Birding in Knoxville

and throughout East Tennessee

Love birding? You are not alone. More than 46 million Americans are proud to call themselves bird watchers and a great deal of them know a variety of our feathered friends can be found in Knox County.

East Tennessee Birding Summary

• The TN Ornithological Society identifies 19 different birding sites in East Tennessee.

• East Tennessee has 30 "hot spot" birding trails identified by Tennessee Birding Trails.

• East Tennessee has plentiful numbers of colorful singing spring warblers.

• East Tennessee's access to higher elevations in the mountains offers the opportunity to pick up more northerly breeding birds that follow the Canadian zone into the south.

• Birders from around the country visit each year in late fall through winter for the Sandhill Crane migration at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge.

• Just under 300 birds have been identified in Knox County; Over 200 species alone at Seven Islands State Birding Park.

Knoxville’s mild climate, hilly-to-mountainous terrain and many lakes and streams makes a great habitat for birds. We are also conveniently located right in the middle of migration routes for many species of birds. Whether you are a beginner looking for easy birds to identify or an experienced birder, there are many places to start exploring.