful home to bobbing ducks. Frequently seen bird species include: great blue heron, killdeer, mallard, least sandpiper, ring-billed gull, and European starling. There are delightful picnic areas nearby, trails, and woodland to enjoy too! We love the convenient parking next to Springbrook Road.
Knoxville and Alcoa have so many wholesome destinations for you to see birds from longer trails to cozy ponds. Visit us at Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota to pick up your car that will take you to these awe-inspiring locations!
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